European markets were lifted on Thursday as the European Central Bank enacted its second consecutive rate cut following cool inflation prints from the eurozone.The FTSE 100 index closed up 56.06 points, or 0.7%, at 8,385.13. The FTSE 250 ended up 121.42 points, or 0.6%, at 21,100.92, while the AIM All-Share closed up 2.96 points, 0.4%, at 742.39.The Cboe UK 100 ended up 0.7% at 840.03, the Cboe UK

Stock prices in Europe were higher at Thursday midday, after data showed that annual consumer price inflation in the eurozone decelerated more than expected in September, ahead of the European Central Bank announcing its next interest rate decision, with a cut expected.The FTSE 100 index was up 26.95 points, 0.3%, at 8,355.94. The FTSE 250 was up 106.07 points, or 0.5%, at 21,085.57, and the AIM A

The FTSE 100 rallied at the close on Wednesday, as US markets climbed ahead of a CPI print later in the week.The FTSE 100 index closed up 53.13 points, 0.7%, at 8,243.74. The FTSE 250 ended 191.18 points higher, 0.9%, at 20,822.38, and the AIM All-Share rose 1.59 points, 0.2%, to 736.66.The Cboe UK 100 rose 0.6% 825.37, the Cboe UK 250 closed up 1.0% at 18,281.39, but the Cboe Small Companies ease

Stocks in Europe were higher at midday on Wednesday, recouping some of Tuesday's losses, despite heavy falls in Shanghai.The FTSE 100 index was up 21.49 points, 0.3%, at 8,212.10. The FTSE 250 was up 137.16 points, 0.7%, at 20,768.36, but the AIM All-Share rose 1.01 points, 0.1%, to 736.08.The Cboe UK 100 added 0.3% at 822.38, the Cboe UK 250 climbed 0.8% to 18,253.79, and the Cboe Small Companies

There is a phrase in business ? 'shrink to greatness' ? meaning companies selling or demerging assets and focusing on what they do best.You might call it streamlining, others might say it is an admission that the previous strategy did not work and the company was too bloated.This trend is firmly in motion across the UK stock market with nine companies in the FTSE 100 either in the middle of shrink

One of the factors undoubtedly helping lift the UK stock market to new highs this year is an upturn in M&A (merger and acquisition) activity.According to Dealogic, the value of UK takeovers so far in 2024 is more than $78 billion, the highest level since 2018, as overseas buyers in particular home in on the undervaluation of the market.'The UK has become structurally very attractive for M&A. There

After almost closing at a new high in early April, the UK?s blue-chip FTSE 100 has finally made it into the ranks of indices hitting new all-time highs thanks to a 4.5% gain since the start of January.On 22 April the index reached its highest ever close and on 23 April it moved through its previous intra-day high.The UK clearly isn?t in the same league as the US, where the S&P 500 has notched up n

One of the most popular investment trusts with AJ Bell?s ISA millionaires, City of London (CTY) is a favourite with investors seeking long-term income and capital growth and a gateway to large international companies.However, while the long-run performance record is strong, Curtis? cautious approach means the fund can underperform in some market conditions. On a 10-year share price total return ba

Equity prices in Europe ended the week largely on the back foot, despite a US jobs report which cemented expectations of a June interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve, and sent the dollar lower.In one of the week?s recurring themes, gold was on the up again, this time pushed higher by the US data. The precious metal is on track to extend its winning streak to eight days.The FTSE 100 index ended

Investors looked nervous ahead of a key UK unemployment reading this afternoon, as stocks in London began the afternoon mostly in the red on Friday.The FTSE 100 index was down 20.94 points, 0.3%, at 7,671.52. The FTSE 250 was down 68.68 points, 0.4%, at 19,515.30, and the AIM All-Share was up 1.71 points, 0.2%, at 739.61.The Cboe UK 100 was down 0.4% at 768.51, the Cboe UK 250 was down 0.5% at 16,

Merged firm valued at £10 billionMondi sees ?substantial? synergiesMondi board to dominate new firmThe UK M&A (mergers and acquisitions) juggernaut rolls on with confirmation today of more consolidation in the paper and packaging sector after DS Smith (SMDS) agreed to a revised bid from rival Mondi (MNDI).Shares in DS Smith gained 7% to 350p while Mondi shares eased 2% to £13.53. SUBSTANT

Stock prices in London were predominantly lower on Friday morning, as big news for several FTSE 100 and 250 constituents failed to adequately combat nervousness around the latest US jobs report.The FTSE 100 index opened down 18.03 points, 0.2%, at 7,674.43. The FTSE 250 was down 65.78 points, 0.3%, at 19,518.20, and the AIM All-Share was up 1.58 points, 0.2%, at 739.48.The Cboe UK 100 was down 0.3

Sells Russian assets for €775 millionCash proceeds to be returned to shareholdersReturn represents around 10% of Mondi's market capPaper and packaging group Mondi (MNDI) topped the FTSE 100 leaderboard on Monday after agreeing to sell its Russian assets for 80 billion roubles (€775 million) in cash to a subsidiary of Sezar Invest Group.The shares rose 4% to £13.9 on relief that a dispos

If we think about what packaging companies do, probably the first thing that comes to mind for most of us is getting a brown cardboard box or envelope through the post from Amazon (AMZN:NASDAQ) with its tell-tale smiley logo.Yet e-commerce is just a small part of the overall business of firms like DS Smith (SMDS), Mondi (MNDI) and Smurfit Kappa (SKG), who together dominate the European market for

Mondi shares buck negative trend on bullish research noteSector down 30% to 40% since last cyclical peakConsensus estimates too cautious for 2024Shares in paper and packaging company Mondi (MNDI) were bucking the downdraft in UK shares on Thursday following a bullish report from Morgan Stanley, which has made the company its top pick in the sector.UK shares were down more than 1.2% pressured by ha

UK investors will be well aware of the lopsided performance of the US stock market in recent months, with a handful of stocks accounting for almost the entire index gains so far this year.However, a similar phenomenon is occurring right under our noses with most of the gains in the FTSE 100 and FTSE 250 down to the outperformance of some of their larger stocks.This concentration on a select few te

Stock prices in London rose at midday on Monday as markets looked to positive news for the UK's service sector and oil majors got a boost from a cut to oil production by Saudi Arabia.The FTSE 100 index was up 40.52 points, or 0.5%, at 7,647.80. The FTSE 250 was up 112.29 points, or 0.6%, at 19,261.60, and the AIM All-Share was 2.36 points, or 0.3%, at 791.94.The Cboe UK 100 was up 0.5% at 763.53,

- Shares fall despite earnings beat- Inflationary pressures abate amid fall in demand- Final dividend increased by 12%Despite growing full-year revenues by 27% to €12.8 billion and beating prior profit guidance shares in paper packaging solutions company Smurfit Kappa (SKG) fell 2% to £34.14 as investors digested a story of falling demand.A reversal of 'unsustainably high' demand levels seen

Using data from Stockopedia Shares has identified those stocks which havethe most upgrades and downgrades over the past week.Among the stocks where analysts have been nudging forecasts higher, tobacco firm Imperial Brands (IMB) stands out.We looked at the Imperial Brands investment case in detail in this article. The company has demonstrated its pricing power, with its core product's addictive qua

- Sentiment has been weak towards the packaging sector- Fears that stocks would see post-Covid slump in demand- Yet DS Smith trading update much better than expected Copper and shipping indices have historically been some of the key economic bellwethers, yet packaging companies have increasingly become important when investors try to work out if there is an increase or decrease in the amount of go