Conflict is always an unhappy subject, but it remains an area of real focus across the globe. Cross-border collisions of ideology, hegemony, raw materials, and even survival, mean national budgets reach astronomical levels, especially in the US, by far the world's largest military spender.In 2022, global military budgets hit an all-time high of $2.2 trillion, according to data released by the Stoc

Strong order intake maintained with circa £10 billion bookedShare buyback programme ongoingShare price up 80% since February 2022As governments struggle to quell conflicts around the globe, defence spending looks a safe bet, and BAE Systems (BA.) is winning contracts in this perilous climate.The defence firm flagged order intake worth more than £30 billion booked year-to-date, so while the share

London's FTSE 100 opened the week in the green, with a deal by US lawmakers to avoid a shutdown lifting the mood.If last week was anything to go by, however, it will be a difficult final quarter for equities. Interest rate worries and China growth concerns continue to loom large.The FTSE 100 index opened up 13.28 points, or 0.2%, at 7,621.36. The FTSE 250 was up 100.97 points, or 0.6%, at 18,380.3

Stocks in London closed higher on Tuesday, as fears surrounding the demise of Silicon Valley Bank eased and fresh data revealed US inflation cooled in February.The FTSE 100 index closed up 88.48 points, or 1.2% at 7,637.11 on Tuesday. The FTSE 250 ended up 304.58 points, or 1.6%, at 19,129.66. The AIM All-Share closed up 7.94 points, or 1.0%, at 827.10.The Cboe UK 100 ended up 1.0% at 763.32, the

London's FTSE 100 takes another tumble on Friday, off 39 points at 7,379.2 as reports of an imminent breakthrough on Brexit helped lift sterling ahead of the key US non-farm payrolls release out later today.Consumer goods colossus Unilever (ULVR) weakens 1% to £40.38 39.8p as the board capitulates to shareholder pressure and scraps the plan to shift its headquarters to the Netherlands. Drawing th

New product launches, market departures and management changes are throwing up opportunities for fund investors to consider.Fresh opportunities need to be scrutinised with care and altered mandates assessed to see whether they suit your financial needs and risk appetites.Say helloBB Healthcare Trust (BBH) has joined the stock market (2 Dec) after raising £150m. It should interest investors wantin

The bullish bubble that has swept UK market higher over the past few trading sessions gets well and truly popped on Thursday as investors react to more hefty falls in crude prices and the US Federal Reserve's outlook for interest rates.In early trade London's FTSE 100 is down 58 points, or 0.9%, at 6,767, tracking late declines on Wall Street, with the S&P 500 falling 1.3% overnight to 2,002.16. T

It is a quiet start to the week with the FTSE 100 down 21 points to 6,561. Insurer Prudential (PRU) is one of the few FTSE 100 stocks recording decent share price movement as it releases bullish half-year results. We look at the numbers in more detail here, explaining why the shares are up 3.5% to £12.26.Sirius Minerals (SXX:AIM) advances 3.9% to 13.5p after tapping a US investor for cash. While

Investors applauded life assurer Phoenix's (PHNX) decision to hike its dividend by 27% and pay down debt. The £1.1 billion cap advanced 8.4% to 640.5p on a string of news which includes plans to raise £250 million in a share placing at 500p as part of a major capital restructuring.In contrast, £6 billion cap oil service provider Petrofac (PFC) was the FTSE 100's worst performer, down 7% to £16