Stocks in London were mixed during midday trade on Friday, with the FTSE underperforming its European equivalents, in anticipation of critical data on US jobs.The FTSE 100 index was down 36.14 points, 0.4%, at 8,246.38. The FTSE 250 was up 53.28 points, 0.3%, at 20,793.34, and the AIM All-Share was up 2.11 points, 0.3%, at 735.95.The Cboe UK 100 was down 0.4% at 825.03, the Cboe UK 250 was up 0.5%

Stock prices in London were lower at midday ahead of US jobs data, but alongside news that the UK construction sector is recovering from a 'difficult start' to the year.The FTSE 100 index was down 16.37 points, or 0.2%, at 8,253.23. The FTSE 250 was up 53.03 points, or 0.3%, at 20,861.64, and the AIM All-Share was up 1.09 points, or 0.1%, at 760.75.The Cboe UK 100 was down 0.1% at 825.66, the Cboe

Firms stick to deal scheduleBarratt waives CMA concernMarket sentiment improvingHousebuilder Barratt Developments (BDEV) announced it would finalise the acquisition of smaller rival Redrow (RDW) and form a new company, Barratt Redrow, by the end of this week in spite of regulatory concerns.Barratt shares gained 6p or 1.2% to 542p while Redrow shares gained 20p or 2.6% to 780p. MERGER ON TRA

Annual profit better than fearedFY25 profit guidance upped by 5%Berkeley branches out into Build to RentHigh-end housebuilder Berkeley (BKG) has upgraded its full-year 2025 pre-tax profit guidance after delivering a resilient performance last year despite the 'challenging and volatile' market backcloth.The FTSE 100 builder also flagged signs that the housing market outlook is improving with inflat

Equity prices in London ended higher on Thursday, with the FTSE 100 snapping a six-day losing streak, though there was nervy trade in New York ahead of the release of a key US inflation gauge on Friday.The FTSE 100 index closed up 47.98 points, 0.6%, at 8,231.05. The FTSE 250 surged 234.53 points, 1.2%, at 20,670.87, and the AIM All-Share ended up 2.42 points, 0.3%, at 802.69.The Cboe UK 100 ended

Almost 42% of young adults aged between the ages of 18 and 20 have not claimed savings in their matured Child Trust Fund (CTF), according to data from the account providers? trade association.According to the Share Foundation, the value of unclaimed savings is now over £1.7 billion, while a 2022 study by HMRC estimated teenagers could have an average of £2,100 sitting in their accounts. WHAT IS

US stocks endured a difficult week with technology stocks and small caps particularly in the firing line amid disappointing news from the chip sector, escalating tensions in the Middle East and the pushing back of rate cut expectations.Electric vehicle maker Telsa (TSLA) had a particularly tricky time of it as investors continue to react to news of job cuts, a big delivery miss earlier this month

Surveys point to steady growthBuyer confidence improvingConstruction sector expandingIn a further sign of returning confidence in the housing market, the latest survey from the Halifax ? part of Lloyds Banking Group (LLOY) ? shows annual prices continuing to rise despite relatively subdued activity.The news wasn?t quite enough to support the shares of the leading developers such as Barratt Develop

Like for like sales growth slows to 5.8%Big jump in operating profitTough comps in second halfSlowing like for like sales growth at pubs group JD Wetherspoon (JDW) was enough to knock the shares 7% lower to 737.5p, bringing an end to a strong run which has seen them gain 25% over the last year, comfortably ahead of the FTSE 250.Like-for-like sales growth slowed to 5.8% in the seven weeks to 17 Mar

Stock prices in London were in the green on Friday morning, as Nationwide data showed the UK housing market is recovering, ahead of UK manufacturing data.The FTSE 100 index opened up 40.73 points, 0.5%, at 7,670.75. The FTSE 250 was up 74.12 points, 0.4%, at 19,128.99, and the AIM All-Share was down 0.03 of a points at 736.47.The Cboe UK 100 was up 0.3% at 768.41, the Cboe UK 250 was up 0.2% at 16

Hopes for interest rate cuts from the Bank of England were boosted on Thursday after the UK slipped into a recession, according to the latest GDP data, sending stocks in London higher.?Confirmation that the UK is in recession has done nothing to knock UK stocks off course. An economy pushing through mud is not new news and if anything, it might encourage the Bank of England to think harder about c

Prices are turning positive againLower mortgage rates helpingActivity seen picking up this yearHousebuilders and housing-related stocks got a lift going into the Bank of England?s monetary policy meeting thanks to a positive read on the property market from the latest Nationwide house price survey.Shares in Barratt Developments (BDEV), Crest Nicholson (CRST), Persimmon (PSN), Redrow (RDW), Rightmo

Shares have fallen 21% over the past yearFull year 2023 pre-tax profit now expected to be £41 millionOne-off charge of £13 million related to legal claimShares in Crest Nicholson (CRST) were down over 4% to 207p as the housebuilder issued a profit warning because of higher costs and a one-off charge from a legal claim.The group now expects a full-year pre-tax profit of £41 million for the year

London share prices continued to rally into the new year early Thursday, and sterling held above $1.28, as markets priced in a series of interest rate cuts by the US Federal Reserve.The FTSE 100 index opened up 13.31 points, 0.2%, at 7,738.26. The FTSE 250 was up 9.81 points, 0.1%, at 19,730.56, and the AIM All-Share was down 0.80 of a point, 0.1%, at 762.23.The Cboe UK 100 index was up 0.1% at 77

Gold price surges past $2,100 per ounceWeak US dollar lifts precious metalTraders bet on US interest rate cuts in 2024Gold prices surged past $2,100 per ounce to a record high helped by a weak US dollar and ongoing conflict in Gaza, Israel and Ukraine.According to Refinitiv data, gold hit $2,122, up 2% on the day, before falling back to $2,064 per ounce.Since the start of November, the US dollar h

Considering companies which invest in insolvency litigation cases are meant to be anti-cyclical, winning when the economy goes into a downturn, by rights Manolete Partners (MANO:AIM) should have cleaned up during the pandemic as the number of struggling businesses soared.However, much to the firm's chagrin, the opposite scenario unfolded - tens of thousands of struggling firms were saved from goin

Lower-than-expected growth for the Chinese service sector saw stock prices in London fall on Tuesday, alongside sterling, as investors worried about the health of the world's second-largest economy.The FTSE 100 index closed down 14.83 points, 0.2%, at 7,437.93. The FTSE 250 ended down 32.72 points, 0.2%, at 18,491.42, and the AIM All-Share closed down 0.54 of a point, or 0.1%, at 740.05.The Cboe U

Stock prices in London struggled at midday on Tuesday amid fresh worries for the world's second-largest economy.'Nagging worries about the Chinese economy are a big contributing factor to the change in mood - the latest PMI reading from the services sector painting a shocking picture,' said Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell.The FTSE 100 index was up 9.46 points, or 0.1%, at 7,462.22. The

Self-storage and private rental markets strongFirms all investing for future growthValuations yet to respond due to high ratesWhile shares in UK property stocks are stuck in the doldrums due to rising interest rates, the latest announcements from a leading self-storage firm and a pair of property rental groups suggest it is very much 'business as usual'.A GROWING MARKETIn its first-quarter trading

June's larger-than-expected half percentage point interest rate rise has pushed the FTSE 100 index back into negative territory for the year and triggered fears of recession among investors and market observers.Moreover, there seems little doubt the UK central bank will raise rates again at its August meeting, the only question being by how much.'It now appears that interest rates may go higher th