European markets started the week on the front foot, with US inflation figures to be in focus this week, ahead of the Federal Reserve's rate call next Wednesday.The FTSE 100 index rose 89.37 points, or 1.1%, at 8,270.84. The FTSE 250 advanced 156.88 points, or 0.8%, at 20,650.88, and the AIM All-Share gained 2.73 points, or 0.4%, at 746.73.The Cboe UK 100 rose 1.2% to 826.66, the Cboe UK 250 firme

Challenging second half of 2023Revenue falls 4% for six months to 30 JuneShares down 38% over the past yearShares in Pebble Group (PEBB) fell over 2% to 58p in morning trading as the digital commerce company reported a 4% fall in revenue to £60.8 million for the six months ending 30 June.Pre-tax profit for the period dropped 6% to £2.9 million from t£3.3 million last year.In July the group said

Low-cost gym operator Gym Group (GYM) looks to be in good shape ahead of its first-half results, due to be released 11 September.In a pre-close statement on 10 July the company raised its full-year profit expectations to the top end of market forecasts after continued positive trading.Company-compiled analysts forecasts for EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation) les

The IT reseller industry has enjoyed a strong bounce back from the world?s Covid reopening as customers line up to put in place digital strategies and adopt the latest technologies, and AI (artificial intelligence) levers are being pulled left, right and centre.International player Computacenter (CCC) said in September 2023 that it sees another record year for profits and analysts have been quick

London?s FTSE 100 went into the afternoon flat, with trade lacking conviction ahead of Wednesday?s main event, the Federal Reserve decision.US monetary policymakers are expected to wrap-up their two-day meeting with a hold to interest rates later.Before the decision is announced, there is a US jobs report from ADP at 1315 GMT, a precursor to Friday?s nonfarms. Elsewhere, the economic calendar has

Stock prices in London had little direction on Wednesday morning, ahead of crucial interest rate decisions by the US Federal Reserve and the Bank of England.The FTSE 100 index opened up 2.76 points at 7,669.07. The FTSE 250 was down 11.48 points at 19,338.02, and the AIM All-Share was down 0.19 of a points at 754.70.The Cboe UK 100 was down 0.1% at 765.96, the Cboe UK 250 was down 0.1% at 16,798.2

Construction equipment rental specialist Ashtead (AHT) has setitself quite a high bar when it comes to its first-quarter earnings report on 5 September.The firm has beaten revenue forecasts in nine out of the last 10 quarters. Moreover, the comparison with the same quarter last year is a tough one as rental revenue was up 26% to just over $2 billion and adjusted pre-tax profit was up 29% to $555 m

Global advertising spend expected to grow by 3%Sporting events and US presidential election gave ad spend a boostEmerging digital categories to experience high growth in 2023Global advertising spend is expected to grow by 3.3% in 2023 with inflation driving the increase to reach $727.9 billion, according to the latest Dentsu Global Ad Spend Forecasts report.This boosted ad spend is being driven by

Shareholders in beleaguered broadcast technology firm Pebble Beach (PEB:AIM), formerly known as Vislink, are almost certainly facing a painful sale process that could leave their stock virtually worthless.The divestment of its Vislink Communications Systems (VCS) business to NASDAQ-listed XG Technology has failed to shore up the threadbare balance sheet and the company anticipates breaching its ba

Time looks to be finally up for Vislink (VLK:AIM) and a sale of the broadcast and public safety wireless specialist looks like its best option. Beleaguered shareholders can only pray that the business can attract buyers.A 15% fall in half year revenues and a £1.1m slump into the operating red barely scratch the surface of its problems. The immediate issue is shoring up a battered balance sheet to

UK shares are closing in on a two-month high in early trading, rising for the third-straight day, as investor optimism dominates as US markets re-open after a long weekend break. The FTSE 100 is trading is around 20 points higher at 6,845.FTSE 100 engineer Weir (WEIR) heads the blue chip leaderboard with a 3.6% advance to £27.34 after a big upgrade from analysts at Credit Suisse. The investment b

African oil explorer Ophir Energy (OPHR) is the latest exploration company to disappointwith drilling results, falling 18.5% to 240.7p as its Padouck Deep-1 offshore Gabon prospect fails to uncover commercial quantities of hydrocarbons. Taking some positives the group does note some elements necessary for exploration success were present in the pre-salt play.Engineering conglomerate Smiths Group (

There are mixed fortunes in Anglo American's (AAL) third quarter production update, sending its share price down 2.3% to £15.17. It suffered a 24% drop in output from the Kumba iron ore business; copper production grew by 32%; diamonds jumped by 21%; and there's a reminder of a forthcoming $300 million impairment charge after the miner walked away from the Alaskan Pebble metals venture. This arti