- First half sales surge 73%- Ceramics maker flags strongest-ever order book- Dividend increased 57% in show of confidenceShares in Churchill China (CHH:AIM) rallied 4.4% to £12.22 as the resilient ceramic products maker served up strong first half sales with a tasty recovery in pre-tax profits.Despite uncertain economic conditions, cost inflation and supply chain challenges, the Stoke-on-trent-b

Over the past week, directors have taken advantage of their strong corporate results to take profits at a number of well-followed companies including Dechra Pharmaceuticals (DPH), Keystone Law (KEYS:AIM) and Churchill China (CHH:AIM).Dechra chief executive Ian Page and managing director Anthony Griffin took profits on their holdings after the global veterinary drug maker posted strong annual profi

The benchmark FTSE 100 finished higher on Wednesday although weaker-than-expected US ADP private sector jobs data dented investor sentiment took UK markets off earlier highs.The UK index of the biggest shares closed 0.42% higher at 7,149.84, while mid-caps were firmer, the FTSE 250 ending the day up 0.62% at 24,250.83.In August, according to the ADP report, the US economy added 374,000 jobs, softe

The FTSE 100 built on morning gains early in the afternoon session on Wednesday thanks to the promise of a firm start to US trade in New York.The UK's benchmark index had put on nearly 0.9% by 1pm to trade at 7,182.81, with mid-caps also putting on gains, the FTSE 250 up 0.7% at 24,285.61.US stocks are expected to push higher on Wednesday ahead of manufacturing data, buoyed by hopes that interest

Despite mixed trading in Asia overnight, London's FTSE 100 returned to life on Wednesday as summer holidays came to an end with the index up 0.7% to 7,171.68 points early on.Mining was the only sector to struggle after metal prices took a hit, with investors showing greater interest in the oil and gas sector where commodities prices were stronger.CORPORATE NEWSMagazines, books and snacks seller WH

It might not seem like it in the depths of a gloomy lockdown winter, but brighter days are ahead of us. By mid-February the UK hopes to have vaccinated most over-70s, with a large chunk of over-50s potentially covered by the end of March.This cohort should then be much better protected against Covid-19 and that could result in a new spending spree.Getting the vaccine should allow for the gradual r

In the first of a two-part series Shares invites top fund managers to reveal which stocks they were most pleased with in 2020, which stocks they were most disappointed in, and which they have high hopes for in 2021.Their answers reveal an interesting mix of names across the market cap spectrum. Recent float, materials company HeiQ (HEIQ), for example, crops up twice in this set of responses. We wi

Smaller companies are often at the sharp end of positive and negative trends in the market and wider economy.A spirit of entrepreneurship and innovation can help small caps be at the forefront of change. At the same time more modest balance sheets and less diversified revenue can leave them exposed if the backdrop turns against them.In this article we look at some of the key themes which have emer

The FTSE 100 is down 48 points to 7,514 as positive trading in the US fails to cross the pond to the UK. As the pound continues to make gains against the dollar, the overseas earning constituents of the main index feel the strain.FTSE 250 staffer Hays (HAS) is down 2.7% to 197.35p on release of its full year results. The company's pre-tax profits grew by 17% to £238.5m and raised its core and spe

The FTSE 100 dips lower early on after China announced plans overnight to impose tariffs on $34bn of US imports ahead of tariffs of a similar scale due to be imposed on Chinese goods in the US on Friday. The index is down 0.3% at 7,569.26.Supermarket chain Sainsbury's (SBRY) posts a 0.8% rise in first-quarter sales, excluding fuel, against a forecast 0.1% decline.The shares are up 0.6% to 320.6p a

The FTSE 100 opens in positive territory, up 9.45 points to 7,679.22. The UK's leading index has been buoyed by statements from the US Federal Reserve and better than expected Chinese service sector data.Embattled department store operator Debenhams (DEB) crashes 23.9% to 27.08p after revealing its like-for-like sales fell in the 17 weeks to 30 December. In its Christmas trading update, the retail

Forecast-busting 2016 results and another round of earnings upgrades demonstrate ceramic tableware maker Churchill China (CHH:AIM) continues to make terrific progress.Yet shares in the Potteries-based company cheapen 27.5p (2.5%) to £10.73, Churchill's stellar run interrupted by the cautious tenor of the UK outlook.Click here to pore over results for the calendar year from the Stoke-on-Trent-head

Though London's FTSE 100 is around 20 points lower at 6,800 early on, housebuilders are among the main risers, buoyed by indicators suggesting Brexit fears continue to be shrugged off by consumers.The Nationwide House Price Index rose by 0.6% in August, taking the annual growth rate in property prices to 5.6%, and the average house price to £206,145. Also providing a boost is the GfK Consumer Con

The markets appear to be treading water ahead of the key US non-farm payrolls release later with the FTSE 100 up a modest 0.1% to 6540.11. The move follows falls in US and Asia overnight.Financials are under pressure with Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) down 1.9% to 155.6p and Aviva (AV.) falling 0.76% to £13.07 but mining stocks provide some support on stronger metals prices with Rio Tinto (RIO) le

London stocks rebound in early trade on Friday as oil prices reverse declines in the previous sessions and confidence increases that new measures in China can halt recent panic selling. Brent crude rose 1.6% to $34.33 per barrel while West Texas Intermediate increased 1.3% to $33.72 per barrel.Engineering group GKN (GKN) and supermarket Tesco (TSCO) lead the blue-chip pack with 5.75% and 6% gains

The market loves a good narrative. An easy-to-understand story which chimes with people's own experience and the latest global developments can sustain the momentum behind a stock for an extended period.Just look at ASOS (ASC:AIM) - once a penny share, the stock hit an all-time high above £70 in February 2014 as it benefited from an increasing shift towards people buying high street fashion items

The FTSE 100 is up 2.3% to 6,116 points following recoveries in stocks listed in the US and China. The CSI 300 index closed 6% higher at 3,205.64, while the Shanghai Composite Index gained 5.4%.Such strong gains overnight have seen risk appetite return to markets, meaning miners are once again in demand - Anglo American (AAL) gains 4.4% to 693p, BHP Billiton (BLT) adds 3.7% to £10.47 and Glencore

A pullback at high-quality quality ceramics manufacturer and distributor Churchill China (CHH:AIM) presents a buying opportunity. The £60.55 million cap's core hospitality arm has strong momentum at its heels, while industry M&A offers a positive read-across.Stoke-on-Trent-based Churchill China supplies tabletop products into global hospitality and retail markets. Competitive strengths include a

London markets open sharply lower in early trade on Thursday matching the steep sell-off on Wall Street overnight and fuelled by escalating violence in Yemen. In London, financial stocks bare the brunt of investor concerns, with the blue-chip FTSE 100 index losing more than 85 points, or 1.2%, to 6,904.A spike in oil prices - with European benchmark Brent up 3.6% to $58.50 per barrel - follows new

Dig deep at William SinclairInvestors would be forgiven for giving horticultural products specialist William Sinclair (SNCL:AIM) a wide berth, following another profit warning and the turfing out of chief executive Peter Rush. Yet the growing media supplier may be worth putting on deep value watch-lists, having drafted in tried and tested troubleshooter Stuart Burgin as interim CEO. (JC)Perfect pa