Aurora Investment Trust (ARR) 243pMarket cap: £185.3 millionInvestors seeking a value-oriented fund focused on avoiding permanent capital losses first and foremost, while offering exposure to the improving consumer outlook among other themes, should buy Aurora Investment Trust (ARR). Managed by long-term value investment firm Phoenix, the dividend-paying trust?s 10.2% discount to NAV (net asset v

Stock prices in London were up heading into the afternoon on Monday, beating more cautious trade on mainland Europe, as investors shifted focus onto this week?s Federal Reserve interest rate decision in the US.The FTSE 100 index rose 40.94 points, 0.5%, at 8,180.77. It had climbed to 8,189.14, its best-ever level.?The blue-chip index continues to glow and sustain energy that we haven?t seen in the

Canadian General Investments (CGI) £21.70Market cap: £450 millionAn unusually wide 41% discount to NAV (net asset value) presents a compelling entry point into Toronto- and London-listed Canadian General Investments (CGI), a trust with a formidable long-run track record. The cavernous discount provides investors with broad exposure to the Canadian equity market and a winning total return strateg

H1 revenue down 18%Free cash flow improvedCEO sees a ?faster and more agile? ASOSSales at struggling online fast fashion retailer ASOS (ASC) remain in freefall, having plunged by 18% in the first half to 3 March 2024 amid intense competition and the ongoing squeeze on fashionistas? purchasing power and as ASOS focused on reducing stock levels to boost profitability.So why did shares in the fallen

Blue-chip stocks in London were boosted on Friday by a favourable Bank of England interest rate outlook, although mid-caps inched down and trade elsewhere was mixed as New York stocks were largely down.The FTSE 100 index climbed 48.37 points, 0.6%, at 7,930.92, its best closing level in over a year. The FTSE 250 slipped 16.99 points, 0.1%, at 19,724.32, and the AIM All-Share ended down 1.12 points

Blue chip stocks in London were up at the start of Friday afternoon, while mid-caps lost ground, after there were no surprises from UK and US central banks this week.Amongst individual stocks, Phoenix Group got a boost thanks to its 2023 results. Retail stocks were lower on the back of February?s ?downpour?.The FTSE 100 index was up 52.26 points, 0.7%, at 7,934.81. The FTSE 250 was down 18.04 poin

Stock prices in London opened in the green on Friday, following a busy week of economic data and interest rate decisions.Amongst individual stocks, Phoenix Group got a boost on the back of its 2023 results.The FTSE 100 index opened up 39.32 points, 0.5%, at 7,921.87. The FTSE 250 was up 1.50 points at 19,742.81, and the AIM All-Share was up 1.83 points, 0.3%, at 742.47.The Cboe UK 100 was up 0.5%

Equities in London closed lower in a nervy start to the week, with a US inflation reading to come, though stocks in New York traded slightly more confidently.The FTSE 100 index closed down 21.98 points, 0.3%, at 7,684.30. The FTSE 250 ended down 57.64 points, 0.3%, at 19,126.92, and the AIM All-Share lost 1.96 points, 0.3%, at 745.81.The Cboe UK 100 ended down 0.3% at 769.56, the Cboe UK 250 fell

European equities pushed higher on Friday, with Standard Chartered the best-performing London blue-chip, though the FTSE 100?s gains were unable to stave off a weekly loss for it.At the end of the eighth Friday of 2024 so far, London?s large-cap benchmark has only mustered two weekly gains, suffering six losses.The market euphoria following Nvidia?s well-received results suggested a weekly gain wa

Stock prices in London were in the red at midday Friday, though StanChart rose, as buoyant mood in stocks following Nvidia?s earnings began to falter.At midday, the FTSE 100 index was down slightly, 1.05 points, at 7,683.44. The FTSE 250 was down 78.99 points, 0.4%, at 19,184.51, and the AIM All-Share was down 1.34 points, 0.2%, at 748.62.The Cboe UK 100 was down 0.1% at 769.23, the Cboe UK 250 wa

Frasers increases stake to 8.9%Sports Direct-owner a ?strategic shareholder?Opportunity to sell more products via GAME chainMike Ashley-controlled Frasers (FRAS) has shunted its way up the shareholder register at model trains-to-planes maker Hornby (HRN:AIM) as the deal-hungry conglomerate pounces on yet another retail name going through tough times.Shares in Hornby leapt 40.5% to 29.5p on news Fr

UK mid caps are seemingly under siege with a noticeable increase in takeover approaches from overseas suitors in recent months.The latest target is leading UK TV and laptop-to-washing-machine retailer Currys (CURY), providing further evidence that valuations are attractive across the sector argue analysts at Peel Hunt.This week, Currys rejected a £700 million offer (62p per share) from Elliot Par

New £80 million buybackJD Sports warning a recent overhangN Brown stake tops 20%Mike Ashley?s Frasers (FRAS) has launched a fresh £80 million share buyback to address a near-10% year-to-date share price pullback at the retail powerhouse behind sporting goods chain Sports Direct as well as House of Fraser and Flannels.Analysts at Liberum believe shares in the FTSE 100 conglomerate have suffered d

Stocks in London opened higher on Tuesday, with retailers rising despite retail sales growth in the UK slowing, according to the latest data.Meanwhile, BP led the FTSE 100 after news of a new share buyback programme overshadowed more downbeat fourth quarter and annual financials.The FTSE 100 index opened up 63.97 points, 0.8%, at 7,676.83. The FTSE 250 was up 66.54 points, 0.4%, at 19,085.09, and

Stock prices in London opened in the green on Tuesday, as new data showed UK grocery price inflation in January slowed to the lowest level since May 2022.The FTSE 100 index opened up 36.35 points, 0.5%, at 7,669.09. The FTSE 250 was up 67.77 points, 0.4%, at 19,378.93, and the AIM All-Share was up 1.40 points, 0.2%, at 751.68.The Cboe UK 100 was up 0.5% at 765.99, the Cboe UK 250 was up 0.4% at 16

Equity prices in Europe fell sharply on Wednesday, as the prospect of a Federal Reserve interest rate cut in March became less of a certainty and more of a toss-up.While a cut by the Federal Reserve in March still the most likely outcome, the odds of one happening have shrunk in recent days. Futures traders have assigned a probability of 57% that the Fed cuts in March. That probability sat as high

In this third part of our investor survey, we asked some of the UK?s leading fund managers which sectors or stocks they thought were the most promising for 2024.The responses were as varied as they were thought-provoking, with only a couple of managers singling out technology stocks.As before we would like to thank all those who took part for sharing their views, and we hope readers enjoy them. WH

Stocks in London closed mostly lower on Tuesday, as investors nervously eye this week?s US inflation print.The FTSE 100 index closed down 10.23 points, 0.1%, at 7,683.96. The FTSE 250 ended down 99.78 points, 0.5%, at 19,294.02, and the AIM All-Share closed up 1.84 points, or 0.3%, at 752.66.The Cboe UK 100 ended flat at 767.86, the Cboe UK 250 closed down 0.8% at 16,767.71, and the Cboe Small Com

Stock prices in London were in the red on Tuesday morning as weak UK retail data and company updates overshadowed optimism after a tech rally on Wall Street.The FTSE 100 index had opened higher before returning early gains, and edging into the red by 0.29 of a point at 7,693.90. The FTSE 250 was down 85.57 points, 0.4%, at 19,308.23, and the AIM All-Share was down 0.56 of a point, 0.1%, at 750.26.

Stock prices in London returned from a Christmas break by posting solid gains on Wednesday, as the holiday-shortened final week of the year kicked off positively on US interest rate cut hope.Recent data, including Friday?s personal consumption expenditures print, has aided the ?soft-landing? narrative. There is an 87% chance that Fed cuts rates in March, according to the CME FedWatch Tool.The FTSE