Full-year profit forecast raisedEarnings to be higher than FY24Shares top FTSE 100 gainersHousebuilder Barratt Redrow (BTRW) pleased the market with its first-half trading update and its outlook for the full year, with profits seen 'towards the upper end of expectations'.The shares jumped as much as 41p or 9% to 478p taking them to the top of the FTSE 100 leader board. 'SOLID DEMAND'For the

The FTSE 100 index fell on Friday, while short sellers are reportedly eyeing consumer-facing UK companies facing reduced customer spending and higher employment costs.'The UK outlook is getting worse by the day,' commented AJ Bell's Dan Coatsworth. 'Business and consumer sentiment is already weakening amid concerns that the new government doesn't have an effective plan to accelerate economic growt

Stocks in London were in the red around Friday noon, as investors await US nonfarm payrolls data.The FTSE 100 index fell 22.26 points, 0.3%, at 8,705.52. The FTSE 250 dipped 80.59 points, 0.4%, at 20,892.77. The AIM All-Share was down 0.34 of a point at 720.50.The Cboe UK 100 was down 0.4% at 872.49, the Cboe UK 250 fell 0.5% to 18,223.64, and the Cboe Small Companies was down 0.3% at 15,638.63.In

In just the first 20 days of 2025 the FTSE 100 index of blue-chip stocks has equaled its gains for the entirety of 2024, in the process closing at an all-time high of 8,505 points on 17 January.A better-than-expected inflation report for December together with weaker-than-expected retail sales for the same month appeared to open the door to faster Bank of England rate cuts, pushing the index to it

£250 million target reiteratedDowngrade cycle looks overShares rally sharply on updateThe relief following today's scheduled trading update from Vistry (VTY), the UK's largest housebuilder in volume terms, was palpable as the group confirmed its full-year 2024 profit forecast and talked up the 2025 outlook for its partnership business.The shares rallied as much as 50p or just shy of 10% to 565p,

London's blue chip index was slightly in the red on Friday midday, while US markets are expected to open higher after a weak start on Wall Street on Thursday.The FTSE 100 index traded down 4.69 points, 0.1%, at 8,255.40. The FTSE 250 was down 48.37 points, 0.2%, at 20,591.86, and the AIM All-Share was up just 0.19 of a point at 723.54.The Cboe UK 100 was down 0.1% at 827.28, the Cboe UK 250 was 0.

Nationwide price index hits a two-year highHalifax survey seen confirming positive trendBuyers still boycotting housebuilding stocksShares in UK housebuilders received an early New Year's lift after the latest Nationwide price survey showed the market ended on a high note last month with particular strength in northern England.However, the rally didn't last long with Barratt Redrow (BTRW), Berkele

If it seems as though each week brings news of yet another takeover offer for a UK firm, the actual figures from the ONS (Office for National Statistics) are quite mind-boggling.Aside from the number of listed companies being bought, either by 'inward' investors or domestic buyers, hundreds of privately-owned firms are being snapped up every quarter.If you are in a position where a company you own

Growth in order book reassuresTop performer in FTSE 250 indexRally broadens to other buildersTyne and Wear-based housebuilder Bellway (BWY) pleased the market with its outlook for 'strong multi-year growth' despite a drop in revenue and completions in the year to July.The shares climbed as much as 280p or 9% to a new 12-month high of £33.34 before settling back at £32.62 for a gain of 210p or al

The latest house price surveys from Halifax and Nationwide ? two of the UK's largest mortgage lenders ? should have investors in developers breaking out the champagne, yet stocks such as Persimmon (PSN) and Taylor Wimpey (TW.) have gone nowhere for the last few weeks while Barratt Redrow (BTRW) shares are hitting three-month lows.Uncertainty ahead of the autumn budget and over the pace of interest

Volumes and margins under pressureBuild-cost inflation outstrips price risesCompletions to fall around 20% this yearThe UK's largest housebuilder Barratt Developments (BDEV) posted a respectable set of full-year results and set out its stall for the coming 12 months while acknowledging that 'the backdrop will continue to be difficult'.The shares, which had gained 7% this year despite weak demand i

- First-half sales up on prices and order backlog- Net weekly reservations improve in January- New dividend policy suggests earnings may fallLeading UK housebuilder Barratt Developments (BDEV) posted an upbeat first-half trading update but hinted full-year earnings could be lower than last year due to the 'challenging trading conditions' it faces going forward.The shares gained 1.8% to 468p as inv

- Reservations slow but completions and prices rise- Share buyback programme to resume- Stock price barely changed after early dipShareholders in Barratt Developments (BDEV) breathed a sigh of relief after the firm published a half-year trading statement which was less negative than feared and included a commitment to continue its share buyback.After initially sliding 4%, the shares recovered to t

- Private reservations disappoint as buyer confidence wanes- Company slows its investment programme- Shares now offer an 11.6% dividend yieldNews of a sharp slowdown in private new home reservations over the summer sent shares in developer Barratt Developments (BDEV) to the bottom of the FTSE 250 index as investors headed for the exit.Shares in the house builder slumped 7% to a new post-pandemic l

After a rough time for the housebuilding sector, driven by fears over the bill for cladding repairs, Barratt Developments (BDEV) initially helped lift the mood on Wednesday morning with a strong set of first half results.However the shares, up more than 3% early on, drifted back to near parity at 627.8p despite an uptick in first-half profit as rising home prices offset the impact of a fall in com

Investors in housebuilders, estate agents and other property-related companies are not panicking about signs of a slowdown in the UK housing market despite new data showing more cracks.This would suggest investors are taking a longer-term view rather than worrying about short-term blips which is a healthy approach.The broader property sector faces a big test at the end of March when the stamp duty

In a trading update for the period 1 July to 11 October house builder Barratt Developments (BDEV) said reservations were 20.8% ahead of last year while home completions were up 24%. The shares which have risen 27% over the last six weeks added 1.5% to 552p.Barratt has launched 33 new developments including joint ventures, up from 26 last year which is expected to underpin the expected recovery in

Despite Barratt Developments (BDEV) issuing guidance for annual profit to be higher than expected and to hit record levels, investors are seemingly unimpressed with the housebuilder.The shares surrendering earlier gains to trade a smidge lower at 576.2p.AJ Bell investment director Russ Mould says: 'The muted market reaction to today's news suggests some scepticism over the company's ability to bui

Wednesday, 10 MayThe UK's largest housebuilder Barratt Developments (BDEV) will offer a useful barometer for the sector as a whole when it updates on trading on 10 May. Investors will focus on margin performance, the state of the London market, signs of any jitters post the triggering of Article 50 and guidance for the remainder of 2017.

A team of economics students from Isle of Man's Castle Rushen High School have won this year's national Shares4Schools competition making an impressive 16.6% profit. The school entered five teams into the competition, with the winning group naming themselves after the famous road race their isle is home of, the TT.Castle Rushen has taken part in the real money investing competition since its launc