The FTSE 100 recorded its longest weekly winning streak since November on Friday, although investors will continue to worry that an overheating economy could lead the Bank of England to pull back asset purchases earlier than expected.The blue-chip benchmark finished the day 0.4% higher at 7,218.71, led by healthcare stocks, up 2.1%. Dollar-earning consumer staples stocks, including Unilever (ULVR)

The FTSE 100 made steady gains at lunchtime to rally to highs not seen since the pandemic crashed stock markets around the world 18- months ago.At 12.30pm, the blue-chip benchmark index had climbed nearly 0.4% to 7,222.08, its highest level since closing at 7,403.92 on 21 February 2020.These highs come as investors continue to hold record levels of equities and pump money into value trades, especi

London's FTSE 100 opened modestly higher on Friday morning, the blue chip benchmark bid up 0.4% to 7,220.1 points following energy sector share price falls earlier in the week, as investors shrugged off a Delta variant linked sell-off in Asia.The more domestically-focused FTSE 250 firmed 0.1% to 23,770.5 early on, while gold made further gains to $1,760 following yesterday's strong producer price

UK stocks continued to fall throughout trading on Friday morning, having been led down by the airlines after the Government's sudden decision to quarantine arrivals from France, the Netherlands and Malta.The new quarantine rules for British travellers helped take the shine off what had been a strong week of stock market gains that were mostly powered by bets of more economic stimulus.Also disappoi

UK markets retreated in early trading on Friday as a surprise dip in Chinese retail sales dashed hopes for a swift post-pandemic recovery. New quarantine rules for British travellers also helped take the shine off a strong week of stock market gains that were powered by bets of more economic stimulus.The benchmark FTSE 100 was down 0.73% at 6,140.24, with investors also treading water ahead of a w

UK stocks opened on Monday to another massive sell-off, echoing the plunge in markets around the world, as investors grow increasing worried about the impact of coronavirus on the global population and economy.London's benchmark FTSE 100 opened about 2% lower before sharply falling further by 8.30am, down more than 5.5% to 5,064.70, going close to beaching the 5,000 mark for the first time in more

The FTSE 100 starts Friday on the back foot, down 0.3% to 7,583.96, as mining stocks fall on worries over slowing growth in the world economy.Aviation services firm John Menzies (MNZS) guides for full year earnings to be at best flat year-on-year after a weaker than expected first half performance. Its shares fall 14.1%.In a first half trading update specialist building materials supplier SIG (SHI

Security specialist Westminster Group (WSG:AIM) is exciting investors as it notes an unconfirmed Middle East project could be worth approximately €24m a year in its initial phase.Its shares have soared 60.1% to 15p on the potential contract whose projected annual revenue is more than the company's current market value. In the year to 31 December 2016, Westminster delivered sales of £4.4m and

On a curtailed trading day ahead of the Christmas break the FTSE 100 is losing some of the momentum which pushed it to a record high yesterday. A (marginal) victory for the separatist faction in Catalonian elections helping to give investors pause for thought and seeing the index dip just below the 7,600 mark.US-focused plumbing and heating products business Ferguson (FERG) continues to enjoy gain

Blue-chips are on the front foot on Thursday, the FTSE 100 trading 34.5 points higher at 7,422.3 with banks and miners to the fore.One of the session's key early risers is packaging group DS Smith (SMDS), which skips 8.7% higher to 482.6p on strong full year results driven by organic growth and five acquisitions for £85m. There's also a confident outlook statement from CEO Miles Roberts, who also

Government security solutions provider Westminster (WSG:AIM) is focused on driving up its revenue as West Africa emerges from the Ebola crisis.In a positive trading update, the company says it is receiving more interest in its airport security operations. Shares are up 7% to 13.6p in response.Improved trading in key divisions and a lower cost base means Westminster can be close to breaking even on

London shares are mixed in early trade on Thursday with blue chips led up by resources and supermarkets. Midcaps ease while several stocks going ex-dividend also acts as a drag. The FTSE 100 index nudges modestly higher, up 3.5 points to 6,266, while the FTSE 250 slips close on 10 points to 17,221.Markets are scrutinising US economic data as traders speculate on when the US Federal Reserve will li

London shares tank in early trade on Friday as Greece is once again thrust into the limelight. Greek prime minister Alex Tsipras has stood down from his post in response to the most recent bail out deal with the rest of the EU, paving the way for new elections and putting investors worldwide into a spin. This, plus fears of a slowing global recovery, saw a big sell-off overnight in the US, with le

The FTSE is trading 15 points higher (0.21%) at 7,022 partly thanks to supermarket giant Tesco (TSCO) rising 1% to 222.9p on speculation that it is on the verge of selling its Korean business.Royal Mail (RMG) dips 1.4% to 493p as full-year resultsincluding a warning about the state of the UK parcels and letters market with the company expecting it to remain 'highly competitive'. Adjusted pre-tax p

A dilutive £2.2 million refinancing at security contractor Westminster (WSG:AIM) via two convertible loan note issues sends shares 16% lower to 24.3p.The deals add potentially dilutive shares of around 10.5 million to the existing 55.1 shares, an increase of roughly 19% on the basic share count.Loan proceeds will be used 'for general balance sheet strength and will support ongoing costs and busin

London shares begin Tuesday trading modestly on the back foot with investors casting a concerned eye towards weakness overnight on Asian markets. The FTSE 100 eases 4.5 points lower to 6,242 in early deals.Heading the Footsie leaderboard is part state-owned Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), which now expects to 'significantly' beat bad loan loss estimates of around £1 billion thanks to sturdy trading

Bovis Homes (BVS) rises 3.4% to 805p after lifting half-year pre-tax profit by 19% to £18.6 million and raising the dividend by a third. Average sales prices increased by 15% to £188,500, ahead of the group's expectations.Oil services group Kentz (KENZ) is now in play after receiving two separate takeover approaches, sending its shares up 25% to 595p. Both Amec (AMEC) and M&W have expressed inte

Fans of security specialist Westminster (WSG:AIM) should get ready to run the numbers on Falanx, a £4 million cap with similar interests scheduled to join Aim on Monday (10 Jun). The group advises corporates and governments on security risks. This contact is used to recommend and provide security solutions including products where the company is the exclusive licence owner.Falanx last month won a

With a barrage of 'sell' ratings on valuation grounds, it would only take a small bit of bad news to stop Whitbread's (WTB) stellar rally in its tracks. The leisure giant has been in a rising trend for the past 12 months as consumers flock to its Premier Inn hotels and Costa coffee outlets. A fourth quarter (Q4) trading statement shows the business to be resilient with 2.7% like-for-like sales gro