We begin proceedings with two takeover approaches, one successful, the other less so, for now at least.First, Swiss bourse operator SIX agreed to buy UK junior marketplace Aquis Exchange (AQX:AIM) for 727p in cash, representing a 120% premium to the previous closing price of 330p.SIX, which operates the Swiss and Spanish stock markets, called the deal 'a compelling strategic opportunity which will

Junior exchange founded in 2012Revenue has grown around 500%Offer at 727p vs 330p close FridayIn the latest example of UK small-cap companies being taken over, junior stockmarket operator Aquis Exchange (AQX:AIM) announced it had agreed an offer for the company from Swiss bourse operator SIX Exchange Group at more than double the current share price.Aquis shares jumped 112% to 700p giving the firm

The FTSE 100 closed Thursday's trading session pretty much flat, off 0.07% at 7,078.35 points despite Wall Street moving higher as worries over indebted Chinese property giant Evergrande subsided.The blue chip benchmark surrendered earlier gains as the Bank of England kept interest rates on hold at 0.1% and maintained the QE programme at £895 billion, while also hinting at monetary tightening to

London's FTSE 100 gave up earlier gains to trade flat by midday on Thursday at 7,079.17 points after the Bank of England kept interest rates on hold at 0.1% and maintained the QE programme at £895 billion.A record jump in inflation failed to stir policy makers at the BoE, who are steadfastly maintaining the mantra that price rises are transitory.The Bank expects inflation to hit 4% this winter an

UK stocks edged higher as investors waited for news from the Bank of England following last month's surge in consumer prices.Labour and material shortages together with rising energy prices are contributing to inflationary pressures, and while interest rates are expected to remain unchanged, the market will be looking for signs as to future bank policy.At 8.45am the FTSE 100 index was up 24 points

UK stocks saw declines accelerate through the afternoon session to close sharply lower on Wednesday while investors also had to mull Deliveroo's (ROO) IPO car crash.The fast food delivery app saw its stock fall by more than 26% from its 390p IPO listing price, wiping nearly £2 billion off its valuation and burning thousands of retail investors along the way. The stock closed at 287.45p.That slump

The UK's leading shares continued to drift lower in early afternoon trading although recovering some of their earlier losses as investors mull Deliveroo's (ROO) IPO car crash.The fast food delivery app saw its stock collapse close on 30% at 278.15p after listing at 390p on Wednesday for a £7.6 billion valuation, burning thousands of retail investors along the way.That slump had no effect on Londo

London's FTSE 100 traded 0.4% lower at 6,747.46 early on Wednesday, despite the release of stronger-than-expected local economic data.Rising bond yields, and what they say about inflation and interest rate risks, had put US and Asian stocks under some modest pressure and the weak sentiment extended to Europe.UK gross domestic product grew by a relatively modest 1.3% in the fourth quarter of 2020,

While the coronavirus pandemic has been the dominant story of 2020 for global markets, ever-present in the background for UK investors has been the long and torturous road to Brexit, which is rapidly coming to a head with the UK needing to strike a trade deal with the European Union (EU) before 1 January 2021.Despite having had more than four years to prepare for a deal, both sides have taken it d

Alternative exchange group Aquis Exchange (AQX:AIM) reported better than expected annual revenue growth of 73% to £6.9m for the year ended 31 December 2019, pushing the shares up 6% to 355p.SUBSCRIPTION GROWTHStrong revenue growth was driven by higher subscription fees resulting from increased trading levels, growth in new members and supplemented by growth in fees from the data divisions.Revenue

Fund managers, banks and City lobby organisations are understood to be working on ground breaking proposals that could cut stock market trading hours in the UK and across Europe, opening an hour later at 9am and closing an hour earlier at 3.30pm.The talks, which are reportedly at a very early stage, are aimed at helping investment industry workers improve their work/life balance and encourage the