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

Just over five years ago the stock market began to react in earnest to news of the Covid pandemic.The sell-off was short and sharp, with a modest recovery from the lows in the spring followed by sharper gains in November 2020 after AstraZeneca (AZN) made a vaccine breakthrough.However, a large number of UK stocks are still trading below the levels they were at by the close of trading on 21 Februar

Three recent interventions by the Trump administration are having a major impact on financial markets.First, plans for a cryptocurrency strategic reserve were announced, helping to light a fire under Bitcoin and other digital assets.Those gains were soon erased however when, against hopes of a last-minute reprieve, 25% tariffs were introduced on Canada and Mexico along with a 10% levy on Chinese g

European stocks were mixed on Wednesday, as the FTSE 100 eased slightly despite a boost for miners from higher metal prices and hints some sectors may be left out of US tariffs.The FTSE 100 index ended down 3.16 points at 8,755.84. The FTSE 250 climbed 177.23 points, 0.9%, at 20,127.73, and the AIM All-Share gained 3.61 points, 0.5%, at 690.48.The Cboe UK 100 ended up 0.3% at 877.63, the Cboe UK 2

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

Full year profit ahead of expectationsStrong trading across core business and licensingBuilds on strong first halfFantasy games and miniatures retailer Games Workshop (GAW) rolled the equivalent of double-six on Wednesday (5 March) after confidently forecasting full year pre-tax profit to the end of May will be ahead of expectations.The shares jumped as much as 8% to top the FTSE 100, notching up

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

Operating profit above forecastsInsurance and wealth business strongDirect Line to add 10% to EPS growthDespite a muted response, shareholders in insurance and savings group Aviva (AV.) will be pleased with full-year 2024 results which beat market expectations both in terms of earnings and cash generation.The shares, which have gained 12% so far this year, added another 4p or 0.7% to 529p on a dow

Like every investor who turns on their computer in the morning to find one of their stocks has been bid for, my initial reaction to the news US buyout giant KKR (KKR:NYSE) had offered a premium for my shares in healthcare facilities provider Assura (AGR) was 'happy days'.The joy was momentary, however, as I then contemplated what it would mean for my portfolio if I no longer owned Assura and the w

The US market has naturally been the centre of attention for investors in recent years due to its strong returns, but the tide is turning. The best gains so far in 2025 have come from a region that's been royally unloved.Germany generated a 13.1% total return between 1 January and 14 February 2025, more than three times that of the S&P 500 (4.1%) or the Nasdaq (3.7%) in the US.Admittedly, that's a

Hotter-than expected UK inflation for January, with headline CPI up 3% year-on-year versus the 2.8% expected, combined with a volatile geopolitical backdrop, means investors should be seeking ways to protect their income.Shares has long championed the unique advantage investment trusts have when it comes to paying regular and progressive dividends, since these funds are able to hold back up to 15%

Shares jump 54% on all-cash takeoverDelivery Hero and Deliveroo shares gainFurther consolidation expectedEuropean food delivery giant Just Eat Takeaway.com (TKWY:AMS) saw its shares jump 53% after agreeing a €4.2 billion takeover by Dutch technology investor Prosus (PRX:AMS) pitched at €20.3 per share in cash.The proposed takeover, which has the unanimous backing of management, represent

London's FTSE 100 was the laggard in Europe on Thursday afternoon, while stocks in New York are called to open lower, with annual numbers from Walmart underwhelming.The FTSE 100 index fell 29.72 points, 0.3%, at 8,682.81. The large-cap benchmark was hurt by the likes of AstraZeneca and BP, who traded lower as shares went ex-dividend.The FTSE 250 rose 28.93 points, 0.1%, at 20,736.72, and the AIM A

Listed infrastructure and renewable trusts have had a torrid time over the last three years with average discounts to NAV (net asset value) drifting out to between 30% and 40%.In our view the gloom and doom gone too far, with the headwinds impacting NAVs have starting to dissipate, opening the prospect of a strong recovery.We have noticed some green shoots of broad share price strength since the s

All the meetings requisitioned by Saba at UK investment trusts are now done and dusted and the scorecard makes sobering reading for the US activist hedge fund ? trusts seven, Saba nil.That doesn't mean there is room for complacency on the part of the investment trust industry, as Saba has shone a spotlight on issues around performance and persistent discounts to NAV (net asset value) which aren't

With more than half a century of unbroken dividend hikes under its belt, Brunner (BUT) aims to provide long-term growth in capital and dividends by investing in global and UK equities with an 'all-weather' approach designed to adapt to different market conditions.To achieve this resilience, co-managers Julian Bishop and Christian Schneider of Allianz Global Investors focus on structurally-growing,

Fevertree Drinks (FEVR:AIM) 745pGain to date: 6.6%We urged investors to take a taste of Fevertree Drinks (FEVR:AIM) at 698.5p on 19 December 2024, making the premium mixer drinks firm one of our key 2025 stock selections on the basis the shares were cheap and that negative sentiment towards the stock and the underlying profitability of the business had both troughed. Shares also highlighted that t

London stocks fell on Wednesday as Trump's tariff threats hit markets, UK inflation surprised on the upside, and Glencore slumped after weak results and hints it may abandon its London listing.The FTSE 100 index closed down 54.20 points, 0.6%, at 8,712.53. The FTSE 250 ended down 173.77 points, 0.8%, at 20,707.79, while the AIM All-Share closed down 5.09 points, 0.7%, at 719.43.The Cboe UK 100 end

European stocks climbed on Monday, with defence firms leading gains as leaders gathered in Paris to discuss increased military spending amid calls for greater European security investment, while markets also reacted to surging gold prices.The FTSE 100 index closed up 35.55 points, 0.4%, at 8,768.01. The FTSE 250 ended up 25.67 points, 0.1%, at 20,938.68, but the AIM All-Share closed down 0.84 of a

Buyout firm offers 48p per shareFourth attempt to reach a dealAnalyst calls premium 'fair'Investors in healthcare facilities provider Assura (AGR) will have received the news of an approach from buyout giant KKR (KKR:NYSE) with mixed feelings given the FTSE 250 firm is an income stalwart with an attractive yield.The shares immediately jumped 7p or 18% to 46p, just short of KKR's 48p per share offe