Stock prices in London, Paris and Frankfurt were higher on Friday morning despite underperforming UK retail sales, with miners boosting the FTSE 100 on the back of economic growth data from China.UK retail sales volumes decreased 0.3% month-on-month in December, worsening from 0.1% growth in November and falling far short of the FXStreet-cited market consensus of 0.4% growth.On an annual basis, re

Equity markets are buoyant, fixed income markets seem more nervous judging by the way yields are rising (at least for government-issued in the developed West), and commodity prices continue to march to their own beat, with gold and silver surging, industrial metals largely flat and oil and gas remaining subdued.The relative calm pervading hydrocarbon prices is in many ways surprising, given the on

London's blue chip index was in the green while its European peers were in the red, following better-than-expected consumer price index inflation data, with on-year CPI falling below the 2% target in September.The FTSE 100 index was up 46.02 points, or 0.6%, at 8,295.30. The FTSE 250 was up 95.54 points, or 0.5%, at 20,889.98, and the AIM All-Share was up 1.34 points, or 0.2%, at 735.20.The Cboe U

Stock prices in London were in the green on Wednesday morning after consumer price index inflation in the UK slowed below the 2% target in September, while blue-chip housebuilders rose after data showed that asking rents in the UK hit a new record high.The FTSE 100 index opened up 55.09 points, or 0.7, at 8,304.57. The FTSE 250 was up 63.24 points, or 0.3%, at 20,857.68, and the AIM All-Share was

One of the most important things in investing is risk management. Howard Marks, co-founder of high-yield bond firm Oaktree Capital Management, believes managing risk is the ultimate test of an investor's skill.In this feature we explore the nature of risk, which may surprise you, and reveal how professional money managers like Marks manage it.It may be comforting to believe your fund manager is ac

Like-for-like sales up 4.7%Sales up 19.2% in first halfOn schedule to open 35 sites for the yearLoungers' (LGRS:AIM) unique all-day cafe/bar restaurants format continued to outperform the wider hospitality market with like-for-like sales growing 4.7% for the 24 weeks to 6 October compared with the same period in 2023.The news was warmly received as the shares gained 4p or 1.5% to 270p, taking the

Stock prices in Europe were in the green on Thursday as investors awaited several US data prints and remarks from Fed Chair Jerome Powell.The People's Bank of China 'has 'thrown the proverbial kitchen sink at the economy', Pepperstone's Michael Brown said.'Fresh from big stimulus measures earlier in the week, all eyes remained focused on China amid talk that Beijing might inject up to ¥1 tril

Stocks in London opened in the red on Thursday amid a slew of earnings, ahead of Irish consumer price inflation and US jobs data.The FTSE 100 index opened down 84.56 points, 1.0%, at 8,082.32. The FTSE 250 was down 282.48 points, 1.4%, at 20,293.55, and the AIM All-Share was down 5.40 points, 0.7%, at761.92.The Cboe UK 100 was down 0.9% at 807.54, the Cboe UK 250 was down 1.4% at 17,786.75, and th

Prices rise to 12-month highAffordability still an issue Labour promising 1.5 million new homesShares in residential developers started the week on the front foot after the latest survey by building society Nationwide showed average house prices continuing to rise.Investors were also looking to Thursday's general election and the prospect of a Labour win with the party promising in its manifesto t

Markets in Europe fell at midday on Friday, as investors digested upcoming elections.The FTSE 100 index was down 38.55 points, 0.5%, at 8,125.12. The FTSE 250 was down 99.98 points, 0.5%, at 20,095.97, and the AIM All-Share was down 2.93 points, 0.4%, at 777.50.The Cboe UK 100 was down 0.5% at 808.49, the Cboe UK 250 was down 0.9% at 17516.73, and the Cboe Small Companies was down 0.2% at 16706.07

Stock up 14.3% in unconditional dealingsAffordable computer developer already profitableIPO will boost brand awarenessToday marked the first day of unconditional dealing on the stock market for Raspberry Pi (RPI), which meant investors could buy and sell shares in the affordable computer designer as they wished without restrictions.This trading freedom saw the stock enjoy another pop, jumping a fu

Stocks in London closed with mixed performances on Wednesday, as investors await an expected interest rate cut from the European Central Bank on Thursday.The FTSE 100 index closed up 14.91 points, 0.2%, at 8,246.95. The FTSE 250 ended down 44.58 points, 0.2%, at 20,673.41, and the AIM All-Share closed up 0.77 of a point, 0.1%, at 798.97.The Cboe UK 100 ended up 0.2% at 822.65, the Cboe UK 250 clos

Shares leap on trading updateSales improve in final quarterChief executive expresses optimismWatches of Switzerland?s (WOSG) shares surged 11% to 374.5p on a reassuring fourth-quarter update in which chief executive Brian Duffy said the high-end watch and jewellery retailer entered the new financial year with ?cautious optimism?.This followed a strong finish to the year to 28 April 2024, with four

Copper is already one of the most important materials underpinning human civilisation, and the energy transition is only likely to see demand for the industrial metal build in the years to come.Limits and pressures on supply and this growing demand profile are already seeing copper prices mount a charge and recent M&A activity ? with BHP's (BHP) unsuccessful (for now) attempt to take over Anglo Am

Stocks prices in London were higher at midday on Tuesday, as local data added to the uplift provided by US markets on Monday.The FTSE 100 index was up 82.73 points, 1.0%, at 8,296.22. The FTSE 250 was up 225.42 points, 1.1%, at 20,389.96, and the AIM All-Share was 5.72 points, 0.7%, at 777.25.The Cboe UK 100 was up 1.0% at 828.39, the Cboe UK 250 was up 1.0% at 17,662.42, and the Cboe Small Compan

Stocks in London were in the green on Tuesday morning, tracking a rise in global equities following weaker US jobs data and a UK public holiday on Monday.The FTSE 100 index opened up 69.25 points, 0.8%, at 8,282.95. The FTSE 250 was up 187.86 points, 0.9%, at 20,352.21, and the AIM All-Share was up 4.81 points, 0.6%, at 776.37.The Cboe UK 100 was up 0.9% at 826.93, the Cboe UK 250 was up 0.9% at 1

London?s blue-chips remained in demand, pushing to new highs, with investors hoping US inflation data later does not derail the optimistic mood.In the FTSE 100, ConvaTec was an outlier, after Peel Hunt downgraded the firm?s investment rating. On the other side of the index was NatWest, with a set of well received results.The FTSE 100 index was up 35.73 points, 0.4%, at 8,114.59. The FTSE 250 was u

Shares down 59% over the past yearCEO Kenny Wilson to step downChallenging performance in the USShares in Dr. Martens (DOCS) fell 31% at one point to 66p in morning trading - a new 52-week low - as the iconic British footwear brand issued a profit warning.The Camden Town-headquartered company said US wholesale revenue ?is anticipated to be double-digit down year-on-year,? adding ?the decline in wh

The cruise industry is enjoying an unprecedented boom with around 35.7 million passengers expected to book a trip this year, up from 31.5 million in 2023 and 6% more than the number of passengers who set sail in 2019 according to the CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association).Going on a cruise holiday is slowly become a more popular alternative then jumping on a plane or a high-speed train to E

Stocks in London opened mostly in the red on Tuesday, ahead of consumer price inflation data from the US on Wednesday and an interest rate decision from the European Central Bank on Thursday.The FTSE 100 index opened down 3.23 points at 7,940.24. The FTSE 250 was down 45.31 points, 0.2%, at 19,809.27, and the AIM All-Share was up 0.52 of a points, 0.1%, at 749.35.The Cboe UK 100 was down slightly