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

Like-for-like sales up 7.3%Cash generation cuts net debtSales growth continues in 2HPubs group Marston?s (MARS) revealed continued outperformance of the wider market with like-for-like sales up 7.3% in the first half and underlying pub operating profit 22% higher at £52.7 million.The shares have performed strongly over the last week ahead of the results, inviting some profit taking today with a f

Are consumers starting to push back on their pricey skinny lattes in response to higher interest rates and cost-of-living pressures?It?s a key question for analysts and investors in Starbucks (SBUX:NASDAQ) after the Seattle-headquartered coffeehouse colossus posted a second-quarter earnings and sales shock, sending the share price plunging close to two-year lows.The miss was bad enough, but slashi

Stock prices in London opened higher on Wednesday, beating Asian peers which trended lower over night, and following a flatter session in the US.The FTSE 100 index opened up 34.20 points, 0.4%, at 8,347.87. The FTSE 250 was up 30.83 points, 0.2%, at 20,443.91, and the AIM All-Share was up 1.94 points, 0.3%, at 778.36.The Cboe UK 100 was up 0.4% at 833.39, the Cboe UK 250 was up 0.3% at 17,713.33,

Markets were sunny at the time of London?s closing bell on Friday, with investors across the pond enthused by renewed hopes for a Federal Reserve interest rate cut.The FTSE 100 index closed up 41.34 points, 0.5%, at 8,213.49. The FTSE 250 ended up 112.21 points, 0.6%, at 20,164.54, and the AIM All-Share closed up 3.42 points, 0.5%, at 771.53.Over the course of the week, they were up 0.9%, 1.7%, an

Chemicals companies produce the compounds used in a huge variety of different industrial and consumer products across sectors which include agriculture, healthcare, technology, aerospace, sports, leisure and beauty.The breadth of the industry?s focus means its fortunes are closely tied to the economy and movements in GDP as well as volatility in raw material prices and energy costs.In 2023 the sec

Operating margins hit double-digits for first time on recordMuch better cash flow ensures AI investment is fundedDividends still seem a long way offAmazon (AMZN:NASDAQ) became the latest tech giant to release quarterly results after-hours Tuesday (30 Apr) and largely beat expectations as interest in AI (artificial intelligence) helped drive cloud computing growth.These were robust results, showing

London?s FTSE 100 hit another record high on Friday, rounding off a strong week with another gain, despite a robust US inflation reading threatening to spoil the party.The FTSE 100 index added 60.97 points, 0.8%, at 8,139.83. It is its best closing level ever, and it earlier hit a record intraday high of 8,146.75.The FTSE 250 was up 222.18 points, 1.1%, at 19,824.16, and the AIM All-Share rose 2.1

Revenue and earnings beat Street estimatesStrongest revenue growth in two yearsFirst ever dividend announcedShares in Alphabet (GOOG:NASDAQ) are set to open at a new all-time high after the Google parent reported strong double-digit first quarter revenue growth, and bested Wall Street profit estimates. The internet search giant also announced it would pay its first ever dividend.Pre-market data ha

Stock prices were up in London heading into the afternoon on Thursday, with Anglo American leading the charge on confirming it was ?reviewing? a takeover bid from its larger Australian rival BHP Group.The FTSE 100 index was up 54.22 points, 0.7%, at 8,094.60. The FTSE 250 was down 20.05 points, 0.1%, at 19,699.32, and the AIM All-Share was up 0.33 of a point at 755.02.The Cboe UK 100 was up 0.7% a

Passengers up 8% year-on-yearPre-tax profit of easyJet holidays circa £31 million£40 million direct impact from Middle East conflictShares in EasyJet (EZJ) gained over 3% in morning trading to 535p after the low-cost airline said winter losses for full year 2024 had been reduced by more than £50 million as summer demand continued.EasyJet now expects a headline pre-tax loss of between £340 and

Markets were gripped on Monday by concerns over how Israel might respond to Iran?s recent drone strike, with commodity prices falling.The FTSE 100 index closed down 30.05 points, 0.4%, at 7,965.53. The FTSE 250 ended down 22.35 points, 0.1%, at 19,698.89, and the AIM All-Share closed down 5.63 points, 0.7%, at 750.28.The Cboe UK 100 ended down 0.5% at 795.31, the Cboe UK 250 closed down 0.1% at 17

The FTSE 100 was lower on Monday at midday as the oil price declined despite high tensions between Iran and Israel, while the FTSE 250 was a tad higher.The FTSE 100 index was down 33.43 points, 0.4%, at 7,962.15. The FTSE 250 was up 12.21 points, 0.1%, at 19,733.45, and the AIM All-Share was down 4.01 points, 0.5%, at 751.90.The Cboe UK 100 was down 0.5% at 795.86, the Cboe UK 250 was marginally d

London?s FTSE 100, the outperformer on Friday as investors fretted over a possible escalation in the Middle East, was the laggard on Monday in the wake of Iran?s strikes on Israel over the weekend, as the blue-chip index?s oil majors tracked crude prices lower.Large-cap benchmarks in Frankfurt and Paris, which fell on Friday, were on the up on Monday. Stocks in New York tumbled at the end of last

US-listed large-caps shone last year with shares in mega-caps, and the ?Magnificent Seven? in particular, surging higher. However, this outperformance only widened the valuation gap between US large and small-caps and left shares in the latter cohort languishing at the low end of historical valuations.Over one and five years, the Russell 2000 index of US small-cap stocks is up 14.6% and 30.5% at t

European stocks reversed course after Wednesday afternoon?s US inflation, but largely clung on to earlier gains, though it was a bearish start in New York as investors re-assessed the interest rate outlook on the back of the red-hot data.The Federal Reserve?s latest dot-plot suggested three rate cuts could materialise this year. Since the March meeting, however, data has been robust and the odds o

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

London?s FTSE 100 was down a tad on Monday morning, with trade lacking in inspiration as investors moved with caution ahead of a US inflation print on Wednesday.The FTSE 100 index opened down 9.32 points, 0.1%, at 7,901.84. The FTSE 250 was down just 0.09 of a point at 19,725.85, while the AIM All-Share added 2.43 points, 0.3%, at 742.48.The Cboe UK 100 declined slightly to 789.88, the Cboe UK 250

The FTSE 100 got a boost in London on Tuesday at midday, thanks to the UK manufacturing sector returning growth in March.The FTSE 100 index was up 23.76 points, 0.3%, at 7,976.38. The FTSE 250 was down 58.37 points, 0.3%, at 19,826.36, and the AIM All-Share was up 0.40 of a point at 743.66.The Cboe UK 100 was up 0.2% at 797.51, the Cboe UK 250 was down 0.7% at 17,220.34, and the Cboe Small Compani