Shares News

The FTSE 100 trades higher at the start of the week, with a weaker pound on continuing Brexit uncertainty and renewed US-China trade hopes lifting the index. In early deals the FTSE is up nearly 1% to 7,138.29. Gold miner Acacia Mining (ACA) builds 1.3% to 194.7p, as it swings to an annual profit and forecasts a broadly flat production performance in 2019. Takeaways platform Just Eat ...

Amid all the uncertainty over Brexit and downgrades to economic forecasts it’s heartening to know that behind the scenes companies and consumers are continuing to spend. New figures by the Finance & Leasing Association (FLA) show that asset finance, which is mainly leasing and hire purchase, hit record levels last year. The FLA is the leading trade body for asset, consumer and motor ...

Energy utility SSE (SSE) is now in positive territory, up 0.1% to £11.75, having traded only modestly lower early on despite a profit warning. What’s going on? Two factors are probably at play. One is that the warning is linked to an EU court ruling which has forced the UK Government to halt payments under a scheme which paid the likes of SSE to provide back up power capacity at times of ...

The most popular investment trusts on AJ Bell’s YouInvest platform in the month to 8 February include long-time favourites such as Scottish Mortgage (SMT) and Finsbury Growth & Income (FGT), as well as some trusts investors may be less familiar with. Investment trusts can be a useful option for investors looking for diversified exposure to a range of different companies and other ...

London’s FTSE 100 rebounds 21.3 points to 7,115 on Friday, blue-chips having suffered their worst day in six weeks yesterday, with the upwards move spearheaded by banks and miners. However, Scotland-based energy generator and supplier SSE (SSE) slips 1.75% lower to £11.53 after downgrading its full year earnings forecast following a delay in receiving government support. In a third quarter ...

Shares in high-quality food producer Cranswick (CWK) are coming under heavy selling pressure, marked down 15.6% to £25.02 as the pork-to-poultry supplier reports a 2% sales drop over the festive period. The Hull-headquartered fresh pork, sausage, bacon and poultry purveyor also warns margins are likely to decline next year due to a challenging retail backdrop and higher poultry factory ...

Shares in holiday firms Thomas Cook (TCG) and TUI (TUI) are heading in different directions after the former unveiled a strategic review for its airline division, while the latter shocked the market with a profit warning. On Wednesday evening, TUI warned on profits, blaming overcapacity and the impact of a weaker pound on the purchasing power of UK holidaymakers. TUI also ditched its ...

It is another slow start for stocks on 'Super Thursday' with the FTSE 100 index giving up 0.1% to 7,163 on weakness in food producers, industrials and oil services. All eyes are on the Bank of England with the release of data on inflation, the latest monetary policy committee (MPC) meeting notes and a decision on interest rates all due at midday. Food-service company Compass Group (CPG) is ...

Polymer manufacturer Victrex (VCT) is struggling with the impact of de-stocking and unfavourable currency movements, partially contributing to a weaker than anticipated performance in the quarter to 31 December. Since December, sterling has strengthened against the US dollar and euro amid Brexit progress. The impact shouldn’t be surprising as Victrex has previously stated the stronger ...

Shares in the UK’s biggest housebuilder Barratt Developments (BDEV) continue their recent run of good form adding 3% to 565p on today’s first half update. Total revenues were up 7% in the six months to the end of December to £2.1bn driven by a 4% increase in completions and a small increase in the average selling price. Shareholders are also celebrating the extension of Barratt's ...