Stock prices in Europe were in the green on Thursday as investors awaited several US data prints and remarks from Fed Chair Jerome Powell.The People's Bank of China 'has 'thrown the proverbial kitchen sink at the economy', Pepperstone's Michael Brown said.'Fresh from big stimulus measures earlier in the week, all eyes remained focused on China amid talk that Beijing might inject up to ¥1 tril

London's FTSE 100 went into the afternoon on decent footing, but limped over the line on Wednesday, as a weaker oil price hit BP and Shell.Hawkish words from a UK central banker did little to stir up enthusiasm for equities, though the OECD set out an encouraging outlook for the domestic economy.'With a lack of major economic news on the schedule for Wednesday and only a few big-name corporates re

Adjusted profits down 65.7%Final dividend passedMarket growth 'could soon return'Indebted sofa seller DFS Furniture (DFS) lurched into loss for the year to June 2024 and passed the final dividend following a year marred by weak spending on big ticket items and Red Sea supply disruption.Yet shares in the clear UK living room furniture leader ticked up 2.5% to 117.8p in early dealings on Wednesday t

Stocks in London were in the red at midday on Wednesday, awaiting clarity from the US Federal Reserve over the pace of interest rate cuts.According to CME FedWatch, a 50 basis point cut is the most likely move by the US central bank, though some believe a 25 basis point reduction is in the offing.Elsewhere, the pound perked up, taking advantage of some dollar weakness after a UK inflation reading.

London's FTSE 100 opened in the red on Wednesday as investors assessed UK inflation data and looked ahead to a finely-balanced US interest rate call.According to CME FedWatch, there is a 63% chance the US central bank cuts by 50 basis points. There is a 37% likelihood it reduces the federal funds rate by 37%.However, sell-side consensus is backing a 25bp cut.'Speculation about a more aggressive cu

Stocks in London closed mostly higher on Monday, as analysts say expectations of a 50 basis point rate cut from the US Federal Reserve have grown since last week.The FTSE 100 index rose 5.35 points, or 0.1%, at 8,278.44. The FTSE 250 ended up 34.22 points, 0.2%, at 20,929.59, but the AIM All-Share eased 1.50 points, or 0.2%, at 743.73.The Cboe UK 100 rose 0.1% to 827.78, the Cboe UK 250 fell sligh

Stock prices in London rose on Thursday afternoon ahead of the European Central Bank's decision, after New York trade overnight was boosted by tech shares.The FTSE 100 index climbed 63.71 points, 0.8%, at 8,257.65. The FTSE 250 was up 233.47 points, 1.1%, at 20,770.72, and the AIM All-Share rose 2.91 points, 0.4%, at 741.00.The Cboe UK 100 was up 0.8% at 826.13, the Cboe UK 250 rose 1.0% to 18,266

As an exercise in expectations management, the Labour government's trailing of its October Budget has been impressive.Rhetoric around what people should come to expect at the end of next month has been gloomier than a wet Tuesday in February. In our Personal Finance section this week Laith Khalaf explores whether material limits could be placed on pensions tax relief, for instance.As Panmure Liber

US money market funds raked in their biggest haul of the year in the month of August, some $127 billion, taking total cash assets to a record $6.26 trillion according to data from the Investment Company Institute.To put that into perspective the total value of all publicly traded US stocks is $56.5 trillion based on the Wilshire 5,000 Total Market index. That means money market funds hold cash equ

Low-cost gym operator Gym Group (GYM) looks to be in good shape ahead of its first-half results, due to be released 11 September.In a pre-close statement on 10 July the company raised its full-year profit expectations to the top end of market forecasts after continued positive trading.Company-compiled analysts forecasts for EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation) les

Stock prices in Europe followed Asian and US stocks into the red on Wednesday morning, as investors await several service PMIs from Europe, US trade balance data and an interest decision by the Bank of Canada.The FTSE 100 index opened down 50.21 points, or 0.6%, at 8,248.25. The FTSE 250 was down 142.91 points, or 0.7%, at 20,665.83, and the AIM All-Share was down 4.34 points, or 0.6%, at 758.05.T

Stocks in London were in the red on Monday during midday trading, as downbeat Chinese manufacturing data cast a cloud over equities.It is likely to be a quieter day, given that US markets will be closed today for the Labor Day holiday.The FTSE 100 index was down 13.03 points, or 0.2%, at 8,363.46. The FTSE 250 was down 61.15 points, or 0.3%, at 21,025.39, and the AIM All-Share was down 4.31 points

Stock prices opened lower on Monday morning in Europe, which has a lot of purchasing managers' index data out today, while financial markets in the US and Canada remain closed for Labor Day.In early corporate news, Australia's REA Group confirmed it is considering making a takeover offer for UK peer Rightmove.The FTSE 100 index opened down 15.50 points, or 0.2%, at 8,361.13. The FTSE 250 was down

At the end of last year the market was pricing in 1.7% worth of US rate cuts for 2024 but here we are in late August and the Federal Reserve is yet to pull the trigger, largely due to stickier-than-expected inflation.However, after a series of false dawns, we may finally be approaching the point where the Fed acts, with a rate cut widely expected on 18 September. The debate largely centres on whet

Stock prices in Europe were in the green at midday on Tuesday, while medical device developer Belluscura surged on London's AIM market after anticipating a revenue jump.The FTSE 100 index was up 9.28 points, or 0.1%, at 8,337.06. The FTSE 250 was down 21.43 points, or 0.1%, at 21,168.05, and the AIM All-Share was up 1.56 points, or 0.2%, at 779.25.The Cboe UK 100 was up 0.1% at 833.82, the Cboe UK

Luca Maestri been in role for a decadeNew CFO Parekh to take role up in early 2025Investors hoping for more of the same, not step changeChange at the top always brings some sort of uncertainty, particularly when an incumbent has been in place for years. This is where Apple (AAPL:NASDAQ) finds itself after shuffling its C-suite and appointing a new chief finance officer.Long-standing CFO Luca Maest

Stock prices in Europe opened in the green on Tuesday, after data showed UK shop prices in August entered deflation for the first time since 2021, ahead of a key speech by Prime Minister Keir Starmer.The FTSE 100 index opened up 48.39 points, or 0.6%, at 8,376.17. The FTSE 250 was up 31.41 points, or 0.2%, at 21,220.89, and the AIM All-Share was up 0.63 points, or 0.1%, at 778.32.The Cboe UK 100 w

Stocks in London ended the week higher on Friday, while unambiguously dovish remarks from US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell propelled the pound to a 29-month high against the dollar.'The time has come for policy to adjust. The direction of travel is clear, and the timing and pace of rate cuts will depend on incoming data, the evolving outlook, and the balance of risks,' Powell said in a speec

London listed stocks waned going into Tuesday afternoon while the pound ticked up against the dollar.The FTSE 100 index was down 55.96 points, 0.7%, at 8,300.98. The FTSE 250 was down 44.06 points, 0.2%, at 21,113.41, and the AIM All-Share was down 1.37 points, 0.2%, at 775.22.The Cboe UK 100 was down 0.8% at 829.05, the Cboe UK 250 was down 0.3% at 18,496.27, and the Cboe Small Companies was down

Stock markets across the globe have just emerged from a short, sharp shock, with the sell-off on 5 August one of the worst days in years as investors mull the frightening thought that the US economy is slowing and could be sent spinning into recession.Combined with the impact of the unwinding in the yen 'carry trade' discussed in this explainer and some stretched valuations and you had the recipe