UK stocks consolidated their gains on Monday after comments from Bank of England members over the weekend hinting at an early rise in interest rates to head off persistently high inflation.US markets were weaker on Friday after a weak jobs report, but the mood was brighter in Asia where China, Hong Kong and Japan all posted solid gains of between 1% and 2%.After climbing steadily throughout the se

UK stocks edged higher again on Monday despite comments from Bank of England members over the weekend hinting at an early rise in interest rates to head off persistently high inflation and a subsequent rally in sterling.US markets were weaker on Friday after a weak jobs report, but the mood was brighter in Asia where China, Hong Kong and Japan all posted solid gains of between 1% and 2%.At midday

Monday morning trading on the UK equity market was distinctly subdued with the FTSE 100 index edging 0.2% higher to 7112.17, whilst the FTSE 250 drifted -0.2% lower to 22,474.27.There were fears UK investors could be rattled by comments over the weekend from external MPC member Michael Saunders who argued the rapid rise in energy markets coupled with labor shortages were fueling inflationary press

On a quiet day for corporate announcements the FTSE 100 trades slightly higher at 7,539.03 as tensions between Iraq and Kurdistan drive up oil prices.Mining stocks are also higher on a rally in Chinese iron ore prices. Antofagasta (ANTO) leads the way, up 2.8% to £10.43.Medical products firm ConvaTec (CTEC) falls 14.8% to 237.9p as it warns full year profit will be lower than previous guidance an

The FTSE 100 opens slightly lower at 7,310.2 despite widespread strength in the mining sector. The US and North Korea are planning military exercises today which could stoke the simmering tensions between the two countries.Wealth manager Rathbone Brothers (RAT) ticks up 0.65% to £27.88 after confirming weekend reports that it is in exclusive merger talks with stockbroker Smith & Williamson.Newspa

London shares hit the skids I early trade on Monday with initial gains quickly eroded. Miners and financials were providing positive direction, more than offsetting convincing falls among a mixed-bag of blue chip stocks. Wall Street was lower overnight Friday, with Asia up today.The FTSE 100 index slumps 71 points, or 1.2%, to 5,776, with chip designs firm ARM (ARM) heading the Footsie loser board

The ability of micro cap stocks to deliver super-sized returns in super quick time is exemplified by Catalyst Media (CMX:AIM).The £12.3 million cap's main asset is a 20.5% stake in provider of broadcasting services to bookies Satellite Information Services (SIS) and it is up 63.9% in the space of a week to 50p after SIS secured (23 Sep) a new five year deal with Racecourse Media commencing April

It has been a good year for anyone invested in Spectra Systems (SPSY:AIM) since early 2015 with the stock having increased by 24% in value year-to-date. Those that missed out on the rally still have a chance to profit, according to analyst forecasts for the stock.WH Ireland's latest 43p price target implies that anyone buying at the current 22.88p price could nearly double their money. But before