LloydsThe bank is expected to report strong earnings but loan activity may have weakened in the final quarterWhen Lloyds (LLOY) updated the market on trading for the nine months to September 2022, there was no hint of the turmoil which was about to erupt in financial markets or the sudden spike in borrowing rates.Higher rates are generally good for banks, but shocks to the system aren't which mean

i3 Energy (I3E:AIM) 29.4pGain to date: 167%When we flagged the appeal of Canadian oil and gas producer i3 Energy (I3E:AIM) at 11p in July 2021 we couldn't have foreseen Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the resulting surge in oil and gas prices.We simply liked the potential for generous dividends, the business model of acquiring low-cost conventional assets and an attractive equity valuation.WHAT'S

Shares in CQS Natural Resources Growth & Income (CYN) cheapened 2.7% to 184p on Friday, despite the resources focused investment trust reporting a first half net asset value total return of 15.2%, materially ahead of the composite benchmark's 0.2% increase.The share price reverse appears to reflect profit-taking following a recent share price spike against a backdrop of surging raw materials infla

Despite better than expected results and no visible exposure to the coronavirus, marine engineer James Fisher & Sons (FSJ) still found itself caught up in the market sell-off on Thursday.Shares in the FTSE 250 company dropped 1.4% to £17.88 even though full year earnings were ahead of analyst expectations across the board.For the year to 31 December, the firm reported a 10% jump in revenue to £6

The FTSE 100 starts Friday on the back foot, down 0.3% to 7,583.96, as mining stocks fall on worries over slowing growth in the world economy.Aviation services firm John Menzies (MNZS) guides for full year earnings to be at best flat year-on-year after a weaker than expected first half performance. Its shares fall 14.1%.In a first half trading update specialist building materials supplier SIG (SHI

Oil prices are marking new multi-year highs as we write, supported by a larger than expected draw on crude stocks in the US and bullish comments from Saudi Arabia.Geopolitical tensions impacting major oil producing regions such as the Middle East and Russia have also contributed to the strength in prices.Like most markets, oil is driven by supply and demand factors. Conflict and tension in major p

On 5 January it emerged that the Planning Inspectorate had unexpectedly upheld a decision to block the development of the Wressle oil discovery in North Lincolnshire.The operator of the field, Egdon Resources (EDR:AIM) and its partners Union Jack Oil (UJO:AIM) and Europa Oil & Gas (EOG:AIM) all suffered big share price falls. In particular, Egdon fell 1.44p to 6.7p in the immediate aftermath of th

Ethical and sustainable investing used to be thought of as a charitable endeavour that places principles before profits, but there is growing evidence to suggest it can lead to better long-term returns.There are now around 200 funds in the UK that claim to invest sustainably, putting much more choice at investors' fingertips.You need to dig deep to ensure the fund meets your criteria because manag

Investors in onshore UK oil and gas firms are reeling after the Planning Inspectorate unexpectedly upholds a decision to block development on the Wressle oil discovery in Lincolnshire.The companies behind the project, Egdon Resources (EDR:AIM) (operator with a 25% stake), Union Jack Oil (UJO:AIM) and Europa Oil & Gas (EOG:AIM) are all sharply lower on the news. Egdon sinks 16.6% to 6.8p, Union Jac

The Scottish government is to ban hydraulic fracturing, or 'fracking' as it is better known. The decision comes after a four-month consultation, energy minister Paul Wheelhouse told MSPs this afternoon. A moratorium on fracking activity had been in place since 2015.Fracking involves pumping a mixture of chemicals, sand and water at high pressures to stimulate the flow of gas and oil from tight sha

The FTSE 100 was flat at 7,476.45 in early trading as traders held their fire ahead of today's non-farm payrolls data from the US.Housebuilders were under pressure after reports the Government is considering scrapping the Help to Buy scheme. Taylor Wimpey (TW.) led the sector lower down 4.5% at 186.4p.Government-owned Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) gained 3.6% to 265.5p as it beats forecasts for sec

The UK votes today as millions of Brits hit polling stations up and down the country to select their next government. Latest polls predict a Conservative win, but the margin of victory is very much unknown. Read on for Shares in-depth coverage (initially published on 1 June) of how today's election result could affect UK plc, its companies, financial markets and the pound.Election countdown: what

The UK is now a week away from voting in the general election. At the time of writing, the Conservative Party held the lead in the polls although the gap against Labour has narrowed.The current market rally, as represented by the domestically-focused FTSE 250 index, implies a Tory victory. There wouldn't be any radical changes to how the country is run and Theresa May could concentrate on getting

The FTSE 100 is flat at 7,297.40 suggesting centrist candidate Emmanuel Macron's resounding victory against far-right candidate Marine Le Pen in the French presidential election had largely been priced in by the market.Mining stocks, which have a significant weighting in the index, are under pressure after uninspiring export numbers from China.British gas owner Centrica (CNA) slumps 1.1% to 196.5p

The decision of Communities Secretary Sajid Javid in October 2016 to overrule local county council objections to private operator Cuadrilla's fracking plans in Lancashire is upheld by a high court judge today.This is a boost for stocks with exposure to the UK shale industry including IGas Energy (IGAS:AIM), up 3.8% to 5.7p, Egdon Resources (EDR:AIM) up 3.6% to 10.1p and Europa Oil & Gas (EOG:AIM)

Small cap oil exploration and production (E&P) play Europa Oil & Gas (EOG:AIM) gains 21% to 5.75p as it agrees a $6m farm out deal with Cairn Energy (CNE) on its 16/9 licensing option offshore Ireland.SEISMIC MOVECairn is taking a 70% interest in return for funding a seismic survey over the acreage. The deal essentially values the asset at around $8.6m and given the company, currently valued by th

Telecoms, jewellery and halal food are among the industries that may feature in the IPO (initial public offering) market in 2017.We've pulled together all the official announcements and rumours for stocks linked to a London stock market flotation this year.Heading the pack is mobile phone operator O2 in a float potentially valued at £10bn and earmarked for the first quarter of the year. The busin

UK investors are in mean mood in early trade on Thursday after sell-offs overnight on Wall Street and Asian markets, and a smattering of corporate news disappointment. The benchmark FTSE 100 index slides around 17 points, or 0.25%, to 6,333.Builders merchant Travis Perkins (TPK) leads the blue-chips lower, its 7% slump to £18.23 topping the Footsie loser board as management confirm ongoing weak t

Large US oil and gas explorer Kosmos Energy (KOS:NYSE) is walking away from its partnership with micro cap E&P Europa Oil & Gas (EOG:AIM) on two licences in the Porcupine basin offshore Ireland. Predictably Europa is down 20% to 3.1p as its claim that this 'brings opportunity' falls on deaf ears.Granted Ireland has just enjoyed its busiest offshore licensing round with 43 applications - three time

London shares head south in early trade on Tuesday, following declines across Europe's leading markets and seemingly ignoring the positive mood across the pond overnight. Miners and pharmas provide the downward drive, with the mining sector filling the top five spots on the Footsie loser board, lad by Glencore's (GLEN) near 9% slump to 108.5p.The FTSE 100 index tumbles 110 points,or about 1.8%, ju