The first Budget from a Labour Government in 14 years continues to stir heated debate and sceptics readily point to the increase in the yield in the UK's 10-year gilt to a one-year high to support their case that chancellor Rachel Reeves is on the wrong track. It does not look great that yields are rising in the wake of August's interest rate cut from the Bank of England, but 10-year government bo

Market speculation ITV might demergeITV has made no commentYear-to-date ITV shares have gained 11%Shares in ITV (ITV) were nearly 9% higher at 71p in morning trading as rumours circulated of potential suitors for the free-to-air-broadcaster.According to Sky News, a number of possible bidders for part or all ITV have emerged including a European broadcaster France's Groupe TF1 and CVC Capital Partn

Whether you love or hate cryptocurrencies, you cannot deny the spectacular performance. Since Donald Trump's White House race victory (5 November) Bitcoin has surged 35% to an all-time $94,795 high. Since the start of 2024 it has more than doubled. Ethereum and Elon Musk pet crypto Dogecoin, are up 33% and 300% respectively this year.If you own crypto assets, or are considering doing so, it's valu

A year after fast-fashion sensation Shein was first thought to have filed registration papers for a UK IPO, reports suggest the company is targeting the first quarter of 2025 for a London float that could value the business at £50 billion.Shein's position as a fast-growing retailer expanding across multiple geographies and taking market share from established players ? it is no coincidence that t

Group revenue down 8% to £2.7 billionTotal ITV Studios revenue down 20% to £1.21 billionAdditional £20 million net cost savings in 2024Shares in ITV (ITV) fell more than 8% to 66p in morning trading as the free-to-air broadcaster said group revenue fell 8% at £2.7 billion in the nine months to 30 September.Total ITV Studios revenue was down 20% to £1.21 billion impacted by the expected phasin

Full-year guidance reducedChina to remain a dragStronger margin gains from 2025Smith & Nephew (SN.) sank to the bottom of the FTSE 100 index, falling 13% to a new six-month low of 956.78p after the knee and hip implants maker lowered full-year revenue growth guidance on China headwinds.The shares are down around 11% for the year, compared with a 5% gain for the blue-chip FTSE 100 index. CEO

Stock prices in London were mixed just before the UK budget announcement by Chancellor Rachel Reeves, with the FTSE 100 lower and the FTSE 250 and AIM All-Share registering a minor gain.The FTSE 100 index traded down 42.68 points, 0.5%, at 8,176.93. The FTSE 250 was up just 3.96 points at 20,626.75, and the AIM All-Share was up 0.98 of a point, 0.1%, at 716.77.The Cboe UK 100 was down 0.6% at 818.

Stocks in Europe were mostly lower on Wednesday morning, ahead of the UK budget announcement by Chancellor Rachel Reeves, while Standard Chartered rose after it said it delivered a strong performance.Ahead of the budget, the pound was quoted at $1.3020 early Wednesday, rising from $1.2991 at the London equities close on Tuesday.Brown Brothers Harriman analysts believe the pound faces 'downside ris

Stocks in London closed lower on Friday, as a car finance probe weighed on the shares of Lloyds Banking Group, Barclays and Close Brothers.The FTSE 100 index closed down 19.13 points, 0.3%, at 8,248.84. The FTSE 250 ended up 29.36 points, or 0.1%, at 20,819.91, and the AIM All-Share lost 3.02 points, 0.4%, at 722.67.The Cboe UK 100 closed down 0.3% at 826.07 on Friday, the Cboe UK 250 ended down 0

Stocks in London were mostly lower at Friday midday, while the FTSE 250 turned to the red after Close Brothers shares fell as it announced it will appeal a court judgement to the UK Supreme Court.The FTSE 100 index traded down 10.40 points, 0.1%, at 8,258.98. The FTSE 250 was down 15.67 points, or 0.1%, at 20,774.88, and the AIM All-Share shed 1.80 points, 0.3%, at 723.85.The Cboe UK 100 was down

Income and profit top estimatesStructural hedges a benefitFull-year outlook improvedThere was a strong sense of dejà vu this morning as NatWest (NWG) published better-than-expected third-quarter results and raised its outlook, just as it did at the half-year stage three months ago.Once again, the shares responded positively, gaining 17p or 5% to 378.5p taking them to the top of the FTSE 100

European equities were on the decline early Friday, with water utilities hurting the FTSE 100, but NatWest limiting the damage.The FTSE 100 index traded down 6.76 points, 0.1%, at 8,262.62. The FTSE 250 was down 22.47 points, 0.1%, at 20,768.08, and the AIM All-Share was up just 0.12 of a point at 725.81.The Cboe UK 100 was down 0.1% at 827.45, the Cboe UK 250 was down 0.3% at 18,324.35, and the C

Income and profit top expectationsFull-year income target increasedShares hit highest level since 2017Investors in Barclays (BARC) were treated to a triple helping of good news this morning as the bank beat estimates with its third-quarter results, raised its full-year net interest guidance slightly and its shares touched a new multi-year high.As of mid-morning, the shares were up 9.5p or 4% to 24

Pre-tax profit tops estimatesNo change to full-year targetsRemediation costs still unknownThere was little initial follow-through after today's third-quarter trading update from Lloyds Banking (LLOY), as while earnings beat estimates the group maintained its full-year outlook and questions remain over its liability for discretionary commission payments.The shares added 1p or 1.7% to 63p taking the

Stocks in London slipped at the close on Monday, as the FTSE 100 joined European peers in negative territory.The FTSE 100 index closed down 40.01 points, or 0.5%, at 8,318.24. The FTSE 250 ended down 242.98 points, or 1.2%, at 20,906.60, and the AIM All-Share lost 5.74 points, 0.8%, at 734.95.The Cboe UK 100 closed down 0.4% at 833.19 on Monday, the Cboe UK 250 ended down 1.1% at 18,461.11, and th

Shares fall 15% to 835pCEO Jon Steinberg to relocate to the USSearch for successor launched Shares in Future (FUTR) fell over 15% to 835p in morning trading as CEO Jon Steinberg said he was leaving the publishing firm later next year to relocate back to the US with his family.'Jon's notice period is twelve months, and the board will now launch a search for his successor,' the company said.Future h

There is a huge body of academic work highlighting behavioural biases which consistently trip-up investors' supposedly rational thinking. In this article we look at seven big sins of investing, with some examples and insights on how to avoid them.A lot of the credit for these principles goes to Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky who collaborated in the 1960s to research apparent anomalies and contra

London's FTSE 100 closed in the green on Monday, after UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer courted businesses to boost investment in the UK, declaring the nation open for business.It was a glum day for gambling firms, however. Shares in bookmakers were well and truly bashed on UK tax raid fears, which Jefferies warned 'would all but wipe out' sector profit in the nation.The FTSE 100 index closed up 39.

Stock prices in London were in the red on Monday midday, ahead of a slew of inflationary prints coming this week, including consumer prices from the UK on Wednesday.The FTSE 100 index was down 7.70 points, or 0.1%, at 8,245.95. The FTSE 250 was down 55.44 points, or 0.3%, at 20,709.49, and the AIM All-Share was down 0.74 points, or 0.1%, at 733.11.The Cboe UK 100 was down 0.2% at 825.83, the Cboe

Treasury could raise up to £3 billion888-owner Evoke most exposedMagnitude of tax hike uncertainGambling shares were sent reeling after a media report said the government was considering doubling taxes from the sector to raise between £900 million and £3 billion of extra funding.Shares in 888-owner Evoke (EVOK) led the fallers, dropping by 14%, closely followed by Ladbrokes owner Entain (ENT) d