London's FTSE 100 closed lower on Tuesday, underperforming European peers, as index heavyweight AstraZeneca held back the large-cap benchmark.Eyes now turn stateside, hours before the closing of polls across the US - where Donald Trump and Kamala Harris lock horns in the presidential election.The FTSE 100 index closed down 11.85 points, or 0.1%, at 8,172.39. The FTSE 250 ended down 91.25 points, 0

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

Shares have been out of favourOfwat ruling seen as positiveThames Water in special measuresHaving lagged the market all this year, water utilities were the star turn following an announcement from the regulator Ofwat that the firms could raise their bills over the next five years.In the FTSE 100, Severn Trent (SVT) gained 66p or 2.5% to £26.85 and United Utilities (UU.) added 25p or 2.3% to £10.

Stock prices in London were mixed on Thursday morning while water companies enjoyed a boost from Ofwat announcing an increase in water prices for customers in England and Wales.The FTSE 100 index opened up 13.36 points, 0.2%, at 8,206.87. The FTSE 250 was down just 0.88 of a point at 20,926.88, and the AIM All-Share was up 3.30 points, 0.4%, at 776.15.The Cboe UK 100 was up 0.3% at 818.38, the Cbo

£7 billion rights issueInvestment to double2023 earnings lowerMultinational electricity and gas provider National Grid (NG.) surprised the market with the launch of a £7 billion fund-raise to finance investments in its network to the end of the decade.The shares, which had enjoyed a strong run from the £10 level in April up to £11.40 last week, went into reverse falling 103p or 9% to £10.24 a

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

Stocks in London were up on Thursday midday, with JD Sports shares in the FTSE 100 jumping as it outlined its financial 2025 profit forecast, while water utilities struggled.The FTSE 100 index was up 20.39 points, 0.3%, at 7,952.37. The FTSE 250 was up 52.23 points, 0.3%, at 19,862.89, and the AIM All-Share was up 1.29 points, 0.2%, at 743.40.The Cboe UK 100 was up 0.2% at 794.61, the Cboe UK 250

Costain (COST)Price: 64.8p. Gain to date: 18.7%Original BUY @ 54.58p on 31 August 2023When we recommended buying shares in infrastructure and engineering group Costain (COST) we flagged its superior revenue and earnings visibility, thanks to the size of its order book and the security of its customers, which tend to be county councils and major utilities.We also suggested the firm's lowly valuatio

Fevertree director snaps up nearly £130,000 sharesUnited Utilities boss Louise Beardmore sells upSafestore director buys just under £100,000 sharesKevin Havelock, non-executive director of posh tonics maker Fevertree (FEVR:AIM) has taken advantage of the recent dip in the share price to buy 10,243 at £12.69 for the total value of £129,984 on 14 September.Earlier on in the week Fevertree report

The potential collapse of Thames Water and a mooted move into public ownership amid spiralling debts has put the spotlight on the contingent of water utility firms on the UK stock market.Saddled with their own significant borrowings and with investment required to fix the UK's ageing water infrastructure, questions are being asked about their ability to continue to pay generous dividends to shareh

- Dividends to be linked to performance and resilience- Regulatory powers to take action- Better transparency of credit rating changesThe UK's water regulator Ofwat (Office of Water Services) announced new powers on Monday to prevent companies paying dividends if it risked their financial resilience and to take enforcement against water companies which don't link dividend payments to performance.O

- Mike Ashley writes £8 million of put options- United Utilities' CEO retires, sells sharesMIKE ASHLEY SELLS £8 MILLION OF CFD PUT OPTIONSBillionaire founder of Frasers Group (FRAS), Mike Ashley has sold put options over the equivalent of 1 million shares with an 800p strike price and September 2023 expiry.It means Ashley has an obligation to buy the shares at the strike price from the option bu

- Reckitt chief lands top job at Starbucks- Shell head said to be readying departure- 18 FTSE 100 bosses off to pastures newWhile investors are still mulling over the quarterly FTSE index reshuffle, which saw around a dozen companies change places, the game of boardroom musical chairs seems to have picked up momentum again.Hot on the heels of yesterday's news that the chief executive of Reckitt Be

- Flags higher interest and other costs in year ahead- Dividend 0.6% higher year-on-year- Full-year profit down 20%Full-year results from water and wastewater outfit United Utilities (UU.) revealed the company is not immune to the challenges posed by rising prices - undermining its appeal as a stock which can provide inflation protection.The company, which owns and operates water infrastructure in

The utilities sector has historically attracted investors for its defensive and reliable revenue streams which in turn funded a decent level of dividend income.More recently, several connected factors have shaken up this industry. These include a transition away from fossil fuels into renewables in the face of a climate emergency, greater appetite for investments in ESG (environmental, social and

For now, the escalating conflict in Ukraine shows no signs of easing. After the initial shock, markets were hopeful the economic impact of the war might be contained as the West's opening salvo of sanctions in response to Russia's invasion (24 Feb) were weaker than some had anticipated.However, any relief soon dissipated as Ukraine put up stiff resistance against the Russian invaders and sanctions

Stocks received a lift heading into the weekend with the release of official figures showing the UK economy performed much better than expected in November.On a monthly basis, GDP (gross domestic product) is estimated to have grown by 0.9% in November against forecasts of a 0.4% increase, taking it above its February 2020 pre-pandemic level for the first time.Growth was broad-based, with industria

UK shares closed higher on Wednesday, spurred on by US economic data which showed personal spending rose more than expected and weekly US jobless claims were the lowest since 1969, signaling continued strength in the economy.The latest minutes from the Federal Reserve's Open Market Committee meeting, are due after the market close.At the close the FTSE 100 index of leading shares was up 0.3% at 7,

UK shares gave back early gains as markets braced for a torrent of US economic data due to be released later today and ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday tomorrow when US markets will stay closed.As well as the weekly jobless numbers, investors will receive updates on the core latest inflation data, durable goods orders, and personal consumption trends, providing further evidence of economic streng