Group posts first-half profitNo news on supposed bid interestGrocery inflation beginning to easeShares in online grocery seller Ocado (OCDO) topped the FTSE 100 with gains of more than 13% to 659p after the company posted an upbeat first half trading statement and confirmed its full year earnings guidance.The update came as retail consultants Kantar revealed the rise in food prices had eased over

Shares closed lower in London on Thursday, as investor sentiment fell on the back of worries over poor US retail sales and fears of rate hikes in Europe.Wednesday's poor US retail sales reading soured hopes of a soft landing for the world's largest economy in the face of Federal Reserve rate hikes, while corporate earnings remain in focus in New York, with numbers from Netflix ahead.In Europe, Eur

Stocks in London were broadly higher at the close on Thursday, as a boost from oil majors more than compensated for several financial stocks going ex-dividend.The FTSE 100 index closed up 26.10 points, or 0.35%, at 7,541.85. The FTSE 250 ended up 109.61 points, or 0.6%, at 20,136.65, but the AIM All-Share, however, closed down 2.11 points, or 0.3%, at 924.56..The Cboe UK 100 closed up 0.3% at 753.

Shares in innovative textiles maker HeiQ (HEIQ) jumped as much as 9% to 92p after the firm revealed it had received commercial backing from German apparel group Hugo Boss.The two companies have signed an agreement to develop and market HeiQ's latest high-performance, climate positive, cellulose yarn, with BOSS investing $5 million in HeiQ subsidiary AeoniQ to help fund its pilot manufacturing plan

First-half results from online groceries business Ocado (OCDO) on 6 July are arguably less relevant than the company's latest deal - a partnership with Spanish supermarket chain Auchan Retail for its Alcampo brand.One reason why Ocado shares had stalled in 2021 after a strong run in 2020 was the lack of international deals to act as a catalyst for the share price, which has now been addressed.Ocad

THIS IS AN ADVERTISING FEATUREBy Orsen Karnburisudthi, Investment Manager, Aberdeen New Thai Investment Trust-The Thai economy has suffered from its dependence on tourism and exports-However, the economy should benefit from renewed global economic activity as tourism resumes and borders reopen-The Aberdeen New Thai Investment Trust is keeping a balance between cyclicals and long-term growthThe str

Shares in online retailer Ocado (OCDO) climbed 2.7% to £12.50 despite the firm posting in-line revenues for the year to 1 December and more losses as it continues to invest in its Smart Platform.Total turnover for the group rose 9.9% to £1.75bn with the UK retail business posting growth of 10.3% while the solutions and logistics business posted growth of 7.8%. The figures were all broadly in lin

Knowing what's on the road ahead for companies can help you make better investment decisions. It can help you form a bigger picture of the potential risks and rewards for certain stocks.With that in mind, we now look at six companies in the FTSE 350 and one of the biggest names on AIM where there are some potential big events in store for 2020.WILL MICRO FOCUS BE TAKEN OVER?Micro Focus (MCRO) has

OCADO (OCDO) £12.19Gain to date: 2.7%Original entry point: Buy at £11.87, 25 July 2019Our 'buy' call on grocery delivery solutions firm Ocado (OCDO) has been tested in recent weeks with the shares demonstrating above-average volatility.Last month the stock sank 20% in short order due to fears of increasing competition from US firms Amazon and Walmart. Last week it rallied sharply on the news of

Shares in online groceries firm Ocado (OCDO) soared by 11.3% to £13.44 after it signed up one of Asia's biggest retailers to its Ocado Smart Platform (OSP).The OSP service encompasses the group's software solutions and automated warehouse technology and looks to provide a solution for companies looking to expand their online groceries offering.Japan's Aeon is just the latest in a series of large

UK stocks opened weaker on Friday following losses in Asia and confirmation that the economy is still subdued after the latest GfK survey showed consumer confidence at its lowest level since 2013.The FTSE 100 index dipped 32 points or 0.4% to 7,384 with miners Anglo American (AAL), Antofagasta (ANTO) and Evraz (EVR) together with money manager St James's Place (STJ) at the bottom of the pile.Groce

THIS IS AN ADVERTISING FEATUREBy Orsen Karnburisudthi, Investment Manager, Aberdeen New Thai Investment Trust PLC- The outcome of democratic elections and coronation has ensured 'business as usual' for the Thai economy.-The US/China trade war has had an impact, with expectations of 3-4% growth now downgraded to just below 3%-There are a number of fast-growing structural trends in the Thai economy

THIS IS AN ADVERTISING FEATUREBy Hugh Young, Managing Director of Asia Pacific Region, Aberdeen Standard Asia Focus PLC China has been in the spotlight for investors, with trade conflict and a slowdown in its extraordinary growth story. But Asia isn't just about China, says Hugh Young, lead manager of Aberdeen Standard Asia Focus PLC (formerly Aberdeen Asian Smaller Companies Investment Trust PLC)

Fallen fashion-to-furnishings brand Laura Ashley (ALY) warns this year's pre-tax profit will 'fall below market expectations' as it rolls out poor half year figures.Already unloved, shares in the Fulham-based small cap slump 9.7% to 5.51p on yet another profit warning, one twinned with poor interim results hurt by the impact of sterling weakness versus the US dollar.Chairman Tan Sri Dr Khoo Kay Pe

London's FTSE 100 sheds 14.6 points to trade at 7,476 early on Friday, ahead of the widely followed US non-farm payrolls release later in the day.Telecommunications networks and services titan BT (BT.A) cheapens 2.8% to 248.9p as third quarter revenues reverse 3% to £5.97bn due to challenging market conditions for its Global Services arm.CEO Gavin Patterson remains confident in the full year outl

The US presidential election on 8 November 2016 matters to UK investors. It could have a significant impact on the value of stocks, bonds, currencies and commodities.Economic strength - as influenced by the president's policies - will also drive interest rates in the US. They are, in turn, highly influential on interest rates elsewhere in the world.We believe a Trump victory would trigger a short-

London markets make brisk start to Friday trade with blue-chips, buoyed by several big-ticket resources firms and solid gains at GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), the drugs giant thanks to UBS analyst upgrades. Early deals propel the FTSE 100 index 48 points, or around 0.7%, higher to 6,876, led by miner BHP Billiton (BLT) (up 3.6% at £15.485), closely followed by oil group Tullow Oil (TLW), up 3.5% at 398.

The top 10 best-performing investment trusts have delivered an average 12.1% compound annual return* over the past 25 years, illustrating the power of investing in the stock market. This is according to new data from the Association of Investment Trusts (AIC).This article looks at the leaders over this period, and the best performers on a 10-year basis. This list of winners can give you a good sta