European stocks opened lower on Wednesday, as investors digest the ongoing trade war between the US and China. The FTSE 100 index opened down 134.23 points, 1.7%, at 7,776.30. The FTSE 250 was down 293.86 points, 1.6%, at 18,055.29, and the AIM All-Share was down 7.08 points, 1.1%, at 634.58. The Cboe UK 100 was down 1.6% at 774.66, the Cboe UK 250 was down 1.7% at 15,700.63, and the Cboe...

A warningover 2016 earnings expectations sends FTSE 100 outsourcer Serco (SRP) down 7.3% to 106p. While 2015 profit is set to beat market forecasts at £95 million, next year's guidance is for a mere £50 million.Luxury interior furnishings firm Walker Greenbank (WGB:AIM) is marked down 4.4% to 207.5p as it warns profit will be hit by flooding at its Lancaster-based factory, caused by heavy...

UK investors are in mean mood in early trade on Thursday after sell-offs overnight on Wall Street and Asian markets, and a smattering of corporate news disappointment. The benchmark FTSE 100 index slides around 17 points, or 0.25%, to 6,333.Builders merchant Travis Perkins (TPK) leads the blue-chips lower, its 7% slump to £18.23 topping the Footsie loser board as management confirm ongoing...

London shares show sharp losses in early trade on Wednesday as investors fret over upcoming inflation figures in the US and the Federal Reserve's policy meeting minutes, due later today. Much like here in the UK, consumer prices in the US are being squeezed hard with limited real growth, signals which may have policymakers thinking twice about upping the interest rate ante too soon.The FTSE 10...

London shares are flat in early trade on Monday with investors concerns focusing on disappointing recent US and Chinese economic data largely offset by some relatively upbeat corporate announcements. The FTSE 100 is trading just 2 points lower at 6,694, although midcaps are under pressure, the FTSE 250 index losing close on 50 points to 17,629.HSBC (HSBA) advances 1.3% to 587.5p as pre-tax...

London shares fail to hang on to early strong gains in mid-morning trade. The FTSE 100 index slips 12 points into the red, at 6,972, despite bargain hunters descending on US equipment rental outfit Ashtead (AHT) after last week's sharp sell-off on poor US economic numbers. The stock heads the Footsie leader board early on Monday, advancing 3.6% to £11.61.Micaps do a little better, the FTSE...

Investors make tentative steps back onto the UK market on Thursday after several days of falling markets. The FTSE 100 nudges 8.6 points higher in early trade to 6,715, with discount flyer EasyJet (EZJ) leading the way, up close on 2.5% at £13.46.Going the other way among the UK blue-chips, FTSE 100 miner BHP Billiton (BLT) dips 1.4% to £17.72 despite saying it will consider London, after...

Resources stocks helped FTSE indices to a positive start out of the blocks, with Balfour Beatty's (BBY) blunt rebuff of suitor Carillion (CLLN) the story of the day. The heavy construction specialist adds 1.5% to 240p as it rejects its peer Carillion a second time, now on the grounds that the synergies being proposed do not add up. Balfour is also adamant that its proposed sale of the US-based...

Bradford-based supermarket group WM Morrison (MRW) nudged ahead 0.5% to 262.4p as investors responded to strategic developments. The fruit and veg seller is expected to unveil an online delivery service at full-year results (14 Mar), according to media reports. It has also bought 49 stores from defunct DVD retailer Blockbuster which will become 'Morrison M Local' convenience stores.Announcing...