European stocks were mixed on Wednesday, as the FTSE 100 eased slightly despite a boost for miners from higher metal prices and hints some sectors may be left out of US tariffs.The FTSE 100 index ended down 3.16 points at 8,755.84. The FTSE 250 climbed 177.23 points, 0.9%, at 20,127.73, and the AIM All-Share gained 3.61 points, 0.5%, at 690.48.The Cboe UK 100 ended up 0.3% at 877.63, the Cboe UK 2

London stocks closed in the green on Monday, as shares in defence firms surged across Europe amid expectations of heightened defence spending.Shares in Thales were 17% higher in Paris, Leonardo climbed 16% in Milan, BAE Systems jumped 14% in London and Rheinmetall leapt 15% in Frankfurt.On the FTSE 250, Babcock was up 8.9% and Qinetiq up 11%.JPMorgan increased share price targets by an average of

London's FTSE 100 slipped on Friday morning as Trump's new tariff announcement hit sentiment, dragging Asian and European stocks lower.China hit back, threatening to take 'all necessary countermeasures'. The UK could be set for a 'great' trade agreement with the US, however, Trump suggested.Among individual stocks, IAG, Pearson and IMI were supported by buyback plans.The FTSE 100 index traded down

The FTSE 100 closed in the green on Thursday following a flurry of earnings, while the pound falls as the UK braces itself ahead of potential US tariffs.The FTSE 100 index closed up 24.75 points, 0.3%, at 8,756.21. The FTSE 250 ended down 181.17 points, 0.9%, at 20,414.73, while the AIM All-Share closed down 3.78 points, 0.5%, at 707.72.The Cboe UK 100 ended up 0.2% at 876.77, the Cboe UK 250 clos

According to figures quoted by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace China lags way behind the global average when it comes to the proportion of its GDP which is accounted for by domestic consumption.The Washington-based thinktank notes that, globally, based on World Bank figures, consumption accounts for 75% of GDP with the remainder largely accounted for by investment.In China consumpti

London stocks closed in the green on Wednesday, boosted by gains in the banking sector, despite investors' disappointment as BP announced a reduced buyback programme.The FTSE 100 index closed up 62.79 points, 0.7%, at 8,731.46. The FTSE 250 ended up 147.62 points, 0.7%, at 20,595.90, while the AIM All-Share closed up 3.44 points, 0.5%, at 711.50.The Cboe UK 100 ended up 0.9% at 874.86, the Cboe UK

European defence stocks are becoming hot property again as governments across the continent signal an urgent need to increase military spending. The pan-European Stoxx 600 closed the session on 17 February 0.54% higher, lifted by a 4%-plus jump in the Stoxx 600 Aerospace and Defence index.With geopolitical tensions intensifying and European governments committing to increased military spending, an

Stocks in Europe were mixed on Tuesday afternoon, with London's blue chip index boosted by miners and defence as talks between the US and Russia continue, though the pound surrendered some earlier progress as the Bank of England governor warned on tepid economic growth.The FTSE 100 index rose 14.82 points, 0.2%, at 8,782.83. The FTSE 250 fell 34.80 points, 0.2%, at 20,903.88, and the AIM All-Share

European stocks climbed on Monday, with defence firms leading gains as leaders gathered in Paris to discuss increased military spending amid calls for greater European security investment, while markets also reacted to surging gold prices.The FTSE 100 index closed up 35.55 points, 0.4%, at 8,768.01. The FTSE 250 ended up 25.67 points, 0.1%, at 20,938.68, but the AIM All-Share closed down 0.84 of a

Stocks in Frankfurt and London were boosted by defence stocks at midday Monday, as European leaders prepared for talks in Paris with a focus on Ukraine.Among individual shares, BAE Systems rose, Barclays and NatWest recovered and Wood Group continued to slide.The FTSE 100 index rose 15.78 points, 0.2%, at 8,748.24. The FTSE 250 added 18.56 points, 0.1%, at 20,931.57, and the AIM All-Share rose 0.9

London stocks were mixed on Friday, on the back of geopolitical uncertainty as world leaders come together at the Munich Security Conference.US Vice President JD Vance said Friday the US was prepared to put pressure on Russia to end the war in Ukraine, ahead of a meeting in Munich with President Volodymyr Zelensky. Zelensky meanwhile said that once Kyiv reached a common position with the US and Eu

London's blue chip index was in the red around midday on Friday, as investors await US retail sales and industrial production data.The FTSE 100 index traded down 17.80 points, 0.2%, at 8,747.10. The FTSE 250 was up 65.80 points, 0.3%, at 20,981.66, and the AIM All-Share climbed 2.18 points, 0.3%, at 725.38.The Cboe UK 100 was flat at 877.76, the Cboe UK 250 firmed 0.3% to 18,337.27 and the Cboe Sm

Stock prices in London and Frankfurt opened in the red on Friday, as investors prepare for eurozone economic data and digest another tariff plan from the US president.In London, NatWest faced some selling pressure despite better-than-expected results. Hermes boosted Paris, keeping the CAC 40 in the green.The FTSE 100 index fell 30.67 points, 0.4%, at 8,734.05. The FTSE 250 added just 2.35 points a

London stocks were mixed on Thursday, but European equities closed in the green on news of progress towards a possible peace deal in Ukraine.The FTSE 100 index closed down 42.72 points, 0.5%, at 8,764.72. The FTSE 250 ended up 35.64 points, 0.2%, at 20,916.14, and the AIM All-Share closed down 0.19 of a point at 723.20.The Cboe UK 100 ended down 0.5% at 877.79, the Cboe UK 250 closed up 0.3% at 18

London's FTSE 100 traded lower around midday on Thursday, as poorly received earnings weighed, missing out on a Ukraine peace hope-led rally elsewhere in Europe.The FTSE 100 index traded down 58.01 points, 0.7%, at 8,749.43. The FTSE 250 was down 16.97 points, 0.1%, at 20,863.53, and the AIM All-Share fell 0.71 of a point, 0.1%, at 722.68.The Cboe UK 100 fell 0.6% at 876.73, the Cboe UK 250 lost 0

London's FTSE 100 reached a record-high close at above 8,800 on Wednesday, despite a stronger-than-expected inflation report leaving the US market downcast.The FTSE 100 index closed up 30.05 points, 0.3%, at 8,807.44. It had earlier hit a new all-time high of 8,810.62.The FTSE 250 ended down 39.22 points, 0.2%, at 20,880.50, and the AIM All-Share closed down 1.15 points, 0.2%, at 723.39.The Cboe U

Stocks in London close higher on Thursday, close to a new record, boosted by a rate cut at the Bank of England and strong results from AstraZeneca.BoE Governor Andrew Bailey believes the central bank will be able to cut rates further, but policymakers will need to decide meeting-by-meeting 'how far and how fast' bank rate can be trimmed.Speaking following the BoE's decision to cut bank rate by 25

China's New Year Holiday festival is over, and the Year of the Snake is now under way. People with a much keener interest in, and better understanding of, the Chinese zodiac tell this column the snake signifies intelligence, mystery and renewal.Make of that what you will, but president Xi Jinping and the Communist Party authorities are going to need plenty of the first trait if they are to resolve

Forecast-beating Q4 profitsFresh DKK 4 billion buybackGrowth to slow in 2025Pandora (PNDORA:CPH) is something of a market darling, shares in the Danish jewellery giant having recently hit an all-time peak thanks to surging sales and management's successful delivery against its 'Phoenix' growth strategy.The Copenhagen-headquartered company delivered better-than-expected profits for the fourth quart

London's blue chip index closed in the green on Friday as Smiths Group unveiled 'strategic actions' to unlock shareholder value, including divestment and an increased buyback programme.The FTSE 100 index closed up 27.08 points, 0.3%, at 8,673.96. The FTSE 250 ended up 145.41 points, 0.7%, at 20,950.48, and the AIM All-Share closed down 0.10 points at 718.13.The Cboe UK 100 ended up 0.3% at 869.89,