Followers of Bitcoin will have been closely watching the latest ?halving event? in the cryptocurrency which took place on 19 April.For the fourth time, the number of new Bitcoin entering the market has been slashed by cutting the rewards earned by Bitcoin miners by 50%.Mining Bitcoin involves using powerful computers to solve extremely complicated mathematical problems in order to verify transacti

The FTSE 100 hit an all-time high on Tuesday, before returning some gains after somewhat hawkish words from a UK monetary policymaker.The FTSE 100 index closed up 20.94 points, 0.2%, at 8,044.81. The FTSE 250 shot up 200.33 points, 1.0%, at 19,799.72, and the AIM All-Share ended up 5.69 points, 0.8%, at 754.87.The Cboe UK 100 ended up 0.2% at 803.32, the Cboe UK 250 rose 0.9% to 17,156.66, and the

Stock prices in London rose on Tuesday heading into the afternoon, as UK economic data buoyed investors with ?fresh optimism? and helped the FTSE 100 hit another intraday high.Amongst individual stocks, AB Foods was the star of the morning, thanks to a jump in its interim profit. JD Sports also rose, after agreed to buy US sports fashion retailer Hibbett for just over $1 billion.The FTSE 100 index

Deal priced at 21% premiumPurchase is earnings-accretiveUS now 40% of group revenueJD Sports Fashion (JD.) was one of the top gainers in the FTSE, gaining 7% to 126.1p as investors sensed a win-win outcome following the acquisition of US rival Hibbett (HIBB:NASDAQ) for $1.1 billion (£899 million) in cash.The proposed transaction values Hibbett at $87.5 per share, equating to a 21% premium to its

Investors in London continued to show confidence, as stocks at the open on Tuesday added to Monday?s gains, boosted by the prospect of interest rate cuts.The FTSE 100 index opened up 33.06 points, 0.4%, at 8,056.93. The FTSE 250 was up 54.48 points, 0.3%, at 19,653.87, and the AIM All-Share was up 2.14 points, 0.3%, at 751.32.The Cboe UK 100 was up 0.3% at 804.24, the Cboe UK 250 was up 0.2% at 17

Stocks in London started the week on the front foot, picking up strength as Monday?s trading session wore on, to post healthy gains by the close.Gold hit a new high before fading, airlines and miners were in demand, while Entain prospered on bid speculation.The FTSE 100 index closed up 32.31 points, 0.4%, at 7,943.47. The FTSE 250 ended up 128.64 points, 0.7%, at 19,854.58, and the AIM All-Share c

The FTSE 100 rose on Monday morning, albeit not as confidently as peers in Paris and Frankfurt, as investors reflect on a slew of data releases from last week, and look ahead to what could be a key few days for inflation and monetary policy developments.The FTSE 100 index rose 9.70 points, 0.1%, at 7,920.86. The FTSE 250 climbed 68.77 points, 0.4%, at 19,794.71, and the AIM All-Share advanced 4.55

The ISA turns 25 on 6 April 2024 and few would argue that the tax-efficient savings wrapper has been anything other than a raging success story. Something like 22 million Brits have one, attracting somewhere over £700 billion of cash and stock market investments since 1999. In the coming 12-months, ISA investors will save an estimated £7 billion in tax.Hundreds of ISA millionaires are thoughts t

Stocks in London headed into the long weekend on the front foot, outperforming their European peers.Markets in London will now shut for two public holidays, Good Friday and Easter Monday. They will reopen on Tuesday.The FTSE 100 index closed up 20.64 points, 0.3%, at 7,952.62. The FTSE 250 ended up 74.07 points, 0.4%, at 19,884.73, and the AIM All-Share closed up 1.15 points, or 0.2%, at 743.26.Ov

Stocks in London were up on Thursday midday, with JD Sports shares in the FTSE 100 jumping as it outlined its financial 2025 profit forecast, while water utilities struggled.The FTSE 100 index was up 20.39 points, 0.3%, at 7,952.37. The FTSE 250 was up 52.23 points, 0.3%, at 19,862.89, and the AIM All-Share was up 1.29 points, 0.2%, at 743.40.The Cboe UK 100 was up 0.2% at 794.61, the Cboe UK 250

Full year 2024 profits to meet downgraded guidanceSporting summer to boost sales£1 billion pre-tax profit milestone in sightRetailer JD Sports Fashion (JD.) has a spring in its step again, having damaged its hard-earned credibility with a surprise January profit warning pinned on a softer and more promotional Christmas trading season.Shares in the trainers, tracksuits and running tops seller rall

London?s FTSE 100 traded higher after the opening bell on Thursday, despite some share price pressure on water utilities as woes at Thames Water deepened, while JD Sports led the way among the large-caps.The FTSE 100 index opened up 24.70 points, 0.3%, at 7,956.68. London listed mid-caps, however, lost ground. The FTSE 250 was down 25.52 points, 0.1%, at 19,785.14.The AIM All-Share was down just 0

Stock prices in London closed slightly higher on Wednesday, as investors continue to tread water ahead of a key US inflation reading on Friday.Amongst individual stocks, DS Smith rose on the back of takeover talks with International Paper. Diploma climbed, as shareholders were pleased with its £236 million acquisition.The FTSE 100 index closed up 1.02 points at 7,931.98. The FTSE 250 ended up 33.

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

Like for like sales growth slows to 5.8%Big jump in operating profitTough comps in second halfSlowing like for like sales growth at pubs group JD Wetherspoon (JDW) was enough to knock the shares 7% lower to 737.5p, bringing an end to a strong run which has seen them gain 25% over the last year, comfortably ahead of the FTSE 250.Like-for-like sales growth slowed to 5.8% in the seven weeks to 17 Mar

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%

Stocks in London soared as confidence rose that long-awaited interest rates cuts were close after a dovish hold by the Bank of England.The FTSE 100 index ended up 145.17 points, 1.9%, at 7,882.55. The FTSE 250 closed up 256.91 points, 1.3%, at 19,741.31, and the AIM All-Share rose 5.05 points, 0.7%, at 740.64.The Cboe UK 100 ended up 1.8% at 788.77, the Cboe UK 250 rose 1.3% to 17,156.47, though t

Currys (CURY) 60.1pMarket cap: £681.3 millionBuy electricals retailer Currys (CURY) following the washing machines-to-smartphones purveyor?s second full-year profit upgrade within three months (18 March). Currys? latest positive earnings revision demonstrates that self-help measures under CEO Alex Baldock?s stewardship are starting to pay off.And given its UK and Nordics market leadership, the FT

London?s blue-chips went sideways, a mixed showing relative to European peers, as all eyes turned to the US with the interest rate decision imminent.The FTSE 100 index ended down just 0.92 of a point at 7,737.38. It had been 0.3% lower in morning trade, however.The FTSE 250 had a more stellar day, rising 51.59 points, 0.3%, to 19,484.40. The AIM All-Share rose just 0.03 of a point to 735.59.The Cb