UK stocks were broadly flat on Wednesday, the FTSE 100 edging a mere 0.12% higher to 6,720.85 early on, as soaring Covid-19 cases stoked fears that Britain’s third nationwide lockdown won’t be ending any time soon, thus tempering US stimulus hopes. Oil prices rose thanks to the weaker dollar and expectations the incoming administration across the pond will deliver massive stimulus spending ...

Shares in Ladbrokes and Coral-owner Entain (ENT) have plunged almost 15% to £12.06 as US casino operator MGM shocked investors by calling off takeover talks two weeks after its £8 billion bid was rejected. The all-share offer had valued the FTSE 100 gaming and sports-betting company at approximately £13.83 per share, or £8.1 billion. But the deal would have left current Entain shareholders ...

After making a strong start amid optimism over the US stimulus plan, the UK’s leading basket of stocks lost momentum by lunchtime as investors wait to hear what Treasury Secretary nominee Janet Yellen will say later today on stimulus and the dollar. Reports suggest Yellen will call for the US to ‘act big’ on stimulus measures and voice strong support for Biden’s $1.9 trillion Covid ...

Online Gaming entertainment company 888 Holdings (888) has agreed a multi-year extension of its exclusive business-to-business poker partnership with Caesars Interactive Entertainment (CIE), sending the shares up 1.6% to 315p. WORLD SERIES OF POKER The agreement means 888 will continue to power CIE’s World Series of Poker (WSOP) online poker rooms as the company plans entry into new ...

An encouraging update from Premier Foods (PFD) nonetheless prompted profit taking after a stunning run for the shares which have gained 157% in the last 12 months The shares were down 3.7% to 104p as the Mr Kipling cakes and Bisto gravy maker said it expected to post higher annual earnings but also saw a slight deceleration in sales growth. Sales jumped 9% in the third quarter, as people ...

Shares in FTSE 100 mining giant Rio Tinto (RIO) gained 0.7% to £60.14 as it revealed higher production of one of the hottest commodities right now – iron ore. Rio Tinto said its fourth-quarter iron ore production rose 3% year-on-year, helping it to boost annual production by 2%. Output of the key steelmaking ingredient in the three months to 31 December increased to 86 million tonnes, though ...

Online electrical retailer AO World (AO.) reported a surge in sales for the third quarter including Christmas as the pandemic-induced ‘significant increase in demand’ for its products continued to drive growth in the UK and Germany. Yet shares in the clear lockdown winner were the biggest fallers on the FTSE All-Share, off 6.5% to 353p following a fantastic run, as AO World warned it has ...

UK stocks rose in early trade on Tuesday as investors await to hear what Treasury Secretary nominee Janet Yellen will say later today on stimulus and the dollar. The former Federal Reserve chairman’s Senate confirmation hearing will likely serve as the first forum for lawmakers to vet Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion Covid-19 relief plan. There was also a slew of updates to capture the ...

UK stocks finished slightly in the red on Monday after a quiet day with US markets closed for Martin Luther King day, ahead of Joe Biden’s inauguration on Wednesday. The FTSE 100 struggled for direction and closed 0.22% lower at 6,720 points, while the FTSE 250 finished 0.12% higher at 20,639. ASTRAZENECA ADVANCES In corporate news, pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca (AZN) gained ...

UK stocks fell into negative territory at lunchtime on Monday as increasing virus cases offset hopes of economic recovery on a quiet day with US markets closed for Martin Luther King day, ahead of Joe Biden’s inauguration on Wednesday. China reported better than expected growth of 6.5% year-on-year in the fourth quarter. At 12pm the FTSE 100 was 0.25% lower at 6,710 points, while the FTSE 250 ...