European indexes sank on Tuesday as fears of a full-blown trade war grew after increased tariffs were imposed against Canada, Mexico and China by the US.The FTSE 100 index ended down 112.31 points, 1.3%, at 8,759.00. The FTSE 250 slumped 431.79 points, 2.1%, at 19,950.50, and the AIM All-Share fell 14.93 points, 2.1%, at 686.87.The Cboe UK 100 ended down 1.6% at 875.00, the Cboe UK 250 declined 2.

Stock prices in Europe were in the red at Tuesday midday, with airline stocks hit badly in particular, as European countries intend to boost their militaries amid a US freeze on aid for Ukraine.'Investors were desperately hoping that Trump would delay tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China at the eleventh hour, yet the US president has stuck to his guns and brought them into power,' commented AJ Bell

Sales hit new peak of £2 billionLike-for-like sales growth slowsInvestments to crimp marginsSales topped £2 billion for the first time at Greggs (GRG) last year as the value-for-money sausage roll, coffee and Yum Yums retailer continued to lure in cash-strapped punters.So why did shares in the beloved bakery chain sour 13% to £18.08 today?The catalyst for selling was news of a further slowdown

Stock prices in London, Paris and Frankfurt were in the red on Tuesday morning, amid news that UK grocery sales growth slowed in February, amid worries about US tariffs.'Today marks a turning point in Donald Trump's tariff policy,' commented Swissquote's Ipek Ozkardeskaya. 'It is the day the tariff threat will materialise ? unless there is a surprise U-turn ? and hammer hopes that the aggressive t

London stocks closed in the green on Monday, as shares in defence firms surged across Europe amid expectations of heightened defence spending.Shares in Thales were 17% higher in Paris, Leonardo climbed 16% in Milan, BAE Systems jumped 14% in London and Rheinmetall leapt 15% in Frankfurt.On the FTSE 250, Babcock was up 8.9% and Qinetiq up 11%.JPMorgan increased share price targets by an average of

Diageo director buys on five-year lowB&M director buys 70,053 sharesLBG Media directors snap up stockA person closely associated with Dan Mobley - a member of the executive committee at Diageo (DGE) - Diana Mobley has bought 2,280 shares at £21.81 for a total value of £49,727 on 14 February.The alcoholic drinks giant's shares recently took a turn for the worse dropping to a five-year low of £22

London's FTSE 100 edged higher on Monday, driven by a rally in BAE Systems as defence spending optimism lifted sentiment.Meanwhile, investors awaited US manufacturing data to be released later today.The FTSE 100 index was up 58.45 points, 0.7%, at 8,868.19. The FTSE 250 was up 23.20 points, 0.1%, at 20,349.58, and the AIM All-Share was up 1.20 points, 0.2%, at 705.03.The Cboe UK 100 was up 0.8% at

BAE Systems shares climb 15%European stocks sharply higherUK and France discuss Ukraine dealThe European defence sector enjoyed its biggest one-day rally since 2020 after the Trump administration refused to offer any security guarantees, leading investors to bet on European governments ramping up their defence spending.Shares in BAE Systems (BA.) jumped 210p or 15% to £16.15, pulling with them sh

London stocks opened slightly higher on Monday as investors assessed Prime Minister Keir Starmer's return from high-stakes diplomatic meetings and awaited the UK manufacturing PMI, following similar releases from other regions.The FTSE 100 index opened up 34.18 points, 0.4%, at 8,843.92. The FTSE 250 was up 56.11 points, 0.3%, at 20,382.49, and the AIM All-Share was up 1.54 points, 0.2%, at 705.37

London's FTSE 100 outperformed peers on the continent on Friday, ending the week positively and rounding off a 1.6% rise over the course of this month.The FTSE 100 index ended up 53.53 points, 0.6%, at 8,809.74. For the week, it added 1.7%. The FTSE 250 lost 88.35 points, 0.4%, at 20,326.38, and the AIM All-Share fell 3.89 points, 0.6%, at 703.83.The Cboe UK 100 ended up 0.6% at 882.15, the Cboe U

London's FTSE 100 was outperforming its European peers around midday on Friday, sent higher by a series of positive earnings reports helping to temper nerves on potential US tariffs.The FTSE 100 index was up 26.71 points, 0.3%, at 8,782.92. The FTSE 250 was down 77.39 points, 0.4%, at 20,337.34, and the AIM All-Share was down 3.49 points, 0.5%, at 704.23.The Cboe UK 100 was up 0.4% at 880.09, the

Company expects decline in 2025 salesWeak end marketsTariff uncertainties weighAdvanced materials and engineering group Morgan Advanced Materials (MGAM) dropped 20% on Friday (28 Feb) after the FTSE 250 firm forecast a decline in 2025 organic revenue amid weak end demand and tariff uncertainties.The shares made new 12-month lows, slipping under 200p to leave them languishing 50% below the highs ac

AI server growth projections strongRising costs will impact gross marginsStock drifts pre-market, down 10% year-to-dateAs one of the world's biggest players in servers, the powerful computers that sit inside datacentres, Dell (DELL:NYSE) should be sitting pretty as corporates bulk up computing capacity to power AI tools, yet that doesn't seem to be playing out as many investors might have hoped.Hi

Announces £350 million share buybackFull year dividend per share up 6% to 24pAccelerated artificial intelligence roll outShares in Pearson (PSON) gained over 4% to £13.93 in early morning trading as the education media group gave a positive full year 2025 outlook in line with market expectations.Investors were also cheered by news of a £350 share buyback, highlighting the company's strong cash

Forecast-beating Q4 results€1 billion buybackConfident of 'sustainable' EPS growth this yearHigh-flying International Consolidated Airlines (IAG) climbed 5% to 354p after the British Airways-owner reported forecast-beating fourth quarter earnings and announced a €1 billion share buyback.This bumper return of capital demonstrates management's confidence in the company's long-term prospect

London's FTSE 100 slipped on Friday morning as Trump's new tariff announcement hit sentiment, dragging Asian and European stocks lower.China hit back, threatening to take 'all necessary countermeasures'. The UK could be set for a 'great' trade agreement with the US, however, Trump suggested.Among individual stocks, IAG, Pearson and IMI were supported by buyback plans.The FTSE 100 index traded down

The FTSE 100 closed in the green on Thursday following a flurry of earnings, while the pound falls as the UK braces itself ahead of potential US tariffs.The FTSE 100 index closed up 24.75 points, 0.3%, at 8,756.21. The FTSE 250 ended down 181.17 points, 0.9%, at 20,414.73, while the AIM All-Share closed down 3.78 points, 0.5%, at 707.72.The Cboe UK 100 ended up 0.2% at 876.77, the Cboe UK 250 clos

Shares fall as much as 17%Fourth-quarter sales disappointCompany warns of 'headwinds'Shares in WPP (WPP) fell over 17% to 637p at one point in early morning trading as the advertising giant shared a gloomy outlook and reported lower full year 2024 revenue of £14.74 billion compared to £14.84 billion last year.The advertising giant founded by industry legend Sir Martin Sorrell saw a fall in like-

Stocks in London were mostly in the red at Thursday midday, as investors await US jobless data, while insurer Aviva rose as it increased its dividend.The FTSE 100 index was up 30.65 points, 0.4%, at 8,762.11. The FTSE 250 was down 160.11 points, 0.8%, at 20,435.79, and the AIM All-Share was down 2.54 points, 0.4%, at 708.96.The Cboe UK 100 was up 0.3% at 877.53, the Cboe UK 250 was down 0.9% at 17

Operating profit above forecastsInsurance and wealth business strongDirect Line to add 10% to EPS growthDespite a muted response, shareholders in insurance and savings group Aviva (AV.) will be pleased with full-year 2024 results which beat market expectations both in terms of earnings and cash generation.The shares, which have gained 12% so far this year, added another 4p or 0.7% to 529p on a dow