Blue chips faded into the close on Friday but the FTSE 250 held its glow as UK financial markets reacted to the election of a Labour government.The FTSE 100 index closed down 37.33 points, or 0.5%, at 8,203.93. The FTSE 250 ended up 176.31 points, or 0.9%, at 20,786.65, while the AIM All-Share closed up 4.97 points, or 0.7%, at 774.39.For the week, the FTSE 100 added 0.5%, the FTSE 250 climbed 2.5

Stock prices in London were in the green at midday Friday, as Labour won their first general election since 2005, with party leader Keir Starmer set to become prime minister shortly.There are just two seats to go, with Labour so far scoring a landslide of 412 seats.The FTSE 100 index was up 6.08 points, 0.1%, at 8,247.34. The FTSE 250 was up 224.64 points, 1.1%, at 20,834.98, and the AIM All-Share

Renewables seen in loss for Q2Work stopped at Rotterdam siteBig provisions due in 1H resultsOil major Shell (SHEL) presented an updated second-quarter outlook which contained few changes to its production forecasts but signalled its renewables unit would make a considerable loss.The shares, which have outperformed the FTSE 100 index with a gain year-to-date of 12.6%, traded sideways at £28.92 as

Stock prices in London where in the green on Friday morning as investors digested the landslide Labour victory in the general election ending 14 years of Tory rule.Labour's Keir Starmer is set to be the next Prime Minister after the party's election victory overnight.Later on Friday, markets in New York will reopen after being closed for Independence Day. Investors will be eyeing this month's nonf

Stocks in London closed mostly higher on Thursday as investors awaited the outcome of the UK general election.Pollsters currently have Labour waking up to a majority, marking the first time that the party has been in power since 2010.The FTSE 100 index closed up 70.14 points, or 0.9%, at 8,241.26. The FTSE 250 ended up 80.92 points, or 0.4%, at 20,610.34, while the AIM All-Share closed fractionall

Stock prices in London were higher at midday Thursday, as voters continue to turn out at poll stations to deliver what is expected to be a general election victory for the Labour party for the first time since 2005.The FTSE 100 index was up 66.66 points, or 0.8%, at 8,237.46. The FTSE 250 was up 41.98 points, or 0.2%, at 20,571.24, and the AIM All-Share was up 0.67 points, or 0.1%, at 770.79.The C

The FTSE 100 and FTSE 250 were in the green on Thursday morning, with Brits heading to polling stations to vote in the general election.Based on surveys leading up to election day, it looks like Labour will win a majority, ousting the Tory's after nearly a decade and a half in power.Across the channel, French voters went to the polls for the first round of the legislative election on Sunday, and t

While the shares prices of many housebuilders are still well below where they were pre-pandemic, so are their earnings which means although the sector may look cheap at first glance it could be a classic 'value trap' instead.In the case of Barratt Developments (BDEV), whose shares are still almost 50% below their March 2020 level and which has a trading update on 10 July, sales for the year to Jun

Now the ballots have been cast at the general election, the UK could become the 'reassuringly boring' market, both politically and fiscally, when compared to the more extreme politics on the other side of the English Channel and Atlantic Ocean.So suggests Jean Roche, manager of the Schroder UK Mid Cap Fund (SCP), who notes capital allocators know more or less what to expect, which could explain th

For those approaching or entering retirement, the idea of being able to live off the income generated by their investments and not having to touch the underlying capital is hugely appealing.For the lucky few who have a 'pot' worth millions that dream may well be a reality, but for most of us it is something we are going to have to work on well before we get to the stage where we can finally stop l

Short-term concerns over slower growth in the US, where the consumer is feeling the inflationary pinch, and the potential negative long-term impact of anti-obesity drugs on demand for sugary snacks and drinks mean PepsiCo's (PEP:NASDAQ) shares have lacked fizz over the past year.As such, investors will be hoping the food and beverage giant can maintain full year 2024 guidance for 'at least' 4% org

As the UK heads to the polls, it is political events across the Atlantic and the Channel which are really dominating market discourse.In France the first round of voting in parliamentary elections suggested president Emmanuel Macron's gamble of calling a snap poll last month had backfired.Marine Le Pen's far-right National Rally won 33.1% of the vote, with a left-wing alliance behind on 28% and th

European stocks closed higher in confident trade on Wednesday, with the mood supported by cooler US data aiding interest rate cut hopes, and belief that the French election outcome could be more favourable than first feared.French voters went to the polls for the first round of the legislative election on Sunday, and they return to them this week. In the UK, there was a boost for the Labour Party

Stock prices in London were higher at Wednesday midday ahead of the UK general election on Thursday, with the opposition Labour party expect to win a comfortable majority.Also keeping stocks in the green was positive inflation news from US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, ahead of an Independence Day holiday, starting locally at 1400 EDT today.Speaking on Tuesday, Powell said the US central ba

Defence and banks stocks top tableM&A wave creates big winnersConsumer stocks on the skidsIt hasn't been a vintage year for the UK stock market, but there are signs investors are coming back attracted by the cheap valuations on offer compared with the US as well as decent earnings prospects for UK companies.The FTSE 350 index is up 5.5% year-to-date, with the FTSE 100 large-cap benchmark up 5.6% j

Paramount shares gain Initial talks in June failedCommittee considering new dealShares in Paramount Global (PARA:NASDAQ) gained 7% yesterday and added a further 3% to $19.32 in after-hours trading after the US media firm said it had resumed merger talks with Californian-based TV and film production company Skydance Media.In June, talks between the two were called off after both parties failed to r

Stock prices were in the green on Wednesday morning amid optimism that the Federal Reserve in the US might cut interest rates in the future.In the UK, it is the day before election day. Polls have seen Keir Starmer's Labour party take the lead as the Conservatives slip.The FTSE 100 index opened up 42.55 points, 0.5%, at 8,163.75. The FTSE 250 was up 99.58 points, 0.5%, at 20,294.05, and the AIM Al

Stocks in London ended in the red on Tuesday, as cautious sentiment prevailed following hot eurozone inflation figures.The FTSE 100 index ended down 45.56 points, 0.6%, at 8,121.20. The FTSE 250 fell 27.61 points, 0.1%, at 20,194.47, while the AIM All-Share slipped 0.81 of a point at 764.37.The Cboe UK 100 fell 0.7% to 808.01, the Cboe UK 250 declined 0.5% to 17575.03, and the Cboe Small Companies

European stocks were under pressure on Tuesday, while US equities are set to open lower, after eurozone inflation data veered towards being unfavourable, as core price pressure remains robust.The data may have given European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde some food for thought. Lagarde, and her Federal Reserve counterpart Jerome Powell, speak at a conference in Sintra, Portugal later.The

European stocks opened in the red on Tuesday, with eyes on eurozone inflation data, a US labour market report, and words from central bankers at a conference in Portugal.The FTSE 100 index traded 51.69 points lower, 0.6%, at 8,115.07. The FTSE 250 fell 75.96 points, 0.4%, at 20,146.12, and the AIM All-Share was down 1.67 points, 0.2%, at 763.51.The Cboe UK 100 was down 0.8% at 807.43, the Cboe UK