Strong first-half returnsInterim dividend up 20%Portfolio still undervaluedValue-focused investment trust Temple Bar (TMPL) continued its run of outperformance in the six months to 30 June with an NAV (net asset value) total return of 13.1% against a 7.4% return for the FTSE All-Share index.The share price total return was 11% following a widening of the discount to NAV to 7.5% from 5.6% at the en

Stock prices in London opened a tad higher on Wednesday morning, as investors keenly await upcoming Fed's minutes which may give a preview if Chair Jerome Powell will make any comments on monetary policy on Friday.The FTSE 100 index opened up just 0.98 of a point at 8,274.30. The FTSE 250 was up 42.13 points, 0.2%, at 21,028.28, and the AIM All-Share was up 1.05 points, 0.1%, at 775.09.The Cboe UK

Stocks closed in the green in Europe on Thursday, as London's FTSE 100 extended its gains, while the UK economy had a 'remarkable rebound' in the second quarter.The FTSE 100 index closed up 66.30 points, 0.8%, at 8,347.35. The FTSE 250 ended up 141.87 points, 0.7%, at 21,094.16, and the AIM All-Share closed up 3.28 points, 0.4%, at 774.79.The Cboe UK 100 ended up 0.8% at 833.68, the Cboe UK 250 cl

With the UK economy seemingly headed for a 'soft landing' and interest rates set to fall at some point this year, more adventurous investors will be looking to add a little more risk to their portfolios.Given the UK market, and the mid-cap space in particular, is widely acknowledged to be cheap, the passive option would be to buy a mid-cap ETF (exchange-traded fund) such as the iShares FTSE 250 (M

Stock prices stumbled in London on Monday, echoing the risk-averse mood of global equities peers.European investors did not have to look far to find reasons to be cautious, as Friday's sell-off persisted into the new week.The FTSE 100 index closed down 166.48 points, 2.0%, at 8,008.23. The FTSE 250 dropped 589.61 points, 2.8%, at 20,236.74, and the AIM All-Share closed down 22.65 points, 2.9%, at

Stocks in London dropped sharply alongside other global equity markets on Monday, after last week's data pointed to signs of trouble in the world's largest economy.The FTSE 100 index was down 198.60 points, 2.4%, at 7,976.11. The FTSE 250 was down 650.53 points, 3.1%, at 20,175.82, and the AIM All-Share was down 22.11 points, 2.9%, at 749.16.The Cboe UK 100 was down 2.3% at 796.29, the Cboe UK 250

Stocks in London took a hit on Friday, with New York also plummeting, after a slew of poor US economic data.The FTSE 100 index closed down 108.65 points, 1.3%, at 8,174.71. The FTSE 250 ended down 632.88 points, 3.0%, at 20,826.35, and the AIM All-Share closed down 11.81 points, 1.5%, at 771.27.Friday's fall meant London's blue-chip index ended a volatile week 1.3% worse off.The Cboe UK 100 ended

Top line beats consensus Profit 24% above estimates New £750 million buybackIn line with its rivals, Barclays (BARC), the last of the Big Four high-street banks to report, pleased investors with its second-quarter update although there was less of a reaction to its increased guidance or latest buyback.The shares opened up 8p or 3.4% at 241.8p but those early gains faded leaving the shares up just

London's FTSE 100 crept lower on Thursday morning, while mainland European peers suffered chunkier declines in early dealings, despite some US interest rate cut optimism after Federal Reserve Chair said a cut is on the table for next month's meeting.Corporate earnings that disappointed in mainland Europe. Societe Generale plunged 6.4% in Paris amid a tough outlook for its French retail banking arm

This feature was prompted by a reader question on why 'bond proxies' such as insurers Phoenix Group (PHNX) and Aviva (AV.) do not attract more investor attention.A bond proxy typically refers to a company which has a steadier-than-average income stream and offers a higher-than-average level of income.Long-term savings and insurance group Phoenix sits on a dividend yield of 10.4% based on an expect

Investor excitement surrounding weight-loss drugs has arguably been as great if not greater than that seen for everything AI (artificial intelligence) in the last two years.Market leaders Novo Nordisk (NOVO-B:CPH) and Eli Lilly (LLY:NYSE), makers of Wegovy and Zepbound respectively, have seen their share prices soar as investors seemingly extrapolate their initial success years into the future.Ben

Stocks in London stormed higher on Wednesday, as US tech stocks leapt, ahead of interest rate decisions either side of the Atlantic.While the Federal Reserve is expected to leave interest rates unchanged, it may hint at an easing of policy at its September meeting. In London, a rate cut from the Bank of England is possible on Thursday, although this is viewed as a close call.The FTSE 100 index clo

London's equity markets started the week on a strong footing on Monday, though the pound weakened ahead of a trio of central bank decisions.The Bank of England will announce its latest interest rate decision on Thursday, after rate calls from the Bank of Japan and the US Federal Reserve on Wednesday.The FTSE 100 index traded up 60.77 points, or 0.7%, at 8,346.48 on Monday afternoon. The FTSE 250 r

Stocks in London were in the green going into Friday afternoon, as investors kept their eyes on US inflation data due out this afternoon.The FTSE 100 index traded up 58.40 points, or 0.7%, at 8,244.06. The FTSE 250 was up 221.33 points, 1.1%, at 21,105.17, while the AIM All-Share rose 3.17 points, 0.4%, at 776.20.The Cboe UK 100 was up 0.8% at 823.02, the Cboe UK 250 rose 1.1% to 18,493.38, and th

The FTSE 100 finished lower at the close on Wednesday, as tech earnings weighed on equities across the pond, despite figures showing a strong result for UK business activity in July.The FTSE 100 index closed down 13.68 points, 0.2%, at 8,153.69. The FTSE 250 ended down 140.65 points, 0.7%, at 20,950.84, and the AIM All-Share closed down 3.53 points, 0.5%, at 776.64.The Cboe UK 100 ended down 0.1%

European stocks opened lower on Wednesday, as underwhelming results from US tech titans Alphabet and Tesla, and French luxury goods retailer LVMH, dented the mood.Still, the FTSE 100 index traded down 38.31 points, or 0.5%, at 8,129.06. The FTSE 250 was down 41.30 points, 0.2%, at 21,050.19, while the AIM All-Share was down 1.24 points, 0.2%, at 778.93.The Cboe UK 100 was down 0.4% at 811.48, the

London's FTSE 100 shook off a stronger pound and a robust UK services inflation reading to register its first rise of the week on Wednesday, as investors also digested the latest King's speech, with new Prime Minister Keir Starmer getting his feet firmly under the table at Number 10.A stronger pound is usually a headwind for the international earner-heavy blue-chip index, though some share price r

London's blue chip index outperformed its European counterparts on Wednesday morning, as investors eagerly await another testimony from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell.The FTSE 100 index opened up 16.62 points, 0.2%, at 8,156.43. The FTSE 250 was up 50.64 points, 0.3%, at 20,695.66, and the AIM All-Share was up 1.15 points, 0.2%, at 773.09.The Cboe UK 100 was up 0.3% at 813.09, the Cboe UK 250

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