London's blue chips faded after a bright start to trade in the red at midday on Thursday, ahead of US inflation data later in the session.The FTSE 100 had made a positive start, before some pre-US data nerves kicked in.The more tepid trade in Europe came despite equities in China ending the day in the green on supportive measures from the nation's central bank. The Shanghai Composite rose 1.3%, of

The FTSE 100 opened higher on Thursday, supported by strong gains in GSK, while European peers falteredThe FTSE 100 index traded up 25.77 points, 0.3%, at 8,269.51. The FTSE 250 slipped 12.69 points, 0.1%, at 20,809.69, and the AIM All-Share down just 0.19 of a point at 736.47.The Cboe UK 100 was up 0.3% at 828.03, the Cboe UK 250 flat at 18,285.44, and the Cboe Small Companies was unmoved at 16,6

Shares in luxury timepiece retailer Watches of Switzerland's (WOSG) got a modest boost on news it had acquired publishing firm-to-luxury watch platform Hodinkee.The purchase of a media company by a retailer might look a bit odd at face value. However, the Patek Philippe-to-Audemars Piguet seller clearly believes that by doing so it can accelerate online growth and grab a greater share of America's

The FTSE 100 rallied at the close on Wednesday, as US markets climbed ahead of a CPI print later in the week.The FTSE 100 index closed up 53.13 points, 0.7%, at 8,243.74. The FTSE 250 ended 191.18 points higher, 0.9%, at 20,822.38, and the AIM All-Share rose 1.59 points, 0.2%, to 736.66.The Cboe UK 100 rose 0.6% 825.37, the Cboe UK 250 closed up 1.0% at 18,281.39, but the Cboe Small Companies ease

Stocks in Europe were higher at midday on Wednesday, recouping some of Tuesday's losses, despite heavy falls in Shanghai.The FTSE 100 index was up 21.49 points, 0.3%, at 8,212.10. The FTSE 250 was up 137.16 points, 0.7%, at 20,768.36, but the AIM All-Share rose 1.01 points, 0.1%, to 736.08.The Cboe UK 100 added 0.3% at 822.38, the Cboe UK 250 climbed 0.8% to 18,253.79, and the Cboe Small Companies

European stocks were mixed on Wednesday morning, with the FTSE 100 trading resiliently, after China announced it will hold a fiscal policy-focused conference this weekend amid a backdrop of investor nerves for the Asian economy.The FTSE 100 index was up 38.24 points, 0.5%, at 8,228.85.London's powerhouse listings AstraZeneca, Shell and Unilever were all in the green in early trade, aiding the FTSE

Stocks in London closed lower on Tuesday, as miners and financials slipped after a stimulus-driven rally in China ran out of steam.The FTSE 100 index closed down 113.01 points, 1.4%, to 8,190.61. The FTSE 250 ended down 222.01 points, 1.1%, at 20,631.20, and the AIM All-Share closed down 3.54 points, 0.5%, at 735.07.The Cboe UK 100 fell 1.3% to 820.18, the Cboe UK 250 closed down 1.0% at 18,108.31

Banks and oil majors kept the FTSE 100 in the green at the London close on Monday, while other stocks slipped, joining peers across the pond.The FTSE 100 index closed up 22.99 points, 0.3%, to 8,303.62. The FTSE 250 ended down 46.87 points, 0.2%, at 20,853.21, and the AIM All-Share closed up just 0.25 of a point at 738.61.The Cboe UK 100 edged up 0.2% to 830.70, the Cboe UK 250 closed down 0.4% at

Stocks were mixed in London at midday on Monday, with blue-chips benefiting from an oil price rise, but FTSE 100 constituent Endeavour Mining tumbling amid concerns in Burkina Faso.The FTSE 100 index was up 30.29 points, 0.4%, at 8,310.88. The FTSE 250 was down 85.54 points, 0.4%, at 20,814.54, and the AIM All-Share was up 0.55 of a point, 0.1%, at 738.87.The Cboe UK 100 was up 0.3% at 831.49, the

European stocks made a limp start to trading on Monday as investors eye this week's US inflation data in the wake of Friday's blow-out payrolls report.The FTSE 100 index was down 12.60 points, 0.2%, at 8,268.03, having briefly seen slight gains immediately after the opening bell. The FTSE 250 was down 55.56 points, 0.3%, at 20,844.52, but the AIM All-Share was up 1.72 points, 0.2%, at 740.08.The C

London's FTSE 100 ended lower, while the pound struggled after hawkish comments from a Bank of England policymaker were outweighed by a blockbuster US jobs report, which boosted the odds of a smaller 25 basis point cut at the next Federal Reserve meeting.'The September employment report was much stronger than expected, with job growth blowing past expectations, the unemployment rate declining and

Stocks in London were mixed during midday trade on Friday, with the FTSE underperforming its European equivalents, in anticipation of critical data on US jobs.The FTSE 100 index was down 36.14 points, 0.4%, at 8,246.38. The FTSE 250 was up 53.28 points, 0.3%, at 20,793.34, and the AIM All-Share was up 2.11 points, 0.3%, at 735.95.The Cboe UK 100 was down 0.4% at 825.03, the Cboe UK 250 was up 0.5%

Stocks in London were making little progress on Friday morning, as the market awaited the key catalyst of the afternoon's US nonfarm payroll data.'Today's jobs data will be very important in providing a final conclusion to the week's so far stronger-than-expected US jobs figures,' comments Swissquote's Ipek Ozkardeskaya. 'The US economy is expected to have added near 147,000 new nonfarm jobs in Se

Stocks in London slipped into the red by the close on Thursday, as worries about escalations in the Middle East conflict sapped risk appetite.London's FTSE 100 was spared the steeper falls seen by its European equivalents, however. This was thanks to some dovish comments from the Bank of England, strong results from Tesco, and the index's general defensive positioning.The FTSE 100 index closed dow

Strong fourth quarter revenue growth of circa 15%Full year operating profit expected circa £210-220 millionLike-for-like sales of 9% in UK & Ireland Shares in SSP (SSPG) were marginally higher at 157p in morning trading as the food travel expert reported 'good underlying trading momentum' for the fourth quarter.The FTSE 250 company said like-for-like sales growth in UK & Ireland was 9% for the ye

Dovish remarks from Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey helped to boost the FTSE 100's housebuilders on Thursday at midday, while grocers rose following a strong interim showing from Tesco.The FTSE 100 index was up 21.96, 0.3%, at 8,312.82. The FTSE 250 was down 18.71 points, 0.1%, at 20,765.07, and the AIM All-Share was down 0.26 of a point at 734.04.The Cboe UK 100 was up 0.2% at 831.77, the

On 24 September, the PBOC (People's Bank of China) unveiled a major stimulus package to support economic growth, promote the expansion of consumption and investment and throw a lifeline to struggling industries and sectors.The central bank also announced a 800-billion-yuan ($114 billion) lending pool to help fund managers, insurers and brokers buy more stocks and initiate share buybacks.China's st

The GYM Group (GYM) 157pGain to date: 14%Gym operator GYM Group (GYM)is showing good gains since we identified the low-cost gym specialist as an attractive risk/reward investment opportunity on 18 August. We noted the business has got itself back into shape and appears to be building strong momentum with consistent like-for-like sales growth and rising site yields amid an acceleration of new site

Shares in Yorkshire-based pork and poultry producer Cranswick (CWK) leapt 280p or 6% to a new life-high just shy of £50 on Friday as the firm raised its outlook yet again following a better-than-expected second quarter. Led for the last decade by chief executive Adam Couch, a Cranswick 'lifer', the company has expanded its production in recent years to serve UK supermarkets and 'food-to-go' clien

Stocks in London ended mixed on Wednesday, but the FTSE 100 held on to finish in the green, despite oil prices tailing off and trade in mainland Europe being slightly less convincing.The FTSE 100 index ended up 14.21 points, 0.2%, at 8,290.86. The FTSE 250 closed 130.92 points lower, 0.6%, at 20,783.78, and the AIM All-Share shed 2.50 points, 0.3%, at 734.30.The Cboe UK 100 ended 0.1% higher at 82