If it seems as though each week brings news of yet another takeover offer for a UK firm, the actual figures from the ONS (Office for National Statistics) are quite mind-boggling.Aside from the number of listed companies being bought, either by 'inward' investors or domestic buyers, hundreds of privately-owned firms are being snapped up every quarter.If you are in a position where a company you own

Whether you love or hate cryptocurrencies, you cannot deny the spectacular performance. Since Donald Trump's White House race victory (5 November) Bitcoin has surged 35% to an all-time $94,795 high. Since the start of 2024 it has more than doubled. Ethereum and Elon Musk pet crypto Dogecoin, are up 33% and 300% respectively this year.If you own crypto assets, or are considering doing so, it's valu

Stocks in London saw a mixed start to the week on Monday, as housebuilders and the property sector weighed on mid-caps, while rising commodity prices lifted large-caps.The FTSE 100 index rose 45.71 points, 0.6%, at 8,109.32. The FTSE 250 declined 81.23 points, 0.4%, at 20,395.41, and the AIM All-Share climbed 0.41 of a point, 0.1%, at 727.55.The Cboe UK 100 ended up 0.5% at 814.60, the Cboe UK 250

Recent changes to the UK's listing rules should lead to a host of new names joining the FTSE 100 and FTSE 250 indices in the new year, generating more interest in the UK stock market and putting more companies on the radar of investors.This matters to investors whether they own UK stocks directly, have exposure via actively-managed funds or simply track certain parts of the market through an excha

The FTSE 100 joined European peers in the red on Wednesday, while the US hit new highs following Donald Trump's win in the presidential election.The FTSE 100 index closed down 5.71 points, or 0.1%, at 8,166.68. It had earlier hit an intra-day high of 8,301.78.The FTSE 250 ended up 76.66 points, 0.4%, at 20,446.70, and the AIM All-Share rose 2.75 points, 0.3%, at 739.04.The Cboe UK 100 ended slight

Debt deal characterisation 'inaccurate and unfair'Search for new CEO underwayFurther drama to unfoldHard-pressed online fashion group Boohoo (BOO:AIM) has given a robust response to Frasers' (FRAS) bid to install Mike Ashley as its new CEO, questioning whether putting the retail tycoon in charge would be in the interests of shareholders other than Frasers.Boohoo's bombed-out shares ticked up 1% to

The FTSE 100 saw mixed fortunes on Friday, with stronger-than-expected Chinese economic data boosting miners, though housebuilders suffered on stamp duty speculation.The FTSE 100 index closed down 26.88 points, or 0.3%, at 8,358.25. The FTSE 250 ended up 48.66 points, or 0.2%, at 21,149.58, and the AIM All-Share lost 1.70 points, 0.2%, at 740.69.For the week, the FTSE 100 added 1.3%, the FTSE 250

Strategic review launchedDebt refinancing agreedSales continue to slideAfter an inglorious five years with the group, John Lyttle is to step down as Boohoo (BOO:AIM) chief executive as the struggling online fashion retailer launches a strategic review to 'unlock and maximise shareholder value'.That is code for corporate restructuring and points to a sale or demerger of some of its assets.The loss-

In a sign UK companies are in a mood to see off overseas predators, Rightmove (RMV) has successfully batted off interest from Rupert Murdoch-backed rival REA Group (REA:ASX).The latter says it will no longer pursue the online UK property portal after having its fourth offer rejected.Rightmove shares reacted negatively to the news on the day (30 September), falling 8% to 613p, though year-to-date t

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

During my working life, I have only ever had a single income stream, so tax has just been simple(ish) PAYE.However, that is about to change. I currently get an income from a defined benefit pension, then next year I will also get the state pension, then I will also start drawing-down income from my SIPP. I've already taken all the tax-free lump sums.How can PAYE handle this? Do I get a tax code fo

REA controlled by Rupert Murdoch's News Corp expresses interestOnline property portal faces competitive threat from CoStar-backed On The MarketYear-to-date Rightmove shares up 20%Shares in Rightmove (RMV) soared 22% to 677p in morning trading as Australian property listings company REA (controlled by Rupert Murdoch's News Corp) said it was considering making an offer for the online property portal

Full year swing into the redQ1 sales down 11%CEO eyes return to profitable growthBeleaguered fashion brand Quiz's (QUIZ:AIM) market valuation looks even more threadbare following the latest downwards lurch in the share price.The stock plunged 20% to 4.1p on news the occasion wear-to-dressy casual wear seller swung to a near-£7 million loss in the year ended 31 March 2024 as sales contracted by 10

Big Yellow Group (BYG) £11.74Market Cap: £2.28 billionIt may not be a glamorous sector, but self-storage is a remarkably stable and lucrative business with tremendous growth prospects.As the UK market leader, with a portfolio of 109 stores and 6.4 million feet of lettable space, Big Yellow (BYG) is easily the most recognisable brand.The business is driven by 'life events', which can range from s

Stock prices in London opened in the green on Thursday, hours before the upcoming interest rate decision from the European Central Bank.The FTSE 100 index opened up 4.77 points, or 0.1%, at 8,251.72. The FTSE 250 was up 77.23 points, or 0.4%, at 20,751.01, and the AIM All-Share was up 0.81 points, or 0.1%, at 799.78.The Cboe UK 100 was down 0.1% at 822.04, the Cboe UK 250 was up 0.2% at 18,192.46,

Indian stocks have been on a roller-coaster ride this week buffeted by uncertainty on the outcome of the election as prime minister Narendra Modi was on course to bag his third consecutive term in office.The BSE Sensex index comprising India's 30 largest companies by market capitalisation surged 3.4% to record highs on 3 June as exit polls pointed to a comfortable victory for Modi's Bharatiya Jana

Copper is already one of the most important materials underpinning human civilisation, and the energy transition is only likely to see demand for the industrial metal build in the years to come.Limits and pressures on supply and this growing demand profile are already seeing copper prices mount a charge and recent M&A activity ? with BHP's (BHP) unsuccessful (for now) attempt to take over Anglo Am

Lots of companies are willing to pay out money if you introduce a friend to their services. Whether it?s mobile phones, bank accounts, broadband, investment accounts or insurance, there is often a deal where if you introduce a friend you make a bit of money for your troubles ? and often the friend gets an incentive too.Let?s take a look at some of the top deals that can boost your finances ? and h

I have a SIPP I haven?t yet touched. I would like to take money from that pension pot ? both my tax-free cash and another lump sum.However, I have been told that if I take this other lump sum, I will have to pay emergency tax on this amount. Why is this, and can I avoid it?FranRachel Vahey, AJ Bell Head of Public Policy, says:Pension savers have a great deal of flexibility to decide how to take mo