Retailer posts record first-half resultsOrganic growth across key regionsNike woes and FX headwinds hit stockDespite dashing in with record first-half results which demonstrated demand for tracksuits and trainers remains robust, shares in JD Sports Fashion (JD.) cheapened 5.4% to 141.5p as investors fretted over poor news from its biggest brand partner Nike (NKE:NYSE) overnight.Currency headwinds

The defensive lean to London's FTSE 100 index served it well on Tuesday, as tensions mounted in the Middle East amid reports that Iran is planning an imminent missile attack on Israel.The FTSE 100 index ended up 39.70 points, 0.5%, at 8,276.65. The FTSE 250 closed 112.46 lower, 0.5%, at 20,940.73, and the AIM All-Share shed 3.63 points, 0.5%, at 736.80.The Cboe UK 100 ended 0.5% higher at 828.74 o

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.

Next CEO sells £29 million sharesDunelm founder's son sells 10 million sharesHollywood Bowl director sells 275,000 sharesSimon Wolfson, CEO of clothing retailer Next (NXT) has sold three tranches of shares during the period 20 to 24 September.Wolfson sold 204,349 shares at £100.65 for a total value of £20,568,376; 57,962 shares at £101.57 at a total value of £5,887.051 and 27,689 at £100.04

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

Stock prices in Europe were in the green on Thursday as investors awaited several US data prints and remarks from Fed Chair Jerome Powell.The People's Bank of China 'has 'thrown the proverbial kitchen sink at the economy', Pepperstone's Michael Brown said.'Fresh from big stimulus measures earlier in the week, all eyes remained focused on China amid talk that Beijing might inject up to ¥1 tril

There are two political events in the remainder of 2024 on either side of the Atlantic to which investors need to pay full attention.The first of these is Labour's first Budget for 14 years on 30 October, with chancellor Rachel Reeves giving few clues to the details in her speech to the party conference on 23 September.Previous references to 'hard decisions' and those with the 'broadest shoulders'

DoJ claims anticompetitive conduct to maintain debit card dominanceStock plunges 5.5%, swiping $30 billion off market capCiti analysts tell clients to switch to MastercardAntitrust watchdogs have had Big Tech firmly in theirs sights for months but now its Visa (V:NYSE) that finds itself being hauled over the regulatory coals after the US Department of Justice launched a lawsuit against the credit

Another year of above-average returns58th consecutive year of dividend growthLower annual feesThe popular City of London (CTY) investment trust delivered another year of outperformance and dividend growth, marking 58 consecutive years of increases, the longest record in the AIC's (Association of Investment Companies) list of Dividend Heroes.The shares traded down 1.65p or 0.37% to 439.9p, but are

At the start of 2024, I speculated that interest rate cuts could lead to takeovers involving bigger companies than the type of deals seen in 2023. While the rate-cut journey still remains in its infancy for the UK and other key geographies, the predicted wave of large-cap takeovers is firmly in motion. It's a reminder there is value on the UK market in droves.There have been bids or expressions of

As an exercise in expectations management, the Labour government's trailing of its October Budget has been impressive.Rhetoric around what people should come to expect at the end of next month has been gloomier than a wet Tuesday in February. In our Personal Finance section this week Laith Khalaf explores whether material limits could be placed on pensions tax relief, for instance.As Panmure Liber

The mining sector is at an inflection point. Historically associated with polluting materials like coal, the industry has a huge role to play if the world is to transition itself away from fossil fuels.However, while long-term targets remain around net zero, there are hints of governments backsliding on these commitments and prioritising other things like energy security.That makes it very difficu

Luxury goods brand Burberry (BRBY) has ended its 15-year sojourn in the FTSE 100.The relegation comes after dramatic share price falls for the company in 2024. EasyJet (EZJ), which had been on course to suffer the same fate, looks to have saved itself with a recent rally (confirmation of the outcome of the reshuffle was due after market close on 4 September).In May this year, EasyJet investors bec

You might not think online grocery retailer Ocado (OCDO), luxury goods group Burberry (BRBY) and UK water utility giant Pennon (PNN) have much in common. However, they are all among the most shorted stocks according to data from the FCA (Financial Conduct Authority) daily short position report which you can find on the published on the ShortTracker website.WHAT IS SHORT SELLING?Short selling also

Stocks in London managed to shake off a tepid response to Nvidia's earnings across the pond on Thursday, with the positive sentiment also seen elsewhere in Europe.The FTSE 100 index closed up 35.79 points, or 0.4%, at 8,379.64. The FTSE 250 fell 35.79 points, or 0.2%, at 21,031.08, and the AIM All-Share rose 2.19 points, or 0.3%, at 772.49.The Cboe UK 100 ended up 0.5% at 837.89, the Cboe UK 250 f

We start this month's round-up with news of a bid at just shy of a 50% premium for oil and gas exploration company I3 Energy (I3E:AIM) from US-listed Gran Tierra Energy (GTE:NYSEAMERICAN).The US firm, which has a market cap of $260 million, is paying roughly $225 million or £174 million for the UK company through a combination of cash and shares.I3 Energy operates in the Western Canadian Sediment

Stocks in London made a muted return from a long weekend on Tuesday, though the FTSE 100 found support from travel stocks, miners and Bunzl.The FTSE 100 index ended up 17.68 points, or 0.2%, at 8,345.46. The FTSE 250 closed down 27.41 points, or 0.1%, at 21,162.07, and the AIM All-Share closed up 1.49 points, or 0.2%, at 779.18.The Cboe UK 100 ended up 0.2% at 835.07, the Cboe UK 250 fell 0.1% at

European stocks were higher going into Friday afternoon, as investors focused on potential clues about future monetary policy from both sides of the Atlantic.The Jackson Hole meeting will see both Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell and and Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey speak on Friday.In other news, energy bills are set to increase by almost £150 after Ofgem raised its price cap, in bad

Schneider pays price for lacklustre performanceNestle forced to slow price increasesNo quick fix for FreixeShares in Nestle (NESN:SWX) cheapened 2.5% to CHF 87.3 on Friday as investors digested news of the abrupt departure of Mark Schneider, who is being replaced as CEO of the world's biggest packaged food company by Laurent Freixe following eight years in the hot seat.The Swiss multinational enjo

Stock prices were higher in London, Paris and Frankfurt on Thursday, while the UK got a boost in a flash purchasing managers' index reading, ahead of weekly US jobless data.The FTSE 100 index was up 11.79 points, 0.1%, at 8,295.22. The FTSE 250 was down 18.70 points, 0.1%, at 21,168.49, and the AIM All-Share was down 0.54 points, 0.1%, at 776.27.The Cboe UK 100 was up 0.2% at 829.44, the Cboe UK 2