London stocks fell on Thursday morning after US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's warning that tariffs could generate increased inflation, while updates from Sainsbury and Dunelm offered bright spots. Lloyds Bank analyst meanwhile commented: 'Powell's comments after the London close, warning of an essentially stagflationary outlook, roiled markets further as his message emphasised the...

Stock prices in London declined as investors were cautious due to concerns that the Iran-Israel conflict could escalate, following reports by Iranian state media about explosions in the province of Isfahan.The FTSE 100 index was 47.06 points, 0.6%, at 7,829.99. The FTSE 250 was down 166.79 points, 0.9%, at 19,283.88, and the AIM All-Share was down 4.00 points, 0.5%, at 741.29.The Cboe UK 100...

Firmly out of favour with investors since the Brexit vote seven years ago, the FTSE 250 index rallied strongly on the release of the latest UK inflation data (19 July). This showed UK CPI rising by 7.9% year-on-year in June, lower than forecasts of an 8.2% rise, theoretically reducing expectations for the scale of future interest rate hikes from the Bank of England.Yet even after a big one-day...

Another week, another takeover - this time it is alternative asset manager Gresham House (GHE:AIM), which is being bought by private equity firm Searchlight for £470 million.At £11.05 per share, 63% above the previous closing price and 10% above the all-time high a year ago, the purchase price represents an enterprise value of almost 16 times last year's earnings before interest, tax,...

As 2022 draws to a close amid continuing market volatility Shares has canvassed leading fund managers to find out where they have been finding the best opportunities.Jamie Ross - Henderson Eurotrust (Hne)LOOKING OUT FOR BOMBED-OUT GROWTH STOCKSWe have spent the last 12 months trying to find opportunities within the growthier area of the market - our favoured part of the market and the part of...

Online retailer and logistics provider THG (THG) presents investors with a major conundrum at the moment.The shares currently trade at 114p compared with their post-IPO highs of 800p, while valuations vary from 110p to 700p depending on which analyst's research you read.Most brokers have a 'buy' or 'hold' recommendation, yet over the last six months they have all slashed their earnings...

London's FTSE 100 finished Wednesday's session down 0.04% at 7,337.35 points, so broadly flat on the day, the blue chip benchmark giving up earlier gains with the UK on the cusp of fresh restrictions designed to slow the growth in Omicron cases.The pound weakened and travel and leisure stocks were under pressure as investors weighed the likely impact of new rules being imposed in the UK, such...

UK stocks rose on Wednesday as concerns about the Omicron coronavirus variant continued to cool amid early signs that it could cause milder symptoms.By lunchtime, the FTSE 100 was up 0.38% at 7367.82 and the mid-cap FTSE 250 traded 0.35% higher at 23,319.28.The blue chip benchmark built on its gains of recent days as fears about the new variant waxed and waned amid mixed news on vaccines and...

Shares in asset management firm Man Group (EMG) jumped 7% higher to 217p after the group reported strong net inflows of $5.3 billion, the highest figure for any quarter in a decade and exceeding analysts' forecasts.Today's third quarter update reinforces the positive momentum highlighted at the group's interim results announced on July 28th that surpassed consensus expectations. It also...

Inflation, supply chain issues and soaring fuel prices have dominated UK market chatter for months but on Wednesday investors were obsessed by THG (THG).The online beauty and health products seller, also known as The Hut Group, continued to fall on after a torrid Tuesday during which it saw its share price lose more than a third of its value. A presentation to analysts and key investors...

Having struggled for direction all morning, the FTSE 100 index surged from its lunchtime lows to tack on 32 points or 0.45% to 7,164 by the close, led by cyclical stocks including media companies ITV (ITV) and WPP (WPP).Gambling company Flutter Entertainment (FLTR) was the top FTSE performer, rallying 8% to £139.78 after it reported a better-than-expected trebling of first-half profit amid a...

The FTSE 100 was struggling for direction by midday, down a smidge at 7,128.53, amid the usual summer lull in trading volumes and with few big catalysts to shift sentiment in either direction.Accommodation giant Intercontinental Hotels (IHG) fell 1.7% to £46.54, having swung to a modest first-half profit, citing an improvement in demand, most evident in China.Intercontinental Hotels, however,...

UK stocks had their best week in a month, closing in on their previous highs after official figures showed the economy expanded at 2.3% in April, its fastest rate since last July, as lockdown measures eased.The service sector registered record growth of 27.6% compared with last year as non-essential retail and hospitality businesses re-opened.At the the FTSE 100 index of leading shares was up...

UK stocks traded higher on Friday after official figures showed the economy expanded at 2.3% in April, its fastest rate since last July, as lockdown measures eased.The service sector registered record growth of 27.6% compared with last year as non-essential retail and hospitality businesses re-opened.At 1pm the FTSE 100 index of leading shares was 35 points or 0.5% higher at 7,124 led by gains...

UK stocks opened on the front foot on Friday as official figures showed the economy expanding at 2.3% in March, its fastest rate since July 2020.At 9am the FTSE 100 index of leading shares was 0.6% higher at 7,129 points.Overnight trading in Asia was subdued with China's Composite SE index off 0.6% and Japan's Nikkei 225 down 0.1%.COPORATE NEWSThe UK's largest listed residential landlord...

Since the Covid bottom in March 2020, London's FTSE 100 has rebounded by 36% to 7,061.78 points, but the FTSE 250 has rallied an even more impressive 67.8% to 22,813.47 and this index of 'second liners' is testing new highs.Mid cap companies are attractive to investors for a variety of reasons; more established than smaller firms, they are regarded as less risky, yet they also tend to be...

London's FTSE 100 was back above the 7,000 level for the first time since February 2020 on Friday as investors cheered signs that the global recovery remains on track following data showing China's economy grew at record pace in the first quarter.By 8.45 am, the blue chip benchmark was up 32.3 points or 0.46% at 7,015.75, representing a massive milestone in recovering from the terrible...

London's FTSE 100 finished in positive territory on Friday, even as Brexit talks revealed few signs of a breakthrough and new lockdowns to combat climbing coronavirus cases weighed on sentiment.Prime Minister Boris Johnson caused jitters by stating that talks with the EU are 'over' and it is time for Britain to 'get ready' for no-deal, though markets were boosted by Pfizer's plans to apply for...

London's FTSE 100 rebounded strongly on Friday as a bit of optimism over Brexit returned, with the EU stating it is willing to continue negotiations, although new lockdowns to combat climbing coronavirus cases kept a lid on gains.At 11.40 am, the blue chip benchmark was up 1.28% at 5,907.01.SERCO SOARS ON UPGRADED GUIDANCEThe biggest riser was services group Serco (SRP), soaring 17.2% to 139p,...

The FTSE 100 rebounded strongly after yesterday's major losses as a big fall in the pound helped exporters.As coronavirus cases continue to climb investors rushed to the relative safe haven of the US dollar, helping companies which report in dollars, while the pound also took a hit following reports suggesting Prime Minister Boris Johnson could walk away from talks with the EU over a...