Stocks in London were higher at midday Tuesday, as the UK manufacturing sector continued to outperform its peers in France and Germany.The FTSE 100 index was up 26.97 points, or 0.3%, at 8,264.19. The FTSE 250 was up 18.02 points, or 0.1%, at 21,071.21, and the AIM All-Share was down 0.48 points, or 0.1%, at 739.95.The Cboe UK 100 was up 0.4% at 827.69, the Cboe UK 250 was up 0.2% at 18,539.63, an

Stock prices in London opened mixed on Tuesday morning, with the FTSE 100 higher but other indices down on a data-heavy day dominated by purchasing managers' indices.The FTSE 100 index opened up 15.28 points, or 0.2%, at 8,252.14. The FTSE 250 was down 20.05 points, or 0.1%, at 21,033.14, and the AIM All-Share was down slightly at 740.33.The Cboe UK 100 was up 0.2% at 826.21, the Cboe UK 250 was d

Stock prices in London remained in the red at midday on Monday after data showed UK's economy grew milder than expected in the second quarter, while China continued its stimulus efforts.The FTSE 100 index was down 64.56 points, or 0.8%, at 8,256.20. The FTSE 250 was down 227.22 points, or 1.1%, at 21,013.34, and the AIM All-Share was down 3.66 points, or 0.5%, at 741.99.The Cboe UK 100 was down 0.

Stock prices in London opened lower on a busy Monday, as the UK's gross domestic product climbed by less than previously anticipated in the second quarter of the year.The FTSE 100 index opened down 13.45 points, or 0.2%, at 8,306.50. The FTSE 250 was down 117.28 points, or 0.6%, at 21,123.28, and the AIM All-Share was up 0.68 points, or 0.1%, at 746.33.The Cboe UK 100 was down 0.1% at 831.73, the

Full-year revenue of £786 million expectedShares up 31% year-to-date£45 million share buyback continuesShares in Future (FUTR) were marginally higher at £10.29 in morning trading after the media group said its full-year 2024 performance is expected to be in line with market expectations.Future expects to report revenue of £786 million and an adjusted operating profit of £220 million for the y

1. Chinese e-commerce: Recent data has confirmed that China is experiencing prolonged softer demand. This has resulted in rising competition. This is especially noticeable in China's e-commerce firms, which have reported mixed earnings for the most recent quarter. Despite this, our China e-commerce research analyst is keeping a positive view on selected e-commerce companies. In his view, some of t

Ulta Beauty (ULTA:NASDAQ) $391.70Market cap: $18.5 billionA 20% year-to-date share price drop at Ulta Beauty (ULTA:NASDAQ), America's biggest specialist beauty retailer, presents an attractive buying opportunity for growth and value seekers alike. Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway (BRK:B:NYSE) evidently sees value in the name, having recently snapped up a stake in the Illinois-headquartered make

The world's leading companies from the software, investment and microchip industries are to join forces to set-up an enormous new investment vehicle aimed at developing next generation AI (artificial intelligence) infrastructure and datacentres.Microsoft (MSFT:NASDAQ) and BlackRock (BLK:NYSE), the world's largest software company and asset manager respectively, hope to pull in $30 billion in priva

First half profits plungeFirst interim dividend in five yearsFull year guidance unchangedFollowing a stunning run into the numbers, shares in Card Factory (CARD) cheapened 16% to 121p after the value-focused greeting cards-to-party supplies retailer delivered a drop in first half earnings and warned full year profits will be second half weighted.While some investors took profits on the unnerving n

Stocks in Europe returned some of the prior day's gains on Friday, as sentiment took a knock from gloomy updates from FedEx and Mercedes.The FTSE 100 index was down 40.78 points, 0.5%, at 8,287.94, above early lows. The FTSE 250 slid 199.96 points, 0.9%, at 20,962.75, and the AIM All-Share eased 1.27 points, 0.2%, at 746.81.The Cboe UK 100 fell 0.5% to 829.89, the Cboe UK 250 dipped 1.0% to 18,479

European equities were on the up, though the FTSE 100 surrendered some of its morning progress after the Bank of England left rates unmoved, despite the US Federal Reserve's bumper 50 basis point cut on Wednesday.The BoE said it will adopt a 'gradual approach' to easing monetary policy.'Monetary policy will need to continue to remain restrictive for sufficiently long until the risks to inflation r

This feature marks two new beginnings. The first is a three-part-series exploring portfolio construction, management and how to adapt for major life milestones. It is also the start of a brand-new section in the magazine. We want to find out how readers approach their own investment portfolios and the methods they use to construct and manage them. You can read more about how to get involved at the

This column is no adherent to 'efficient market hypothesis', not least because there would not be equity booms and busts, or even marked day-to-day volatility, if investors really knew what was coming around the corner ? it simply would not be possible to make a profit if everything was perfectly priced.However, it does have a lot of sympathy with the argument that a security's price is a very fai

Interim profit surprises analystsCore businesses performing wellFull-year range of forecasts raisedInvestors responded positively to a mixed half-year trading update from home improvement retailer Kingfisher (KGF) which included weaker-than-expected sales in France but higher-than-hoped pre-tax profit.The shares gained 17p or 6% to 307p making them the biggest riser on the FTSE 100 large-cap index

Stocks were higher across the UK and Europe at midday on Tuesday, as the US Federal Reserve looks increasingly likely to cut interest rates by half a percentage point.The FTSE 100 index added 62.68 points, 0.8%, at 8,341.12. The FTSE 250 rose 106.27 points, 0.5%, at 21,035.86, and the AIM All-Share added 0.38 of a point, 0.1%, at 744.12.The Cboe UK 100 was up 0.8% at 834.51, the Cboe UK 250 rose 0

European stocks pushed higher early Tuesday on growing belief that the US Federal Reserve will lower interest rates by 50 basis points on Wednesday.'Either the Federal Reserve doves are going seriously ahead of themselves, or there will be a big disappointment when the Fed will announce its policy decision tomorrow. Or... the Fed will align with the market and give investors want they want, to avo

Latest 'unsolicited' offer spurnedTI Fluid Systems confident in standalone prospectsABC 'remains interested' in a dealTI Fluid Systems' (TIFS) shares motored 14% higher to 166.4p on news the automotive fluid storage and delivery specialist has become the latest down-on-its-luck UK company to receive a bid approach.In fact, Oxford-headquartered TI Fluid Systems has rejected two takeover offers from

Brazilian acquisition accelerates expansionPlanned investment will lower group profitCapital markets day on 25 SeptemberGlobal sports betting and gaming giant Flutter Entertainment (FLTR) has staked a claim in the fast-growing Brazilian market after buying a 56% stake in leading operator NSX Group for approximately $350 in cash.Flutter will roll in its existing Brazilian business and has an option

Stocks in London headed higher on Thursday, in line with the positive mood seen across global equity markets following the interest rate cut from the European Central Bank.The FTSE 100 index rose 47.03 points, or 0.6%, at 8,240.97. The FTSE 250 ended up 158.52 points, 0.8%, at 20,695.77, and the AIM All-Share firmed 3.27 points, or 0.4%, at 741.36.The Cboe UK 100 rose 0.5% to 823.99, the Cboe UK 2

Diversified food multinational General Mills (GIS:NYSE), which makes and markets breakfast cereals Cheerios and Lucky Charms, has a well-deserved reputation as a resilient total return stock. The company reinvests its reliable cash flows behind its brands whilst returning cash to shareholders through dividends and buybacks.Shares in the meal, snack and baking mix supplier have rebounded strongly s