Results exceed gloomy estimatesSignificant drop in net debtFresh $3.5 billion buybackShares in Shell (SHEL) ticked up 1% to £25.15 after the energy giant delivered better-than-expected third-quarter results as headwinds from lower oil prices and weaker refining margins were partially offset by higher gas sales.There was also relief as the oil major reported a quarter-on-quarter decrease in net de

Earnings beat despite sluggish revenuesWealth and investment bank deliverNew buyback and restructuring in focusRounding out the results of the Big Four UK banks, HSBC (HSBA) delivered third-quarter earnings which beat market forecasts and announced it would launch a fresh $3 billion share buyback.After rallying 4% in Hong Kong earlier in the day, the shares had popped 28p or 4% to 720p by mid-morn

Stocks in London recovered to close Monday in the green, as all eyes look to the UK budget to come on Wednesday.The FTSE 100 index closed up 36.78 points, or 0.5%, at 8,285.62. The FTSE 250 ended up 15.19 points, or 0.1%, at 20,835.10, and the AIM All-Share closed down 0.2%, or 1.57 points, at 721.10.The Cboe UK 100 ended up 0.5% at 830.25, the Cboe UK 250 closed up 0.3% at 18,385.28, and the Cboe

European stocks traded in the red at midday on Tuesday as doubts increased as to the pace of rate cuts across the pond.The FTSE 100 index traded down 57.38 points, 0.7%, at 8,260.86. The FTSE 250 was down 93.94 points, or 0.5%, at 20,812.66, and the AIM All-Share was down 3.70 points, 0.5%, at 731.25.The Cboe UK 100 was down 0.8% at 826.88, the Cboe UK 250 fell 0.4% to 18,385.87, and the Cboe Smal

Stocks in London slipped at the close on Monday, as the FTSE 100 joined European peers in negative territory.The FTSE 100 index closed down 40.01 points, or 0.5%, at 8,318.24. The FTSE 250 ended down 242.98 points, or 1.2%, at 20,906.60, and the AIM All-Share lost 5.74 points, 0.8%, at 734.95.The Cboe UK 100 closed down 0.4% at 833.19 on Monday, the Cboe UK 250 ended down 1.1% at 18,461.11, and th

London's FTSE 100 was in the red during midday trade on Monday, returning the morning's gains as optimism fuelled by China's interest rate cuts ebbed.There was some sparkle in commodity markets from gold, however. Oil prices also climbed, supporting Shell and BP, which rose 1.1% and 1.9%.The FTSE 100 index went into the afternoon in a tepid fashion, despite the heavyweight oil majors rising. The l

The FTSE 100 started the week on the front foot as an interest rate cut in China boosted share prices of UK-listed miners.The FTSE 100 index traded up 28.35 points, 0.3%, at 8,386.60. The FTSE 250 was up 36.02 points, or 0.2%, at 21,185.60, and the AIM All-Share was up 2.31 points, or 0.3%, at 743.00.The Cboe UK 100 was up 0.4% at 839.69, the Cboe UK 250 also rose 0.4% to 18,742.74, and the Cboe S

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

This week ushered in fresh highs for US markets lead by the small cap Russell 2000 index which gained over 3%, buoyed by stronger than expected retail sales and lower weekly jobless claims.The Atlanta Federal Reserve raised its estimate for third quarter GDP to an annualised 3.4% from 3.2%, an acceleration from the prior quarter's 3% growth clip.Higher up the market cap food chain, the benchmark S

Stock prices in London opened mostly lower on Friday morning as China posted its slowest growth in a year and a half, while UK retail sales performed better than expected last month.The FTSE 100 index opened down 28.63 points, or 0.3%, at 8,356.50. The FTSE 250 was down 37.28 points, or 0.2%, at 21,063.64, and the AIM All-Share was up 1.39 points, or 0.2%, at 743.78.London's FTSE 100 had hit a fiv

Stock prices in Europe were higher at Thursday midday, after data showed that annual consumer price inflation in the eurozone decelerated more than expected in September, ahead of the European Central Bank announcing its next interest rate decision, with a cut expected.The FTSE 100 index was up 26.95 points, 0.3%, at 8,355.94. The FTSE 250 was up 106.07 points, or 0.5%, at 21,085.57, and the AIM A

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

In the coming week (22-24 October), Russia will host the latest annual BRICS summit in Kazan. For all that one of the meeting's key goals is to tackle neglected tropical diseases, few investors may be inclined to pay attention, not least given the economic sanctions imposed upon the host nation. The concept of the Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (the BRICS) as an investable grouping

Despite the strong market reaction to results from the US banks last week, we can't see investors getting quite so excited when the UK's biggest financial institutions unveil their latest earnings over the coming weeks.As usual, the country's largest mortgage lender Lloyds Banking Group (LLOY) gets proceedings under way with its third-quarter trading update on Wednesday 23 October.Although it post

US stocks hit fresh all-time highs last week after the third-quarter earnings season started with a bang, with both JPMorgan Chase (JPM:NYSE) and Wells Fargo (WFC:NYSE) beating consensus profit forecasts.Heavy buying of both stocks helped push the KBW Banking Index up over 3%, with JPMorgan shares gaining 4.4% to $222.29 and Wells Fargo shares climbing 5.6% to $60.99.JPMorgan reported total revenu

Fresh bid spurned by ChalliceChallice has 'no interest' in sellingMulberry board considering its positionStruggling luxury handbag maker Mulberry (MUL:AIM) is weighing up a sweetened £111 million bid from Frasers (FRAS), although its majority owner is standing in the way of a takeover by refusing to sell its shares to the Mike Ashley-controlled conglomerate.Mulberry's biggest shareholder with a 5

London's blue chip index was lower as Sainsbury's shares fell after its largest shareholder trimmed its stake in the supermarket chain, as investors await a producer prices print from the US.The FTSE 100 index was down 17.91 points, 0.2%, at 8,219.82. The FTSE 250 was down marginally at 20,704.76, and the AIM All-Share was slightly higher at 734.85.The Cboe UK 100 was down 0.2% at 823.63, the Cboe

London's blue chips faded after a bright start to trade in the red at midday on Thursday, ahead of US inflation data later in the session.The FTSE 100 had made a positive start, before some pre-US data nerves kicked in.The more tepid trade in Europe came despite equities in China ending the day in the green on supportive measures from the nation's central bank. The Shanghai Composite rose 1.3%, of

Stocks in Europe were higher at midday on Wednesday, recouping some of Tuesday's losses, despite heavy falls in Shanghai.The FTSE 100 index was up 21.49 points, 0.3%, at 8,212.10. The FTSE 250 was up 137.16 points, 0.7%, at 20,768.36, but the AIM All-Share rose 1.01 points, 0.1%, to 736.08.The Cboe UK 100 added 0.3% at 822.38, the Cboe UK 250 climbed 0.8% to 18,253.79, and the Cboe Small Companies

Q4 like-for-likes up 3.7%Operating profit forecast raised againReturn to dividends promisedSandwich, salad and sushi maker Greencore (GNC) has upgraded full year profit guidance yet again following what CEO Dalton Philips dubbed an 'outstanding' performance, with profit conversion in the final quarter beating management's expectations.Shares in the FTSE 250 food maker, which supplies major UK supe