The FTSE 100 started poorly on Thursday, despite Wednesday?s record closes across the pond, as Sage Group and easyJet offset a boost from BT.The FTSE 100 index opened down 31.09 points, 0.4%, at 8,414.71. The FTSE 250 was up 34.30 points, 0.2%, at 20,809.93, and the AIM All-Share was up 0.2 of a point at 791.81.The Cboe UK 100 was down 0.3% at 840.90, the Cboe UK 250 was up 0.3% at 18,152.47, and

Discounts and premiums to NAV (net asset value), which is the value of all the investments an investment trust holds minus any debt or loans, are among the trust universe?s unique quirks and can confuse novice investors. At the moment the vast majority of trusts trade at a discount.Annabel Brodie-Smith, the AIC?s (Association of Investment Companies) communications director, says: ?Only around 20

The cost of going to university has ballooned, and it means the average graduate leaves university with around £50,000 worth of debt. That?s a large sum to pay off, and the way the student loan system has changed means that many people will have this debt for 40 years before it?s wiped out.The debt doesn?t work like typical debt, as you only repay it once you earn more than a set threshold ? mean

This is the first in a series of articles focused on the fundamentals of investing. Don?t worry if you are relatively new to investing because the series starts at the very beginning and explains what investing is, how it works and is intended to provide a useful framework for thinking about investing.The series is not exclusively for beginners and later on it will include more advanced features s

Copper is already one of the most important materials underpinning human civilisation, and the energy transition is only likely to see demand for the industrial metal build in the years to come.Limits and pressures on supply and this growing demand profile are already seeing copper prices mount a charge and recent M&A activity ? with BHP?s (BHP) unsuccessful (for now) attempt to take over Anglo Am

This year has been a struggle for Intel (INTC:NASDAQ) ? investors don?t seem to be buying the optimism the chip firm has spun around its PC and data centre business, while it has thus far failed miserably when it comes to convincing the market it hasn?t missed the AI (artificial intelligence) boat.Data from Sharepad shows Intel is the second-worst performer on the S&P 500 in 2024, down nearly 40%

3i Infrastructure (3IN) 342.5pGain to date: 8.7% When we recommended buying into private equity firm 3i Infrastructure (3IN) last summer at 315p we flagged the undervaluation of its portfolio, as shown by the sale of Dutch waste treatment and recycling firm Attero for more than 30% above its most recent valuation and 2.7 times the purchase price.We stuck with our call even when the shares dipped t

It was the best performing stock in the ranks of the FTSE 350 by some distance in 2023, and aircraft engine-maker Rolls-Royce?s (RR.) share price has started 2024 in fine fettle to trade above pre-pandemic levels.There is no doubt Tufan Erginbilgiç has brought real seriousness to the business of turning around a company which had been struggling for years even before Covid grounded planes a

As Dinah Washington used to sing, what a difference a day makes, although its relevance to central bank meetings and stock markets was probably the last thing on the great jazz musician's mind.While there was no change in official UK interest rates at the latest Bank of England MPC (Monetary Policy Committee) meeting, there was plenty of chatter around governor Andrew Bailey's distinction between

Investors got seriously spooked back in February 2024 when Palo Alto Networks (PANW:NASDAQ) lowered revenue and billings guidance for fiscal year 2024 (to 31 May), causing analysts to lower forecasts and price targets. Palo Alto stock tanked, losing nearly 30% in a day, a savage reckoning after running hot since the start of 2023. That?s been a problem. Equity markets can get carried away when a s

Experian and Imperial Brands pushed the FTSE 100 to an all-time high on Wednesday morning, with London stocks up at midday ahead of this afternoon?s US consumer price reading.The FTSE 100 index was up 21.63 points, 0.3%, at 8,449.76. The FTSE 100 hit a new record of 8,474.41 earlier.The FTSE 250 was up 86.51 points, 0.4%, at 20,705.03, and the AIM All-Share was up 0.28 of a point at 790.01.The Cbo

1H trading above expectationsUS infrastructure a big driverShares top their decade-old highSpecialist geotechnical contractor Keller Group (KLR) sparked a stampede to buy its shares after it published an upbeat trading statement ahead of today?s AGM (annual general meeting).The stock price leapt 178p or 15.7% to a new all-time high of £13.14, surpassing the previous high struck more than a decade

THIS IS AN ADVERTISING FEATURE By Melissa Gallagher, Head of Investment Trusts, BlackRock ?During tough economic conditions, the pie gets smaller. If customers don?t have a compelling reason to buy a product, they won?t.?While the outlook for this year?s ISA season is less grim than it was 12 months ago, there are still headwinds for markets in the year ahead. The UK slipped into recession at the

London Stocks started strong on Wednesday, with strong results from Experian offsetting a poor performance at Burberry, as investors await the afternoon?s US consumer price index reading.Amongst individual stocks, Experian jumped as shareholders celebrated higher revenue and profit. Burberry fell, however, as it warned of a tough start to its new financial year.The FTSE 100 index opened up 40.31 p

The FTSE 100 ended higher in London, with hope of UK interest rate cuts in the summer picking up, while US stocks were largely higher despite an inflation caution from the Federal Reserve chair.Investors also had a trade war worries to contend with, as the US slapped tariffs on billions worth of Chinese imports, including in the electric vehicle and chip spaces.The FTSE 100 index rose 13.14 points

Value market challengingHigh street market competitive for B2B salesOverheads increased by £1.3 millionShares in On The Beach (OTB) fell as much as 9% to 151p in morning trading as the online package holiday provider?s first-half results showed it is feeling the pressure from the cost-of-living crisis and competition on the UK High Street.It was not all ?doom and gloom? however, as the beach holi

THIS IS AN ADVERTISING FEATURE Magnificent businesses are not confined to the US. In this article, Imran Sattar, Portfolio Manager of the Trust, explains why there are reasons for investors to be optimistic about the UK stock market despite the well documented headwinds, including the fact there are many companies with high returns and good growth prospects.I was appointed portfolio manager of

Stocks in London started off steady on Tuesday, with Vodafone leading the FTSE 100 on the back of better-than-expected annual results, as new data showed a slight increase in the UK unemployment rate.The FTSE 100 index opened up 9.70 points, 0.1%, at 8,425.78. The FTSE 250 was up 20.22 points, 0.1%, at 20,580.56, and the AIM All-Share was down 1.15 points, 0.2%, at 785.11.The Cboe UK 100 was up 0.

Activist Elliott halves stakeDiscount to NAV narrowed to 6%Elliott maintains big holdingActivist investors usually prepare for a long and hard-fought battle when targeting underperforming companies and management teams. It must therefore be rather pleasing when events conspire to allow a profitable early partial exit.That seems to be the case for Elliott Investment Management after the investor re

London?s FTSE 100 and its blue-chip peers in Paris and Frankfurt hit record highs on Friday, riding a wave of interest rate optimism, though it was a slightly more cautious start in New York, where stocks traded mixed.The FTSE 100 index closed up 52.41 points, 0.6%, at 8,433.76, after hitting a record high 8,455.77 earlier. The FTSE 250 ended up 114.08 points, 0.6%, at 20,645.38, and the AIM All-S