Think tanks suggests new bank tax Tax to target QE-related windfalls Proceeds to offset some BoE losses Shares in UK banks weighed on the market heading into the weekend after an independent think tank suggested the government fill its fiscal 'black hole' by raising a levy on commercial lenders. Barclays (BARC) shares were 3.3% lower at 356p, while Lloyds (LLOY) dropped 3.7% to 79.35p and...

Court upholds industry appeal Fewer claims likely to succeed Bank shares surge on outcome With the Supreme Court withholding its ruling on motor finance claims until after the market closed on Friday (1 August), investors had to wait until this morning (4 August) to reap the benefits of what looks to be a major win for the finance companies. Shares in Lloyds (LLOY), the UK largest car loan...

Ocado still the number one shortRetailers in general unlovedEnergy services stocks drilledShort-selling, or borrowing shares to sell in the hope of buying them back at a lower price, is not something most retail investors have the nerve or the skill-set to pull off as it requires a certain mindset and a willingness to tolerate heavy losses on occasion until your bets come right.For the pros,...

Stocks in London recovered to close Monday in the green, as all eyes look to the UK budget to come on Wednesday.The FTSE 100 index closed up 36.78 points, or 0.5%, at 8,285.62. The FTSE 250 ended up 15.19 points, or 0.1%, at 20,835.10, and the AIM All-Share closed down 0.2%, or 1.57 points, at 721.10.The Cboe UK 100 ended up 0.5% at 830.25, the Cboe UK 250 closed up 0.3% at 18,385.28, and the...

Stocks in London trended lower on Monday, as oil majors retreated due to easing fears about Middle Eastern conflict, and car finance providers slumped further.The FTSE 100 index traded down 20.47 points, 0.3%, at 8,228.18. The FTSE 250 was 42.07 points lower, or 0.2%, at 20,778.66, and the AIM All-Share shed 3.15 points, 0.4%, at 719.52.The Cboe UK 100 was down 0.3% at 823.83, the Cboe UK 250...

Stocks in London closed lower on Friday, as a car finance probe weighed on the shares of Lloyds Banking Group, Barclays and Close Brothers.The FTSE 100 index closed down 19.13 points, 0.3%, at 8,248.84. The FTSE 250 ended up 29.36 points, or 0.1%, at 20,819.91, and the AIM All-Share lost 3.02 points, 0.4%, at 722.67.The Cboe UK 100 closed down 0.3% at 826.07 on Friday, the Cboe UK 250 ended...

Stocks in London were mostly lower at Friday midday, while the FTSE 250 turned to the red after Close Brothers shares fell as it announced it will appeal a court judgement to the UK Supreme Court.The FTSE 100 index traded down 10.40 points, 0.1%, at 8,258.98. The FTSE 250 was down 15.67 points, or 0.1%, at 20,774.88, and the AIM All-Share shed 1.80 points, 0.3%, at 723.85.The Cboe UK 100 was...

Stocks in London opened in the red on Tuesday morning, after the Bank of Japan decided to end its negative interest rate policy.Amongst individual stocks, Unilever jumped after it announced job cuts, as well as the split off of its ice cream division.The FTSE 100 index opened down 1.42 points at 7,721.13. The FTSE 250 was down 12.40 points, 0.1%, at 19,474.13, and the AIM All-Share was down...

Bank has solid capital ratiosOutcome of FCA probe unknownMotor finance is big businessMerchant bank Close Brothers (CBG) finally delivered the news market-watchers had been expecting for weeks, namely that it was canceling its dividend for the current financial year and could suspend all payouts going forward.Even though the announcement was no surprise, it didn?t stop the shares falling 16%...

Stock prices in London were higher on Thursday morning on news the UK has officially entered a mild recession, raising Bank of England interest rate cut hope.The economic figures could also carry political significance, as the UK prime minister faces a pair of by-election tests.On the corporate front, results from British Gas owner Centrica impressed. Among mid-caps Genus plunged on a China...

Having hammered the insurance industry for its practice of ?walking up? renewal prices for existing car and home policyholders, the FCA (Financial Conduct Authority) has a new target in its sights ? the motor finance market.Firms which generate revenue from providing motor finance include Close Brothers (CBG), Inchcape (INCH), S&U (SUS) and Secure Trust Bank (STB).In 2021, the regulator banned...

Special situation funds should, in theory, be busy making new investments in the current market environment. Their strategy includes finding unloved stocks which could either bounce back thanks to corporate self-help measures or the market eventually spots hidden value within a business which then attracts more buyers for the shares.Given how so many stocks have slumped in value this year -...

London's FTSE 100 was broadly flat on Friday, the blue chip benchmark off 0.22% to 7,004.45 points early doors despite news of very strong UK retail sales last month, boosted by non-essential retailers being allowed to reopen on 12 April.Bitcoin's extreme volatility this week has only added to existing worries like inflation and the pandemic, which have impeded the progress of equity markets...

London's FTSE 100 ended Thursday's trading session 0.37% lower at 6,715.42 as early gains evaporated by the close. Hints that lockdown could persist until the summer in the UK sapped sentiment, while the S&P index across the pond traded broadly flat.CORPORATE NEWSIn company news, Sage Group (SGE) jumped 5% to 601.2p as it reported a near 5% rise in recurring revenue for the final three months...

London's FTSE 100 edged 0.2% higher to trade at 6,754.1 points by midday as markets looked to build on yesterday's Inauguration Day rally, although the pound's strength versus the US dollar interrupted the progress of the blue chip benchmark.US futures suggested shares would hit new record highs on Wall Street as 46th president Joe Biden gets his feet under the table in the Oval...

London's FTSE 100 got off a relatively decent start by 9am on Thursday, up 0.13% to 6,749 after rising 0.41% at the market open, building on the modest gains of Wednesday as the US awaited the inaugural address of its incoming president.On Wall Street the S&P 500 closed at 3,851.3, up 1.39% as President Joe Biden addressed the nation, reportedly the biggest rise on inauguration day since 1985...

Six months since the departure of Mark Barnett from asset manager Invesco, two investment trusts previously run by the once-star fund manager have finally settled into their new homes. Investors are rightfully expecting better performance under the new managers, but what's in store for them?Perpetual Income & Growth Trust last week completed its merger with Murray Income Trust (MUT), with...

It's been a tough year for people who rely on their investments for income thanks to widespread dividend cuts. Income fund managers have now rejigged their portfolios to names which they believe will be dependable source of dividends or bond coupons going forward.Their changes make for interesting reading, particularly for anyone who prefers individual stocks to investment funds as it might...

UK stocks slumped in early trade on Friday, the FTSE 100 down 113 points or 1.9% to 5,902.3, after retail sales tanked in April and China proposed a new security law in Hong Kong that stoked trade tensions with the US.Luxury goods leader Burberry (BRBY) bucked the trend, adding 2% to trade at £14.02 as the trench coats-to-cashmere scarves seller said year-to-date sales in Mainland China and...

New Woodford Income Focus managers Aberdeen Standard Investments (ASI) have given a glimpse of what the revamped portfolio will look like, with only two of the top 10 holdings left over from the Woodford days.Renamed the ASI Income Focus, the new fund will reopen tomorrow under the management of ASI fund managers Charles Luke and Thomas Moore. Investors are able to place trades from midday...