On 17 July, Sir Keir Starmer's new Labour government announced its plans for the first year of the new parliament, with growth and wealth creation the priority.King Charles' speech at the State Opening of Parliament included a total of 39 bills under a new legislative agenda which includes speeding up the delivery of 'high-quality infrastructure and housing' and nationalising railway...

Jefferies cuts stocks to 'hold' or 'sell'Analysts see 'recession' in officesMorgan Stanley takes a more positive viewShares in four of the UK's biggest property companies fell after analysts at investment bank Jefferies cut their recommendations on the basis office rents in the capital are headed for recession.British Land (BLND) shares eased 1.9% to 320p, Derwent London (DLN) shares were 1.6%...

June's larger-than-expected half percentage point interest rate rise has pushed the FTSE 100 index back into negative territory for the year and triggered fears of recession among investors and market observers.Moreover, there seems little doubt the UK central bank will raise rates again at its August meeting, the only question being by how much.'It now appears that interest rates may go...

If you could buy a selection of the best-quality UK real estate investment trusts all under one roof rather than individually, it would save a lot of time and effort. You can, thanks to the open-ended VT Gravis UK Listed Property Fund (BK8VW75).While property has been out of favour recently, weaker valuations means you can get exposure at a cheaper price.The fund is owned and run by Gravis...

With UK mortgage rates having risen on top of energy and food costs, it is no surprise more people are delaying buying a house and choosing to rent a property instead.Established in 1912, Grainger (GRI) is one of the UK's largest professional landlords operating a portfolio of around 10,000 homes with an estimated market value of £3.2 billion.Its private rented portfolio is 98.7% occupied,...

The severe tightening in financial conditions in the second half of 2022 caused commercial property values to fall at the fastest six-month rate on record.As a result of much cheaper valuations, investors are asking themselves whether now is a good time to start taking positions in listed property companies and real estate investment trusts, also known as REITs.We look at where valuations are,...

Our latest review of the best and worst earnings revisions across the FTSE 350 throws up a few surprises in terms of sectors and individual stocks, particularly in the light of their relative performance.There are three distinct clusters of winners, split between investment, real estate and consumer discretionary companies.Among the investment companies, Molten Ventures (GROW) - previously...

In our latest screening of FTSE 350 stocks with the biggest one-month upgrades to earnings per share forecasts for this year and next year, the clear winners in terms of numbers are retailers.Heading the field, somewhat surprisingly, is clothing and sportwear group Frasers (FRAS), best known for its pile-it-high-and-sell-it-cheap Sports Direct chain which accounts for more than 50% of...

UK stocks had their best week in a month, closing in on their previous highs after official figures showed the economy expanded at 2.3% in April, its fastest rate since last July, as lockdown measures eased.The service sector registered record growth of 27.6% compared with last year as non-essential retail and hospitality businesses re-opened.At the the FTSE 100 index of leading shares was up...

UK stocks traded higher on Friday after official figures showed the economy expanded at 2.3% in April, its fastest rate since last July, as lockdown measures eased.The service sector registered record growth of 27.6% compared with last year as non-essential retail and hospitality businesses re-opened.At 1pm the FTSE 100 index of leading shares was 35 points or 0.5% higher at 7,124 led by gains...

UK stocks opened on the front foot on Friday as official figures showed the economy expanding at 2.3% in March, its fastest rate since July 2020.At 9am the FTSE 100 index of leading shares was 0.6% higher at 7,129 points.Overnight trading in Asia was subdued with China's Composite SE index off 0.6% and Japan's Nikkei 225 down 0.1%.COPORATE NEWSThe UK's largest listed residential landlord...

The latest Halifax house price index data (7 Jun) showed a UK property market still in runaway form.This might be good news for the value of your own home, but it will also make it more difficult for many to get on the property ladder - meaning more demand for rental properties.In investment terms the options for people looking to put money to work directly in the residential property market...

UK stocks traded higher on Wednesday as mining stocks found favour thanks to a sharp rally in metals and commodity prices.In Asian trading the Shanghai Composite SE index surged 1.4% and Japan's Nikkei 225 index gained 0.2%.Gold prices were 0.3% higher at $1,845 an ounce and Brent oil prices were slightly lower at $60.8 a barrel.At 12 pm the FTSE 100 was up 27 points or 0.4% t0 6,559 points,...

UK stocks opened higher on Wednesday after a clutch of positive corporate results and dividend resumptions.In Asian trading the Shanghai Composite SE index surged 1.4% and Japan's Nikkei 225 index gained 0.2%.Gold prices were 0.3% higher at $1,845 an ounce and Brent oil prices were slightly lower at $60.8 a barrel.At 08.45 am the FTSE 100 was 14 points higher at 6,546 points.CORPORATE...

London's FTSE 100 took a turn for the worse in afternoon trading on Monday as rising coronavirus cases and the prospect of tighter lockdown restrictions finally caught up with the stock market.Prime Minister Boris Johnson warned the UK is at a 'perilous' moment in the pandemic and said ministers are keeping lockdown restrictions under 'constant review', adding that 'where we have to tighten...

UK stocks fell throughout morning trading as reports emerged that the Government is considering tighter lockdown restrictions.Stocks had already started in subdued fashion as investors took profits following strong recent gains, driven by expectations of more US stimulus and Covid vaccine success, but continued to fall on Monday as concerns mount over rising coronavirus cases and the...

The FTSE 100 made a slow start to the new trading week with opening enthusiasm from vaccine roll-outs and US stimulus giving way to the grim reality of mounting coronavirus cases.Increasingly draconian measures are reportedly being contemplated by the Government to halt the spread of the more virulent form of Covid with worries intensifying that the NHS is close to being swamped.At 8:50am, the...

Markets in the US and Europe moved lower on Thursday as technology-led declines continued on disappointment at the US Federal Reserve's pledge to keep rates low for an extended period.In the UK, the Bank of England echoed the Fed by keeping interest rates near zero and warning of an 'unusually uncertain' recovery ahead.The FTSE 100 ended the session 0.47% lower at 6,049.92, sentiment lifted by...

The FTSE 100 slipped lower on Thursday following the Federal Reserve's announcement last night that it was likely to keep interest rates near zero for several years while the global economy recovers from Covid-19.At 11.25, the blue chip benchmark was 50.4 points, or 0.83%, lower at 6,028.11.Fed chair Jerome Powell said the central bank would 'maintain an accommodative stance of monetary...

UK shares tracked declines on Asian stock markets in early trade on Thursday as the lack of new stimulus measures by the US Federal Reserve left investors disappointed ahead of a Bank of England policy meeting.The benchmark FTSE 100 and the mid-cap FTSE 250 were both sharply lower in opening deals with banks, miners and automakers leading the declines.The FTSE 100 was off by around 0.89% early...