London's blue chip index edged upwards on Wednesday as BAE Systems rose amid pressure from Donald Trump on NATO to increase defence spending, but rising bond yields caused volatility elsewhere.The FTSE 100 index ended up 5.75 points, 0.1%, at 8,251.03. The FTSE 250 tumbled 398.13 points, 2.0%, at 19,952.24. The AIM All-Share fell 5.17 points, 0.7%, at 720.11.The Cboe UK 100 closed up slightly at 8

Ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East and calls from incoming US president Donald Trump for NATO members to increase defence spending as a percentage of national income will continue to provide a tailwind for the defence sector.AIM-quoted Cohort (CHRT:AIM) is well positioned to benefit from an increase in defence spending and at the first-half results on 11 December, the group disclosed

European stocks opened in the green at the start of the week, boosted by an announcement from China's top leadership which aims to aid the Asian nation's shaky economy.The FTSE 100 index traded up 26.17 points, 0.3%, at 8,334.78. The FTSE 250 was up 36.75 points, 0.2%, at 21,095.75, and the AIM All-Share was up 2.55 points, 0.4%, at 740.77.The Cboe UK 100 was 0.4% higher at 837.24, the Cboe UK 250

Equities in Europe ended higher on Thursday, overcoming some earlier uncertain trade, as comments from a US official calmed some geopolitical worries which kept a lid on investor enthusiasm.Nonetheless, Brent remained above the $73 mark, supporting oil majors.Moscow's ambassador in London said Thursday Britain was 'now directly involved' in Russia's war with Ukraine, following reports Kyiv had fir

Stock prices in London were lower at midday Tuesday, after data showed the UK unemployment rate fell unexpectedly, and ahead of a key inflationary print from the US in the afternoon.The FTSE 100 index was down 20.74 points, or 0.3%, at 8,189.67. The FTSE 250 was down 1.46 points at 20,675.73, and the AIM All-Share was down 0.68 points, or 0.1%, at 766.31.The Cboe UK 100 was down 0.3% at 817.33, th

Stock prices in London opened in the green on Tuesday, as the UK unemployment rate fell against expectations while wage growth decelerated to its lowest level in two years.The FTSE 100 index opened up 33.29 points, or 0.4%, at 8,243.73. The FTSE 250 was up 17.80 points, or 0.1%, at 20,694.99, and the AIM All-Share was up 1.23 points, or 0.2%, at 768.22.The Cboe UK 100 was 0.3% at 822.50, the Cboe

Berkshire-based Cohort (CHRT:AIM), which provides advanced military systems and software to clients including the UK's Ministry of Defence, posted record revenue and profit for the year to the end of April as rising geopolitical tensions drive more customers to its door.Sales for the year hit £202 million, up 11%, while adjusted operating earnings also rose 11% to £21 million and the firm reveal

UK government customer pays £21.4 millionRecord revenue of £202.5 million up 11%Cohort shares are up 54% year-to-dateShares in Cohort (CHRT:AIM) were up 4% to 859p in morning trading as the defence specialist said its subsidiary MCL (Marlborough Communications) has been awarded two orders with a total value of £21.4 million by a government customer.In addition, last month the firm's EID subsidi

Stock prices were mixed in London on Friday morning, as investors look ahead to some more US inflation data due out this afternoon.The FTSE 100 index opened up 33.51 points, 0.4%, at 8,256.85. The FTSE 250 was down 14.25 points, 0.1%, at 21,174.66, and the AIM All-Share was up 1.04 points, 0.1%, at 782.57.The Cboe UK 100 was up 0.4% at 824.03, the Cboe UK 250 was up slightly at 18,438.38, and the

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

Stocks in Europe were in positive territory early Monday afternoon, as investors weighed up political developments in the UK, France and the US.The UK is entering its first full week with a Labour government, after winning Thursday's general election. Across the channel, France is contending with uncertainty and the prospect of a hung parliament.The FTSE 100 index was up 14.85 points, 0.2%, at 8,2

European equities closed lower on Monday, with markets unnerved by election results in Europe, ahead of a US interest rate decision later in the week.The FTSE 100 index closed down 16.89 points, 0.2%, at 8,228.48. The FTSE 250 ended down 109.33 points, 0.5%, at 20,446.04, and the AIM All-Share fell 5.25 points, 0.7%, at 788.28.The Cboe UK 100 ended down 0.3% at 820.02, the Cboe UK 250 also fell 0.

Firm sets bold 2030 aimOrder book tops £1 billionDefence spending boomingAerospace and defence firm Chemring (CHG) set itself the target of reaching £1 billion of revenue in 2030 while posting a strong set of first-half results and a record-high order backlog.However, the shares, which recently touched a 10-year high, traded sideways at 392p as the market succumbed to nervousness over interest r

Defence giant increases dividend by 11%Full year revenue up 9% to £23.07 billionOrder book up £9.1 billionShares in BAE Systems (BA.) fell over 3% to £12.11 in morning trading despite the defence giant reporting a 9% increase in revenue to £23.07 billion for the year ending 31 December.Full year sales were up 9% to £25.28 billion, and the company also announced a 11% increase in dividend to 3

Gordon retired in his late 50s after a successful career in media planning including a period working for The Sunday Times. He is a big fan of investing and calls his SIPP (self-invested personal pension) 'my family's future'.Dividing his time between a rented flat in Mexico City and a house in the UK, Gordon's investment journey stems from his interest in the general management of companies, thei

BAE Systems (BA.) 914.2pGain to date: 24.2%We flagged defence firm BAE Systems (BA.) at 736p in March 2022. This was based on the expectation a less stable world would increase the focus on defence spending and help improve the sector's long-term prospects.WHAT HAS HAPPENED SINCE WE SAID TO BUY?Our thesis has played out as expected and BAE is among the top performers on the FTSE 100 over the past

Another red-hot UK inflation report put retail shares under pressure on Wednesday, with Next and JD Sports among the worst London-listed blue-chip performers in a drab day for global stock markets.The UK inflation data put the Bank of England under the spotlight and focus will also turn to the UK government, ahead of Thursday's autumn statement.Investors were earlier troubled by the news of a miss

The pound was pushing toward $1.20 again early Wednesday, after a higher-than-expected reading of UK inflation was expected to mean more interest rate hikes ahead.The FTSE 100 index opened up 9.11 points, 0.1%, at 7,378.55. The mid-cap FTSE 250 was down 168.48 points, or 0.9%, at 7,378.55, and the AIM All-Share was down 0.66 of a point, or 0.1%, at 847.80.The Cboe UK 100 was up 0.2% at 737.59. The

The pound was on firmer ground on Thursday, but stock markets were sinking, after another leak was found on gas pipelines connecting Europe and Russia.Nord Stream leaks have been one of the week's key sub-plots for financial markets, and accusations of foul play have soured already damaged relations between Russia and the West.Adding fuel to the fire, the Kremlin announced on Thursday that the fou

We live in an information age. Our minds are constantly bombarded by such a deluge of facts and figures that it's increasingly hard to keep track.An important skill for successful investing is to narrow your focus to only the most salient data and news flow. This can help you to make informed decisions while still maintaining a level of clarity.However, working out what matters and what doesn't is