Stock prices were mostly lower in London, Paris and Frankfurt around midday Friday, as investors await US nonfarm payrolls data.'More uncertainty around tariffs has weighed on global stock markets,' said AJ Bell's Russ Mould. 'Even though Donald Trump has made more goods exempt from tariffs on Canada and Mexico, it's the constant tinkering that's upset investors...The fact Trump keeps changing his

Always quoteworthy, Warren Buffett once said: 'I try to invest in businesses that are so wonderful that an idiot can run them. Because sooner or later, one will.'While the maxim has merit, management does make a difference and management changes can have a major impact ? for good or bad ? on even the best businesses.The surprise departure of Unilever (ULVR) chief executive Hein Schumacher on 25 Fe

I am getting concerned about the changes to inheritance tax on pensions.I am 78 years old, and my wife is 68. We have two grown up children with families of their own. My wife is in good health, whereas I have the usual sort of challenges befitting my age.Our total estate is worth about £900,000, including the house. I get a company pension payment every month, that should pass onto my wife when

The FTSE 100 was up a notch, while the CAC 40 in Paris was down mildly and the DAX 40 in Frankfurt was up comfortably following the German federal election.Meanwhile across Europe, eurozone consumer price inflation picked up last month, numbers from Eurostat confirmed.The euro area consumer price inflation rate accelerated to 2.5% year-on-year in January, from 2.4% in December, in line with the la

The FTSE 100 closed lower on Thursday, weighed down by ex-dividend stocks like AstraZeneca and BP, while a sell-off in US markets and reports of planned US defence cuts hit sentiment.The FTSE 100 index closed down 49.56 points, 0.6%, at 8,662.97. The large-cap benchmark was hit by the likes of AstraZeneca and BP, who traded lower as shares went ex-dividend.The FTSE 250 ended down 95.02 points, 0.5

Chip stock has rallied from $19.10 to $27.39Speculation that Broadcom and TSMC are mulling bidsSplitting chip design and foundry units seen as unlocking valueIntel (INTC:NASDAQ) has been on a roll lately, the stock rallying 43% since 7 February, as rumours swirl that could be broken up and sold off.According to The Wall Street Journal, two semiconductor giants, Broadcom (AVGO:NASDAQ) and TSMC (TSM

Stocks in Frankfurt and London were boosted by defence stocks at midday Monday, as European leaders prepared for talks in Paris with a focus on Ukraine.Among individual shares, BAE Systems rose, Barclays and NatWest recovered and Wood Group continued to slide.The FTSE 100 index rose 15.78 points, 0.2%, at 8,748.24. The FTSE 250 added 18.56 points, 0.1%, at 20,931.57, and the AIM All-Share rose 0.9

Is there going to be a tech market crash? If so, you definitely didn't hear it here first. Bearish commentators have been forecasting a correction in technology stock prices for almost as long as the current bull run has galloped onwards, and upwards. The bears certainly have reasons to be wary. The valuations of the Magnificent Seven are high, and so missing elevated growth expectations can see t

London stocks closed in the green on Monday, as US President Donald Trump's threats of 25% tariffs on steel and aluminium imports appear not to have phased investors.However, UK steel industry representatives have urged UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to act to protect it from Trump's threatened levy, warning that the move would be a 'devastating blow'.The UK government is waiting to see details of

Stock prices in London opened mixed on a relatively calm Friday, but FTSE 100 constituent Legal & General rose as it announced it will return an extra £1 billion to shareholders.Trade war tensions initially kept a lid on stocks at the start of the week, but the equity market then grew in confidence and the FTSE 100 hit its best-ever level.The blue-chip index traded down just 2.16 points at 8,725.

In the third of our four-part series on small caps (you can read part two on UK small cap funds and trusts elsewhere in this issue), we get our data-crunching caps on and take a look at key metrics around value, income and growth in the smaller companies universe.To narrow things down we limited our search to London-listed companies with market valuations between £50 million and £500 million. We

Organic sales improvementOutlook clouded by tariffsMedium-term guidance withdrawnAlcoholic drinks giant Diageo (DGE) served up a return to organic growth for the first half as a palate-pleasing performance from the iconic Guinness brand, a shoot-the-lights-out showing from tequila label Don Julio and price increases helped to offset a modest decline in volumes.There was also relief as Diageo left

Partnership to put fizz into US growthMolson Coors to buy 8.5% stake£71 million buyback to comeShares in Fevertree Drinks (FEVR:AIM) fizzed 20% higher to 801p after the premium mixer company announced a transformational strategic partnership with beer maker Molson Coors (TAP:NYSE), one that represents a big endorsement of the brand Fevertree has built up across the Atlantic.Not only will the tie-

Shares in WH Smith (SMWH) jumped 5% to £12.11 on 27 January after the storied retailer confirmed it was 'exploring potential strategic options' for its High Street business, which opened its first shop in London back in 1792.These options include a potential sale of all 500 High Street stores at a time when bricks-and-mortar retailing faces online competition, subdued footfall and a sharp rise in

Stock prices in London were mostly higher midday Wednesday, with water utilities among those leading the charge, before investors look across the pond for the Federal Reserve interest rate decision later.The FTSE 100 index added 27.29 points, 0.3%, at 8,561.16. The FTSE 250 was up 114.30 points, 0.6%, at 20,702.81, and the AIM All-Share lost just 0.14 of a point at 715.18.The Cboe UK 100 was up 0.

Good start to financial yearTravel delivering strong growthHigh Street arm continues to struggleHaving kick-started an auction process for its ailing High Street division earlier in the week, WH Smith (SMWH) was in demand with investors again as the retailer reported soaring sales at its Travel division over the Golden Quarter.The FTSE 250 company's shares rallied 6.6% to £12.69 on an update that

Exploring options for High Street divisionTalks ongoing with prospective buyersFocus on faster-growing Travel armShares in WH Smith (SMWH) were marked up 5.5% to £12.11 on 27 January after the global travel retailer confirmed it is 'exploring potential strategic options' for its storied-yet-struggling High Street business, which opened its first shop in London back in 1792.These include a possibl

The FTSE 100 fell slightly on Wednesday, as international earners put pressure on the index and as easyJet sank on a 'woolly' update.The FTSE 100 index fell just 3.16 points at 8,545.13. The FTSE 250 lost 15.43 points, 0.1%, at 20,580.30, and the AIM All-Share ended up 1.89 points, 0.3%, at 721.00.The Cboe UK 100 lost 0.1% at 856.60, the Cboe UK 250 fell 0.2% at 17,962.96, and the Cboe Small Compa

Americas hit by weak seasonal salesSome big customers in difficultyOther customers delaying ordersIt was a dark day for shareholders in celebration products maker IG Design (IGR:AIM) after the firm warned full-year earnings would be 'significantly below' current market forecasts due to problems in its Americas division.The shares lost 86p or more than 60% to 56p, wiping out £80 million of market

Domino's Pizza Group (DOM) 270pMarket cap: £1.05 billionWe aren't a willfully contrarian bunch at Shares, but now and then we come across a stock which seems so beaten-down with so much bad news priced in we just have to take a closer look.A case in point is FTSE 250 fast-food firm Domino's Pizza Group (DOM), the UK's leading pizza brand with over 1,360 stores in the UK and Ireland.Ironically, ei