Like-for-like sales growth 7.1% highest in 10-yearsHas been growing sustainably over the past decadeConfident in achieving 17.5% marginGlobal testing and quality assurance specialist Intertek (ITRK) topped the FTSE 100 gainers after posting its highest annual like-for-like sales growth in a decade and giving a positive outlook.The shares jumped around 7% to a new 12-month high taking gains over th

Underlying sales growth up 7.3% in first 10-monthsFull year results expected to meet expectationsRecent acquisitions performing wellGlobal quality assurance provider Intertek (ITRK) said it was on track to meet market expectations for the year after delivering 7.3% underlying sales growth in the first 10-months.The company confirmed it expects to deliver mid-single digit like for like revenue grow

Hostelworld CEO divests £370,000 in shares to settle tax liabilitiesIntertek CEO also sellingBillington NED offloads £1 million sharesThe CEO of hostel booking platform Hostelworld (HSW) Gary Morrison has sold 306,882 shares at 121p for a total value of £371,327 on 31 May to cover 'tax liabilities'.Over the past six months Hostelworld's shares have risen over 21% to 125p benefiting from the lif

Noted fund manager Terry Smith says one of his biggest mistakes is not to have invested in Apple (AAPL:NASDAQ) and Amazon (AMZN:NASDAQ) on the day of launching his Fundsmith Equity Fund (B41YBW7) in 2010. While both stocks now feature in his portfolio, he only invested in Apple in late 2022 and Amazon a year earlier.In an exclusive interview, Smith says there was a turning point with Apple that ma

- 15.5% year-to-date revenue growth, FX adds 6.5%- China disruption pressures margins- Positive outlook helps lift sharesTesting and assurance services specialist Intertek (ITRK) said revenues for the 10 months to 31 October increased 15.5% driven by strong like-for-like growth of 5.2% and a foreign exchange translation benefit of 6.5% thanks to the strong dollar.At constant currencies, revenues w

In his twelfth annual letter to shareholders in the Fundsmith Equity Fund (B41YBW7), Terry Smith has put the boot into Unilever (ULVR), the consumer goods goliath that was one of the fund's worst five performers in 2021.Smith, the analyst turned investment chief turned fund management guru, said the Marmite-to-Magnum ice cream maker 'seems to be labouring under the weight of a management which is

UK shares closed higher on Wednesday, spurred on by US economic data which showed personal spending rose more than expected and weekly US jobless claims were the lowest since 1969, signaling continued strength in the economy.The latest minutes from the Federal Reserve's Open Market Committee meeting, are due after the market close.At the close the FTSE 100 index of leading shares was up 0.3% at 7,

UK shares gave back early gains as markets braced for a torrent of US economic data due to be released later today and ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday tomorrow when US markets will stay closed.As well as the weekly jobless numbers, investors will receive updates on the core latest inflation data, durable goods orders, and personal consumption trends, providing further evidence of economic streng

A strong third quarter performance from testing and certification firm Intertek (ITRK) helped lift the shares 5.7% to £54.52.Today's rise follows a period of underperformance for the shares which are down 3.8% over the last 12 months against a gain of 14.1% for the FTSE All-Share.The company which is the largest tester of consumer products globally, operating 1,000 labs in 100 countries, said rev

UK shares continued to climb on Wednesday with the FTSE 100 rising 0.5% back above the 7,300 level thanks to buying of oil majors and mining stocks.Meanwhile, investors were awaiting the release of minutes from the US Federal Reserve's latest Open Market Committee meeting, due after the market close, for clues as to the pace of interest rate hikes after recent strong inflation and jobs data.Sterli

The FTSE 100 traded 0.3% lower at 7,128.39 points on Thursday as investors grappled with Covid concerns as well as fears of a tapering of support for the global economy ahead of the Jackson Hole summit of central bankers.The high-flying FTSE 250 was flat at 23,979.4 points, with the market's second-liners pausing for breath after their stunning recent run.CORPORATE NEWSIn corporate news, construct

Equity markets retreated across Europe and parts of Asia on Thursday as investors remained cautious ahead of the US Federal Reserve's annual get-together on Friday where all eyes will be on guidance for when economic stimulus will be tapered. The ongoing spread of Covid infections also continues to act as a dark cloud for investors.The FTSE 100 index fell 0.7% to 7,102, Germany's Dax dropped 0.8%

UK stocks finished the month flat despite a strong corporate earnings season as concerns over Chinese regulation of technology stocks and disappointing US results weighed on sentiment.Overnight, Asian stocks sank as fears re-surfaced that Beijing could extend its intervention to more parts of the Chinese economy, while in the US shares in e-commerce giant Amazon.com fell 7% after the company miss

UK stocks traded lower at lunchtime on Friday after continued weak trading in Asia and as e-commerce giant Amazon missed quarterly sales forecasts for the first time since 2018, sending its shares down 7% in after-hours trading.Japan's Nikkei 225 index sank 1.8% while China's SE Composite gave up 0.4% as concerns increased over the tighter regulation of Chinese companies.Brent Crude prices fell 0.

UK stocks opened lower on Friday after continued weak trading in Asia and as e-commerce giant Amazon missed quarterly sales forecasts for the first time since 2018, sending its shares down 7% in after-hours trading.Japan's Nikkei 225 index sank 1.8% while China's SE Composite gave up 0.4%.Brent Crude prices fell 0.5% to $73.2 per barrel and Gold was flat at $1,829 per ounce.At 9am the FTE 100 of l

London's FTSE 100 rallied for the second successive day following Monday's correction, climbing on hopes that central banks might maintain support for the global economy for longer given rising Covid infections as well as a number of positive corporate updates.By the close, the blue chip benchmark finished 1.7% higher at 6,998.28 points, its recovery from a tough start to the week supported by a s

London's FTSE 100 was in recovery mode on Wednesday after the recent big sell-off, gaining as several companies reported positive results. By midday, the blue chip benchmark was up 1.6% to 6,990.22 points.UK shares were buoyed as official figures showed the Government borrowed less than expected with the budget deficit coming in at £69.5 billion in the three months to June, helped by the reopenin

UK stocks opened higher on Wednesday as official figures showed the Government borrowed less than expected with the budget deficit coming in at £69.5 billion in the three months to June, helped by the reopening of the economy.The Office for Budget Responsibility had forecast the deficit to reach £92.7 billion in March.Trading in Asia was strong with the Nikkei 225 gaining 0.7% and China's SE Com

UK shares gave up their morning gains on Wednesday, pulled lower by financial stocks as NatWest Group (NWG) became the first bank to appear in court on criminal charges over money laundering.In Asian trading, Japan's Nikkei 226 and China's SE Composite indices gained 0.3%.Gold prices continued recent gains, adding 0.4% to $1,906 per ounce and Brent Crude was 0.75% higher at $69.1 a barrel.At midda

UK shares inched higher on Wednesday as a pair of healthcare stocks were on the receiving end of takeover bids.In Asian trading, Japan's Nikkei 226 and China's SE Composite indices gained 0.3%.Gold prices continued recent gains, adding 0.4% to $1,906 per ounce and Brent Crude was 0.75% higher at $69.1 a barrel.At 9am the FTSE 100 index of leading shares was up 14 points or 0.2% at 7,044 points wit