Blue-chip stocks in Europe ended lower on Thursday, with a handful of ex-dividend shares hurting the FTSE 100, though there was bullishness in New York, as major benchmarks across the Atlantic hit record highs.The mood in New York was supported by retailer Walmart's first-quarter earnings beat and outlook raise.The FTSE 100 index edged down 7.15 points, 0.1%, at 8,438.65. The FTSE 250 added 47.21

Stocks in London and Europe on Thursday failed to share in Wall Street?s Wednesday triumph, with easyJet and Sage dragging down the FTSE 100 despite a rally at BT.The FTSE 100 index was down 23.84 points, 0.3%, at 8,421.96. The FTSE 250 was down 13.91 points, 0.1%, at 20,761.72, and the AIM All-Share was up 0.98 of a point, 0.1%, at 792.59.The Cboe UK 100 was down 0.2% at 841.60, the Cboe UK 250 w

EasyJet CFO Kenton Jarvis to become CEOJarvis joined EasyJet in February 2021Outgoing CEO Johan Lundgren to leave early 2025Shares in EasyJet (EZJ) were down more than 5% to 498p as investors reacted to the announcement that the low-budget airline's CEO Johan Lundgren is stepping down after seven years in the role.Kenton Jarvis, board member and chief financial officer will takeover from Lundgren

Companies tend to list on the stock market when conditions look ripe for a healthy reception from investors so as to get a deal away at the best price.After a fallow period for IPOs (initial public offerings) in 2022/23, activity appears to be gathering pace buoyed by the FTSE 100 and FTSE All-Share notching up new all-time highs in recent weeks.In an unusual turn of events, London could benefit f

If a person retires before state pension age, and their only taxable income is from a SIPP, how much can they withdraw a year tax free by taking a lump sum and some income before any income tax is due?What are the advantages or disadvantages of taking a tax-free lump sum like this as opposed to taking the full tax-free lump sum in one go?DaveRachel Vahey, AJ Bell Head of Public Policy, says:From

Retail bellwether Marks & Spencer (MKS) may need to deliver a modest ?beat? to the £679.8 million consensus pre-tax profit estimate, along with a reasonably confident outlook statement, when it serves up full-year results (22 May) if the foods-to-fashion giant is to sustain recent positive share price momentum.Led by CEO Stuart Machin, the FTSE 100 company?s turnaround is gaining traction and Mar

Equities on both sides of the Atlantic registered record highs on Wednesday, as a slowdown in US inflation prompted stocks to move higher as Federal Reserve interest rate cut hopes strengthened.Aside from the US data, there was a slew of M&A developments threatening to steal some of the spotlight in London. The owner of the Royal Mail backed a possible bid, while Wood Group said no to a suitor aga

Experian and Imperial Brands pushed the FTSE 100 to an all-time high on Wednesday morning, with London stocks up at midday ahead of this afternoon?s US consumer price reading.The FTSE 100 index was up 21.63 points, 0.3%, at 8,449.76. The FTSE 100 hit a new record of 8,474.41 earlier.The FTSE 250 was up 86.51 points, 0.4%, at 20,705.03, and the AIM All-Share was up 0.28 of a point at 790.01.The Cbo

Full year tops expectations2025 organic growth of 6% to 8% on expanded marginDividend increased by 7%Global data services specialist Experian (EXPN) notched-up a new high and led the FTSE gainers after revealing full year revenue growth at the top end of expectations and a strong outlook.The shares jumped 7% to £37.75 taking gains over the last 12-months to 35%, handsomely outperforming the blue-

Tobacco prices up 8.6%Next-generation revenue up 16.8%Operating profit down 2.4%Shares in Imperial Brands (IMB) were up more than 4% to £19.53 in morning trading despite the tobacco and next-generation product maker reporting a 2.3% fall in first half revenue to £15.06 billion.Investors may have been cheered by the firm's ability to raise tobacco prices and the increase in NGP (next-generation p

Luxury demand slowdown weighsH1 to remain ?challenging?Wholesale revenue seen 25% lowerSlowing demand for luxury goods continues to impact Burberry (BRBY), whose shares remain firmly out of fashion with investors and cheapened 2.8% to £11.55 on the release of downbeat full-year results.And with the share price having more than halved over the past 12 months, Burberry is now ?a screaming takeover

Stocks in London were largely flat at midday on Tuesday, on the back of boosts at Burberry and Vodafone, as hopes for a summer interest rate cut were bolstered by supportive comments from the Bank of England?s top economist.The FTSE 100 index was up 5.85 points, 0.1%, at 8,420.89. The FTSE 250 was up 14.46 points, 0.1%, at 20,574.80, and the AIM All-Share was little changed at 786.60.The Cboe UK 1

Like-for-like sales in positive territoryThird consecutive upgrade in 2024Shares trading above Elliott?s top bidRebuffing a takeover bid can heap pressure aplenty on a board, so the fact electricals retailer Currys (CURY) has upgraded profit guidance in the wake of batting off foreign interest is helpful to management?s credibility.Shares in the washing machines-to-smartphones seller sparked up 9.

Activist Elliott halves stakeDiscount to NAV narrowed to 6%Elliott maintains big holdingActivist investors usually prepare for a long and hard-fought battle when targeting underperforming companies and management teams. It must therefore be rather pleasing when events conspire to allow a profitable early partial exit.That seems to be the case for Elliott Investment Management after the investor re

London stocks were mixed at midday on Monday, ahead of Wednesday?s US consumer price reading, though analysts believe potential London floats by Shein and Raspberry Pi could be a game-changer for UK-listed equities.The FTSE 100 index was up 7.05 points, 0.1%, at 8,440.61. The FTSE 250 was down 33.65 points, 0.2%, at 20,611.59, and the AIM All-Share was down 0.45 points, 0.1%, at 789.42.The Cboe UK

London stocks were up at midday on Friday, on the back of an interest rate hold from the Bank of England and a better-than-expected gross domestic product reading from the Office for National Statistics.The FTSE 100 index was up 66.70 points, 0.8%, at 8,448.05, after hitting a record high 8,455.77 earlier. The FTSE 250 was up 163.86 points, 0.8%, at 20,695.16, and the AIM All-Share was up 5.05 poi

Customer numbers growingFull-year guidance confirmedShares fall on ad revenue forecastInvestors in property portal Rightmove (RMV) must be getting used to the market taking a glass-half-empty view of the business, with today?s trading update a prime example.Despite positive news on users and advertisers, the shares have been knocked to the bottom of the FTSE 100 performance table with a loss of 32

Q1 revenue and profit ahead of expectationsBut Q2 outlook falls shortGrowth to pick up ahead of busy summerGlobal vacation booking platform Airbnb (ABNB:NASDAQ) saw its shares drop 8% in the pre-market despite revealing its most profitable quarter ever with net income more than doubling to $264 million, comfortably ahead of analysts? estimates of $152 million.Good news was tempered by a weak outlo

Group revenue down 7%Studios revenue down 16%Shares up 20% this yearShares in ITV (ITV) gained nearly 2% in morning trading despite the free-to-air broadcaster reporting a 7% fall in total revenue to £887 million for the three months to 31 March 2024.A ?sore point? for the free-to-air broadcaster came from ITV Studios which reported a 16% fall in total revenue to £382 million in the first quarte

I have a SIPP worth just over £1.5 million. I have previously applied for fixed protection 2014 and understand that this means my tax-free cash allowance is higher than normal.I am aged 73 and as yet haven?t touched the funds. Furthermore, I am not proposing to take any income in near future, instead I am taking income from my ISAs. What is the downside of crystalising a chunk of the SIPP and may