The FTSE 100 ended higher on Tuesday, taking heart from positive data for the US private sector ahead of eagerly awaited third-quarter results from some of the largest US technology companies.The FTSE 100 index closed up 14.87 points, 0.2%, at 7,389.70. The FTSE 250 ended down 64.89 points, 0.4%, at 16,994.10, and the AIM All-Share closed down 1.96 points, 0.3%, at 678.45.The Cboe UK 100 ended up

Stocks in London fell at Wednesday's market open, as risk sentiment across the globe took a knock after Fitch downgraded the US debt rating.The FTSE 100 index opened down 62.05 points, 0.8%, at 7,604.22. The FTSE 250 was down 124.34 points, 0.7%, at 18,941.32, and the AIM All-Share was down 1.65 points, 0.2%, at 762.98.The Cboe UK 100 was down 0.8% at 758.24, the Cboe UK 250 was down 0.6% at 16,61

Insurers preferred to banksAirlines out but two-way trade in internet retailHousebuilders get benefit of the doubtIt is always fascinating to see which stocks are the most popular in terms of order flow and value traded, and for anyone who wants to find it this information is freely available on the AJ Bell website, relating to the activities of its customers.BANKS OUT, INSURERS INOver the last mo

AdmiralInvestors are hoping the insurer doesn't deliver the scale of bad news served up by Direct LineOver the past year, a nasty profit warning by Direct Line (DLG), the cancellation of its dividend and suspension of a share buyback programme have put the shivers into anyone holding shares in the general insurance sector. The company was hit by a rise in claims and an increase in costs associated

The common factor across the latest trading updates from the big housebuilders is they are all forecasting fewer completions and land purchases this year.That could spell trouble for the various trades which support the new-build home industry, from legal services to building materials and equipment hire to fitted kitchens and bathrooms.With mortgage costs soaring after repeated interest rate incr

London's blue chips staved off some selling on Tuesday afternoon to stay green as investors continue to cheer the UK government backtracking from its much-ridiculed mini-Budget.The FTSE 100 index rose 16.50 points, or 0.2%, to 6,936.74 on Tuesday. Despite being able to prop its head above the 7,000 mark for the first time in over a week, the blue chip index started to slide towards the no-change m

Share prices in Europe were rising early Tuesday, following strong sessions in the US and Asia overnight, while in London, the reversal of most of the mini-budget measures was continuing to improve sentiment.The gilt market remained in focus. The Financial Times reported that the start of the bond sales by the Bank of England, part of the central bank's quantitative tightening programme, may be de

Blue chip miners were weighing on the FTSE 100 on Thursday, as Anglo American put the sector on the back foot, while New York got off to a green start with Elon Musk dominating headlines.The UK flagship index closed down 1.27 point at 7,627.95. The mid-cap FTSE 250 index closed up 75.68 points, or 0.4%, at 21,159.68. The AIM All-Share index gained 2.61 points, or 0.3%, at 1,058.84.The Cboe UK 100

London's heavyweight mining sector was holding back the FTSE 100 index at midday on Thursday, as a litany of problems including Covid held back production in the first quarter.Meanwhile, THG's downtrodden shares got some relief after the e-commerce company confirmed it rejected recent takeover approaches.Outside of corporate updates, investors are keeping tabs on central bankers on Thursday. US Fe

The latest trading updates from two listed building materials producers - Ibstock (IBST) and Brickability (BRCK:AIM) - shows investors that the market for new homes remains in rude health despite concerns over affordability.Demand for materials is so strong that suppliers can recoup all of their increased costs by pushing through price increases to developers.PRICE-MAKERSBrick and concrete paving

The FTSE 100 closed Thursday's session fractionally lower, off 0.06% at 7,585.01 points, though the FTSE 250 ended 0.27% higher at 22,714.98 as select travel and leisure names rallied, including EasyJet (EZJ), Trainline (TRN), TUI (TUI) and JD Wetherspoon (JDW).The blue chip benchmark began on the front foot, boosted by miners reacting to news from China, but a drop in the oil price and a mixed ba

London's FTSE 100 was flat by midday at 7,585.03 points as investors weighed the risks posed by interest rates and inflation and foods-to-fashion conglomerate Associated British Foods (ABF) dipped lower, while the FTSE 250 crept 0.23% higher to 22,707.35.US stocks were expected to break higher after lurching back into the red in late dealings on Wednesday as investors continued to pore over corpor

In contrast to the housebuilders, who have had a torrid time this month, construction materials firms are enjoying a positive run of form as demand for their products continues to grow unabated.Results today from brick maker Ibstock (IBST) and door and window manufacturer Epwin (EPWN:AIM) both met a favourable response from investors with gains of as much as 4% and 6% respectively.That follows pos

The UK equity market started Thursday's trading struggling for direction despite positive trading updates from companies including Spirent Communications (SPT) and Associated British Foods (ABF).However the performance of overseas markets provided contradictory messages with the US equity markets ending their session on a weaker note, despite treasury yields retracing from their highs.In contrast

London's FTSE 100 finished Wednesday's trading session 0.36% lower at 7,248.89 points as investors fretted over interest rates and oil majors Royal Dutch Shell (RDSB) and BP (BP.) weighed on the blue chip benchmark, the shares off 1.75% to £16.29 and 2.9% to 334.85p respectively.The US Federal Reserve was set to announce its rates decision later on Wednesday, with the Bank of England following on

London's FTSE 100 traded lower by midday on Wednesday, the blue chip benchmark marked down 0.4% to 7,246.42, as nervousness built ahead of two key central bank decisions.The US Federal Reserve was set to announce its rates decision later on Wednesday, with the Bank of England following on Thursday.Overnight, US equity markets were firmer with the Nasdaq Composite edging 0.34% higher at 15,649.60,

Investors appeared to be keeping their powder dry on Wednesday ahead of key interest rate decisions, from the US Federal Reserve later today, and Bank of England tomorrow.At 9am, the benchmark FTSE 100 was trading 0.25% lower at 7256.74, although mid-caps managed modest gains, the FTSE 250 nudging 0.07% higher to 23,156.07.Overnight, US equity markets were firmer with the Nasdaq Composite edging 0

London's FTSE 100 ended Thursday's trading session 0.37% lower at 6,715.42 as early gains evaporated by the close. Hints that lockdown could persist until the summer in the UK sapped sentiment, while the S&P index across the pond traded broadly flat.CORPORATE NEWSIn company news, Sage Group (SGE) jumped 5% to 601.2p as it reported a near 5% rise in recurring revenue for the final three months of 2

London's FTSE 100 edged 0.2% higher to trade at 6,754.1 points by midday as markets looked to build on yesterday's Inauguration Day rally, although the pound's strength versus the US dollar interrupted the progress of the blue chip benchmark.US futures suggested shares would hit new record highs on Wall Street as 46th president Joe Biden gets his feet under the table in the Oval Office.CORPORATE N

A strong year-end trading update form brick manufacturer Ibstock (IBST) helped it top the FTSE 350 leaderboard on Thursday, rising 8.2% to 213p.The company lifted its guidance on earnings following cost cuts and 'strong' performance in the fourth quarter of the year.For the 12 months to 31 December 2020, the company said it now expects to report adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciati