Stocks in London slipped at the close on Tuesday, joining the pound, which failed to pack a punch against the dollar amid political uncertainty.The FTSE 100 index slumped 99.42 points, 1.2%, at 8,025.77. The FTSE 250 closed down 295.73 points, 1.4%, at 20,427.80. The AIM All-Share fell 7.07 points, 1.0%, at 730.86.The Cboe UK 100 declined 1.2% at 805.89, the Cboe UK 250 retreated 1.6% at 17,865.50

Equities in Europe rose on Friday, with the growing conviction that the Federal Reserve will cut rates soon lifting the mood, and not even hotter US data and some mixed bank earnings denting enthusiasm.The FTSE 100 index rose 29.57 points, 0.4%, at 8,252.91. The FTSE 250 added 13.98 points, 0.1%, at 21,202.89, and the AIM All-Share closed up 4.64 points, 0.6%, at 786.17.The FTSE 100 made a weekly

London's blue chip index outperformed its European counterparts on Wednesday morning, as investors eagerly await another testimony from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell.The FTSE 100 index opened up 16.62 points, 0.2%, at 8,156.43. The FTSE 250 was up 50.64 points, 0.3%, at 20,695.66, and the AIM All-Share was up 1.15 points, 0.2%, at 773.09.The Cboe UK 100 was up 0.3% at 813.09, the Cboe UK 250

Stock prices in Europe ended lower on Tuesday, with fears of a French political impasse keeping optimism at bay, while a lack of an obvious dovish tilt to remarks by Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell meant there was no bullish impetus added to late dealings.The central banker said he would like to see 'more' favourable data before the federal funds rate target range is cut. Whether that comes in

I retired in 2019 at the age of 65. I recently (i.e. this tax year) tried to withdraw cash from a private pension, but the provider told me that I might (or might not) need a transitional tax-free amount certificate (TTFAC). But they failed to explain what a TTFAC was or how it might apply in my case.I have two SIPPs. I don't have any lifetime protection.I have taken the full tax-free cash from my

London stocks were up at midday on Friday, on the back of an interest rate hold from the Bank of England and a better-than-expected gross domestic product reading from the Office for National Statistics.The FTSE 100 index was up 66.70 points, 0.8%, at 8,448.05, after hitting a record high 8,455.77 earlier. The FTSE 250 was up 163.86 points, 0.8%, at 20,695.16, and the AIM All-Share was up 5.05 poi

Stocks in London started strong on Friday following the Bank of England?s dovish hold on interest rates on Thursday, as new data showed UK gross domestic product reached a stronger-than-expected level in March.The FTSE 100 index opened up 43.05 points, 0.5%, at 8,424.40. The FTSE 250 was up 68.41 points, 0.3%, at 20,599.71, and the AIM All-Share was up 2.06 points, 0.3%, at 785.76.The Cboe UK 100

European equities ended higher on Thursday, with the FTSE 100 and DAX 40 achieving record highs, the former boosted by a dovish tilt to the latest Bank of England decision.Across the Atlantic, weaker US labour data hurt the dollar, amid the expectation that a cooler jobs market could presage an eventual rate cut by the BoE?s US counterpart.At its May meeting, the BoE?s Monetary Policy Committee vo

London?s FTSE 100 extended its winning streak to four days on Wednesday, while the pound fell below the $1.25 mark before Thursday?s Bank of England decision.The FTSE 100 index closed up 40.38 points, 0.5%, at 8,354.05, once again a record close. The FTSE 250 ended up 78.91 points, 0.4%, at 20,491.99, and the AIM All-Share closed up 3.41 points, 0.4%, at 779.83.The Cboe UK 100 rose 0.4% at 833.82,

London?s FTSE 100 registered a bullish start to the holiday shortened week on Tuesday, with US interest rate optimism sending equities into the green.Financial markets in London were closed on Monday for the May Day bank holiday.Missing out on the confident trade were budget carriers, as the likes of easyJet and Wizz Air fell after a summer pricing warning from peer Ryanair.The FTSE 100 index clos

Stocks in London ended in the red on Wednesday, despite the FTSE 100 hitting another record high earlier in the day, while Tesla was the star in New York, where wider markets mixed.The FTSE 100 index gave back 4.43 points, 0.1%, at 8,040.38. The blue-chip index traded as high as 8,092.19 earlier Wednesday, its best-ever level. Selling pressure in the afternoon prevented it from achieving another c

Investors in London continued to show confidence heading into the afternoon on Wednesday, looking ahead to key US data on Thursday and Friday.The FTSE 100 index opened up 27.80 points, 0.4%, at 8,072.61. The FTSE 250 was down 2.65 points at 19,797.07, and the AIM All-Share was up 1.63 points, 0.2%, at 756.50.The Cboe UK 100 was up 0.3% at 806.01, the Cboe UK 250 was down 0.1% at 17147.76, and the

The FTSE 100 hit an all-time high on Tuesday, before returning some gains after somewhat hawkish words from a UK monetary policymaker.The FTSE 100 index closed up 20.94 points, 0.2%, at 8,044.81. The FTSE 250 shot up 200.33 points, 1.0%, at 19,799.72, and the AIM All-Share ended up 5.69 points, 0.8%, at 754.87.The Cboe UK 100 ended up 0.2% at 803.32, the Cboe UK 250 rose 0.9% to 17,156.66, and the

Stocks in London extended gains at midday as the Bank of England left interest rates unchanged, with no officials now deeming a rate rise necessary.Sterling was quoted at $1.2744 shortly after midday on Thursday, higher than $1.2717 at the London equities close on Wednesday. Before the decision, the pound was trading at $1.2753.The FTSE 100 index was up 113.17 points, 1.5%, at 7,850.55. The FTSE 2

London?s FTSE 100 ended higher on Friday, but suffered another losing week, as focus turns to some key updates on fiscal policy in the UK and monetary policy in the eurozone.On Wednesday, the UK government delivers its latest budget, expected to be the final one before a general election. On Thursday, the European Central Bank announces its latest interest rate decision.The FTSE 100 index rose 52.

European stocks kicked off the week strongly, with hope that US rates have hit a peak creating a supportive backdrop for equities for now, but investors may need to rethink that notion if an inflation reading comes in hot on Tuesday.The FTSE 100 index added 65.28 points, 0.9%, at 7,425.83. The FTSE 250 rose 60.56 points, 0.3%, at 17,913.65, and the AIM All-Share ended down just 0.27 of a point at

Hawkish words from US central bankers meant European equities struggled to press on in early dealings on Wednesday, and focus now turns to a speech from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell which is on the docket in the afternoon.The FTSE 100 index opened up 10.02 points, 0.1%, at 7,420.06. The FTSE 250 was down 25.10 points, 0.1%, at 17,736.61 and the AIM All-Share was down 0.26 of a point at 698.

Stock prices in London were lower at midday on Monday, as markets nervously eyed upcoming inflation data from the world's two largest economies, out on Wednesday and Thursday.The FTSE 100 index was down 55.72 points, 0.7%, at 7,508.65. The FTSE 250 was down 96.25 points, 0.5%, at 18,838.37, and the AIM All-Share was down 2.30 points, 0.3%, at 761.11.The Cboe UK 100 was down 0.7% at 749.00, the Cbo

Equities in Europe opened in negative territory on Monday, with markets seeing little reason to push higher ahead of inflation data drivers later this week.Inflation readings from the US and China are reported this week, and stock market investors will be hoping for two differing outcomes. In the US, another inflation slowdown is the ideal outcome, as it would take some sting out of Federal Reserv

Stocks in London closed lower on Tuesday, as a stalemate in US debt ceiling talks hurt market sentiment for yet another day.The FTSE 100 index closed down 8.04 points, 0.1%, at 7,762.95. Gains for oil majors and international earners, amid a muted pound, shielded London's blue-chip index from a sharper decline.The FTSE 250 lost 65.03 points, 0.3%, at 19,208.31, and the AIM All-Share ended down jus