Stock prices were mostly lower in London, Paris and Frankfurt around midday Friday, as investors await US nonfarm payrolls data.'More uncertainty around tariffs has weighed on global stock markets,' said AJ Bell's Russ Mould. 'Even though Donald Trump has made more goods exempt from tariffs on Canada and Mexico, it's the constant tinkering that's upset investors...The fact Trump keeps changing his

Stock prices in London, Paris and Frankfurt opened lower on Friday morning, while Goodwin on the FTSE 250 shined, while Just Group dived.The FTSE 100 index opened down 38.81 points, 0.5%, at 8,644.03. The FTSE 250 was down 174.78 points, 0.9%, at 19,984.29, and the AIM All-Share was down 2.19 points, 0.3%, at 690.27.The Cboe UK 100 was down 0.6% at 865.19, the Cboe UK 250 was down 1.1% at 17,373.6

Blue chip stocks in London and Paris were lower at midday Thursday, but up a notch in Frankfurt amid hopes of big investments from the incoming German government.The European Central Bank 'is expected to cut rates having been given a freer hand as inflationary pressures have eased,' AJ Bell's Russ Mould noted.The FTSE 100 index was down 82.84 points, 1.0%, at 8,673.00. The FTSE 250 was down 33.31

Stock prices in London opened mix on Thursday, ahead of a UK construction reading that is expected to show a decelerated fall in activity for February, while investors await US trade data.The FTSE 100 index opened down 19.42 points, 0.2%, at 8,736.42. The FTSE 250 was up 65.74 points, 0.3%, at 20,193.47, and the AIM All-Share was up 3.26 points, 0.5%, at 693.74.The Cboe UK 100 was down 0.2% at 875

I have read some press reports about the Government getting rid of cash ISAs. I have an old one of these which I took out a few years ago, but I would like to take out a new one with a fixed interest rate. I want to do this before the end of the tax year in case something happens.I also have an investment ISA that I have been paying about £3,000 into for the last five years.Am I able to take out

Elon Musk and Tesla (TSLA:NASDAQ) optimists in the analyst community appear to be pinning hopes on AI, robotaxis and robotics to reverse the negative mood surrounding the stock in recent months.Since peaking at an all-time high close to $480 in mid-December 2024, shares in the electric car firm have lost more than 40% of their value, a plunge that has wiped more than half a trillion dollars off th

Stock prices in Europe were mostly higher on Wednesday midday, with higher-risk and economically sensitive sectors benefiting from a risk-on sentiment among investors.'European and Asian markets were on the front foot on Wednesday amid hopes that Donald Trump might partially wind back tariffs if deals could be struck with Canada and Mexico,' commented AJ Bell's Russ Mould. 'Investors are looking f

Stock prices in London, Paris and Frankfurt opened mostly in the green on Wednesday, amid a slew of purchasing managers indices data, as investors await the US ADP report.'Today, investors will watch the US ADP report, and PMI, ISM numbers from both sides of the Atlantic Ocean,' said Swissquote's Ipek Ozkardeskaya. 'While the European investors could brush off bad news on expectation that the US t

Stock prices in Europe were in the red at Tuesday midday, with airline stocks hit badly in particular, as European countries intend to boost their militaries amid a US freeze on aid for Ukraine.'Investors were desperately hoping that Trump would delay tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China at the eleventh hour, yet the US president has stuck to his guns and brought them into power,' commented AJ Bell

Sales hit new peak of £2 billionLike-for-like sales growth slowsInvestments to crimp marginsSales topped £2 billion for the first time at Greggs (GRG) last year as the value-for-money sausage roll, coffee and Yum Yums retailer continued to lure in cash-strapped punters.So why did shares in the beloved bakery chain sour 13% to £18.08 today?The catalyst for selling was news of a further slowdown

Stock prices in London, Paris and Frankfurt were in the red on Tuesday morning, amid news that UK grocery sales growth slowed in February, amid worries about US tariffs.'Today marks a turning point in Donald Trump's tariff policy,' commented Swissquote's Ipek Ozkardeskaya. 'It is the day the tariff threat will materialise ? unless there is a surprise U-turn ? and hammer hopes that the aggressive t

London's FTSE 100 edged higher on Monday, driven by a rally in BAE Systems as defence spending optimism lifted sentiment.Meanwhile, investors awaited US manufacturing data to be released later today.The FTSE 100 index was up 58.45 points, 0.7%, at 8,868.19. The FTSE 250 was up 23.20 points, 0.1%, at 20,349.58, and the AIM All-Share was up 1.20 points, 0.2%, at 705.03.The Cboe UK 100 was up 0.8% at

London stocks opened slightly higher on Monday as investors assessed Prime Minister Keir Starmer's return from high-stakes diplomatic meetings and awaited the UK manufacturing PMI, following similar releases from other regions.The FTSE 100 index opened up 34.18 points, 0.4%, at 8,843.92. The FTSE 250 was up 56.11 points, 0.3%, at 20,382.49, and the AIM All-Share was up 1.54 points, 0.2%, at 705.37

London's FTSE 100 slipped on Friday morning as Trump's new tariff announcement hit sentiment, dragging Asian and European stocks lower.China hit back, threatening to take 'all necessary countermeasures'. The UK could be set for a 'great' trade agreement with the US, however, Trump suggested.Among individual stocks, IAG, Pearson and IMI were supported by buyback plans.The FTSE 100 index traded down

Stocks in London were mostly in the red at Thursday midday, as investors await US jobless data, while insurer Aviva rose as it increased its dividend.The FTSE 100 index was up 30.65 points, 0.4%, at 8,762.11. The FTSE 250 was down 160.11 points, 0.8%, at 20,435.79, and the AIM All-Share was down 2.54 points, 0.4%, at 708.96.The Cboe UK 100 was up 0.3% at 877.53, the Cboe UK 250 was down 0.9% at 17

I am getting concerned about the changes to inheritance tax on pensions.I am 78 years old, and my wife is 68. We have two grown up children with families of their own. My wife is in good health, whereas I have the usual sort of challenges befitting my age.Our total estate is worth about £900,000, including the house. I get a company pension payment every month, that should pass onto my wife when

Shares in Centrica (CNA) hit a new 12-month of 151p (24 February) not long after the British Gas owner announced better-than-expected results and a £500 million share buyback.Although the FTSE 100 company's EBITDA (earnings before interest taxation depreciation amortisation) for the full year ending 31 December 2024 were lower than 2023, a bumper year for the company, shareholders were rewarded w

London stocks closed in the green on Wednesday, boosted by gains in the banking sector, despite investors' disappointment as BP announced a reduced buyback programme.The FTSE 100 index closed up 62.79 points, 0.7%, at 8,731.46. The FTSE 250 ended up 147.62 points, 0.7%, at 20,595.90, while the AIM All-Share closed up 3.44 points, 0.5%, at 711.50.The Cboe UK 100 ended up 0.9% at 874.86, the Cboe UK

Blue chip stock prices in London, Paris and Frankfurt were comfortably in the green at Wednesday midday, with Lloyds up after it received higher price targets from Deutsche Bank Research and Barclays.In UK news, the defence secretary has suggested the real-terms increase in defence spending year-on-year will be only around half the £13.4 billion figure cited by the prime minister.John Healey said

Blue chip stocks were up a bit in London, Paris and Frankfurt at Tuesday midday, with banks and defence stocks in the UK enjoying a boost.The UK's aviation regulator has noted the 'benefits to consumers' of England's Gatwick airport expanding. The Civil Aviation Authority, CAA, made the comments as it announced support for the West Sussex airport's proposed new commitments over the next four years