2024 results in line with estimates2025 forecasts present no surprisesShares reverse initial lossesDespite a drop in earnings per share and a forecast of slower growth next year, together with no word on share buybacks, investors seem minded to give global food service group Compass (CPG) the benefit of the doubt.After opening 102p or 3.8% lower, the shares inched their way into positive territory

London's FTSE 100 moved higher in early trade on Wednesday, boosted by some strong corporate updates, while the dollar marched on as a tempering of US interest rate cut zeal continued.The FTSE 100 index traded up 13.14 points, 0.2%, at 8,319.68. The FTSE 250 was up 26.44 points, or 0.1%, at 20,976.09, and the AIM All-Share added 0.61 of a point, 0.1%, at 734.77.The Cboe UK 100 was up 0.1% at 832.8

Despite the strong market reaction to results from the US banks last week, we can't see investors getting quite so excited when the UK's biggest financial institutions unveil their latest earnings over the coming weeks.As usual, the country's largest mortgage lender Lloyds Banking Group (LLOY) gets proceedings under way with its third-quarter trading update on Wednesday 23 October.Although it post

Stock prices in London were in the green on Wednesday morning after consumer price index inflation in the UK slowed below the 2% target in September, while blue-chip housebuilders rose after data showed that asking rents in the UK hit a new record high.The FTSE 100 index opened up 55.09 points, or 0.7, at 8,304.57. The FTSE 250 was up 63.24 points, or 0.3%, at 20,857.68, and the AIM All-Share was

Stock prices rose on Monday morning in London despite reports of new restrictions on the UK gambling sector and disappointing data from China, ahead of US consumer inflation expectations.The FTSE 100 index opened up 5.62 points, or 0.1%, at 8,259.69. The FTSE 250 was up 8.14 points at 20,772.98, and the AIM All-Share was up 0.78 points, or 0.1%, at 734.63.The Cboe UK 100 was down slightly at 826.7

It must be a thankless task predicting monthly US jobs data, which probably explains the widening range of forecasts in recent months. Estimates going into the latest (4 October) non-farm payrolls report spanned 60,000 at the bottom end to 220,000 at the top, so September's 254,000 reading was a genuine upside shock.Even more surprising was the unemployment level which inched down to within a cat'

London's FTSE 100 ended lower, while the pound struggled after hawkish comments from a Bank of England policymaker were outweighed by a blockbuster US jobs report, which boosted the odds of a smaller 25 basis point cut at the next Federal Reserve meeting.'The September employment report was much stronger than expected, with job growth blowing past expectations, the unemployment rate declining and

It's another strong end to a firm week for US markets with the S&P 500 hitting a new record following the release of upbeat US economic data.The Cassandra's have been talking down the US economy for a while, but a slate of fresh data supported a solid economy, easing fears that perhaps the Federal Reserve is cutting rates aggressively because of a potential slowdown.The S&P 500 closed at a record

Retailer inches towards £1 billion profit markPre-tax profit guidance increased by £15 million'Exceptional' growth overseasClothing and homewares retailer Next (NXT) has raised its year-to-January-2025 profit guidance for the second time in two months.In fact, the high street stalwart is now on the verge of joining the £1 billion pre-tax profit club, quite an achievement considering the difficu

Solid first four months90% of annual earnings in the bagBerkeley supports planning system changesHigh-end housebuilder Berkeley (BKG) welcomed planning reforms proposed by the new UK government as the FTSE 100 company assured investors it is 'on target' to meet recently upgraded earnings guidance for the year ending 30 April 2025.The London-focused property developer and housebuilder said 'trading

Stock prices in London opened mixed on Thursday while European counterparts were in the green, amid news that the UK economy flatlined monthly in June amid investor caution before the general election in July.The FTSE 100 index opened up 8.31 points, or 0.1%, at 8,289.36. The FTSE 250 was down 41.98 points, or 0.2%, at 20,910.54, and the AIM All-Share was down 0.87 points, or 0.1%, at 770.64.The C

First-half revenue flatProfit 16% above forecasts2025 return target raisedGlobal banking giant HSBC (HSBA) pleased investors with its first-half trading update and another bumper buyback as it said goodbye to chief executive Noel Quinn who is passing the baton on to Georges Elhedery.HSBC shares were marked up 24p of 3.5% to 701p making them the biggest gainer in the FTSE 100. PROFIT BEAT AN

Stocks in London were in the green going into Friday afternoon, as investors kept their eyes on US inflation data due out this afternoon.The FTSE 100 index traded up 58.40 points, or 0.7%, at 8,244.06. The FTSE 250 was up 221.33 points, 1.1%, at 21,105.17, while the AIM All-Share rose 3.17 points, 0.4%, at 776.20.The Cboe UK 100 was up 0.8% at 823.02, the Cboe UK 250 rose 1.1% to 18,493.38, and th

Shares in online property portal Rightmove (RMV) have been trading in the same sideways range for a year, and each time they look set to break out to higher ground the sellers emerge out of the woodwork.Supporters ? including the Shares team, who picked the stock as a Great Idea back in January, towards the bottom of the range ? will be hoping the firm brings positive news when it publishes its ha

The FTSE 100 was in the green on Friday morning, while other stocks were mostly downbeat amid gloomy UK retail sales data and a global IT outage.Companies around the world reported technical issues, with planes grounded, trains disrupted, and television and radio broadcasters taken offline. According to Sky News, Berlin Airport has halted all flights until 0900 BST, while Microsoft Corp said it wa

Stock prices were mixed on Thursday midday in London, while water companies rose after Ofwat decided to raise tap water price caps for customers in England and Wales.The FTSE 100 index was up 20.09 points, 0.3%, at 8,213.60. The FTSE 250 was down 5.06 points at 20,922.70, and the AIM All-Share was up 3.69 points, 0.5%, at 776.54.The Cboe UK 100 was up 0.3% at 818.70, the Cboe UK 250 was flat at 18

Now the ballots have been cast at the general election, the UK could become the 'reassuringly boring' market, both politically and fiscally, when compared to the more extreme politics on the other side of the English Channel and Atlantic Ocean.So suggests Jean Roche, manager of the Schroder UK Mid Cap Fund (SCP), who notes capital allocators know more or less what to expect, which could explain th

Equities in London traded mixed at the start of the week, with some US tech sector nerves hurting sentiment, with eyes turning to elections in the UK and France as polling day edges ever closer.The FTSE 100 index traded 7.66 points higher, 0.1%, at 8,245.38. The FTSE 250 was down 50.12 points, 0.3%, at 20,392.23, though the AIM All-Share fell 0.41 of a point, 0.1%, at 772.16.The Cboe UK 100 rose 0

Stocks in London largely fell at the open on Wednesday, as a stronger than expected inflation reading damped hope of a June interest rate cut by the Bank of England, but boosted sterling.The FTSE 100 index opened down 37.88 points, 0.5%, at 8,378.57. The FTSE 250 was down 66.19 points, 0.3%, at 20,717.18. The AIM All-Share barely budged, inching up just 0.1 of a point at 807.19.The Cboe UK 100 was

The American financial markets writer and publisher Jim Grant once observed that: 'Successful investing is having everyone agree with you ?. Later.' This makes perfect sense, as it distils the concept of going against the crowd to buy cheaply and then sell expensively to lock in the gain and the initial thesis is now the consensus view and thus reflected in the valuation.However, this column does