On 23 July, India announced its first budget under a new coalition government led by Narendra Modi, who became prime minister for the third time albeit with a reduced majority of 293 MPs for his BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party).In the Indian general election held between 19 April to 1 June, 642 million people voted out of a total population of 1.4 billion.WHAT WERE THE KEY POINTS?India's finance minis

Markets in London took a hit on Monday morning in a global sell-off, as investors digested poor economic data which has sparked recession fears.In the FTSE 250, John Wood saw shares sink, after Dubai-based suitor Sidara walked away from a takeover offer amid geopolitical risks.The FTSE 100 index opened down 159.05 points, 2.0%, at 8,015.66. The FTSE 250 was down 604.16 points, 2.9%, at 20,222.19,

Sales and earnings top expectationsDisappointing vaccine salesRaised full year outlookDespite delivering better-than-expected second-quarter sales and earnings growth and raising its full-year guidance, pharmaceutical giant GSK (GSK) saw its shares slip 2% to £15.19 as investors focused on disappointing vaccine sales.GSK has now delivered forecast-beating earnings in three of the last four quarte

Miners dragged the FTSE 100 into the red on Tuesday, as stocks in London finished the session lower at the close.The FTSE 100 index closed down 31.41 points, 0.4%, at 8,167.37. The FTSE 250 ended down 47.19 points, 0.2%, at 21,091.49, and the AIM All-Share closed down 3.07 points, 0.4%, at 780.17.The Cboe UK 100 ended down 0.5% at 814.73, the Cboe UK 250 closed down 0.5% at 18,388.59, and the Cboe

Operating profit outlook raised again'Good growth' across all regions in Q3New business wins acceleratingShares in Compass Group (CPG) climbed 4.6% to £22.92 in early dealings after the catering giant upped its full year sales and profit guidance for the second time this year.The upgrade followed a forecast-beating third-quarter performance from the Chertsey-based food service star turn, which ha

European markets and the pound had a strong day on Thursday, with the afternoon's US inflation reading boosting risk appetite.Markets in New York got off the line slowly, however, amid an apparent rotation out of tech following a bullish run in recent days.The FTSE 100 index closed up 29.83 points, 0.4%, at 8,223.34. The FTSE 250 was surged 261.15 points, 1.3%, at 21,188.91, and the AIM All-Share

Blue chips faded into the close on Friday but the FTSE 250 held its glow as UK financial markets reacted to the election of a Labour government.The FTSE 100 index closed down 37.33 points, or 0.5%, at 8,203.93. The FTSE 250 ended up 176.31 points, or 0.9%, at 20,786.65, while the AIM All-Share closed up 4.97 points, or 0.7%, at 774.39.For the week, the FTSE 100 added 0.5%, the FTSE 250 climbed 2.5

Stock prices in London were in the green at midday Friday, as Labour won their first general election since 2005, with party leader Keir Starmer set to become prime minister shortly.There are just two seats to go, with Labour so far scoring a landslide of 412 seats.The FTSE 100 index was up 6.08 points, 0.1%, at 8,247.34. The FTSE 250 was up 224.64 points, 1.1%, at 20,834.98, and the AIM All-Share

Stock prices in London where in the green on Friday morning as investors digested the landslide Labour victory in the general election ending 14 years of Tory rule.Labour's Keir Starmer is set to be the next Prime Minister after the party's election victory overnight.Later on Friday, markets in New York will reopen after being closed for Independence Day. Investors will be eyeing this month's nonf

Big Yellow Group (BYG) £11.74Market Cap: £2.28 billionIt may not be a glamorous sector, but self-storage is a remarkably stable and lucrative business with tremendous growth prospects.As the UK market leader, with a portfolio of 109 stores and 6.4 million feet of lettable space, Big Yellow (BYG) is easily the most recognisable brand.The business is driven by 'life events', which can range from s

London's FTSE 100 made a decent start to the final trading day of the quarter, and cooler-than-expected US data could offer it impetus for further gains.The blue-chip benchmark in Paris struggled, however, as pre-election nerves kicked in.The US data is released at 1330 BST. The core personal consumption expenditures inflation gauge is expected to have faded to 2.6% in May, from 2.8% in April, acc

First half tops expectationsFull-year guidance increasedMedium-term targets maintainedInvestors in Serco (SRP) received a pleasant surprise as the business services group revealed first-half profits were 'ahead of plan' and full-year profits, free cash flow and leverage would all be better than previously expected.The shares, which had drifted off their highs in the last couple of months, tacked o

Equities in London made a slow start on Thursday, but peers in Europe traded more confidently, with market focus on upcoming US data and political developments either side of the English Channel, and across the Atlantic.In London, a US blow for GSK hurt its shares. Miners also struggled in early dealings. Elsewhere, there was a guidance boost for outsourcer Serco, Watches of Switzerland reported i

1. India: Prime minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won the largest number of seats in the Indian election, albeit with a smaller number compared to the 2019 vote. Investors are looking to July's budget for signals on the new government's priorities. Recent data indicate an improving fiscal position, with scope for a reduction in the fiscal year 2025 budget deficit from the Febru

Stock prices in London closed lower on Tuesday, as UK political parties enter their final full week of campaigning before the general election.Looking ahead to the rest of the week, focus is on US data, with a gross domestic product reading Thursday and the latest personal consumption expenditures data on Friday.The FTSE 100 index closed down 33.76 points, 0.4%, at 8,247.79. The FTSE 250 ended dow

Announcing a new share buyback programme has been one way to trigger a share price boost. The ease at which companies have made such capital allocation decisions has naturally caught the attention of politicians, thus buybacks are increasingly a target for tax collectors.Joe Biden has already pushed through a 1% tax on buybacks in the US and wants to raise that level to 4% if he gets a second term

Covid-19 stock market darling Moderna (MRNA) appears to be getting its mojo back with investors following a punishing 85% drop in the shares from their September 2021 highs.Over the last six months Moderna's shares have more than doubled and despite the fall over the past couple of years, they remain one of the best performers in the benchmark S&P 500, notching up gains of 880% over the last five

Cerillion (CER:AIM) £15.78Market cap: £565 millionNot every investor will back young (ish) technology-led growth companies because it often means being willing to steal yourself through years of painful losses at the start of the journey. It's why so many feel the need to look overseas for sustainable tech growth, with real profits and cash flows.But while built-in-Britain opportunities in the

ME Group (MEGP) 162.6pGain to date: 1.8%In February 2024 we highlighted the underappreciated competitive strengths of instant-service equipment designer, maker and operator ME Group (MEGP).The company, formerly known as Photo-Me International, has built a dominant market share in its chosen segments giving it unrivaled geographical diversification which provides growth opportunities not reflecte

Stocks mostly rose on Wednesday morning in London despite the UK economy stalling, amid news that what would have been the largest IPO in the UK so far in 2024 collapsing.The FTSE 100 index opened up 55.24 points, 0.7%, at 8,203.05. The FTSE 250 was up 84.20 points, 0.4%, at 20,351.05, and the AIM All-Share was up 2.37 points, 0.3%, at 783.88.The Cboe UK 100 was up 0.8% at 817.56, the Cboe UK 250