Stocks in London opened in the red on Tuesday morning, after the Bank of Japan decided to end its negative interest rate policy.Amongst individual stocks, Unilever jumped after it announced job cuts, as well as the split off of its ice cream division.The FTSE 100 index opened down 1.42 points at 7,721.13. The FTSE 250 was down 12.40 points, 0.1%, at 19,474.13, and the AIM All-Share was down 0.13 o

Bank has solid capital ratiosOutcome of FCA probe unknownMotor finance is big businessMerchant bank Close Brothers (CBG) finally delivered the news market-watchers had been expecting for weeks, namely that it was canceling its dividend for the current financial year and could suspend all payouts going forward.Even though the announcement was no surprise, it didn?t stop the shares falling 16% to 33

Stock prices in London were higher on Thursday morning on news the UK has officially entered a mild recession, raising Bank of England interest rate cut hope.The economic figures could also carry political significance, as the UK prime minister faces a pair of by-election tests.On the corporate front, results from British Gas owner Centrica impressed. Among mid-caps Genus plunged on a China warnin

Having hammered the insurance industry for its practice of ?walking up? renewal prices for existing car and home policyholders, the FCA (Financial Conduct Authority) has a new target in its sights ? the motor finance market.Firms which generate revenue from providing motor finance include Close Brothers (CBG), Inchcape (INCH), S&U (SUS) and Secure Trust Bank (STB).In 2021, the regulator banned com

When Lloyds Banking (LLOY) announced three years ago it would start paying quarterly dividends, its reasoning was it wanted to provide 'a more regular flow of income' to its army of retail shareholders.By the bank's estimate it had around 2.4 million shareholders at the time, of which 'the vast majority' were small investors.The question we have is, has this legion of shareholders received a good

Special situation funds should, in theory, be busy making new investments in the current market environment. Their strategy includes finding unloved stocks which could either bounce back thanks to corporate self-help measures or the market eventually spots hidden value within a business which then attracts more buyers for the shares.Given how so many stocks have slumped in value this year - many f

The UK's major shares closed Friday fractionally in the red but held above 7,000 in a relatively quiet end to the trading week.The benchmark FTSE 100 nudged 0.02% lower to close at 7,018.05 after strong UK retail sales data and a preliminary reading of the UK Composite Purchasing Managers' Index hit its highest level since it was launched in 1998 at 62.0, matching the forecast in a Reuters poll of

The UK's major shares drifted into the red by midday on Friday on profit taking and more inflation worries after a gauge of British economic growth hit its highest level on record in May.The benchmark FTSE 100 nudged 0.09% lower to 7,013.61 after a preliminary reading of the UK Composite Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) hit its highest level since it was launched in 1998 at 62.0, matching the fore

London's FTSE 100 was broadly flat on Friday, the blue chip benchmark off 0.22% to 7,004.45 points early doors despite news of very strong UK retail sales last month, boosted by non-essential retailers being allowed to reopen on 12 April.Bitcoin's extreme volatility this week has only added to existing worries like inflation and the pandemic, which have impeded the progress of equity markets so fa

London's FTSE 100 ended Thursday's trading session 0.37% lower at 6,715.42 as early gains evaporated by the close. Hints that lockdown could persist until the summer in the UK sapped sentiment, while the S&P index across the pond traded broadly flat.CORPORATE NEWSIn company news, Sage Group (SGE) jumped 5% to 601.2p as it reported a near 5% rise in recurring revenue for the final three months of 2

London's FTSE 100 edged 0.2% higher to trade at 6,754.1 points by midday as markets looked to build on yesterday's Inauguration Day rally, although the pound's strength versus the US dollar interrupted the progress of the blue chip benchmark.US futures suggested shares would hit new record highs on Wall Street as 46th president Joe Biden gets his feet under the table in the Oval Office.CORPORATE N

London's FTSE 100 got off a relatively decent start by 9am on Thursday, up 0.13% to 6,749 after rising 0.41% at the market open, building on the modest gains of Wednesday as the US awaited the inaugural address of its incoming president.On Wall Street the S&P 500 closed at 3,851.3, up 1.39% as President Joe Biden addressed the nation, reportedly the biggest rise on inauguration day since 1985 when

Six months since the departure of Mark Barnett from asset manager Invesco, two investment trusts previously run by the once-star fund manager have finally settled into their new homes. Investors are rightfully expecting better performance under the new managers, but what's in store for them?Perpetual Income & Growth Trust last week completed its merger with Murray Income Trust (MUT), with sharehol

It's been a tough year for people who rely on their investments for income thanks to widespread dividend cuts. Income fund managers have now rejigged their portfolios to names which they believe will be dependable source of dividends or bond coupons going forward.Their changes make for interesting reading, particularly for anyone who prefers individual stocks to investment funds as it might throw

UK stocks slumped in early trade on Friday, the FTSE 100 down 113 points or 1.9% to 5,902.3, after retail sales tanked in April and China proposed a new security law in Hong Kong that stoked trade tensions with the US.Luxury goods leader Burberry (BRBY) bucked the trend, adding 2% to trade at £14.02 as the trench coats-to-cashmere scarves seller said year-to-date sales in Mainland China and Korea

New Woodford Income Focus managers Aberdeen Standard Investments (ASI) have given a glimpse of what the revamped portfolio will look like, with only two of the top 10 holdings left over from the Woodford days.Renamed the ASI Income Focus, the new fund will reopen tomorrow under the management of ASI fund managers Charles Luke and Thomas Moore. Investors are able to place trades from midday today.I

The revamped Woodford Income Focus (BD9X6V3) is set to reopen in two weeks' time, fund administrator Link has confirmed.Under the new management of Aberdeen Standard Investments (ASI), the fund has been suspended since October 2019 and dealing and will recommence dealing under the new name of LF ASI Income Focus.Investors in the fund will be able to place buy and sell shares in the fund from midda

Many people in the UK are eagerly waiting to discover what their investment in the Woodford Income Focus (BD9X6V3) fund will look like under the new management of Aberdeen Standard Investments (ASI).The fund has been suspended since October 2019 and dealing is expected to recommence in the coming weeks under the new name of LF ASI Income Focus.While the details of the restructured portfolio have y

Three company directors have cashed in more than £31m worth of stock in their respective companies over the past week.Taking advantage of share price strength is the reason behind two of the biggest share sales, while satisfying demand from institutions at a stroke.A third appears to be winding down his corporate stake ahead of departure.GAMING GROWTHThe biggest deal of the week involves video ga

London's FTSE 100 gave up 49.2 points to trade at 7,213.3 early on Thursday with investors growing tired of the lack of progress with US/China trade talks and the Federal Reserve's latest meeting minutes showed it is in no hurry to make further interest rate cuts in the US.CENTRICA REMAINS ON TRACKUnloved energy giant Centrica (CAN) rallied 4.5% to 75.96p after leaving its full year outlook for ca