Stocks ended lower in London on Wednesday, as uncertainty around the outcome of the US Federal Reserve's interest rate decision put investors on the back foot. 'This is one of the most uncertain Fed outcomes in recent memory; Chair Powell's post-decision press conference could generate plenty of fireworks,' said analysts at Brown Brothers Harriman. The FTSE 100 index fell 56.18 points, or 0.7%,...

Stocks in London were in the red at midday on Wednesday, awaiting clarity from the US Federal Reserve over the pace of interest rate cuts. According to CME FedWatch, a 50 basis point cut is the most likely move by the US central bank, though some believe a 25 basis point reduction is in the offing. Elsewhere, the pound perked up, taking advantage of some dollar weakness after a UK inflation rea...

Shares in LBG Media (LBG:AIM) were up nearly 3% at 139.5p in morning trading as the LADBible publisher reporting a strong set of first-half results. Total group revenue rose 55% to £42.3 million for the six months ending 30 June 2024 compared to £27.2 million last year. The multi-channel digital publisher said revenue momentum was strong with organic growth of 29% and a record audience of 494...

Consumer goods group PZ Cussons (PZC) insisted the 'favourable trends' seen in last year's second half have continued into its new financial year as the FTSE 250 firm assured investors it is on track with plans to refocus its portfolio following a strategic review. Unfortunately, shares in the Manchester-based maker of Morning Fresh, Carex and Imperial Leather cheapened 7% to 96p as last year's...

The popular City of London (CTY) investment trust delivered another year of outperformance and dividend growth, marking 58 consecutive years of increases, the longest record in the AIC's (Association of Investment Companies) list of Dividend Heroes. The shares traded down 1.65p or 0.37% to 439.9p, but are within touching distance of the all-time high of 450p reached just before the pandemic in...

Consumer and household goods group Reckitt Benckiser (RKT) is pushing ahead with the sale of its homecare brands according to press reports. The news was applauded by shareholders, with the shares gaining as much as 150p or 3% to a three-month high of £47.60 in early trading. SIX BILLION POUND DEAL The FTSE 100 firm, whose shares have been in the doldrums since March, has begun early talks wit...

London's FTSE 100 opened in the red on Wednesday as investors assessed UK inflation data and looked ahead to a finely-balanced US interest rate call. According to CME FedWatch, there is a 63% chance the US central bank cuts by 50 basis points. There is a 37% likelihood it reduces the federal funds rate by 37%. However, sell-side consensus is backing a 25bp cut. 'Speculation about a more aggress...

Investors responded positively to a mixed half-year trading update from home improvement retailer Kingfisher (KGF) which included weaker-than-expected sales in France but higher-than-hoped pre-tax profit. The shares gained 17p or 6% to 307p making them the biggest riser on the FTSE 100 large-cap index. BOTTOM LINE TOPS FORECASTS For the six months to the end of July, the B&Q and Screwfix owner...

Tech giant Microsoft (MSFT:NASDAQ) has unveiled a 200% hike in its share buyback plans after announcing a monster new $60 billion scheme. This marks a significant shift for the company as it seeks to balance the short-term needs of investors with hefty investment in the long-run future of the business. Data from Visual Capitalist in June 2024 showed Microsoft's buybacks had been just a fraction...

Shares in Warpaint London (W7L:AIM) were on a roll this morning gaining over 11% to 576p as the colour and cosmetics supplier reported a strong first half particularly in UK and Europe. Revenue for the six months ending 30 June were up 25% to £45.8 million compared to £36.7 million last year. GOOD NEWS FOR SHAREHOLDERS Warpaint, which owns the W7 and Technic brands, said UK revenue increased...

Stocks were higher across the UK and Europe at midday on Tuesday, as the US Federal Reserve looks increasingly likely to cut interest rates by half a percentage point. The FTSE 100 index added 62.68 points, 0.8%, at 8,341.12. The FTSE 250 rose 106.27 points, 0.5%, at 21,035.86, and the AIM All-Share added 0.38 of a point, 0.1%, at 744.12. The Cboe UK 100 was up 0.8% at 834.51, the Cboe UK 250 r...

European stocks pushed higher early Tuesday on growing belief that the US Federal Reserve will lower interest rates by 50 basis points on Wednesday. 'Either the Federal Reserve doves are going seriously ahead of themselves, or there will be a big disappointment when the Fed will announce its policy decision tomorrow. Or... the Fed will align with the market and give investors want they want, to...