One of the most popular investment trusts with AJ Bell?s ISA millionaires, City of London (CTY) is a favourite with investors seeking long-term income and capital growth and a gateway to large international companies.However, while the long-run performance record is strong, Curtis? cautious approach means the fund can underperform in some market conditions. On a 10-year share price total return ba

Tobacco and alcohol firms lead UK rankingsAI machine analyses more than 10,000 data pointsProduces probabilities, not certaintiesTobacco and alcohol producers feature among the best UK stocks to buy in July, according to Danelfin's proprietary artificial intelligence stock picking engine. Imperial Brands (IMB) and Diageo (DGE), behind the Lambert & Butler, Rizla and Johnny Walker brands, stand fir

Targeting largely defensive and highly regulated niches, Smiths Group (SMIN) has created a virtuous circle of high barriers to entry and increasing market share. Better still, it is in the middle of a transformation capable of adding millions in value for shareholders.Smiths' calls itself a 'pioneer of progress' with a diverse portfolio of engineering operations with safety at their heart. These a

- Record like-for-like revenue growth in first half- Medium-term growth target increased- Margins to grow in coming quartersFTSE 100 engineering firm Smiths Group (SMIN) delivered another quarter of higher revenues and earnings and lifted its medium-term underlying sales growth target.The shares gained 1.2% to £17.35 making Smiths the best-performing stock in the blue-chip benchmark, which found

- FTSE surpasses 2018 all-time high- Stocks riding under the radar- Dollar strength a tailwind for FTSEAfter posting its strongest start to a new year in close to a decade (up 6%), the FTSE 100 index surpassed its May 2018 all-time peak on Friday 3 February.Perhaps surprisingly, it isn't all about the biggest names driving returns although index heavyweight HSBC (HSBA) is up over a third since the

- Annual organic sales growth ahead of expectations- Earnings up 17.8%, beating expectations- Share buyback programme to finish in early 2023Industrial components company Smiths Group (SMIN) reported full year organic revenues up 3.8% to £2.56 billion, ahead of expectations, sending the shares up 4% to £15.31.The company said strong order books and leading market positions should support continu

Special situation funds should, in theory, be busy making new investments in the current market environment. Their strategy includes finding unloved stocks which could either bounce back thanks to corporate self-help measures or the market eventually spots hidden value within a business which then attracts more buyers for the shares.Given how so many stocks have slumped in value this year - many f

Industrial components maker Smiths Group (SMIN) said it was looking forward to its future as a more focused group with higher margins since selling off its medical division at the start of the year.The firm reported strong demand across most of its end markets in the first half of its current financial year, as well as the early repayment of some of its debt and the first tranche of its substantia

The FTSE 100 finished Monday's trading session 0.44% to the good at 7,255.46 points, with continuity-craving markets welcoming the White House's confirmation it will stick with Jay Powell as chairman of the US Federal Reserve.Also lending some support was speculation about private equity interest in several UK firms following the $12 billion bid for Telecom Italia; BT Group (BT.A) was bid up 2.5%

London's FTSE 100 was up modestly by midday on Monday, the blue chip benchmark gaining 0.1% to 7,231.69, but down on its highs for the day amid speculation about private equity interest in several UK firms following the $12 billion bid for Telecom Italia.BT Group (BT.A) was bid up 2.5% to 164.6p, while Vodafone (VOD) was up 1.6% to 115.4p.UK equity markets had started Monday's trading session on a

UK equity markets started Monday's trading session on a positive note despite increasing concerns regarding the rapid rise in Covid-19 infections in Europe, where Austria has been forced to impose a lockdown on unvaccinated citizens.The blue chip FTSE 100 is 0.32% higher at 7,246.61 while mid-caps are also in vogue, the FTSE 250 adding 0.26% to 23,553.82.Germany and the Netherlands have also rece

A combination of factors including sagging US consumer confidence, a spate of downgrades to China's economic growth forecasts and renewed inflationary concerns weighed on UK stocks towards the end of Tuesday's trading session.The FTSE 100 Index closed 0.4% lower at 7031 and the FTSE 250 Index finished the session 1.6% lower at 23,233 points.Economists have cut their growth forecasts for the Chines

Fears that inflationary pressures will be more persistent than originally anticipated, coupled with concerns regarding the winding up of the UK furlough scheme weighed on both the FTSE 100 and FTSE 250 Indexes during lunchtime trading.At midday the former had slipped by 0.4% to 7031 while the latter had given up 1.6% to 23,233 points. The recent rally in crude oil prices has reignited concerns tha

FTSE 100 constituent Smiths Group (SMIN) gained 4.1% to £14.19 on a positive set of full year results and confirmation it is offloading its medical arm.Essentially a conglomerate business with an engineering focus, Smiths had long resisted market pressure to break up the group.Today the company reported an 80% rise in underlying profit and upped its dividend, while confirming the sale of its medi

UK stocks dropped at the open on Tuesday as the fuel crisis sweeping the country showed no signs of easing. To make matters worse, Brent crude oil prices surged to a three-year high over $80 per barrel, pushing up prices at the pump, and UK and European natural gas price hit new records.By 8.45am the FTSE 100 index was down 30 points or 0.4% to 7,035 points as weakness in miners and industrials ou

The FTSE 100 index encountered continued selling pressure during Wednesday's afternoon session closing 0.63% lower at 7104.50. The FTSE 250 index also ended the day down by 0.93% at 23,873.25.This was partly in response to comments from James Bullard, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of St Louis who suggested the Fed would start tapering before the end of this year. All the major US equity in

On a largely uninspiring day for global equity markets, London's FTSE 100 ended modestly lower after trading broadly flat for much of the day.Sterling strength weighed on the overseas earnings dominated index, with the blue chip benchmark closing down 0.3% at 7,029.79, while the more domestically focused FTSE 250 finished 0.2% lower at 22,438.90.Reopening names were in demand, among them the likes

UK stocks finished higher on Friday as optimism over a stronger economic recovery held sway. Slightly weaker than expected February inflation data in the US gave bond prices a boost, pushing yields lower and supported gains in equities.At 4.30pm the FTSE 100 index of leading stocks was up 1% to 6,742 points, led by miners and consumer-facing 'recovery' stocks.COMPANY NEWSMining group Kaz Minerals

UK stocks held on to early gains on Friday lunchtime as risk appetite returned to global markets, as President Biden vowed to double the US vaccine rollout target, increasing optimism for an economic rebound.At 12pm the FTSE 100 index of leading stocks was up 0.8% to 6,725 points, led by miners and consumer-facing 'recovery' stocks.COMPANY NEWSMining group Kaz Minerals (KAZ) gained 2.9% to 864p af

UK investors were in upbeat mood on Friday, helped by a rebound in US markets overnight after two days of losses, an encouraging retail sales report and a slew of positive company updates.At 8.30am the FTSE 100 index of leading stocks was up 60 points or 0.9% to 6,735 points, led by miners and consumer-facing 'recovery' stocks.Sterling was steady at $1.376 while Brent crude futures gained 1% to $6