Record copper, iron ore production Profit fell 26% on weaker prices Dividend payout ratio increased Mining giant BHP (BHP) jumped 1.6% in early trading despite reporting its lowest annual profit in five years after revealing a higher-than-expected dividend and upbeat outlook. The gain takes the shares into positive territory for the year to date and gave other mining shares a boost, with...

Stocks in London, Paris and Frankfurt were higher at midday on Friday, with Atalaya Mining shares up as it is set to join the FTSE 250, while investors await US unemployment data. 'The FTSE 100 was on course to extend its winning streak after signs of a potential de-escalation of the tariff stand-off between US and China gave investors real heart,' AJ Bell's Russ Mould said. The FTSE 100 index...

London's blue chip index underperformed against its peers in Paris and Frankfurt on Friday morning, amid ongoing US tariffs concerns, while investors await UK construction data out shortly.The FTSE 100 index opened down 85.45 points, 1.0%, at 8,389.29. The FTSE 250 was down 92.62 points, 0.5%, at 19,112.14, and the AIM All-Share was down 1.54 points, 0.2%, at 666.13.The Cboe UK 100 was down...

The FTSE 100 opened in the green on Monday despite geopolitical concerns and tariff worries continuing to hang over equities.The FTSE 100 index rose 13.43 points, 0.2%, at 8,745.89. The FTSE 250 added 64.96 points, 0.3%, at 20,977.97, and the AIM All-Share rose 1.33 points, 0.2%, at 727.39.The Cboe UK 100 was up 0.3% at 877.63, the Cboe UK 250 also added 0.3% to 18,333.89, and the Cboe Small...

The FTSE 100 index fell on Friday, while short sellers are reportedly eyeing consumer-facing UK companies facing reduced customer spending and higher employment costs.'The UK outlook is getting worse by the day,' commented AJ Bell's Dan Coatsworth. 'Business and consumer sentiment is already weakening amid concerns that the new government doesn't have an effective plan to accelerate economic...

Ukrainian iron ore mining group Ferrexpo (FXPO) has seen its shares slump 40% in the last three months amid ongoing nervousness over the conflict with Russia as well as spats with the government and legal issues.This has overshadowed operational progress with the company reporting on 23 April its best quarterly production figures since the invasion of Ukraine. In the first three months of...

For readers who may not be aware, being market-cap weighted both the FTSE 100 and the FTSE 250 index are reviewed and rebalanced every three months to take account of share price movements.In the previous review, which took place at the end of February, budget airline group EasyJet (EZJ) won promotion to the FTSE 100 while precious metals group Endeavour Mining (EDV) was relegated to the FTSE...

Stocks prices in London fell into the red on Friday, as unexpectedly high US jobs growth squashed hopes of interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve sooner rather than later.The FTSE 100 index closed 64.73 points, 0.8%, at 7,911.16. The FTSE 250 ended down 147.25 points, 0.7%, at 19,725.94, and the AIM All-Share closed down 2.53 points, or 0.3%, at 740.05.The Cboe UK 100 ended down 0.9% at...

Stock prices were more stable at midday Thursday after Wednesday?s decline and ahead of the weekly US jobless data.The FTSE 100 index was up 10.95 points, 0.2%, at 7,457.24. The FTSE 250 was up 146.84 points, 0.8%, at 19,011.21, and the AIM All-Share was up 1.96 points, 0.3%, at 740.76.The Cboe UK 100 was up 0.3% at 745.29, the Cboe UK 250 was up 0.7% at 16,429.45, and the Cboe Small Companies...

Shares in Ukrainian iron ore producer Ferrexpo (FXPO) have fallen 82% from their July 2021 peak and green shoots in itshalf-year results on 2 August weren't enough to stop the decline in its valuation.The miner's shares were already falling before Russia's invasion of Ukraine, but life has certainly got worse for the company since the war began.Production has been hit, overheads have gone up...

In this article we take a dive into the lowly valued part of the UK stock market to see if we can find some hidden gems. Specifically, we are looking for shares trading on less than eight times forecast earnings.It is sometimes said 'one man's meat is another man's poison' or 'one man's rubbish is another man's treasure'.Digging around the ultra-cheap end of the stock market may not be...

A de facto invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces has ramped up market volatility and sent oil prices to the cusp of $100 per barrel and safe-haven gold to within touching distance of $1,900 an ounce, at the time of writing (22 Feb).Hopes of a de-escalation are looking increasing forlorn as Vladimir Putin orders troops into Ukrainian regions held by separatist rebels which have been backed by...

The tensions on the Ukrainian border may have eased slightly as we write but the situation remains highly febrile with Washington and London still warning of an imminent Russian invasion.Historically war hasn't agreed with the stock market, particularly in the short term. This makes sense given it is difficult for investors to factor in the impact of an armed conflict given the...

In quiet trading ahead of new year, UK shares inched into positive territory and looked likely to finish 2021 on a high note with the FTSE 100 booking mid double- digit gains for the year.Investors will be watching for further signs of economic strength in the US when weekly jobless data is released later today, setting the tone for increased tightening of US monetary policy.At midday the FTSE...

Corporate news was thin on the ground on Thursday as UK shares moved in a narrow range in thin trading.In the US the benchmark S&P 500 index and the Dow Jones Industrials closed at record highs as Omicron fears abated despite rising infections.In Asia, trading was mixed with China's SE Composite gaining 0.6% while Japan's Nikkei 225 index was down 0.4%.Shares in Chinese real estate developer...

The FTSE followed through on Tuesday's earnings-driven gains thanks to strong results from insurer Legal and General (LGEN) and record half year completions from housebuilder Taylor Wimpey (TW.), which lifted the whole sector.Asian markets bounced thanks largely to a recovery in technology stocks, including social media and gaming giant Tencent, which had been hit by intense regulatory...

The FTSE followed the lead of Asian markets and rallied in early trading on Wednesday aided by strong results from insurer Legal and General (LGEN) and record half year completions from housebuilder Taylor Wimpey (TW), which lifted the whole sector.Asian markets bounced thanks largely to a rebound in technology stocks, including social media and gaming giant Tencent, which had been hit by...

When you buy a share in a company you are literally buying a share in its future earnings. As an ordinary shareholder, you are entitled to vote at the company's annual general meeting and any extraordinary meetings that are called, to buy more shares when the company has a pre-emptive rights issue, and most importantly you own a share of the dividends.Dividends are cash payments to...

UK stocks dropped on Wednesday as investors awaited news from the latest US Federal Reserve meeting for clues on its future interest rate policy after recent market worries over rising inflation.Both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 indices traded lower, adding to the selling pressure on the FTSE where gains in financials were offset by weakness in mining and energy shares.At the close the benchmark...

UK stocks dropped on Wednesday as gains in financials were offset by weakness in mining and energy shares. At midday the FTSE 100 index of leading shares was down 35 points or 0.5% to 6,768 points.Overnight trading in Asia was quiet with the Nikkei 225 and SE Composite indices slightly down.Investors are awaiting news from the latest US Federal Reserve meeting later today for clues on future...