London's FTSE 100 finished Wednesday's trading session 0.4% higher at 7,108 points as inflation worries eased and the blue chip benchmark was boosted by a decent start on Wall Street, with the S&P 500 up 0.3% to 4,216.2 by 4.30pm UK time.As in the US, the absence of earnings from big-name companies left the FTSE 100 lacking a bit of inspiration, with the index outshone by the FTSE 250, which rose

London's FTSE 100 had retreated modestly from its morning highs by lunchtime as housebuilders slipped back on mixed mortgage data.By 12.20, the blue chip benchmark was 0.2% higher at 7,092.37 points, while the more domestically-focused FTSE 250 was 0.1% easier at 22,854.5.BLOOMSBURY REPORTS RECORD YEARPublisher Bloomsbury (BMY) jumped 8.7% to 336p after it reported a record financial year as readi

UK stocks continued their momentum on Wednesday with more solid gains as investors remained upbeat on the global economic recovery.Defying expectations of a flat opening, the UK's benchmark FTSE 100 index moved 0.56% higher to 7,120 while the midcap FTSE 250 index, currently sitting at all-time highs, gained 0.33% to 22,951.It comes after a flat session overnight on Wall Street, where the Dow Jone

London's FTSE 100 struggled for direction on Tuesday as US stocks settled back from the previous day's record highs. By the close, the blue chip benchmark was a mere 0.1% higher at 6,531.56 points, with the S&P 500 0.3% lower at 3,905.47 at 4.30 pm UK time.Airlines tumbled after the government tightened restrictions on travellers entering the UK, with International Consolidated Airlines (IAG), Eas

Despite strong gains among oil stocks following a further advance in Brent crude, the FTSE 100's progress was halted by sterling strength on Tuesday, with US futures implying a modest step back for US stocks from the record highs marked on Monday.By noon, the FTSE 100 was basically flat, off 0.01% at 6,522.92 points, while the FTSE 250 edged 0.6% higher to 21,206 points.OCADO LOSSES NARROWIn compa

The FTSE 100 opened virtually flat at 6,524 as blue-chip stocks took a breather following yesterday's gains amid surging commodity prices, as a slew of big companies released a mixed bag of trading updates.The more subdued open today comes after sizeable gains yesterday, with market commentators suggesting we could potentially be in for another commodities 'supercycle' like the 2000s, with demand

UK markets managed to dig out some positive momentum through Tuesday afternoon as investors were torn between a fresh wave of Government restrictions as Covid cases rise and signs of a tech recovery as US markets opened higher.Pubs and restaurants face 10pm curfews from Thursday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson insisted today, while millions of British workers are again being advised to work from hom

UK markets found it difficult to make headway through the morning session on Tuesday with investors spooked by a fresh wave of Government restrictions as Covid cases rise.Pubs and restaurants face 10pm curfews from Thursday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson insisted today, while millions of British workers are again being advised to work from home if possible, sparking new concerns for jobs in the alr

UK stocks see-sawed throughout Friday due to a dearth of company updates and following the news that Japan's longest-serving Prime Minister Shinzo Abe would resign for health reasons. Markets are closed on Monday for a bank holiday.The benchmark FTSE 100 index ended drifting off 36 points or 0.6% to finish at 5,963, back below the psychologically significant 6,000 level.Gains in Miners Anglo Ameri

UK stocks edged higher on a quiet Friday for company news following an earlier setback on news that Japan's longest-serving Prime Minister Shinzo Abe would resign for health reasons. Markets are closed on Monday for a bank holiday.At midday the benchmark FTSE 100 index added 4 points or 0.1% to take it back above the 6,000 level to 6,004 points. Miners Anglo American (AAL), Fresnillo (FRES) and Po

FTSE opened 0.3% weaker at 5,992 points on Friday as investors digested Fed chairman Powell's speech where he signalled the central bank would allow inflation to run higher and unemployment to run lower.Also impacting markets and foreign exchange today was news that Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was stepping down for health reasons, ending his run as the country's longest-serving premier. Japa

Pubs, takeaways and gambling companies will be hoping for a pick-up in sales this summer as Brits celebrate three months of world-class sporting events.To help you pick a winner - and avoid having your dreams crushed in the same way as the England football team - we've analysed the impact on listed companies from the 2012 Olympics and other major sports tournaments to come up with a team of top st

UK stocks rally back into positive territory in early trade on Tuesday bouncing back as oil prices recover from lows in the previous session after a disappointing meeting between global producers in Doha. The FTSE 100 index rises around 30 points, or 0.5%, to 6,385, while midcaps put in an even greater rally, the FTSE 250 jumping 1.2% and back over the 17,000 mark at 17,087.In corporate news, prop

London shares are mixed in early trade on Wednesday with blue chips guiding higher but midcaps failing to make progress and smaller companies largely flat. Traders continue to cast wary glances towards the pricing of crude and safe-haven assets but many remain jittery about the global economy. Europe was up while Wall Street and Asia fell overnight.The benchmark FTSE 100 index nudges 12 points, or

The UK markets remain lower as concerns about the slowdown in the Chinese economy continue to weigh on investors from Toyko to New York and all points between. While the UK's benchmark is not matching the market declines of the previous day, the FTSE 100 is still down 12 points at 6,046.59.Commodities behemoth Glencore (GLEN) is leading the fallers again, shedding 4.9% to 127.05p, compounding its

London markets get off to a slow start but turn losses into gains within the first couple of hours of trading on Tuesday. Having posted initial 10 point losses the FTSE 100 index is trading a little more than 7 points higher at 6,863, as investors put EU/Greece talks to one side and concentrate on the positives. Mid caps do even better, the FTSE 250 index rallying 67 points, or 0.4%, to 16,928 tha

A decent performance from Chef & Brewer-to-Fayre & Square owner Spirit Pub Company (SPRT) sends its share price up 2.9 to 80.25p. Like-for-like sales from its managed pubs rise 6% in the 12 weeks to 24 May. It continues to roll out the steakhouse-style pub format Flaming Grill through a mix of buying new sites and converting existing pubs in its estate.Geophysical data specialist Getech (GTC:AIM)

Comprised of just 12 corporate names valued at less than £1 billion between them, Leisure Goods consists of a curious batch of businesses which range from toy designers to hobby product specialists and purveyors of everything from bicycles to consumer electronics.For the most part, these products wing their way into retail outlets. As a result, the companies' fortunes are linked to retailer stock

Residential sales and letting agency Foxtons (FOXT) rises 21% to 279p as conditional dealings limited to institutional investors get underway. Retail investors get their first chance to trade shares in the £785 million cap next Wednesday (25 Sep).Specialist engineer Tanfield (TAN:AIM) slips 14.4% to 19.25p as it fails to achieve an outright disposal of its struggling powered access or ?cherry pic