With the UK economy seemingly headed for a 'soft landing' and interest rates set to fall at some point this year, more adventurous investors will be looking to add a little more risk to their portfolios.Given the UK market, and the mid-cap space in particular, is widely acknowledged to be cheap, the passive option would be to buy a mid-cap ETF (exchange-traded fund) such as the iShares FTSE 250 (M

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 2024, th

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 250

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 790.22,

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 was

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 and t

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 everyone's

A multitude of London-listed shares with exposure to Russia and Ukraine region have seen dramatic falls in their value following Vladimir Putin's decision to invade Ukraine, and the West's decision to impose sanctions on Russia.Shares in Evraz (EVR), Russia's second largest steel company have fallen by 26% today, and by 40% over the last five days.Iron pellet producer Ferrexpo (FXPO) is the world'

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 Russi

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 unpredictability ov

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 100

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 Everg

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 scrutiny wh

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 intense

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 shareholders fr

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 ind

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 inter

FTSE 250 iron ore producer Ferrexpo (FXPO) has declared a bumper shareholder payout after taking full advantage of the surge in iron ore prices.The company has proposed a special interim dividend of $0.396, taking total dividends for 2020 to $0.726 US, up from a total of $0.198 paid in 2019.It comes as the Ukrainian miner, in its full year results to 31 December 2020, reported a 46% jump in underl

UK stocks dropped on Wednesday as weak mining and energy shares dragged offset by gains in financials.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 interest rate policy given recent market worries over rising inflation.5G CAPACITY BOOSTTelecoms gia

Despite the UK lurching back into an economically destructive lockdown, London's FTSE 100 clawed back earlier losses to close 0.61% higher at 6,612.25 points on Tuesday.The blue chip benchmark's resilience reflected hopes for a swift vaccine rollout as well as a boost to sentiment from chancellor Rishi Sunak's £4.6 billion relief package for the UK retail and hospitality sectors.Shares in Royal D