Stocks in London ended in the red on Wednesday, despite the FTSE 100 hitting another record high earlier in the day, while Tesla was the star in New York, where wider markets mixed.The FTSE 100 index gave back 4.43 points, 0.1%, at 8,040.38. The blue-chip index traded as high as 8,092.19 earlier Wednesday, its best-ever level. Selling pressure in the afternoon prevented it from achieving another c

Stock prices in London were up heading into the afternoon on Wednesday, with Reckitt jumping on a strong start to 2024, while Lloyds rose despite a fall in profit.The FTSE 100 index was up 38.40 points, 0.5%, at 8,083.21. The FTSE 250 was down 3.41 points at 19,796.31, and the AIM All-Share was up 0.1 of a point at 754.97.The Cboe UK 100 was up 0.5% at 807.00, the Cboe UK 250 was down 0.2% at 17,1

Return to positive like-for-like growthFull year guidance reiteratedLitigation worries cloud the outlookConsumer goods powerhouse Reckitt Benckiser (RTK) topped the FTSE gaining almost 5% to £14.44 after revealing better than expected first quarter like-for-like sales and confirming full year profit targets.The shares are down 18% year to date compared with a 5% gain in the FTSE 100 index reflect

Investors in London continued to show confidence heading into the afternoon on Wednesday, looking ahead to key US data on Thursday and Friday.The FTSE 100 index opened up 27.80 points, 0.4%, at 8,072.61. The FTSE 250 was down 2.65 points at 19,797.07, and the AIM All-Share was up 1.63 points, 0.2%, at 756.50.The Cboe UK 100 was up 0.3% at 806.01, the Cboe UK 250 was down 0.1% at 17147.76, and the

LBG boss buys 341,929 sharesEveryman director tops up Tristel co-founder sells stockAlexander ?Solly? Solomou, chief executive of youth publisher LBG Media (LBG: AIM) bought 341,929 shares at an average of 73p for a total value of £248,753 on 18 April.Earlier in the week, the LADbible owner reported solid full-year results with group revenue rising 7.5% to £67.5 million.The company said adjusted

Quarterly sales growth sluggishResults weighted to second halfShares erase recent rallyPest control and hygiene firm Rentokil (RTO) underwhelmed investors with its first-quarter trading update despite a more stable performance in its key North American market.The shares eased 13p or 3% to 433p, taking them to the bottom of the FTSE 100 leader board and eradicating almost all the gains since it pub

Encouraging start for small caps trustHulse sees value opportunity in UK small capsWindward?s potential excitesShares in Onward Opportunities (ONWD:AIM) rose 1.5% to 111.5p after the smaller companies-focused trust reported an 11.3% NAV (net asset value) total return to 106.5p for the nine months from its March 2023 IPO (initial public offering) to the end of December.That performance compares to

It has been a rough few years for shareholders in hygiene, health and nutrition products powerhouse Reckitt Benckiser (RKT) with the stock down 30% on a five-year view.The FTSE 100 company flourished during the pandemic, which heightened hygiene awareness and boosted sales of its Dettol and Lysol disinfection brands, but demand then normalised and the shares have sold-off on growth disappointments

London stocks closed in the red on Friday, with Reckitt shares sinking after a verdict was passed in its baby formula lawsuit.The US Federal Reserve will announce its interest rate decision on Wednesday, followed by the Bank of England the following day.Amongst individual stocks, Reckitt Benckiser plummeted on Friday, after it said it will pursue all options to overturn a $60 million verdict by an

Stock prices in Europe ended higher on Thursday, with the most convincing gains coming from the blue-chip benchmark in Paris, which topped 8,000 points for the first time.The FTSE 100?s gains were more muted, though it did extend its winning streak to three days.Interest rate optimism helped equities on Thursday. The conviction that the European Central Bank will enact its first of the cycle in Ju

Stock prices in London remained mixed at midday on Thursday, as the interest rate decision from the European Central Bank due later this afternoon continued to hold attention.The FTSE 100 index was down 19.30 points, 0.3%, at 7,660.01. The FTSE 250 was up 103.41 points, 0.5%, at 19,576.63, and the AIM All-Share was up 1.18 points, 0.2%, at 738.81.The Cboe UK 100 was down 0.3% at 767.42, the Cboe U

Sales and profit jump 46% and 57% respectivelySynergies from integration of Terminix increased by $50 millionGood trading momentum continued into 2024Shares in Rentokil Initial (RTO) jumped 13% to 485p topping the FTSE leaderboard after the pest control and hygiene company said it expected higher cost savings from its $8 billion acquisition of Terminix.Also pleasing investors was news that the com

Stock prices in London were a mixed bag at the open on Thursday, with the FTSE 100 lower ahead of the next ECB interest rate decision, despite boosts from Rentokil and Virgin Money UK.The FTSE 100 index opened down 19.49 points, 0.3%, at 7,659.82. The FTSE 250 was up 36.80 points, 0.2%, at 19,510.02, and the AIM All-Share was up 0.14 of a points at 737.77.The Cboe UK 100 was down 0.3% at 767.12, t

Organic growth turns negativeShares fall to post-pandemic low£4 billion wiped off market capAfter missing market forecasts for third-quarter sales last October, FTSE 100 household and personal goods group Reckitt Benckiser (RKT) reported an even more disappointing set of fourth-quarter results with like-for-like sales in negative territory.The shares slumped as much as 10% to £52.54, their lowes

The FTSE 100 fell into the red in afternoon trade, as housebuilding stocks fell again, while Imperial Brands slid on a report that the UK government is sizing up a tax on vaping products.Mainland European equities ended higher, meanwhile, though stocks in New York were mixed on underwhelming US data.The FTSE 100 index ended down 1.28 points at 7,683.02. The FTSE 250 rose 36.74 points, 0.2%, at 19,

Normally, when a firm posts a 53% increase in quarterly revenues it doesn't result in its share price dropping by a third in a matter of days.However, in the case of FTSE 100 pest control and hygiene business Rentokil (RTO), the increase marked a slowdown from the first half growth rate of 70% and was accompanied by a warning over sales and margins in the group's key North American market.Most of

The GfK consumer confidence index fell nine points from minus 21 to minus 30 in October amid a slowing jobs market and the uncertainty engendered by the Middle East conflict which have dampened the Christmas spending outlook.This consumer squeeze was in evidence in the quarterly volume declines reported by FTSE 100 consumer goods giants Unilever (ULVR) and Reckitt Benckiser (RKT).Unilever delivere

Stock prices in London were down at midday Wednesday, after bad news for the UK's manufacturing sector and ahead of the US Fed's interest rate decision.The FTSE 100 index was down 8.98 points, 0.1%, at 7,312.74. The FTSE 250 was down 83.56 points, 0.5%, at 16,999.49, and the AIM All-Share was down 0.51 of a point, 0.1%, at 679.34.The Cboe UK 100 was down slightly at 729.70 and the Cboe UK 250 was

Stock prices in London ended largely lower on Wednesday as investors nervously eyed continuing tensions in the Middle East and an incoming interest rate decision from the European Central Bank.The FTSE 100 index closed up 24.64 points, or 0.3%, at 7,414.34. The FTSE 250 ended down 123.39 points, or 0.7%, at 16,870.71, and the AIM All-Share closed down 4.63 points, or 0.7%, at 673.82.The Cboe UK 10

European equities entered Wednesday afternoon in downbeat fashion, with lingering monetary policy concerns and worries related to developments in the Middle East tempering enthusiasm.Stocks in Europe struggled despite Asian equities getting a boost from China infrastructure spending plans.The euro, meanwhile, was slightly lower on the eve of the European Central Bank's next meeting.The FTSE 100 in