European stocks had an unexpectedly muted reaction to the surprise acceleration of US consumer price inflation on Tuesday.The FTSE 100 index closed up 78.58 points, 1.0%, at 7,747.81. The FTSE 250 ended up 35.12 points, 0.2%, at 19,565.21, and the AIM All-Share closed down 0.23 of a point at 738.04.The Cboe UK 100 ended up 1.0% at 775.93, the Cboe UK 250 closed up 0.3% at 16,970.72, and the Cboe S

The FTSE 100 was outperforming its European peers at midday Tuesday, after market sentiment got a boost from UK employment data, which has raised the chances of a Bank of England interest rate cut.A red-hot US consumer price rise could undo all of that progress, however. According to FXStreet cited consensus, the US annual consumer price inflation rate is expected to have remained at 3.1% in Febru

With cash savings rates approaching 5% if you're prepared to lock your money away for a few years, investors are starting to ask if this is a better place for their savings than taking the risk of investing in the stock market.Over the past decade or so, income funds have been popular investments as they've offered more generous yields than you'd get on cash. Now the Bank of England's base rate ha

The FTSE 350 index finished a volatile third quarter to September 2022 down 4.5% amid continuing worries over stubbornly high inflation and rising rates as well as geopolitical instability.A slew of profit warnings, notably from consumer stocks, and a sell-off following the mini-Budget, capped off a testing quarter for investors.Stocks that performed strongly ranged from companies receiving bids t

COP26 reinforced the move away from gas, coal and oil, while the energy crisis this year has partly been caused by the unpredictability of renewables - with less windy weather leading to a lower contribution from wind power.The solution to the intermittent nature of renewable energy supply is energy storage, providing a reliable means of storing up energy to smooth out periods when the sun isn't s

UK stocks extended losses on Tuesday afternoon as the economic realities of paying for the pandemic loomed large after the government hiked taxes to pay for increased costs in the NHS.A new social care tax of 1.25% will be levied on individuals and businesses while investors earnings more than the £2,000 a year tax free limit from dividends will pay an extra 1.25%.At the close the FTSE 100 index

UK stocks remained in the red Tuesday lunchtime giving back some of yesterday's gains as investors awaited the reopening of US markets following Monday's Labor Day holiday. At 12pm the FTSE 100 index of leading shares was down 0.3% at 7,166 points.COMPANY NEWSPackaging firm DS Smith (SMDS) released a trading update ahead of today's annual general meeting showing strong growth in volumes against la

After a strong start to the week, UK stocks gave back some ground in early trading on Tuesday with the FTSE 100 index shedding 16 points or 0.25% to 7,171 points.The move came as the MSCI World Index racked up its eighth consecutive day of gains to post another record high at 3,172.5 points, as investors continue to bet on central banks supporting markets with easy money policies.Sterling traded s

UK shares picked themselves up in early trade after a two-day plunge with leading stocks given a helping hand by a better than forecast first quarter GDP reading. The data showed the UK contracted by 1.5% in the lockdown-hit opening months to the year, compared to the 1.6% decline forecast.A stronger sign of recovery was news that the economy actually grew 2.1% in March, instead of the 1.5% expect

UK stocks traded higher on Friday, buoyed by Brexit deal hopes and growing confidence that a US stimulus deal would be approved.At the close the FTSE 100 was up 40 points or 0.7% to 6,019, back above the 6,000 level for the first time in more than three weeks. Gains were broad-based with nearly four sectors up for every sector which lost ground.Top gainers were aerospace, mining and tech hardware

UK stocks traded higher on Friday, buoyed by Brexit deal hopes and growing confidence that a US stimulus deal would be approved.At midday the FTSE 100 was up 40 points or 0.7% to 6,018, lifted by buying across most sectors. Property stocks were well bid, along with miners and energy producers. Utilities and house builders were weaker after their recent out-performance.Sterling was steady at $1.294

UK stocks opened higher on Friday, buoyed by Brexit deal hopes and a US stimulus deal passing, and despite rising Covid-19 cases and worries of the introduction of further measures to restrict the spread of the virus.Official data showed the UK economy growing at a slower than expected rate of 2.1% for the third quarter.At 9am the FTSE 100 was 0.4% higher at 6,000 points.In China the Shanghai SE C

UK stocks traded largely unchanged at the close on Friday as investors shrugged off better than expected US non-farm payroll figures and a slew of positive earnings surprises from companies.At 4.35pm the benchmark FTSE 100 index inched up 5 points to 6,032 as weakness in banks, energy stocks and mining firms offset a strong performance by companies reporting earnings.WINNERSGeneric drugs company H

UK stocks traded marginally lower on Friday as investors mulled growing trade tensions and markets awaited the latest US non-farm payroll figures for an insight into the world's leading economy.At midday the benchmark FTSE 100 index edged down 5 points to 6,022 as weakness in banks and energy stocks offset a strong performance by companies reporting earnings.WINNERSGeneric drugs company Hikma Phar

It was a slow start to trading in shares on Friday as rising Covid-19 cases and US-China tensions dented sentiment at the end of a week marked by largely upbeat quarterly earnings and improving economic data.The benchmark FTSE 100 opened a fraction lower in subdued trading, nudging 0.03% lower to 6,025.37, but remains on course for its first weekly gain in three as investors bet on more stimulus t

London's FTSE 100 jumped 2% to 6,110 points on Tuesday following on from gains across Asia on speculation of coordinated stimulus from global central banks and governments.Brent crude gained 5% to $36 a barrel paring back yesterday's brutal falls while the pound was steady against the US dollar trading at $1.31.In corporate news, events and publishing company Informa (INF) gained 4% 580p after rep

The world's largest inter-dealer broker TP Icap (TCAP) reported a 17% jump in third-quarter revenue to £478m as it benefited from increased trading activity due to global trade frictions and Brexit worries, pushing the shares up 6% to a new 12-month high of 366p.Chief executive Nicolas Breteau commented, 'today's strong trading update demonstrates that TP ICAP's trading portfolio is well placed t

Following a sharp decline yesterday as weak company earnings took their toll, the FTSE 100 has rebounded somewhat this morning.The UK's benchmark index opened 0.35%, or 33.7 points, higher to 7,282.08 as investors start the day in a more optimistic mood.EVRAZ UP DESPITE FLAT SALESThat optmisim has been shared by investors in steelmaking and mining company Evraz (EVR), which has moved 0.84% higher

The FTSE 100 was down a handful of points at 7,179.26 as optimism over trade talks between the US and China was outweighed by strength in sterling.The pound moved higher after a meeting between prime minister Boris Johnson and his Irish counterpart Leo Varadkar on Thursday raised hopes of a Brexit deal.Owner of airline Jet2 Dart Group (DTG:AIM) gained 13.2% to £10.58 as it increased its profit gu

Global broking firm TP ICAP (TCAP) has produced a positive surprise with its full year earnings, sending the shares up 5% to 319p.While the headline numbers show a sharp drop in profits due to a goodwill writedown, on an underlying basis both operating and pre-tax profits were up 5% to £276m and £245m respectively.The firm, which is the result of a takeover of ICAP by rival Tullet Prebon, gets t