The FTSE 100 reached a new all-time high on Friday, with stocks comfortably in the green at midday, after sound fourth quarter growth data from China, which beat the consensus.The FTSE 100 index was up 99.25 points, 1.2%, at 8,491.24. It had earlier reached a new intra-day high of 8,496.42.The FTSE 250 was 36.40 points higher, 0.2%, at 20,564.10, and the AIM All-Share advanced 1.87 points, 0.3%, a

Americas hit by weak seasonal salesSome big customers in difficultyOther customers delaying ordersIt was a dark day for shareholders in celebration products maker IG Design (IGR:AIM) after the firm warned full-year earnings would be 'significantly below' current market forecasts due to problems in its Americas division.The shares lost 86p or more than 60% to 56p, wiping out £80 million of market

ProCook (PROC) 37p Gain to date: 22%Kitchenware outfit ProCook (PROC) has continued to outperform its wider market since we said in October 2024 the company was a compelling recovery play.WHAT HAS HAPPENEND SINCE WE LAST SAID BUY?The shares have gained more than 20% benefiting from sales generated by its relaunch on Amazon [AMZN:NASDAQ] and a decent showing across Christmas and Black Friday. The

Out of nowhere the market for weight loss drugs has become one of the most exciting investment themes in the last two years, rivalling investor enthusiasm for AI.There is good reason for the excitement. Rod Wong, managing partner at RTW Biotech Opportunities (RTW) fund describes the development of obesity drugs as the biggest ever financial opportunity in healthcare.That is because obesity is the

MIGO Opportunities (MIGO) 352pMarket cap: £71.25 millionDiscount to NAV: 4%With many investment trusts trading at deep discounts to NAV (net asset value), a great way to exploit the potential for discounts to narrow is by investing in specialist closed-end fund investor MIGO Opportunities Trust (MIGO).The company has a unique mandate within the sector aimed at exploiting pricing inefficiencies at

The normally sleepy world of investment trusts received a wake-up call just before Christmas with the publication (18 December 2024) of a shareholder letter by activist investor Saba Capital Management calling for change at no fewer than seven well-known funds.Set up by hedge fund manager Boaz Weinstein, Saba has a history of successfully instigating change, and while critics argue its proposals a

The FTSE 100 opened comfortably higher on Wednesday morning, easily beating its peers in Paris and Frankfurt, as UK consumer price inflation decelerated in December, defying expectations.The consumer price index rose 2.5% in December from a year before, slowing from 2.6% in November while FXStreet-cited market consensus had expected inflation to pick up to 2.7%.Separately, the Office for National

Stock prices in London, Paris and Frankfurt were in the green on Tuesday morning, as housebuilders in the UK enjoyed a boost after giving trading updates.'Markets' sensitivity to major economic data will likely rise as policy uncertainties mount and appetite weakens,' commented Swissquote's Ipek Ozkardeskaya. 'Due today, the US will release its latest PPI numbers, and the headline PPI may have ris

Blue chips in London, Paris and Frankfurt opened lower on Monday as UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves failed to lift the mood in the UK with her China trip, amid a modest investment deal.'Surprise! The US economy added more than [250,000] new nonfarm jobs in December, some [90,000] more than expected, and the unemployment rate fell to 4.1%,' explained Swissquote's Ipek Ozkardeskaya. 'If it's any comfort

FDA accept review of syringe applicationOver 90 million doses givenApproved expected by 20 June 2025The US FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has accepted for review the regulatory application of GSK's (GSK) pre-filled syringe presentation of its shingles prevention drug Shingrix.The new application removes the need for healthcare professionals to reconstitute separate bottles prior to administrat

World's largest chipmaker sees 34.4% revenue jump in Q4December sales alone up nearly 60%Stock more than doubled in past 12 monthsThere are plenty of sceptics who think the wheels will come off the AI bandwagon this year, but that's not what TSMC (TSM:NYSE) is seeing. The world's largest chip manufacturer posted forecast-thumping Q4 2024 revenue that implies the AI boom is still running at top spe

Stocks in London, Paris and Frankfurt made a slow start to the day on Friday morning, while FTSE 100-listed grocer Sainsbury's fell despite celebrating a bumper Christmas period.The FTSE 100 index opened down just 0.55 of a point at 8,319.14. The FTSE 250 was up just 9.28 points at 20,014.42, and the AIM All-Share lost only 0.23 of a point to sit at 719.76.The Cboe UK 100 was up 0.1% at 833.21, th

Funds play a really important role in most investors' portfolios. Many of us may not have the time or the inclination to research our own investment ideas and would rather entrust a professional to pick stocks (and other investments for us).The strength of broad market indices, particularly global and US ones, has made it difficult for actively managed funds to outperform over the last decade and

London stocks opened in the red on Tuesday morning, but FTSE 100-listed retailer Next achieved a gain as it upped its guidance following a healthy Christmas trading period.The FTSE 100 index opened down 23.47 points, 0.3%, at 8,226.19. The FTSE 250 was down 79.56 points, 0.4%, at 20,533.09, and the AIM All-Share was down 1.37 points, 0.2%, at 727.22.The Cboe UK 100 was down 0.3% at 824.16, the Cbo

London's blue chip index was slightly in the red on Friday midday, while US markets are expected to open higher after a weak start on Wall Street on Thursday.The FTSE 100 index traded down 4.69 points, 0.1%, at 8,255.40. The FTSE 250 was down 48.37 points, 0.2%, at 20,591.86, and the AIM All-Share was up just 0.19 of a point at 723.54.The Cboe UK 100 was down 0.1% at 827.28, the Cboe UK 250 was 0.

London's blue chip index opened in the red on Friday morning, following a healthy start to the new year, after stocks in New York declined on Thursday.The FTSE 100 index opened down 5.86 points, 0.1%, at 8,254.23. The FTSE 250 was down 51.56 points, 0.3%, at 20,588.67, and the AIM All-Share was down just 0.01 of a point at 723.69.The Cboe UK 100 was flat at 827.68, the Cboe UK 250 was 0.1% lower a

London's FTSE 100 started 2025 strong, boosted by retailers on Christmas cheer and gains in miners, despite weak manufacturing data and a falling pound.The FTSE 100 index ended up 87.07 points, 1.1%, at 8,260.09. The FTSE 250 rose 17.62 points, 0.1%, at 20,640.23. The AIM All-Share jumped 4.07 points, 0.6%, at 723.70.The Cboe UK 100 closed up 1.1% at 827.66, the Cboe UK 250 fell 0.2% at 18,028.35,

Proceeds of sale will be used to reduce debt£1.5 million share buyback announcedShares up 29% over the past yearShares in Mission Group (TMG:AIM) gained over 19% to 28.75p in morning trading as the digital and marketing communications group said it had sold April Six to US-headquartered Marketbridge for £17.4 million.Fiona Shepherd, founder, and CEO of April Six will remain at the company but wi

Confidential settlement reachedChrysalis gets 'non-material sum'FCA investigation still ongoingShares in Revolution Beauty (REVB:AIM) soared 16% to 16p after the unloved cosmetics company agreed a settlement with disgruntled former shareholder Chrysalis Investments (CHRY).Investment trust Chrysalis had previously threatened legal action against Revolution Beauty, alleging the makeup-to-skincare pr

London's FTSE 100 made a solid start to 2025, shaking off underwhelming trade in Asia.The FTSE 100 index opened up 17.71 points, 0.2%, at 8,190.73. The FTSE 250 was up just 9.30 points, at 20,631.91, and the AIM All-Share was up 2.11 points, 0.3%, at 721.74.The FTSE 100 added 5.7% over the course of last year.The Cboe UK 100 was up 0.3% at 821.34, the Cboe UK 250 was 0.1% higher at 18,078.53, and