London's blue chip index ended the day lower on Friday, despite earlier advances, as a weaker-than-expected US employment report sparked fears that its jobs engine might be stalling. 'The [US] labour market is in a precarious position,' said analysts at Wells Fargo, putting the Federal Open Market Committee in a position 'where it will imminently start cutting the federal funds rate.' The FTSE...

Both insurers beat 1H forecasts Dividends also better than hoped Shares up 35% and 45% this year After the disappointment of Beazley (BEZ) cutting its growth forecast yesterday (13 August), it was a good day for investors in insurers Admiral (ADM) and Aviva (AV.) with both firms posting positive updates and raising their dividends more than expected. Admiral shares climbed 250p or 7.5% to...

The FTSE 100 lagged European peers on Thursday, after a perceived 'hawkish' rate cut by the European Central Bank drove the euro higher.Dan Coatsworth, investment analyst at AJ Bell said there wasn't any bad news to cause a minor sell-off.'It's just one of those days where investors reassessed their portfolios given the uncertain economic and geopolitical backdrop,' he noted.The FTSE 100 index...

First-half insurance sales top £2 billionRecord number of cars on coverInterim dividend raised by 39%UK motor insurer Admiral Group (ADM) posted surprisingly strong first-half results and raised its dividend almost 40% by including a special pay-out.The shares jumped as much as 260p or 9% to £30.71 marking a breakout from their 2024 trading range and their best level for over a year. ...

Stock prices in London opened mixed on Thursday while European counterparts were in the green, amid news that the UK economy flatlined monthly in June amid investor caution before the general election in July.The FTSE 100 index opened up 8.31 points, or 0.1%, at 8,289.36. The FTSE 250 was down 41.98 points, or 0.2%, at 20,910.54, and the AIM All-Share was down 0.87 points, or 0.1%, at...

There has never been a better time to be an income investor in UK equities, as payouts for the period from April to June hit an all-time quarterly record of £36.7 billion according to the latest Dividend Monitor from Computershare.Most of the increase was thanks to one-off special dividends, leaving the underlying growth rate at just 1%, but for those clipping the coupons or reinvesting the...

European stocks struggled early Tuesday, though the FTSE 100 managed a slight gain, with the mood in markets uncertain after US tech shares were sold off overnight.The FTSE 100 index traded 5.88 points higher, 0.1%, at 8,287.43. The FTSE 250 was down 57.93 points, 0.2%, at 20,504.64, though the AIM All-Share fell 0.72 of a point, 0.1%, at 771.14.The Cboe UK 100 fell 0.1% to 824.77, the Cboe UK...

A positive run-up to the year-end holidays for London stocks, fuelled by hopes for lower UK and US interest rates in 2024, stumbled early Thursday.The FTSE 100 index opened down 6.54 points, 0.1%, at 7,709.14. The FTSE 250 was down 87.19 points, 0.4%, at 19,541.90, and the AIM All-Share was down 1.31 points, 0.2%, at 750.13The Cboe UK 100 was down 0.2% at 769.62, the Cboe UK 250 was down 0.4%...

Total interim payout down over 50%Chief executive sees market turning upShares accelerate to top of FTSE 100Shares in car and home insurance group Admiral (ADM) raced ahead in early trading with a gain of 7.8% to £23.70 despite the firm cutting its interim dividend due to 'continued challenging market conditions'.Sensing conditions in the car insurance market may be changing for the better,...

Stocks were mixed in London at Wednesday's market open, avoiding heavier declines seen in the US and Asia as insurers saw strong performances.The FTSE 100 index opened up 5.5 points, 0.1%, at 7,395.16. The FTSE 250 was up 31.86 points, 0.2%, at 18,691.61, and the AIM All-Share was down 0.58 of a point, 0.1%, at 749.35.The Cboe UK 100 was slightly higher at 737.10, the Cboe UK 250 was up 0.2%...

While motorists have benefitted from falling petrol and diesel prices this year - helping to offset some of the increased cost of the weekly shop - many are finding their motor insurance quotes have gone through the roof, typically with no explanation.According to the ONS (Office for National Statistics), car insurance prices have jumped more than 40% in the last 12 months, while the ABI...

This article attempts to uncover the least favoured stocks in the UK market. The idea is to identify contrarian investment ideas which have the potential for a strong rebound when sentiment improves.Betting against the crowd when they are wrong is a sure-fire way to make money in the stock market, but it's much easier said than done.Picking individual stocks is hard to get right. Even the...

- Annual dividend cut by 40%- Pre-tax profit down 39%- Company suffers higher costs and claimsHome and motor insurance business Admiral (ADM) produced a disappointing set of results with news of a cut to its dividend hitting sentiment.At least unlike rival Direct Line (DLG) the company is not cancelling its payout altogether and the sell-off was relatively modest with the shares falling 4.1%...

AdmiralInvestors are hoping the insurer doesn't deliver the scale of bad news served up by Direct LineOver the past year, a nasty profit warning by Direct Line (DLG), the cancellation of its dividend and suspension of a share buyback programme have put the shivers into anyone holding shares in the general insurance sector. The company was hit by a rise in claims and an increase in costs...

Insurance company Direct Line (DLG) sparked a more than 25% drop in its share price after announcing (11 January) it wouldn't pay a final dividend due to poor trading which has put pressure on its balance sheet.Direct Line was hit by a combination of extreme weather and higher motor claims inflation which dented profit and caused the company to reassess what it needed to do with its cash.What...

- IWG boss snaps up stock after share plunge- Admiral directors sell stock to pay tax bill- Keystone Law CEO buys nearly £500,000 worth of sharesMark Dixon, the chief executive of Regus-owner IWG (IWG), has bought £1.2 million worth of shares in the serviced office provider. That's the first time he has acquired more stock on the market since investing £91.3 million of his own money as part...

Shares in motor insurance group Sabre (SBRE) and Direct Line (DLG) both slumped heavily on profit warnings on 14 July and 18 July respectively.This has led to selling across the wider peer group and has pushed dividend yields to double-digit levels in some cases. However, there are big risks to consider for investors attracted to this generous-looking income.Sabre is now guiding for earnings...

Darlington-based vehicle hire and accident management group Redde Northgate (REDD) has come a long way in the past few years.From historically being a van sales and rental firm, the group now offers fleet management, vehicle repair, service and maintenance, claims management and even the installation of electric vehicle chargers.By providing its customers, who include large public and...

Despite posting a strong finish to 2021 and forecasting strong trading this spring and summer, theatre operator Cineworld (CINE) is still the most-shorted UK stock according to daily data from the FCA (Financial Conduct Authority).Short sellers are also targeting other companies which are dependent on discretionary spending such as retailers.LIGHTS OUT?Sifting through the FCA data its is clear...

Shares in van hire and legal services group Redde Northgate (REDD) accelerated to the top of the FTSE 250, gaining 7% to 425p after its interim results beat management expectations due to stronger than anticipated trading.FULL SPEED AHEADTurnover for the six months to October jumped 21.9% to £522.9 million excluding vehicle sales thanks to a significant rise in revenues at Redde, reflecting...