Stock prices in Europe were lower on Thursday morning, ahead of an interest rate decision from the European Central Bank and weekly jobless data from the US.The FTSE 100 index was down 5.63 points, or 0.1%, at 8,323.44. The FTSE 250 was down 16.90 points, or 0.1%, at 20,962.60, and the AIM All-Share was up 1.56 points, or 0.2%, at 740.99.The Cboe UK 100 was slightly lower at 834.39, the Cboe UK 25

CEO unexpectedly steps downPre-tax profits plunge in H1Strategic review ongoingShares in Chapel Down (CDGP:AIM) cheapened 16% to 58.5p after England's largest winemaker uncorked a first half profits plunge and said CEO Andrew Carter is leaving to take up a new role at Timothy Taylor & Co.Drinks industry veteran Carter's exit is a bitter blow to Chapel Down.During his three year stint as CEO, he ov

The apparent coronation of vice president Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee after incumbent Joe Biden's exit from the presidential race has had a relatively mild market impact thus far.While the recent 'Trump trade', with investors expecting renewed inflationary pressure, a worsened fiscal situation and higher corporate profits if America's 45th president gets another crack as commander-in-c

Stock prices in London were mixed on Friday morning, as the FTSE 100 enjoyed a boost from Standard Chartered, following positive annual results.The FTSE 100 index opened up 5.43 points, 0.1%, at 7,689.92. The FTSE 250 was down 65.21 points, 0.3%, at 19,198.29, and the AIM All-Share was down 0.97 of a point, 0.1%, at 748.99.The Cboe UK 100 was up 0.1% at 770.16, the Cboe UK 250 was down 0.4% at 16,

THIS IS AN ADVERTISING FEATUREDale Nicholls, Portfolio Manager , Fidelity China Special Situations PLCSentiment towards China remains weak, but the fundamental backdrop is improving and could represent an opportunity as we go through the year ahead given low valuations. Fidelity China Special Situations PLC?s Dale Nicholls looks past the macro headlines and analyses the key risks and opportunities

Beer, wine and spirits maker Constellation Brands (STZ:NYSE) posts its second quarter earnings on 5 October, covering the three months to 31 August 2023.It has been a landmark year for the company, whose portfolio of brands includes Corona beer, Casa Noble tequila and Meiomi wine, as its Modelo Especial Mexican lager overtook Bud Light to become the top selling US beer brand. This followed a backl

Persistent inflation and higher interest rates are squeezing disposable incomes. In this scenario there is logic in investors putting their cash behind companies which make premium products which confer pricing power or sell affordable luxuries which help consumers to socialise or unwind at the end of the working day.One sector that enjoys both these attributes is Beverages, the domain of soft dri

Stocks in London were in the green at midday on Tuesday, with the FTSE 100 trimming some of the losses it has suffered in a drab August, with gains for US tech shares lifting the mood overnight.Nvidia was centre of the US tech rally on Monday, ahead of its second-quarter numbers later this week.Focus also remains on the US monetary policy outlook, with Federal Reserve Chair speaking at the Jackson

Having analysed Microsoft (MSFT:NASDAQ) and Unilever (ULVR) in parts one and two, part three of Shares new mini-series is an examination of the key metrics and investment merits of Greggs (GRG). A more down-to-earth choice but unquestionably one of the UK's favourite options for food on the go, now guided by CEO Roisin Currie.ANALYSING GREGGSWe will dig into the numbers at the value-for-money saus

The FTSE 100 ended lower at the start of the week as its natural resources sector suffered, as increased concerns over China's struggling real estate market dampened investors' confidence.The FTSE 100 index ended down 17.01 points, 0.2%, at 7,507.15. The FTSE 250 fell 38.27 points, 0.2%, at 18,761.43, and the AIM All-Share lost 1.61 points, 0.2%, at 754.96.The Cboe UK 100 ended down 0.3% at 748.22

Ryanair first quarter revenue up 40% to €2.60 billionBritish Airways owner International Consolidated Airlines (IAG) swings to profitLondon's Stansted airport reports a 13% increase in passenger numbersShares in airlines and holiday companies including EasyJet (EZJ), Jet2 (JET2:AIM), TUI (TUI) and International Consolidated Airlines (IAG) took a battering as wildfires ripped through popular h

Stocks in London were mixed at midday on Friday, after a busy earnings week and data showing an annual decline in UK house sales for June.The FTSE 100 index was up 4.58 points, 0.1%, at 7,697.34. The FTSE 250 was down 130.44 points, 0.7%, at 19,142.93, and the AIM All-Share was down 2.67 points, 0.4%, at 766.62.The Cboe UK 100 was down marginally at 767.84, the Cboe UK 250 was down 0.8% at 16,804.

European equities were on the up again heading into Thursday, with Wednesday's cooler US inflation reading continuing to support sentiment, though data from China and the UK tempered some of the feel-good mood.The UK economy fell in May, while trade data from China last month disappointed, and re-ignited growth fears for the world's second-largest economy.Among individual shares in London, housebu

The FTSE 100 was the laggard heading into Tuesday afternoon, as it struggled after the pound surged past $1.29 again, on robust UK pay growth.The latest reading of the UK jobs market was mixed, with unemployment growing but wage inflation quickening. It puts the Bank of England under the spotlight.Ebury analyst Matthew Ryan expects another 50 basis point hike from the BoE.'UK inflation is already

If, as is being widely suggested, the Bank of England is likely to continue tightening monetary conditions by raising rates close to 6% in its effort to combat inflation, we suspect investors are going to want a higher degree of income protection than they have so far this year.The good news for income-seekers is the UK market is a treasure trove of high-quality, high-yielding stocks on attractive

Higher prices set to dominate Tesco's first-quarter earnings updateBargain-hunting and promotions means margins could be lowerSupermarket giant Tesco (TSCO) is due to report its results for the period from March to May on 16 June, with analysts expecting higher prices to be the main driver of sales while volumes and average basket sizes are likely to have fallen.This is against a first quarter of

Q1 like for like sales hit by poor weatherCompany reiterates full year guidanceTrading improved since early AprilHome improvement retailer Kingfisher (KGF) said first quarter like-for-like sales fell 3.3% as poor spring weather impacted demand for seasonal products.The shares fell 1.6% to 242.9p, leaving them flat on the year and down around 16% since early February.Sales for the three months to 3

London stock prices were mixed early Tuesday after a similarly indecisive session in New York and weakness in Asia, as US politicians continue to fight over terms for raising the federal government debt limit.The FTSE 100 index opened down 10.12 points, 0.1%, at 7,760.87. The FTSE 250 was up 12.74 points, 0.1%, at 19,286.08, and the AIM All-Share was up 0.47 of a point, 0.1%, at 808.68.The Cboe UK

Stocks in London closed lower on Wednesday ahead of the latest decision on the Bank of England monetary policy, which is expected to tighten further.Investors also reacted to the latest consumer price index data in the US.The FTSE 100 index closed down 22.76 points, or 0.3% at 7,741.33 on Wednesday. The FTSE 250 ended down 3.75 points at 19,273.29. The AIM All-Share closed down 3.67 points, or 0.4

Stocks in London were in the red at midday on Wednesday as market mood remained cautious ahead of an eagerly-awaited inflation print for the world's largest economy.The FTSE 100 index was down 14.01 points, 0.2%, at 7,750.08. The FTSE 250 was down 42.66 points, 0.2%, at 19,234.49, and the AIM All-Share was down 2.42 points, 0.3%, at 826.93.The Cboe UK 100 was down marginally at 775.03 and the Cboe