A series of recent announcements from Western brands and businesses have revealed how tough they are finding life in China.While some of this is linked to the uneven performance of the world's largest economy, shifting consumer habits and trends are also at play.On 6 August, Holiday Inn owner InterContinental Hotels (IHG) reported business in China had declined 7% in the second quarter after an 2.

There is a phrase in business ? 'shrink to greatness' ? meaning companies selling or demerging assets and focusing on what they do best.You might call it streamlining, others might say it is an admission that the previous strategy did not work and the company was too bloated.This trend is firmly in motion across the UK stock market with nine companies in the FTSE 100 either in the middle of shrink

First-half operating profit down 3% to £646 millionOffloads communications firm for £611 millionInterim dividend per share unchanged at 15.0pShares in WPP (WPP) were down over 2% to 700p in morning trading as the advertising giant reported disappointing interim results and lowered full year like-for-like guidance reflecting macro pressures and weakness in China.The advertising giant reported a m

Stock prices in Europe were in the green at midday Wednesday, as investors were more confident ahead of New York's open, following the global sell-off on Monday.The FTSE 100 index was up 79.14 points, 1.0%, at 8,105.83. The FTSE 250 was up 177.17 points, 0.9%, at 20,544.87, and the AIM All-Share was up 4.56 points, 0.6%, at 764.23.The Cboe UK 100 was up 1.1% at 809.12, the Cboe UK 250 was up 1.0%

Stock prices in London were in the green on Wednesday morning amid news that UK house prices climbed in the month of July, with shares of housebuilders enjoying a boost.The FTSE 100 index opened up 74.16 points, 0.9%, at 8,100.85. The FTSE 250 was up 148.10 points, 0.7%, at 20,515.80, and the AIM All-Share was up 3.24 points, 0.4%, at 762.91.The Cboe UK 100 was up 1.1% at 808.82, the Cboe UK 250 w

Stock prices in London recovered slightly at the close on Tuesday, after a sell-off early in the week.A sense of calm returned to global markets after fears of a US recession had shaken stocks on Monday.This stemmed from the latest weak non-farm payrolls report, which followed a soft manufacturing reading, and an unexpected rise in the unemployment rate.'Investors will have to wait until next week

Investors can expect some earnings fizz and potentially a round of upgrades when Coca-Cola HBC (CCH) serves up first half results on 7 August.The positive setup heading into the print for the consumer packaged goods group, a strategic bottling partner of The Coca-Cola Company (KO:NYSE), follows forecast-beating second quarter earnings (23 July) and raised guidance from the latter, which controls C

Stocks in London were higher at midday on Wednesday, boosted by retailers ahead of a US consumer price inflation reading.Amongst individual stocks, Tesco led the charge, after unveiling a £1 billion share buyback programme. Other retailers also got a boost on the back of the results.The FTSE 100 index was up 47.65 points, 0.6%, at 7,982.44. The FTSE 250 was up 171.65 points, 0.9%, at 19,935.00, a

Shares down 77% over past yearNet revenue down 2.1% to £873.2 millionFirst share buyback completed in MarchShares in S4 Capital (SFOR) were down nearly 12% to 39p in morning trading despite full year results from the digital media group meeting downgraded expectations.Headed up by former WPP boss Sir Martin Sorrell, S4 Capital reported a 2.1% fall in net revenue to £873.2 million for the year en

Investors looking for continued sales momentumConsensus earnings estimates have been revised upLooking for signs of improving marginsInvestors will be interested to see if sales momentum has continued into the final quarter at global medical technology company Smith & Nephew (SN.) when it reports next week (27 Feb).Running into the Q4 and full-year numbers the shares have started to outperform the

It was a generally positive Thursday for London and European stocks, as markets reacted to the latest European Central Bank and US Federal Reserve meetings.The FTSE 100 index closed up 21.98 points, 0.3%, at 7,684.49. The FTSE 250 ended up 144.53 points, 0.8%, at 19,263.50, and the AIM All-Share closed down 0.06 of a point at 749.96.The Cboe UK 100 ended up 0.3% at 769.77, the Cboe UK 250 closed u

Stock prices had a downbeat Wednesday in London, with investors hoping for greater clarity from this evening?s Federal Open Market Committee meeting.The FTSE 100 index closed down 56.70 points, 0.7%, at 7,662.51. The FTSE 250 ended up 9.34 points at 19,118.97, and the AIM All-Share closed down 3.03 points, or 0.4%, at 750.02.The Cboe UK 100 ended up 0.7% at 767.16, the Cboe UK 250 closed up margin

When Martin Sorrell completed his acrimonious exit in 2018 from the business he had built up over decades he had a point to prove.His S4 Capital (SFOR) vehicle was supposed to leave his former charge in the shade by adopting a similar buy-and-build model to that employed at WPP (WPP).The latter started life as wire shopping-basket manufacturer Wire and Plastic Products before Sorrell and co-founde

£250 million investment into data and technologyTargeting a further £175 million gross savingsShares up 5% year-to-dateShares in WPP (WPP) were up nearly 3% to 802p in morning trading as the advertising giant upgraded its medium-term targets due to cost cutting and structural savings. The structural savings - announced at a capital markets day in London - will deliver annualised net cost savings

Stock prices in London opened in the green on Tuesday, as new data showed UK grocery price inflation in January slowed to the lowest level since May 2022.The FTSE 100 index opened up 36.35 points, 0.5%, at 7,669.09. The FTSE 250 was up 67.77 points, 0.4%, at 19,378.93, and the AIM All-Share was up 1.40 points, 0.2%, at 751.68.The Cboe UK 100 was up 0.5% at 765.99, the Cboe UK 250 was up 0.4% at 16

A big increase in the average takeover premium in 2023 highlights how parts of the UK stock market continue to be undervalued. The average bid premium for UK stocks in 2023 was 51% against 37% in 2022 and 43% in 2021, according to analysis by AJ Bell.Most London-listed takeovers last year involved small-cap firms. Buyers were a mixture of private equity firms or industry players looking to buy riv

The completion of YouGov?s (YOU:AIM) ?315 million purchase of the consumer panel services of GfK (9 January) is a potential gamechanger for the business.Analysts at Berenberg estimate the deal - which was first announced in July 2023 - will contribute £60 million of revenue and £12 million of adjusted EBIT (earnings before interest and tax) in the remainder of the current financial year running

Stocks in London were down at the close on Tuesday, amid disappointing manufacturing data from both the US and the UK.The FTSE 100 index closed down 11.72 points, 0.2%, at 7,721.52. The FTSE 250 ended down 177.83 points, 0.9%, at 19,511.80, and the AIM All-Share closed down 1.77 points, or 0.2%, at 761.55.The Cboe UK 100 ended down 0.3% at 770.31, the Cboe UK 250 closed down 1.2% at 16,966.88, and

London?s FTSE 100 made a tepid start to 2024, with underwhelming manufacturing data from the UK and eurozone doing little to lift sentiment.Equities in New York are called to open lower ahead of a key week for the US interest rate outlook. The latest Federal Reserve meeting minutes are released on Wednesday, before the official US jobs report on Friday.The FTSE 100 index was down 29.34 points, 0.4

Stocks in London mostly advanced on Tuesday as the New Year got underway, with investors digesting the latest manufacturing PMIs from major economies.The FTSE 100 index opened up 21.88, 0.3%, at 7,755.12. The FTSE 250 was down 12.20 points, 0.1%, at 19,677.43, and the AIM All-Share was 1.76 points, 0.2%, at 765.08.The Cboe UK 100 was up 0.2% at 774.07, the Cboe UK 250 was up 0.1% at 17,184.40, and