It was a sea of red on the FTSE 100 on Monday afternoon, with tobacco and utility stocks among the rare few to trade higher.Tariff worries continued to take a toll on equities, as 'liberation day' edges ever closer.The FTSE 100 index fell 100.89 points, 1.2%, at 8,557.96. The FTSE 250 slumped 389.25 points, 2.0%, at 19,475.73, and the AIM All-Share fell 12.16 points, 1.8%, at 684.46.The Cboe...

Forecast-beating Q4 results€1 billion buybackConfident of 'sustainable' EPS growth this yearHigh-flying International Consolidated Airlines (IAG) climbed 5% to 354p after the British Airways-owner reported forecast-beating fourth quarter earnings and announced a €1 billion share buyback.This bumper return of capital demonstrates management's confidence in the company's long-term...

London stocks closed in the green on Monday, as US President Donald Trump's threats of 25% tariffs on steel and aluminium imports appear not to have phased investors.However, UK steel industry representatives have urged UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to act to protect it from Trump's threatened levy, warning that the move would be a 'devastating blow'.The UK government is waiting to see...

Stocks in Europe were higher at the start of the week, despite more tariff tit-for-tat threats, while BP jumped on a report that an activist investor has snapped up a stake.The FTSE 100 index traded up 32.66 points, 0.4%, at 8,733.19. The FTSE 250 was 109.67 points, 0.5%, at 20,917.51, and the AIM All-Share added 3.29 points, 0.5%, at 722.33.The Cboe UK 100 was up 0.4% at 874.86, the Cboe UK...

Brent crude hits $80 per barrelIAG shares down 3% to 304pEasyJet shares down 2% to 495pAirline stocks took a turn for the worse in morning trading on Monday (13 Jan) as Brent crude hit $80 per barrel ? a four month high ? driven by wider US sanctions on Russian oil and the expected effects on exports to top buyers China and India.Brent crude rose $1.68 or 2.1% per barrel to $81.44 after...

Analysts expect £78.5 billion in payouts£56.5 billion of buybacks this yearFTSE 100 up over 7% in 2024The latest AJ Bell Dividend Dashboard report shows FTSE 100 constituents are on course to pay £78.5 billion in ordinary dividends this year.That figure is almost flat on 2023 and well below the all-time high of £85.2 billion recorded in 2018, although analysts are penciling in a 6.5%...

VT Argonaut Absolute Return Fund(B79NKW0) 356.4pFunds under management: £212 millionWith stock markets trading close to highs, rising geopolitical risks and uncertainties over a Trump administration, investors are understandably concerned about increasing stock market volatility.A great way of playing both the upside and downside potential is to invest in the VT Argonaut Absolute Return Fund...

The UK stock market has performed robustly over the past year, with several companies standing out significantly. In this article, we will examine the top-performing large-cap, mid-cap, and small-cap stocks of 2024, dissected across four different market valuation categories.£5 BILLION+ MARKET CAPAfter a stellar 2023, aeronautical engineer Rolls-Royce (RR.) has once again rallied hard during...

International Consolidated Airlines (IAG) 239p Gain to date: 47.5% Since we flagged the appeal of the stock in March, British Airways owner International Consolidated Airlines (IAG) has gone from strength-to-strength.Passenger numbers have increased despite continued pressures on household budgets and the company has put in a strong financial performance which looks set to continue.The...

Year-to-date IAG shares up 48%New €350 million share buyback15.4% increase in operating profit to €2.01 billionShares in International Consolidated Airlines (IAG) took off this morning after the British Airways owner booked a 7.9% increase in total revenue to €24.05 billion for the nine months to 30 September.The airline group which also owns Iberia, Aer Lingus and Vueling said...

The FTSE 100 in London opened higher on Friday, eating into some of its post-UK budget weakness, while the pound gained some lost ground.Eyes turn state side later, with US jobs data to come, before the Federal Reserve decision next week, and a presidential election on Tuesday.Closer to home, Reckitt shares jumped on a favourable US legal ruling on infant formula. Airlines struggled as oil...

With little fanfare, shares in British Airways and Iberia owner International Consolidated Airlines Group (IAG) have climbed 25% over the last two months to hit a new 12-month high of 200p. In a surprise turn of events, the firm announced at the beginning of August it had terminated its agreement to buy the remaining 80% of Air Europa on the basis 'it would not be in the best interests of...

Dividend resumedTotal revenue €14.72 billionIAG shares up 8% year-to-dateShares in International Consolidated Airlines (IAG) rose over 6% in morning trading to 169p as the British Airways owner said strong demand for travel helped lift its results in the six months to 30 June 2024.Total revenue increased 8% to €14.72 billion compared to €13.58 billion in the same year ago...

European stocks were in the red on Friday morning as investors eagerly await non-farm payrolls from the US, after tech earnings and economic data disappointed on Thursday.The FTSE 100 index slipped 27.81 points, or 0.3%, to 8,255.55 on Friday morning. The FTSE 250 fell 257.34 points, 1.2%, at 21,201.89, while the AIM All-Share traded down 3.42 points, 0.4%, at 779.66.The Cboe UK 100 was down...

Since we emerged from the pandemic, people's spending have shifted from stuff to experiences with holidays particularly prized by those with the means to afford them.Airlines and travel operators enjoyed bumper demand as people were desperate to get away for a week in the sun, having been denied the opportunity during lockdown, and had money to spend. This enabled the industry to pass...

The FTSE 100 started the week on the front foot, seemingly unfazed by President Joe Biden's decision to bow out of the re-election race, although the travel sector stalled after a Ryanair warning.The FTSE 100 index traded up 30.98 points, or 0.4%, at 8,186.70. The FTSE 250 was up 55.40 points, 0.3%, at 21,123.08, while the AIM All-Share was up just 0.29 of a point at 784.42.The Cboe UK 100 was...

1Q operating profit ?68 millionFuel unit costs down 4.9%IAG shares up 18% this yearShares in International Consolidated Airlines (IAG) were up 1.5p or 0.8% at 184p in morning trading as the British Airways owner said strong travel demand helped lift its results in the three months to 31 March 2024. EARNINGS TOP FORECASTSTotal revenue for the three months to 31 March was ?6.43 billion...

Airline operator International Consolidated Airlines (IAG) is due to report first-quarter numbers on 10 May.The British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus and Vueling owner has experienced a revival of fortunes recently due to strong consumer demand ? people are still prioritising holidays despite the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.The company has grabbed the attention of several analysts recently...

International Consolidated Airlines (IAG) 162pMarket cap: £7.98 billionUnloved by investors during the pandemic British Airways owner International Consolidated Airlines (IAG) has experienced a revival of fortunes due to strong consumer demand and holidaymakers paying higher ticket prices. Despite the ongoing cost-of-living crisis ? people are still prioritising holidays.In a recent full year...

Total revenue and other income up 13.8% to $1.2 billionPre-tax profit up 21.5%Strong passenger and capacity growthKazakhstan-based airline Air Astana (AIRA) reported a 21.5% increase in pre-tax profit to $68.7 million for the 12 months ending 31 December 2023.The company reported total revenue of $1.2 billion, up 13.8% on the prior year as passenger numbers increased 10.1% to a record 8.1...