Trian confirms interest in RentokilAshtead chief executive flies the flagChapel Down director buys sharesUS activist investor Trian Fund Management, a vehicle controlled by billionaire Nelson Peltz, significantly raised its stake in UK pest control and hygiene business Rentokil Initial (RTO) earlier this month shortly after securing a board spot for its head of research.According to company filing

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

London's FTSE 100 was higher at midday, although Burberry suffered, ahead of US inflation figures and the latest round of central bank interest rate calls.The FTSE 100 index traded up 49.96 points, or 0.6%, at 8,231.43. The FTSE 250 was 76.94 points higher, 0.4%, at 20,570.94, and the AIM All-Share was up 2.42 points, or 0.3%, at 746.42.The Cboe UK 100 was up 0.7% at 823.23, the Cboe UK 250 added

CEO unexpectedly steps downPre-tax profits plunge in H1Strategic review ongoingShares in Chapel Down (CDGP:AIM) cheapened 16% to 58.5p after England's largest winemaker uncorked a first half profits plunge and said CEO Andrew Carter is leaving to take up a new role at Timothy Taylor & Co.Drinks industry veteran Carter's exit is a bitter blow to Chapel Down.During his three year stint as CEO, he ov

Organic sales grow 2%Tough annual comparisonPositive read for BurberryGlobal luxury goods leader LVMH (MC:EPA) eked out a small increase in first-quarter revenue against strong comparable sales in the same period last year, sending its shares up 3% to ?807 and temporarily arresting the downtrend of the past month.Growth was the weakest since the rebound from the pandemic in early 2021, held back b

Beer, wine and spirits group Constellation Brands (STZ:NYSE) is due to update the market on fourth-quarter and full-year trading on 11 April.With the shares having gained close to 12% to $270 this year, within touching distance of their all-time highs last August, there is a lot riding on a positive update, especially after a disappointing third quarter.Having raised prices to offset input-cost in

Kitwave (KITW:AIM) 329pMarket cap: £233.45 millionAmong the London stock market?s successful small cap IPO?s (initial public offering) of recent years, Kitwave?s (KITW:AIM) stock has more than doubled since Shares highlighted the independent wholesaler?s attractions in October 2021, but the company has the capacity to deliver plenty of growth and income for investors in the years ahead. We believ

I have only recently started thinking seriously about my retirement. However, I am paying the maximum I can into my employer?s pension to get matching contributions, and I also pay into my SIPP each month.I am 48 years old and am trying to figure out how much more I need to pay into my SIPP to retire. I have also built up investment ISAs and I have 10 years more to pay off the mortgage on my house

Growth re-accelerates in Q4Drinks division serves up positive surpriseLVMH issues confident 2024 outlookShares in LVMH (MC:EPA) leapt 10% after the world's largest luxury goods group confounded investors? gloomy expectations by delivering better-than-expected fourth quarter organic sales growth of 10%, sending shares in rivals Hermes (RMS:EPA), Richemont (CFR:SWX) and Burberry (BRBY) higher on the

Wine seller?s profitability significantly improvedConfident of a ?positive? 2024 performanceRecruiting new customers remains toughShares in Virgin Wines (VINO:AIM) bubbled up 1.1% to 38.4p after the direct-to-consumer online wine retailer uncorked news of a ?good? Christmas trading period and reiterated its guidance for the year to June 2024 guidance.The stock has soured more than 30% over one yea

London?s blue-chip benchmark surged over 100 points on Thursday, spurred on by US interest rate cut hopes, though the Bank of England and European Central Bank struck more hawkish tones than the Federal Reserve.Between them, the trio have enacted around 1,500 basis points worth of hikes in the current cycle, but it is seemingly the Fed that will cut faster, according to its dot-plot.The BoE?s vote

NatWest share offer mulledAlcohol duty freezePlans to simplify ISAsShares in NatWest (NWG) were down slightly at 205p as the chancellor Jeremy Hunt floated the idea of a share offer.The Government still owns a 39% stake in the UK high street bank. The concern may be that shares will be offering to investors at a discount, acting as an overhang on the share price.PUBS AND BOOZE STOCKS TOAST DUTY FR

The FTSE 100 was held back by miners and oil firms on Tuesday, while other stocks finished on the up, amid a slight recovery for the dollar.The FTSE 100 index closed down 7.72 points, 0.1%, at 7,410.04. The FTSE 250 ended up 14.24 points, 0.1%, at 17,761.71, and the AIM All-Share closed up 0.75 of a point, or 0.1%, at 698.63.The Cboe UK 100 ended down 0.2% at 739.72, the Cboe UK 250 closed up 0.1%

The FTSE 100 outperformed as European stocks struggled on underwhelming China trade data, as eyes turn to words from more US central bankers, after one pushed back on softer interest rate expectations on Monday.The FTSE 100 succumbed to share price declines from miners and oil. Though insurers and retail prevented the blue-chip index from suffering a deeper fall.The FTSE 100 index was down just 2.

London's FTSE 100 opened a touch lower on Tuesday, with gains for Primark owner Associated British Foods and Sports Direct operator Frasers Group offset by declines in oil stocks, miners and RS Group.The mood in equities was subdued, with some hawkish words from a US central banker unnerving investors.Over in Zurich, UBS shares rose despite a swing to loss after it said it has 'stabilized Credit S

Organic growth slows to 9%Fashion and leather goods sales miss expectationsBut LVMH remains 'confident' of continued growthShares in LVMH (MC:EPA) lost 7% to trade at €684.2 in early dealings on 11 October after the globe's biggest luxury goods group posted a third quarter sales growth slowdown as the post-pandemic luxury spending boom continues to fade.LVMH has struggled to lure well-heeled

US equity markets were firmly on the backfoot this week as bond yields moved relentlessly higher with 30-year bonds briefly breaching 5% for the first time since 2007. The cost of an average 30-year fixed rate mortgage touched 7.3% according to mortgage buyer Freddie Mac, the highest in a quarter of a century.Investors were given a brief respite on Wednesday (4 Oct) following a weaker than expecte

Beer, wine and spirits maker Constellation Brands (STZ:NYSE) posts its second quarter earnings on 5 October, covering the three months to 31 August 2023.It has been a landmark year for the company, whose portfolio of brands includes Corona beer, Casa Noble tequila and Meiomi wine, as its Modelo Especial Mexican lager overtook Bud Light to become the top selling US beer brand. This followed a backl

Kingfisher and Hargreaves Lansdown bookended the FTSE 100 and typified a mixed day for corporate updates, keeping a lid on share price progress on the eve of the latest Federal Reserve interest rate decision.There were a slew of guidance cuts, with B&Q owner Kingfisher and fashion retailer Quiz among those cautioning on their outlooks. It was slightly sunnier at tour operator Tui, which backed gui

Deluge of UK profit warningsCost of living squeeze and higher interest rates blamedPuts Bank of England rate decision in sharp focusWith investor focus on the Bank of England and Federal Reserve's interest rate decisions later this week, it is noteworthy how many profit warnings were released on Tuesday.'These profit warnings suggest investors need to be on their guard for the next earnings season