A wall of money is going into building out the green infrastructure required to facilitate the global energy transition. This starts with electrifying power generation all the way through to transmitting and storing this energy before it is eventually consumed.At the same time, indebted governments are increasingly looking to private companies to help solve the global water challenge.Water is an e

Over the longer term, UK small caps have historically outperformed their larger cap brethren, but prevailing investor sentiment towards smaller companies remains poor due to stubborn inflation, higher interest rates and recessionary fears. It won't be like this all the time.One smart way to gain exposure to the asset class ahead of an eventual rally, with a turn in inflation among the likely catal

- All-Swiss deal saves bank from failing- Equity investors put ahead of some bondholders- Bank stocks sink on funding worriesBanking stocks across Europe fell again despite an emergency deal over the weekend to rescue ailing Swiss lender Credit Suisse (CSGN:SWX).At 9.30am, the European banking index was down 5% with shares in German lender Deutsche Bank (DBK:ETR) down 8%, Commerzbank (CBK:ETR) dow

- Rival Nestle beats sales forecasts and raises outlook- Both firms able to hike prices thanks to strong brands- Unilever to update investors next weekInvestors in consumer goods giant Unilever (ULVR) will be taking heart from today's positive third-quarter trading update from rival Nestle (NESN:SWX), the world's biggest packaged food company.After sales for the first nine months beat estimates, t

The benchmark FTSE 100 finished higher on Wednesday although weaker-than-expected US ADP private sector jobs data dented investor sentiment took UK markets off earlier highs.The UK index of the biggest shares closed 0.42% higher at 7,149.84, while mid-caps were firmer, the FTSE 250 ending the day up 0.62% at 24,250.83.In August, according to the ADP report, the US economy added 374,000 jobs, softe

The FTSE 100 built on morning gains early in the afternoon session on Wednesday thanks to the promise of a firm start to US trade in New York.The UK's benchmark index had put on nearly 0.9% by 1pm to trade at 7,182.81, with mid-caps also putting on gains, the FTSE 250 up 0.7% at 24,285.61.US stocks are expected to push higher on Wednesday ahead of manufacturing data, buoyed by hopes that interest

Despite mixed trading in Asia overnight, London's FTSE 100 returned to life on Wednesday as summer holidays came to an end with the index up 0.7% to 7,171.68 points early on.Mining was the only sector to struggle after metal prices took a hit, with investors showing greater interest in the oil and gas sector where commodities prices were stronger.CORPORATE NEWSMagazines, books and snacks seller WH

London markets rose for the second day on the bounce on Wednesday as investors continued to see the positives in a post-coronavirus economic recovery.The UK's benchmark FTSE 100 rallied 0.9% in early trading to 6,299.31, following Tuesday's biggest gains in a month , thanks to robust US economic data and positive results from a UK drug trial in reducing Covid-19 death rates.Scientists in the UK fo

UK were firmer at the open on Monday, taking their cue from positive grey market trading on Wall Street and strong Asian gains, after the Bank of Japan expanded its monetary stimulus again.The benchmark FTSE 100 rallied a fraction off 100 point, or 1.7%, to 5,851.95, while the mid cap FTSE 250 charged 2% higher at 15,996.93.Asia markets have got off to a positive start as a raft of countries get r

London's FTSE 100 ticks 77 points higher to 7,681 on Wednesday, investors evidently regaining confidence with miners, tobacco sellers and drug companies in demand early on.High-end housebuilder Berkeley (BKG) cheapens 3.5% to £39.93 after warning that profit growth will slow to 'more normal levels' from 2018/19, when profits are expected to be around 30% lower.Results for the year ended 30 April

The FTSE 100 index is down 19 points to 7,249.23 reversing the gains it made yesterday following a mixed session in Asian markets as trade war worries continue to persist.The UK's largest supermarket Tesco (TSCO) is up 4% to 218.4p on revealing a 28.4% rise in operating profits to £1.6bn. For its year ending 28 February, the company's sales rose to £51bn a 2.3% increase on the prior year. Like-l

After a shaky opening the FTSE 100 is recovering its poise. Currently the index of leading UK shares is up 4.38 points at 7,393.84.In corporate news budget airline Easyjet (EZJ) ascends 3.4% to £13.22 on release of decent full year results to 30 September. The company had a record amount of customers at 80.2m with total revenue up 8.1% to £5.05bn.FTSE 100 product testing company Intertek (ITRK)

Wednesday 6th SeptemberThe market will be looking for the UK's leading structural steel play Severfield (SFR) to sustain the momentum seen in its March 2017 financial year when it updates on first half trading alongside its AGM on 6 September.Pre-tax profit advanced 88.5% to £18.1m in the 12 months to 31 March 2017 as the company carried out 110 projects including a roof for Wimbledon's Number 1

There are plenty of companies on the stock market unfamiliar to many investors, despite them having delivered solid capital gains and dividends for shareholders. It's our job to put these companies on your radar and this week we've selected Barnsley-headquartered Billington (BILN:AIM) which we consider to be an unsung hero.The structural steel specialist is now positioned for growth following a gr

Structural steel business Severfield (SFR) is riding high after a strong set of full year results (published on 14 June).In the 12 months to 31 March 2017, pre-tax profit advanced 88.5% to £18.1m after the company carried out 110 projects including a roof for Wimbledon's Number 1 tennis court and a new stadium for Tottenham Hotspur.An Indian joint venture has moved to profit for the first time.Se

Earnings in the US bucked a six quarter trend of declines in the three months to 30 September 2016 and there is increasing optimism about corporate profitability in Europe too.Buoyed by an improving earnings outlook and now an increasingly pro-growth agenda for government spending in a number of countries, including the US under Donald Trump, investors have started to change tactics.This is releva

UK shares are firmly on the up in early trade on Tuesday ahead of Philip Hammond's first Autumn Statement due tomorrow. SOme of this strength is likely down to Monday's jump in the value of Sterling. The FTSE 100 index rallies 55 points, or about 0.8%, to 6,833, after a largely flat finish to trade on Monday.In corporate news. Construction equipment group Lavendon (LVD) soars 41% to 196p as it rec

Investors aiming for big returns on the stock market can learn a lot from the Berkshire Hathaway (BRKA:NYSE) business model built by legendary investor Warren Buffett.We've spotted several companies on the UK market that meet the criteria he desires in an investment. Read on and you'll discover the names he would theoretically want to buy.WHO IS BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY?Berkshire Hathaway is an America

Prime Minister Theresa May has warned of 'bumps in the road' for the economy as she prepares to start the difficult journey for the UK leaving the European Union. As such, the Bank of England may need to cut interest rates to avert a downturn.That situation would be awful for savers who are already getting next to nothing on cash deposited in the bank or building society. Thankfully, stocks and sh

Automated data reports technology minnow Arria NLG (NLG:AIM) has launched a new SaaS-based (software as a service) product that will be integrated immediately into some of the enterprise resource planning (ERP) tools of ERP software heavyweights Intuit (INTU:NDQ) and Xero (XRO:NZ).Called Recount, this is an artificial intelligence (AI) and Natural Language Generation (NLG) reporting tool that acts