Stock futures point to 4% declinesResults solid across the boardAnalysts/fund managers throw support behind firmIt's often the case that share prices react less to figures reported than the tone of the commentary and steer of what markets can expect down the line, and so it's the case with Microsoft's (MSFT:NASDAQ) latest earnings.Stock futures point to a 4% decline (to $424.80) when Wall Street r

Streaming giant Netflix (NFLX:NASDAQ) is the talk of Tinseltown after serving up a blockbuster quarter. Earnings smashed expectations and it delivered strong subscriber growth. It's no wonder the shares soared on the news.It grew fourth quarter revenue by 16% to $10.2 billion and paid memberships increased by the same percentage to 301.6 million.Netflix has proved its success is not waning ? it is

Not living in 'the big smoke' has many benefits, but as a journalist it does mean missing out on lots of company meeting and presentations.Now and then, however, a locally-based firm will host an event, and so it was I found myself last Thursday morning heading to Midsomer Norton, just south of Bath on the A367, for the AGM and open day at SRT Marine Systems (SRT:AIM).As a shareholder, I was keen

Cryptocurrencies, gold and Nvidia (NVDA:NASDAQ) have all been going gangbusters lately, but if it's momentum you're after, you don't get any hotter than Palantir (PLTR:NASDAQ), the company co-started by prominent Silicon Valley entrepreneur Peter Thiel, a co-founder of PayPal (PYPL:NASDAQ), Founders Fund and an early investor in Facebook, now Meta Platforms (META:NASDAQ).Shares in the company have

Nvidia set for 5%-plus recovery when Wall Street reopensBroadcom, AMD, TSMC also set to regain some lost groundValuable reminder to investors that stocks do not always go upThe tech bloodbath on Wall Street overnight looks like a short, sharp shock often needed when markets get over exuberant. Pre-market data shows the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 futures both making modest gains as investors reset expe

Retail like-for-likes down 2.8%Jollyes taking market shareVeterinary business growth is strongPets at Home's (PETS) shares pawed their way 4.5% higher to 220.6p after the UK pet care leader maintained full-year profit guidance despite suffering a retail sales slowdown in a tough third quarter, which management blamed on the 'more challenging' UK consumer backdrop.Despite disappointing retail sales

Promising UK data pushed the pound back above the $1.24 mark on Friday, putting pressure on the FTSE 100 and ensuring London's blue-chip index failed to replicate the more confident trade seen in mainland Europe.The FTSE 100 index was down 29.04 points, 0.3%, at 8,536.16. The FTSE 250 was up 56.83 points, 0.3%, at 20,577.22, and the AIM All-Share was down 2.45 points, 0.3%, at 718.41.The Cboe UK 1

The US and China are at loggerheads, philosophically, politically and economically ? though thankfully not in military terms ? and the contrast between how the two are perceived by financial markets could hardly be greater. Stock markets offer part of the story, as America's headline indices sit at or near to all-time highs, while the Shanghai Composite equity benchmark languishes where it did bac

First of seven vital votes on Saba proposalsRetail investor engagement key to outcomeInvestors should 'use votes wisely' says analystThis is potentially a historic day (22 January) for the UK investment trust sector, with Herald Investment Trust's (HRI) shareholders about to kick-start a string of crucial votes to either approve or reject a radical agenda pursued by US raider Saba Capital Manageme

Key UK indices closed in the green on Tuesday as Trump's stance on tariffs appeared to shift to a more moderate position and UK unemployment rose above expectations.The FTSE 100 index rose 27.75 points, 0.3%, at 8,548.29, just shy of a new intra-day high of 8,550.41.The FTSE 250 ended 108.99 points higher, 0.5%, at 20,595.73, and the AIM All-Share rose 0.82 of a point, 0.1%, at 719.11.The Cboe UK

Stock prices in London, Paris and Frankfurt were up on Thursday morning, with the FTSE 100 up comfortably despite UK economic growth undershooting expectations.Gross domestic product edged up 0.1% in November, driven by growth in services, after a fall of 0.1% in October. This undershot the FXStreet-cited market consensus of 0.2% growth.Separately, the Office for National Statistics said the UK tr

The normally sleepy world of investment trusts received a wake-up call just before Christmas with the publication (18 December 2024) of a shareholder letter by activist investor Saba Capital Management calling for change at no fewer than seven well-known funds.Set up by hedge fund manager Boaz Weinstein, Saba has a history of successfully instigating change, and while critics argue its proposals a

Stock prices in London surged on Wednesday, with a sharp jump for the FTSE 250 allowing the UK-focused index to eat into some of its hefty loss so far in 2025.A favourable UK inflation reading calmed some bond markets and swung the pendulum in favour of a Bank of England rate cut at the central bank's next meeting.In addition, earnings from US banks were well-received, adding to the positive mood

M&B sales up 10.4% over core festive periodFuller's sales up 10.2% over last five weeksBoth groups express caution on costsShares in Mitchells & Butlers (MAB) were up over 4% to 238.50p in morning trading as the All Bar One owner said the business traded 'very strongly' across the festive season with like-for-like growth of 10.4% over the core three-week period.Across the first quarter, Mitchells

Key UK indices closed in the red on Friday as UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves remains under pressure following increased government borrowing costs.The FTSE 100 index closed down 71.20 points, 0.9%, at 8,248.49. The FTSE 250 ended down 271.20 points, 1.4%, at 19,733.94, and the AIM All-Share closed down 6.48 points, 0.9%, at 713.48.The Cboe UK 100 ended down 0.7% at 826.80, the Cboe UK 250 closed down

Q1 return to sales growthTrade and digital businesses shineRob Parker to retireTopps Tiles' (TPT) shares rallied 8% to 40.2p after the tile specialist reported a return to sales growth for the first quarter ended 28 December 2024, buoyed by improved trading in the run-up to Christmas.The kitchen tiles-to-laminate flooring firm also announced that CEO Rob Parker plans to retire after 18 years with

The FTSE 100 made a tepid-at-best start to trading on Wednesday, with Shell declining after it forecast a weaker fourth-quarter output performance for its Integrated Gas unit.The FTSE 100 index opened down just 0.69 of a point at 8,244.59. The FTSE 250 was down 24.85 points, 0.1%, at 20,325.52, and the AIM All-Share was up just 0.18 of a point at 725.46.The Cboe UK 100 was down 0.1% at 825.45, the

Strong festive salesOnline and international drive growthTougher FY26 expectedFirst out of the blocks with its Christmas trading statement, fashion and homewares colossus Next (NXT) raised full-year profit guidance yet again following better-than-expected festive trading with online sales growth accelerating in the fourth quarter.Shares in the FTSE 100 retailer ticked up 3% to £98.40 on the news,

Stocks in London remained in the red at midday on Monday, trimming a year-to-date gain which already fell short of loftier progress in US stocks.The FTSE 100 index traded down 15.85 points, 0.2%, at 8,133.93. The FTSE 250 was down 62.74 points, 0.3%, at 20,425.91, and the AIM All-Share was up just 0.34 of a point at 715.53.The Cboe UK 100 was down 0.1% at 815.90, the Cboe UK 250 down 0.2% at 17,88

Investment trusts have experienced challenges this year, with discounts remaining wide across various sectors and some consolidation occurring. However, certain trusts have performed well compared to both the wider market and their peer group. This article highlights the top performers across four of the Association of Investment Companies' most widely followed equity-facing sectors.GLOBALAn inves