The idea of Alphabet's (GOOG:NASDAQ) Google search engine being disrupted seems far-fetched given its huge global market share.But the conversation has been given more credence after Microsoft (MSFT:NASDAQ) announced a multi-year $10 billion investment in OpenAI's ChatGPT.The deal comes less than two months after OpenAI launched ChatGPT which has since gone viral. The company said it has trained a

- New £1.4 billion entity will be a leading African oil producer- Tullow shareholders own 57% and Capricorn 43% in new group- Plan to pay annual dividend of $60 millionShares in oil explorer Tullow Oil and (TLW) and Capricorn Energy (CNE) rose 2.3% and 3.1% respectively following the announcement of an agreement for a recommended all-share merger.If agreed the new London listed entity would be on

For now, the escalating conflict in Ukraine shows no signs of easing. After the initial shock, markets were hopeful the economic impact of the war might be contained as the West's opening salvo of sanctions in response to Russia's invasion (24 Feb) were weaker than some had anticipated.However, any relief soon dissipated as Ukraine put up stiff resistance against the Russian invaders and sanctions

FTSE closed lower on Friday as worries over spiking energy costs added to concerns about the slowing pace of recovery. However, the index of leading shares managed its first weekly gain since mid-August.COMPANY ROUND-UPDrug maker AstraZeneca (AZN) said its prostate cancer drug in combination with abiraterone developed with MSD, had met the primary goal of a phase 3 trial. Its shares advanced 2% to

A combination of weak UK consumer confidence, renewed fears about the Evergrande crisis and fretting about the outlook for interest rates put the FTSE 100 on the back foot on Friday.By midday the index was down 0.15% to 7,067.88.Drug maker AstraZeneca (AZN) said its prostate cancer drug in combination with abiraterone developed with MSD, had met the primary goal of a phase 3 trial trial. It shares

UK stocks extended losses on Tuesday afternoon as the economic realities of paying for the pandemic loomed large after the government hiked taxes to pay for increased costs in the NHS.A new social care tax of 1.25% will be levied on individuals and businesses while investors earnings more than the £2,000 a year tax free limit from dividends will pay an extra 1.25%.At the close the FTSE 100 index

UK stocks remained in the red Tuesday lunchtime giving back some of yesterday's gains as investors awaited the reopening of US markets following Monday's Labor Day holiday. At 12pm the FTSE 100 index of leading shares was down 0.3% at 7,166 points.COMPANY NEWSPackaging firm DS Smith (SMDS) released a trading update ahead of today's annual general meeting showing strong growth in volumes against la

After a strong start to the week, UK stocks gave back some ground in early trading on Tuesday with the FTSE 100 index shedding 16 points or 0.25% to 7,171 points.The move came as the MSCI World Index racked up its eighth consecutive day of gains to post another record high at 3,172.5 points, as investors continue to bet on central banks supporting markets with easy money policies.Sterling traded s

UK stocks moved sharply higher on the last full trading day before Christmas as hopes were raised that a Brexit trade deal could be within reach.The UK and EU are continuing talks on post-Brexit trade, amid an increasing number of reports that they are close to agreeing a deal.The UK's benchmark FTSE 100 index gained 0.66% to 6,495.75, while the more domestically-focused FTSE 250 - considered a ba

UK stocks had a mixed morning on the last full trading day before Christmas as investors focused on Brexit and US stimulus talks, with little significant company news to steer markets.The UK's benchmark FTSE 100 index fell 0.24% to 6,437 just before midday with markets on edge as outgoing US president Donald Trump demanded changes to a crucial US stimulus package and the clock continued to run dow

Less than a week after it pledged to return $250 million of cash from the sale of its assets in Senegal, shareholders in mid-cap oil and gas exploration and development firm Cairn Energy (CNE) are celebrating an even bigger win after a tribunal ruled in its favour over a long-running dispute with the Indian government.Cairn shares jumped more than 40% to 240p shortly after the open on Wednesday on

It was typically very quiet start for UK stock markets on the last full trading day before Christmas. There was very little company news to steer markets one way or the other, leaving investors to ponder the possibility of a Brexit trade deal being agreed.The chances of a deal being struck between UK and EU negotiators seemed to nudge a step closer with speculation emerging overnight of progress i

The FTSE 100 gave up its early gains on Thursday, drifting off 2 points to 6,569 at midday despite US markets pushing to new highs on a stimulus package and a potential breakthrough regarding a Brexit trade deal.Prime Minister Boris Johnson boosted hopes last night after saying there is 'every opportunity of a deal' to be done, while European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said fishing

The FTSE 100 continued its gains on Thursday, rising 0.24% to 6,586.78 in early trade after potential breakthroughs regarding a Brexit trade deal and a US stimulus package.Prime Minister Boris Johnson boosted hopes last night after saying there is 'every opportunity of a deal' to be done, while European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said fishing access is the last barrier to an agreeme

The FTSE 100 recovered some earlier losses but still fell 0.37% to 5,906 by early afternoon on Tuesday as attention turned to this evening's first US presidential debate between Donald Trump and Joe Biden.Among the things to watch out for in the debate is comment from Trump on election integrity. Trump has repeatedly refused to say he will accept the results of the November election or commit to a

The FTSE 100 index closed 0.2% or 12 points lower at 6,111 on Monday as travel and leisure stocks weighed on sentiment following the UK's sudden impostion of a two-week quarantine requirement on travelers from Spain.Spirits were also tempered by mounting COVID-19 cases in the US and in places that had looked to have the virus under control, including Hong Kong and Australia.Gold soared to an all-t

London's FTSE traded 0.3% lower at 6,108 at lunchtime on Monday, led lower by airlines after the UK imposed a two-week quarantine requirement on travelers from Spain.Sentiment was also dulled by mounting COVID-19 cases in the US and in places that had looked to have the virus under control, including Hong Kong and Australia.Gold soared to an all-time high as worsening diplomatic ties between China

London's FTSE traded 0.46% lower at 6,095.49 on Monday, led down by airlines after the UK imposed a two-week quarantine requirement on travellers from Spain.Sentiment was also dulled by mounting COVID-19 cases in the US and in places that had looked to have the virus under control, including Hong Kong and Australia.Gold soared to an all-time high as worsening diplomatic ties between China and the

Oil prices have plunged to 18-year lows of under $21 a barrel with over half of global demand wiped out amid the coronavirus pandemic, while in metals some clear winners and losers are starting to emerge.In the commodities world, oil appears to be hit hardest thanks to a huge drop-off in demand from the coronavirus pandemic combined with a price war between two of the world's largest producers, Sa

The oil and gas industry contributes to 42% of global emissions according to global consulting firm McKinsey.It is little wonder that the sector has found itself in the crosshairs of environmental campaigners and a growing portion of the investment community is turning away from fossil fuel-based investments amid increasing focus on environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues.At the beginnin