The FTSE 100 gains 0.6% to 7,246.96 despite the US increasing tariffs on Chinese goods - with mining stocks helping to support the index. The relatively relaxed response reflecting a strong showing from Asian shares.The moderate response could be because the news was widely expected and because tariffs will not be charged on Chinese goods which have already shipped, providing a possible window...

London's FTSE 100 firms 31.2 points to 7,216.6 as the idea Brexit could be delayed stirs up investor interest in UK stocks. This follows a vote by MPs to ask the EU to push back the UK's exit beyond the current 29 March departure date. Housebuilders, supermarkets, tobacco firms and insurers are all giving weight to the broader FTSE 350 index, with small gains also being registered across all...

Stock markets are fighting back after a torrid week for global equities with the FTSE 100 up 0.9% to 7,069.77, though the index is still down more than 3% since the start of the week. These articles (click here and here) help explain some of the factors behind the worldwide sell-off.Investment manager Man Group (EMG) jumps 2.4% to 148.9p on news its funds under management had inched up in the...

The FTSE 100 opens in positive territory, up 9.45 points to 7,679.22. The UK's leading index has been buoyed by statements from the US Federal Reserve and better than expected Chinese service sector data.Embattled department store operator Debenhams (DEB) crashes 23.9% to 27.08p after revealing its like-for-like sales fell in the 17 weeks to 30 December. In its Christmas trading update, the...

Iron ore miners and oil stocks extend gains from Monday's session, heading up London's blue chip benchmark for a second day in a row. The FTSE 100 trades 0.75% higher at 6,320 on the continuing commodities rally, gaining further support from banks and industrials.Industrial metals producers BHP Billiton (BLT), up 2.6% to 909p and Rio Tinto (RIO), up 2.6% to £20.68, lead the way.Oil major...

A reversal in oil prices as industry strikes in Kuwait draw to a close is putting pressure on the resources heavy FTSE 100. The index is down 21.26 points at 6,384.09 this morning.Microprocessor designer ARM (ARM) heads the FTSE 100 leaderboard, up 2.7% to 990p, as chief executive Simon Segars says a step-up in research and development investment is on track to deliver shareholder value. First...

Fulcrum has upgrade potentialAt 21.5p gas pipeline engineer Fulcrum Utility Services (FCRM:AIM) should be in line for earnings upgrades after a stellar set of half-year results (1 Dec). Pre-tax profit of £1.6 million suggests the £2.4 million forecast for the full year will have to be hiked. (TS)Tlou Energy's AIM debutBotswana-focused coal bed methane (CBM) firm Tlou Energy (TLOU:AIM) is...

London shares rally strongly as the the trading week draws to a close early on Friday with interest rate rises and GDP growth figures stimulating market interest for investors, while corporate takeovers also provide additional positive firepower for stocks. Despite a relatively weak session overnight on Wall Street, the UK benchmark FTSE 100 index jumps 2.3%, or around 135 points, to 6,103,...

Meaningful growth at plastic additives specialist Symphony Environmental (SYM:AIM) is looking increasingly speculative due to legislative delays and product development hiccups.Biodegradable plastic technology like symphony's d2w additive which chief executive Michael Laurier likens to the 'Coca-Cola of biodegradable plastic technology', has been made mandatory by 15 countries in Africa and...

Disappointing results from Symphony Environmental Technologies (SYM:AIM) send shares in the plastic additives specialist down 17.6% to 8.8p this morning.The Hertfordshire-headquartered group had been forecast to break even in 2014 but it instead made a loss before tax of £390,000.Revenue fell 12% to £6.35 million which was largely due to 'timing issues' for sales of its d2w masterbatch,...

London markets dip modestly in early trade on Monday nudging back from record closing highs hit late last week, with a swathe of mining and retail-related stocks providing direction. Wall St closed higher overnight Friday, while Asian markets are up this morning.The FTSE 100 index FTSE 100 slips around 19 points, or 0.3%, to 7,071, while midcaps fade similarly, the FTSE 250 index off around 45...

Investors may want to take another look at plastic additives specialist Symphony Environmental (SYM:AIM) as analysts predict the Hertfordshire-headquartered group is about to turn a profit.The £13 million cap made a loss of £0.2 million in 2013 but is expected to break even in 2014 with profits before tax of £0.6 million in 2015 and £1.1 million in 2016.Cantor Fitzgerald believes its...

The launch of Apple?s (AAPL) new iPhones yesterday gives UK chip champ ARM (ARM) a 5% lift to 987p, within a whisker of the £10 level Shares flagged in July. The talk is that ARM's new 64-bit A7 processor design in the new iPhone 5S could raise royalties from $0.89 to $1 per handset.Mike Ashley's Sports Direct (SPD) jogs 6.5p higher to 722p early on, as the UK's marketing leading sports...

London's FTSE 100 slides 47.74 points lower to 6405.7 on Wednesday on nervousness ahead of minutes from the US Federal Reserve's monthly policy meeting, although part-nationalised lender Lloyds Banking Group (LLOY) puts on 1% at 74.5p after selling off non-core assets. The bank has raised some £500 million through selling German life insurer Heidelberger Leben and selected UK loans to US...