London's FTSE 100 opened largely flat on Tuesday, underperforming continental peers which opened in the green despite a Wall Street sell-off.The housing sector offered some respite in London, following well-received numbers from Persimmon but travel shares fell, with IAG the worst of the lot down 3.7%. Lloyds Banking fell 2.1% as a UK watchdog signalled a possible redress as part of the motor...

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...

Nexus Infrastructure (NEXS:AIM) 134pMarket cap: £12.9 millionMicro-caps rarely feature as Great Ideas in Shares, but we have made an exception for civil engineering and infrastructure specialist Nexus Infrastructure (NEXS:AIM) which looks to be on the cusp of a change in fortunes.It is only fair to point out that micro-caps tend to be more volatile, are less liquid to trade and have a wider...

£250 million target reiteratedDowngrade cycle looks overShares rally sharply on updateThe relief following today's scheduled trading update from Vistry (VTY), the UK's largest housebuilder in volume terms, was palpable as the group confirmed its full-year 2024 profit forecast and talked up the 2025 outlook for its partnership business.The shares rallied as much as 50p or just shy of 10% to...

London stocks ended mixed on Tuesday, the FTSE 250 outperforming its large-cap counterpart, enjoying its best day of the year so far as UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves looked to soothe bond market nerves.The FTSE 100 index ended down 22.65 points, 0.3%, at 8,201.54. The FTSE 250 added 47.90 points, 0.2%, at 19,766.27, but the AIM All-Share lost 1.58 points, 0.2%, at 707.81.The Cboe UK 100 was down...

Completions above forecastProfit seen top end of rangeStrong base to build on for 2025With its shares trading at 12-month lows, there was little optimism surrounding the 2024 trading statement from housebuilder Persimmon (PSN) but the firm delivered a positive surprise with completions ahead of market expectations and a forecast of pre-tax profit towards the top end of estimates.The stock...

Nationwide price index hits a two-year highHalifax survey seen confirming positive trendBuyers still boycotting housebuilding stocksShares in UK housebuilders received an early New Year's lift after the latest Nationwide price survey showed the market ended on a high note last month with particular strength in northern England.However, the rally didn't last long with Barratt Redrow (BTRW),...

Fall out from Budget still being assessedTiming of future UK interest rate changes uncertainSigns of build cost inflation for 2025Shares in Persimmon (PSN) fell nearly 6% to £13.83 in morning trading despite the UK's second largest housebuilder saying it was on track to grow completions to circa 10,500 for the full year.During the third quarter the company delivered 1,416 homes including a 3%...

London's FTSE 100 closed lower on Tuesday, underperforming European peers, as index heavyweight AstraZeneca held back the large-cap benchmark.Eyes now turn stateside, hours before the closing of polls across the US - where Donald Trump and Kamala Harris lock horns in the presidential election.The FTSE 100 index closed down 11.85 points, or 0.1%, at 8,172.39. The FTSE 250 ended down 91.25...

Growth in order book reassuresTop performer in FTSE 250 indexRally broadens to other buildersTyne and Wear-based housebuilder Bellway (BWY) pleased the market with its outlook for 'strong multi-year growth' despite a drop in revenue and completions in the year to July.The shares climbed as much as 280p or 9% to a new 12-month high of £33.34 before settling back at £32.62 for a gain of 210p...

The latest house price surveys from Halifax and Nationwide ? two of the UK's largest mortgage lenders ? should have investors in developers breaking out the champagne, yet stocks such as Persimmon (PSN) and Taylor Wimpey (TW.) have gone nowhere for the last few weeks while Barratt Redrow (BTRW) shares are hitting three-month lows.Uncertainty ahead of the autumn budget and over the pace of...

Stocks closed in the green in Europe on Wednesday, following encouraging inflation data, and with housbuilders and gaming stocks leading the winners.The FTSE 100 index closed up 45.82 points, 0.6%, at 8,281.05. The FTSE 250 ended up 208.21 points, 1.0%, at 20,952.29, and the AIM All-Share closed up 3.53 points, 0.5%, at 771.51.The Cboe UK 100 ended up 0.6% at 827.47, the Cboe UK 250 closed up...

New home completions up 5%Interim dividend held at 20pShares up 37% over past yearShares in Persimmon (PSN) perked up nearly 3% to £15.86 in morning trading after the leading housebuilder guided to full year completions of 10,500, the top end of management's prior guidance.The FTSE 100 firm also said underlying operating profit and margin were in line with expectations for the six months...

Stock prices were lower at midday Thursday in Europe, ahead of New York Stocks which are called to open mixed as markets remained cautious.The FTSE 100 index was down 80.43 points, 1.0%, at 8,086.45. The FTSE 250 was down 257.43 points, 1.3%, at 20,318.60, and the AIM All-Share was down 5.58 points, 0.7%, at 761.74.The Cboe UK 100 was down 0.9% at 807.71, the Cboe UK 250 was down 1.3% at...

On 17 July, Sir Keir Starmer's new Labour government announced its plans for the first year of the new parliament, with growth and wealth creation the priority.King Charles' speech at the State Opening of Parliament included a total of 39 bills under a new legislative agenda which includes speeding up the delivery of 'high-quality infrastructure and housing' and nationalising railway...

Adjusted operating profit of £6.2 million for first halfMartyn Clark will take over as CEO on 14 JuneDividend slashed to 1p per shareShares in Crest Nicholson (CRST) were down over 8% to 221p in morning trading as the housebuilder warned on profit. Other housebuilding shares fell, albeit more modestly, in sympathy.It reported an adjusted operating profit of £6.2 million for the six months...

Legal & General selling CalaDeadline for bids next weekPrice seen around £1 billionIn a sign of growing confidence among housebuilders, it has been reported Persimmon (PSN) could bid for smaller rival Cala Group which has been earmarked for sale by owner Legal & General (LGEN).Shares in the York-based homebuilder cheapened 32p or 2% to £14.50 as investors prepared themselves for a potential...

Stock prices in London closed lower on Wednesday, ahead of an announcement from Westminster calling a general election on July 4, and amid hotter-than-expected inflationary figures from the UK.The FTSE 100 index closed down 46.12 points, 0.6%, at 8,370.33. The FTSE 250 ended down 73.30 points, 0.4%, at 20,710.07, and the AIM All-Share closed down 3.22 points, 0.4%, at 803.87.The Cboe UK 100...

Average prices up by 1.3% for top-of-the-ladderMay typically strong month for price growthShares in UK housebuilders higher on newsThe average price of a property coming to the market for sale in May hit a new record of £375,131 up 0.8% or £2,807 in the month, according to data from online property portal Rightmove (RMV).The reason for the modest upwards price pressure was due to the spring...

Stocks prices in London were higher at midday on Tuesday, as local data added to the uplift provided by US markets on Monday.The FTSE 100 index was up 82.73 points, 1.0%, at 8,296.22. The FTSE 250 was up 225.42 points, 1.1%, at 20,389.96, and the AIM All-Share was 5.72 points, 0.7%, at 777.25.The Cboe UK 100 was up 1.0% at 828.39, the Cboe UK 250 was up 1.0% at 17,662.42, and the Cboe Small...