Stock prices in London rose in the morning on Thursday, as investors eye a key interest rate decision from the European Central Bank, just a day after the US central bank lifted its rates.The FTSE 100 index was up 16.29 points, 0.2%, at 7,693.18. The FTSE 250 was up 144.87 points, 0.8%, at 19,331.41, and the AIM All-Share was up 2.87 points, 0.4%, at 769.02.The Cboe UK 100 was up 0.3% at...

It was in the months following the global financial crisis that Robert started becoming interested in the stock market. In a graduate IT job with Barclays (BARC) based in Canary Wharf, he'd had a front row seat during the teeth of the financial shock, but he has developed his own stocks-only DIY investment style during the decade-plus since.In this article we talk through how he goes about...

One of the key ingredients in the success or failure of a company is the quality of its management.When change at the top of a struggling company occurs, it can act as a catalyst for an underperforming business and trigger a share price boost, while the wrong CEO appointment has the potential to ruin a hitherto successful business and undo all the painstaking work of his or her...

A late move higher saw the FTSE 100 close Thursday's session up 0.26% at 7,168.55 points, the blue chip benchmark taking its cue from a strong start on Wall Street where the S&P 500 rose 0.4% to 4,541.62 by 4.30pm UK time.MELROSE ON THE MOVEEngineering firm Melrose Industries (MRO) gained 7.1% to 184.1p to top the risers on the FTSE 100 after it confirmed alongside first half results it was...

Investors who like to back proven management teams should note the 18 August AIM market debut of Likewise, the UK floor coverings distributor.It was founded in 2018 by chief executive Tony Brewer who used to be CEO at Europe's leading floor coverings distributor Headlam (HEAD). The latter's share price increased by 235% during the 16 years he ran the business.Likewise has grown rapidly with...

London's FTSE 100 was broadly flat on Friday, the blue chip benchmark off 0.22% to 7,004.45 points early doors despite news of very strong UK retail sales last month, boosted by non-essential retailers being allowed to reopen on 12 April.Bitcoin's extreme volatility this week has only added to existing worries like inflation and the pandemic, which have impeded the progress of equity markets...

After more than a decade of domination for growth stocks, global markets are finally seeing a shift into value.This in turn has benefited funds pursuing a value investing style. Growth performed relatively well through the initial course of the pandemic with technology stocks leading the way, but the key catalyst for the long-awaited rotation into value was 'Pfizer Monday' on 9 November last...

London's FTSE traded lower on Thursday, the blue chip benchmark down 0.97% at 6,323.56 points following a soft session on Wall Street and in spite of positive vaccine updates.Investors remained concerned by the continuing spread of coronavirus, worried that Covid-19 restrictions will slow the economic recovery, as well as by the lack of progress on a new stimulus aid package across the...

Out-of-favour floorcoverings distributor Headlam (HEAD) rallied 6.4% to 273.5p on Monday on the news UK revenue 'recovered strongly' during June, and July trading to date has seen 'a continuation in revenue growth back towards 2019 revenue levels.'This encouraging sales uptick followed the reopening of all the Birmingham-headquartered firm's principal distribution centres by late May and the...

One of the most striking features of the current crisis, from a stock market perspective, is how sharply and suddenly UK firms have cut their dividends in response to the drop in demand for their goods or services.In March alone, UK companies cancelled or postponed more than £4bn in forecast dividend payments. Both the speed and the size of the cuts are unprecedented.Last week, housebuilders...

Following yesterday's heavy selling, the FTSE 100 and FTSE 250 rally 51.5 and 102 points to 7,283 and 19,133 respectively on Friday as risk appetite receives a lift from US President Donald Trump's prediction of a swift end to the trade war with China. However sterling remains volatile as rumours swirl of Theresa May's imminent departure from Number 10.International baby goods retailer...

Despite Prime Minister Theresa May's heavy Brexit vote defeat, the pound is holding firm and the UK-heavy FTSE 250 index trades 57.3 points higher at 18,487 on Wednesday. This perhaps reflects hopes we are going to get more time for negotiations, we're less likely to have a hard Brexit or Brexit won't happen at all. However, the EU has already said it isn't going to negotiate further and there...

Don't be put off by a recent profit warning from floor coverings distributor Headlam (HEAD) as the business still has attractive qualities. Stockbroker Panmure Gordon argues the European operation, 'mentally written off' by many investors, is likely to provide 'a strong positive catalyst for improved investor sentiment'.Europe remains small at 15% of group revenue and generated EBIT (earnings...

European floor coverings distributor Headlam (HEAD) is out of favour on Wednesday after warning full year profits will be 'towards the lower end of current market expectations'. This is due to ongoing softness in the UK market.Shares in the Birmingham-headquartered furnishings firm have been drifting of late with investors skittish about a weak retail market. Having previously flagged tough...

On a typically quiet August Wednesday UK markets open on the back foot with little corporate activity around to inspire investors.The FTSE 100 index begins the day by opening around 20 points, or 0.3%, lower at 7,546.35, with mid cap FTSE 250 and small cap indexes also posting modest reverses.On currency markets, the pound is flat against both the dollar and euro, at $1.2903 and €1.1149...

Monday 21 AugustFirst half results (21 Aug) from European floor coverings distributor and dividend star turn Headlam (HEAD) will confirm further market share gains and strong cash generation, though the outlook statement will be key, August being a peak month for UK educational refurbishments.In a recent pre-close update (18 Jul), Headlam highlighted revenue growth in the UK and Continental...

London's blue-chip benchmark opens 35 points lower at 7,369.2 with investors waiting on a string of UK inflation data out mid-morning from the Bank of England, the country's consumer-price index in particular focus.In corporate news, construction services group Carillion (CLLN), whose shares collapsed following a profit warning last week, rebounds 8.2% to 72.35p after bagging two new...

European floor coverings distributor Headlam (HEAD) continues to outperform peers and profitably consolidate its chosen markets.Steered by chief executive Steve Wilson who is focused on driving operational efficiencies across the business, we admire Headlam for its consistent market share gains and scope for further special dividends.Headlam's annual general meeting update (25 May) highlighted...

UK employment numbers released this morning are in-line with expectations which, along with mining gains on the back of higher commodity prices, helps the stock market higher.Unemployment was 4.9% in July, flat on the prior month, and employment increased 174,000 to 31.77 million, according to Office for National Statistics data.Price gains in commodities see miners move from the bottom of the...

Europe's leading floorcovering distributor Headlam (HEAD) has shrugged off slower commercial flooring sales in the run-up to the EU referendum and weakness in Switzerland to deliver an interim taxable profits surge.Boss Tony Brewer says Brexit has yet to affect second-half trading and that Headlam has successfully passed on price hikes to customers, news that helps the shares rebound 3.24% to...