Investor sentiment improved in London on Thursday afternoon, following words from the Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell which helped soothe market concern over the US interest rate trajectory.While Powell?s remarked did not make the timing of interest rate cuts any clearer, he did affirm they will happen if the US economy continues to move as expected.The FTSE 100 index added 32.56 points, 0.4%,

Considering companies which invest in insolvency litigation cases are meant to be anti-cyclical, winning when the economy goes into a downturn, by rights Manolete Partners (MANO:AIM) should have cleaned up during the pandemic as the number of struggling businesses soared.However, much to the firm's chagrin, the opposite scenario unfolded - tens of thousands of struggling firms were saved from goin

Stock prices in London opened in the green on Monday, ahead of a US government funding deadline and key inflation data, as insurer Phoenix rose after upgrading its cash generation targets.The FTSE 100 index opened up 48.40 points, 0.7%, at 7,408.95. The FTSE 250 was up 27.17 points, 0.2%, at 17,880.26, and the AIM All-Share was down 0.1 of a point at 701.02.The Cboe UK 100 was up 0.7% at 739.62, t

Stocks in London opened on the back foot on Monday, as investors kept a watchful eye on developments in the Middle East.The FTSE 100 index opened down 24.47 points, 0.3%, at 7,377.67. The FTSE 250 was down 37.88 points, 0.2%, at 16,994.85, and the AIM All-Share was down 2.22 points, 0.3%, at 680.71.The Cboe UK 100 was down 0.3% at 736.34, the Cboe UK 250 was down 0.4% at 14,719.69, and the Cboe Sm

Stock prices in London opened lower on Wednesday, as inflation in the UK remained stubbornly high, while heightened tensions in the Middle East also weighed on sentiment.The FTSE 100 index opened down 23.28 points, 0.3%, at 7,651.93. The FTSE 250 was down 130.79 points, 0.7%, at 17,558.67, and the AIM All-Share was down 1.63 points, 0.2%, at 688.95.The Cboe UK 100 was down 0.4% at 764.11, the Cboe

With the departure of several big gold miners from the UK market over the past decade, Endeavour Mining (EDV) saw an opportunity when it was looking to add a stock listing to its existing one in Toronto.Endeavour shares began trading in London in June 2021 and it joined the FTSE 100 in 2022. With the subsequent delisting of the Russian gold miner Petropavlovsk and likely departure of Polymetal (PO

The Government has cut the amount you can make in capital gains before you face tax, and it's taking an axe to the tax-free allowance again next year too.However, some clever family planning can help those who are sitting on gains to protect their wealth from a tax hit, both now and in the future.Most people will have thought about using their spouse or partner to help cut their tax bill, to ensur

It was a sobering week for US investors as some of the recent gains on Wall Street were reversed off the back of weak economic data.The manufacturing PMI (purchasing managers index) reading showed factory activity levels contracting more than expected, while the services sector expanded less than forecast and job openings were lower than anticipated at 9.93 million against the 10.49 million estima

- US telco makes £1.2 billion bet on mobile network- 'Cowboy of cable' John Malone has been an active industry dealmaker- Repairing years of dismal returns unlikely to happen quicklyLoosening UK regulations in the telecoms industry were always designed to allow more industry consolidation, and Vodafone (VOD) sees itself as a major mover and shaker. Not so much as a target itself.Yet Denver-based

Capital gains tax is about to become a big headache for many more investors. Under current rules, individuals have a relatively generous £12,300 of investment gains which they can realise each tax year without being subject to tax.However, the Chancellor has announced that from April 2023, this allowance will fall to £6,000, and then from April 2024, it will be cut to just £3,000 a year. Any ga

Defence business Chemring's (CHG) cybersecurity unit Roke is an underappreciated part of the business, but it may not go under the radar for too much longer. The company's results for the year to 31 October revealed revenue from the division exceeded £100 million for the first time with order intake of £168 million, up 59% year-on-year.Based on previous transactions in the cybersecurity space, w

As 2022 draws to a close amid continuing market volatility Shares has canvassed leading fund managers to find out where they have been finding the best opportunities.Jamie Ross - Henderson Eurotrust (Hne)LOOKING OUT FOR BOMBED-OUT GROWTH STOCKSWe have spent the last 12 months trying to find opportunities within the growthier area of the market - our favoured part of the market and the part of the

Stocks in London were mixed, with the FTSE 100 dragged down by poor performances from GSK and Shell while the FTSE 250 finished up as IWG rose on reports that CVC Capital is attempting to acquire its digital division.The FTSE 100 index closed down 34.85 points, 0.5%, at 7,299.99. The FTSE 250 ended up 218.00 points, 1.2%, at 18,559.57, and the AIM All-Share closed up 1.2%, or 9.76 points, at 824.8

UK financial markets gave their verdict on the victory of Rishi Sunak as the next prime minister with 10-year gilt yields dropping 22 basis points and the pound moving higher.Despite the relative calm unfolding after an extraordinary period of political chaos the UK's cost of borrowing remains higher than where it stood before the disastrous mini-Budget (23 September).The proposed unfunded tax cut

- Firm suffers 'adverse ruling' on 2019 case- First half losses seen at £5 million- Underlying trading well ahead of last yearShares in litigation finance provider Manolete (MANO:AIM) plunged 15% to 213p, close to a 12-month low, after the firm warned it would report a first half loss of around £5 million.Roughly half of the loss is due to the write-down of the full value of one large case and h

Equities on Monday continued to benefit from a US jobs report on Friday that showed the world's largest economy in surprisingly good health, though still suffering from rampant price inflation.Offering potential relief on that front, oil prices continued their steady fall away from $100 a barrel.In London, the FTSE 100 index was up 33.50 points, or 0.5%, at 7,473.24 midday Monday. The FTSE 250 ind

Markets continued to trade cautiously on Thursday, with small moves, particularly for the FTSE 100, amid multiple risk events.These include the possibility of a flare-up of military conflict between China and Taiwan, a UK interest rate decision due at midday, and the key US jobs figures for July set for release on Friday.China's largest-ever military exercises encircling Taiwan began on Thursday,

A dispiriting cocktail of military tensions and poor economic readings was dulling stock market activity on Wednesday, as investors found plenty of reasons to stay on the sidelines.An OPEC+ meeting on Wednesday and a Bank of England interest rate decision on Thursday also was dissuading risk-taking.The FTSE 100 was marginally lower, down 2.56 points at 7,406.55, midday Wednesday. The FTSE 250 inde

The planned takeover of cyber security firm Avast (AVST) by NortonLifelock of the US is in serious doubt after the UK's competition watchdog raised consumer choice concerns and launched a probe into the potential £6 billion cash and shares deal.The UK's Competition and Markets Authority said on Wednesday (16 March 2022) that it plans to launch an in-depth phase two investigation unless the two co

THIS IS AN ADVERTISING FEATURE-Investors will be hoping the year of the Tiger brings better times for Chinese stock markets-The government is taking action to try and boost economic growth and preserve 'common prosperity'-The stock market has diversified opportunities for active investorsThe year of the Ox did not deliver on its aim of wealth and stability for investors in China. They will be hopi