By lunchtime on Friday, London's FTSE 100 was 0.8% lower at 6,474 points with recession fears, problems with the vaccine rollout and 'message-board led volatility' from the so-called 'Reddit revolution' all weighing on investor sentiment.The dispute between the EU and pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca (AZN) over its coronavirus vaccine looks no closer to being resolved, something that hasn't...

The FTSE 100 plunged 1.4% to 6,402.40 in early trading on Friday with investors nervous over recession fears and problems with the vaccine rollout, while 'message-board led volatility' from the so-called 'Reddit revolution' also hit sentiment.The dispute between the EU and pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca (AZN) over its coronavirus vaccine looks no closer to being resolved, something that...

UK stocks moved sharply higher on the last full trading day before Christmas as hopes were raised that a Brexit trade deal could be within reach.The UK and EU are continuing talks on post-Brexit trade, amid an increasing number of reports that they are close to agreeing a deal.The UK's benchmark FTSE 100 index gained 0.66% to 6,495.75, while the more domestically-focused FTSE 250 - considered...

UK stocks had a mixed morning on the last full trading day before Christmas as investors focused on Brexit and US stimulus talks, with little significant company news to steer markets.The UK's benchmark FTSE 100 index fell 0.24% to 6,437 just before midday with markets on edge as outgoing US president Donald Trump demanded changes to a crucial US stimulus package and the clock continued to run...

It was typically very quiet start for UK stock markets on the last full trading day before Christmas. There was very little company news to steer markets one way or the other, leaving investors to ponder the possibility of a Brexit trade deal being agreed.The chances of a deal being struck between UK and EU negotiators seemed to nudge a step closer with speculation emerging overnight of...

The UK's benchmark FTSE 100 index closed almost flat at 6,555.39 as Brexit dominated the headlines on Monday, with the UK and EU now at a 'critical stage' in their talks over a trade deal.Cabinet Office minister Penny Mordaunt told the House of Commons that the UK and EU are at a 'critical moment in the negotiations' and warned the UK is prepared to walk away from talks if the EU cannot 'find...

UK stocks had a mixed start to the week as the FTSE 100 increased 0.44% to 6,578.82 by lunchtime on Monday, with weakness in the pound helping the exporter-heavy index.Sterling was down against the euro and dollar as sentiment turned negative on the knife-edge Brexit trade talks currently playing out, with the European Union reportedly 'downbeat' over the chance of a deal being...

UK blue chip shares have tumbled this morning as investors end the year on a cautious note.It mirrors last night's moves on Wall Street, where the S&P 500 closed 0.6% down and the Nasdaq Composite 0.7% down.Not helping London's leading basket of stocks, which is exporter-heavy, is a strengthening of the pound against the dollar to $1.3132.At around 8.50am, the benchmark FTSE 100 index was down...

UK stocks didn't get off to the best of starts on Monday morning as doubts grow as to whether or not there will actually be a Brexit deal.Despite positive noises over the weekend, EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier said a 'big gap' still remains over customs arrangements.This news led the pound to dip to a little under $1.26 on the dollar. That helped stemmed some losses on the FTSE 100, with...

UK stocks start the week flat with the FTSE 100 opening at 7,509, little changed from Friday as investors weigh up the political environment.Ahead of Boris Johnson's likely appointment as the new prime minister tomorrow investors seem to be acting cautiously with uncertainty over a 'no-deal' Brexit set to go up a notch.Heightened tensions in the Gulf, as well as a possible interest rate cut...

The FTSE 100 recovered its opening losses to be in positive territory after some good news by supermarket giant Tesco (TSCO). However, the market remains on tender hooks awaiting prime minister Theresa May's speech at Conservative Party conferenceCorporate news is led by Tesco gaining 1.8% to 193.83p as it reports its turnaround is 'firmly on track'. The company's group sales are up 3.3% to...

As the FTSE 100 index rises by 56.2 points to 7,440 ahead of UK unemployment figures and following uninspiring performances on Wall Street overnight and in Asia this morning, insurer Admiral (ADM) sinks 6.75% to £20.31.Despite reporting marginal growth in first half profits and a boost in customer numbers and turnover, CEO David Stevens concedes some extra costs of large injury claims...

Popular funds have been kicked out of the UK equity income sector after a series of FTSE 100 dividend cuts caused them to miss the sector's yield requirements.High profile fund manager Neil Woodford's flagship fund in this space is looking one of the next likely victims and higher-yielding investments like peer-to-peer lending may be seen as a logical alternative. Investors need to look...

London shares are on the retreat in early trade on Tuesday as jittery investors mull a mixed bag of corporate results and fret over weak trade figures coming out of China. The FTSE 100 index slidfes around 65 points, or roughly 1%, to 6,120, matching similar gloom across Europe and on Asian markets overnight. Wall Street closed up.Kantar Worldpanel's latest grocery share figures reveal 0.5%...

There's more to property than houses and shops. Industrial, offices, warehousing, GP surgeries, hotels, self-storage and student accommodation landlords all trade on the London Stock Exchange, but diversity in the property sector does not end with the assets they own. Investors can also buy shares in real estate companies that are invested in international markets, such as Germany, Europe's...

With cash and bonds seemingly unattractive, the market backdrop is ripe for further gains in equities. The stock market remains a better place to generate good returns on your money. The FTSE 100 has certainly had a good run this year and many of the other major indices have delivered positive returns. But that's not going to be enough for some investors, as many people are intent on BEATING...

London markets barely move in early trading on Thursday as investors pay a cautious hand ahead of today's important European Central Bank (ECB) statement. Experts predict a new swathe of money printing will be unveiled by the ECB, perhaps worth up to €1 trillion, is another desperate attempt to halt eurozone stagflation and spark growth.The FTSE 100 nudges just over 0.1% higher to 6,736,...

Mobile and online payments network Monitise (MONI:AIM) collapses by 27% to 31p as US credit card giant Visa (V:NYSE) reveals it is mulling its strategy of its 5.5% stake in the fast-growing but still loss-making business. Sister entity Visa Europe also owns a near-6% stake in Monitise.Fashion designer and retailer French Connection (FCCN) falls 11.2% to 62.13p despite delivering improved...

CLS looks too cheapIt's a good time to gain exposure to European property investor CLS' (CLI) pipeline, which includes assets forming part of Vauxhall's redevelopment in South London. At £13.10 a share the stock trades at a 13.2% discount to Liberum's expected £15.09 net asset value per share at December 2014. (MD)Innovation's poundingInvestors in insurance outsourcing software supplier...

New contracts worth £1.2 billion help embattled security group G4S (GFS) stage a comeback in the first half to June. But despite growth in underlying profits the company admits that there is 'much to be done' to reverse its fortunes. G4S has faced strong criticism for failing to provide enough security guards at the 2012 Olympics and allegations of overcharging on a UK government prisoner...