Stocks in London were in the red at Tuesday midday, while the CAC 40 in Paris and the DAX 40 in Frankfurt were in the green, ahead of US trade balance data.The FTSE 100 index was down 23.05 points, 0.3%, at 8,226.61. The FTSE 250 was down 98.05 points, 0.5%, at 20,514.60, and the AIM All-Share was down 0.88 points, 0.1%, at 728.07.The Cboe UK 100 was down 0.3% at 824.19, the Cboe UK 250 was down 0

London's blue chip index was up milder than its peers in Paris and Frankfurt at Monday midday, as UK service sector growth for December was softer than anticipated.As well as Monday's composite and services PMI readings, the first full trading week of 2025 has various jobs data releases from the US culminating in Friday's nonfarm payrolls.More than half of UK companies plan to raise prices by earl

The FTSE 100 closed up on Monday, boosted by blue-chip oil firms responding positively to the ousting of long-standing Syrian ruler Bashar al-Assad.The FTSE 100 index closed up 43.47 points, 0.5%, at 8,352.08. The FTSE 250 ended down 9.73 points at 21,049.27, and the AIM All-Share closed up 2.63 points, 0.4%, at 740.85.The Cboe UK 100 ended up 0.5% at 838.25, the Cboe UK 250 closed up 0.1% at 18,5

London's FTSE 100 traded in the green around midday on Monday amid fresh optimism for a growth boost for the world's second-largest economy.The FTSE 100 index traded up 33.66 points, 0.4%, at 8,342.27. The FTSE 250 was down 35.97 points, 0.2%, at 21,023.03, and the AIM All-Share was up 1.82 points, 0.3%, at 740.04.The Cboe UK 100 was 0.4% higher at 837.61, the Cboe UK 250 was down 0.1% at 18,523.0

European stocks opened in the green at the start of the week, boosted by an announcement from China's top leadership which aims to aid the Asian nation's shaky economy.The FTSE 100 index traded up 26.17 points, 0.3%, at 8,334.78. The FTSE 250 was up 36.75 points, 0.2%, at 21,095.75, and the AIM All-Share was up 2.55 points, 0.4%, at 740.77.The Cboe UK 100 was 0.4% higher at 837.24, the Cboe UK 250

Stocks in London continued on their losing streak on Wednesday, as risk appetite was curbed by the upcoming UK budget, and the US presidential election.The FTSE 100 index closed down 47.90 points, or 0.6%, at 8,258.64. The FTSE 250 ended down 119.72 points, or 0.6%, at 20,829.93, and the AIM All-Share lost 5.03 points, 0.7%, at 729.13.The Cboe UK 100 closed down 0.6% at 826.94 on Wednesday, the Cb

London's FTSE 100 was on course to extend its losing run to four at midday on Wednesday as US election and UK budget jitters knocked the mood.US interest rate concerns are also hanging over equities. Traders have fretted over a slower than hoped Federal Reserve rate cutting path, putting pressure on equity and bond prices.The odds of a rate hold by the Federal Reserve next month have increased to

London's FTSE 100 moved higher in early trade on Wednesday, boosted by some strong corporate updates, while the dollar marched on as a tempering of US interest rate cut zeal continued.The FTSE 100 index traded up 13.14 points, 0.2%, at 8,319.68. The FTSE 250 was up 26.44 points, or 0.1%, at 20,976.09, and the AIM All-Share added 0.61 of a point, 0.1%, at 734.77.The Cboe UK 100 was up 0.1% at 832.8

Stocks in London were lacking direction by Tuesday's close, but managed to claw back lost ground form earlier in the day, as the International Monetary Fund took a brighter view of the UK's prospects.The FTSE 100 index closed down 11.70 points, or 0.1%, at 8,306.54. The FTSE 250 ended up 43.05 points, or 0.2%, at 20,949.65, and the AIM All-Share lost 0.79 of a point, 0.1%, at 734.16.The Cboe UK 10

Despite the strong market reaction to results from the US banks last week, we can't see investors getting quite so excited when the UK's biggest financial institutions unveil their latest earnings over the coming weeks.As usual, the country's largest mortgage lender Lloyds Banking Group (LLOY) gets proceedings under way with its third-quarter trading update on Wednesday 23 October.Although it post

The defensive lean to London's FTSE 100 index served it well on Tuesday, as tensions mounted in the Middle East amid reports that Iran is planning an imminent missile attack on Israel.The FTSE 100 index ended up 39.70 points, 0.5%, at 8,276.65. The FTSE 250 closed 112.46 lower, 0.5%, at 20,940.73, and the AIM All-Share shed 3.63 points, 0.5%, at 736.80.The Cboe UK 100 ended 0.5% higher at 828.74 o

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