Stocks in London drifted lower by the close on Thursday, as more weak US jobs data tested nerves ahead of Friday's nonfarm payrolls data.The FTSE 100 index closed down 27.89 points, 0.3%, at 8,241.71. The FTSE 250 ended down 46.11 points, 0.2%, at 20,762.50, and the AIM All-Share closed down 0.54 of a point, 0.1%, at 759.12.The Cboe UK 100 ended down 0.2% at 825.08, the Cboe UK 250 closed up 0.2%

Stock prices in London were lower at midday ahead of US jobs data, but alongside news that the UK construction sector is recovering from a 'difficult start' to the year.The FTSE 100 index was down 16.37 points, or 0.2%, at 8,253.23. The FTSE 250 was up 53.03 points, or 0.3%, at 20,861.64, and the AIM All-Share was up 1.09 points, or 0.1%, at 760.75.The Cboe UK 100 was down 0.1% at 825.66, the Cboe

Given recent share price-denting profit warnings, the pressure is on motoring-to-cycling products retailer Halfords (HFD) to halt the cycle of downgrades with upcoming results for the year ended 29 March 2024 on 27 June.Shares doesn't hold out much hope for upgrades any time soon as the backdrop is tough, with the bicycles market highly promotional and the retail motoring market choppy, notably fo

Ultimate Products (ULTP) 131.5pLoss to date: 15.7%We flagged Ultimate Products (ULTP) on 18 April 2024 as a compelling way to play the UK consumer recovery on the basis the market was undervaluing the group's brand strength, resilient business model and multiple growth opportunities.Our bull case for the homeware products brand manager behind the likes of Salter and Beldray also hinged on hopes of

Annual sales plunge 18%Cost-cutting drives improved H2 performanceNew CEO sets out recovery and growth strategyMind Gym's (MIND:AIM) shares slumped the best part of 30% to an all-time low of 27.5p after the corporate training specialist reported an 18% plunge in sales for the year to 31 March 2024 driven by constricted customer HR (human resources) budgets and warned the new financial year will be

Stock prices in London were in the red on Tuesday morning, as non-food sales in the UK remained in decline, while retail sales edged up only mildly in May.The FTSE 100 index opened down 31.15 points, or 0.4%, at 8,229.30. The FTSE 250 was down 105.98 points, or 0.5%, at 20,794.74, and the AIM All-Share was down 1.27 points, or 0.2%, at 803.84.The Cboe UK 100 was down 0.4% at 821.19, the Cboe UK 25

Full year profits plunge2025 year of transitionCost savings of £20 million to £25 millionInvestors in Dr. Martens (DOCS) have endured a torrid time since the iconic footwear firm's 2021 IPO (initial public offering), with the shares booted around 80% lower following a slew of profit warnings.Results for the year ended 31 March 2024 revealed another drop in profits after a challenging year, mostl

Investor sentiment improved in London on Thursday afternoon, following words from the Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell which helped soothe market concern over the US interest rate trajectory.While Powell?s remarked did not make the timing of interest rate cuts any clearer, he did affirm they will happen if the US economy continues to move as expected.The FTSE 100 index added 32.56 points, 0.4%,

This column signed off last week by bemoaning telecoms testing specialist Spirent Communication?s (SPT) surrender to a £1 billion from US rival Viavi.As we observed, the 61% premium was not anywhere near as generous as it looked when you consider the takeout price of 172.5p was 100p less than the shares were trading for in early 2023. In the same spirit it is only right to welcome Currys? (CURY)

Car parts, bikes and tyres seller Halfords (HFD) has let investors down again. The retailer?s latest profit warning (28 February) pinned on weakening demand for bicycles as well as wet weather, which has deterred customers from visiting its stores and purchasing winter and car cleaning products in the fourth quarter.Halfords now expects to deliver pre-tax profit in the £35 million to £40 million

Demand weakened further in Q4Profit guidance lowered by 25%Flat profits expected next yearCar parts-to-bicycles purveyor Halfords (HFD) has cut its current-year profit guidance by 25% and sees flat profits next year at best, crushingly disappointing news that sent shares in the Worcestershire-based retailer skidding 26% lower to 148p.Halfords pinned the blame for the material earnings downgrade on

Sales down 4% in December and JanuaryFashion retailer unveils new CEONew broom Erver has work cut outShares in H&M (HM-B:STO) cheapened 9% to SEK153.5 (£1/SEK13.2) in Stockholm after the Swedish fashion retailer disappointed the market with news of a 4% sales slide for December and January that demonstrated there is still work to be done to turn the business round.In order to shake things up, H&M

We are now a little more than a fortnight away from Christmas Day with TV adverts pushing festive products, high streets adorned with Christmas decorations and shops flush with discount offers.The so-called 'Golden Quarter' including Black Friday is the most hotly contested period of the year amongst retailers and those that suffer disappointing sales or resort to overly-promotional strategies typ

Weaker-than-expected Q3 salesUS consumer backdrop deterioratesDr. Martens pulls FY25 guidanceInvestors put the boot into Dr. Martens (DOCS) after the iconic footwear brand downgraded its year-to-March 2024 EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation) guidance once again and withdrew previous guidance for high single digit sales growth in full year 2025.The shares slumped m

Revenue guidance cut amid subdued demandBut Gear4music 'well prepared' for ChristmasTargeting return to 'stronger profitable growth'Online musical instruments retailer Gear4music (G4M:AIM) remains 'confident' in the enduring consumer demand for its products and is targeting a return to 'stronger profitable growth' after pulling levers to protect margins and cut costs.However, shares in the web-bas

US primary listing shift on trackFanDuel turned a profit in first halfBut Australia revenue dip disappoints investorsPaddy Power-to-Betfair brands owner Flutter Entertainment (FLTR) posted in-line first half results and said its American FanDuel business has reached an inflection point by generating a profit.However, the shares cheapened 5.7% to £141 after the betting and gaming behemoth bemoaned

The FTSE 100 closed lower on Friday, despite a more positive mood this week, with investors believing the end of the Federal Reserve's hiking cycle is in sight.Focus was also on major US banks, with figures from JPMorgan and Wells Fargo impressing, though Citigroup suffered lower revenue.The FTSE 100 index closed down 5.64 points, 0.1%, at 7,434.57. The FTSE 250 ended down 64.90 points, 0.4%, at 1

Final dividend axed to protect balance sheetNordics division feeling pinchBaldock bemoans 'unforgiving competition'Investors hoping for a rally at unloved electricals retailer Currys (CURY) were left severely disappointed today as a cocktail of negatives in the full year results sent the shares plunging 13% to 46.6p.Not only did the white goods-to-electronics seller report a drop in sales and prof

- Lack of surprises and upgrades disappoints- Shares drift after update- Metro Bank and OSB Group rallyAfter solid gains for Barclays (BARC) and HSBC (HSBA) and a loss for shares in NatWest Group (NWG), investors were eyeing the first-quarter update from the UK's largest lender Lloyds Banking Group (LLOY) to complete the picture.In the event, the results were mostly as expected and without an upgr

Stocks in London were in the green at the close on Thursday, after a sharp decline on Wednesday, buoyed by Credit Suisse receiving a lifeline from the Swiss central bank.'One minute the market is worried about a banking crisis, the next minute it is more relaxed. This hot/cold mentality creates an odd atmosphere and today we have another one of those days where investors are seemingly less worried