UK shares rally for the second day straight in early trade on Wednesday as investors came to terms with the realities of Brexit. The FTSE 100 index jumps 122-odd points, or about 2%, to 6,262, setting the trend for widespread gains across the UK stock market and on major European indexes.That means the UK's blue chip index is just 1.2% below the closing price on Thursday 23, the day before the sur

London shares make healthy gains in early trade on Monday in the wake of a firmer Asia overnight, albeit against a mixed session on Wall Street on Friday. With the Brexit debate no starting to get into full swing markets are likely to remain volatile for the foreseeable future in the UK as the in-out referendum on the UK's EU membership heats up.The FTSE 100 index rallies around 70 points higher,

London shares rebound in early trade on Thursday, reversing some of the losses built up earlier in the week despite mixed trading on Wall Street and across Asia overnight. The benchmark FTSE 100 index rallies 58 points, or a bout 1%, to 6,327, matching similar early progress on Europe's main stock markets.Cambridge-based chip designs expert ARM (ARM) heads the Footsie leader board with a 5.2% rise

Two AIM-quoted E&Ps - Independent Resources (IRG:AIM) and Nostra Terra Oil & Gas (NTOG:AIM) - are in demand today as they announce a deal to enter a producing asset in Egypt. Shares in the two companies are up 13.7% to 0.85p and 14.7% to 0.11p respectively.This move reflects a big departure for Nostra as it looks to contend with the collapse in the oil price. Speaking at a Shares event in March 20

London shares are off the boil in early trade on Tuesday, matching dips overnight on Hong Kong's Hang Seng index and bucking positive trading sessions on Wall Street and in Japan. The FTSE 100 index ebbs around 40 points, or 0.6%, lower, to 6,262 with investors apparently taking the opportunity to trim profits after a largely positive recent run.Gold and copper are at $1,138/oz and $233/lb, while

Gemfields glow on ruby saleThe latest sale of rubies from Gemfields' (GEM:AIM) Mozambique assets has smashed expectations with $689 per carat realised price, the highest ever achieved at any of the miner's auctions. As we predicted (see Shares, Commodities, 4 Dec), the company beat its previous auction with a 29% increase in revenue to $43.3 million. (DC)Bellway dateA trading update from Bellway (

It's your final chance to snap up a free ticket to our big investment event, The Stock Market Show, being held in London this Saturday (13 Sep) at the Islington Business Design Centre. Being held in partnership with the London Stock Exchange, the event is packed with talks from companies on the stock market, financial experts, business commentators, product providers and, of course, journalists fr

UK stocks hit a two-month high in early trading Wednesday as investors react to upbeat services data from China and continued to speculate about stimulus measures in Europe. The FTSE 100 is up 64 points at 6,894, also boosted by an upbeat statement from equipment rental firm Ashtead (AHT) and rumours about a bid for Vodafone (VOD). The UK mobile network group is thought to be on the radar of Japan

Magnolia output boostUS onshore oil and gas firm Magnolia Petroleum (MAGP:AIM) reports (22 Aug) a two thirds increase in net output and a substantial boost to reserves. An independent audit suggests its proved reserves are worth $31 million and production totals 257 barrels oil equivalent per day (boepd) up from 150 boepd on 1 April. (TS)Snoozebox's profit delayPortable hotel provider Snoozebox (Z

Investors are always on the lookout for the next big equity growth story and at the The Stock Market Show, a major event hosted by Shares and the London Stock Exchange (LSE) on Saturday 13 September, you will get the chance to hear about some of the ingredients necessary to spot the next ASOS (ASC:AIM), the incredibly successful online fashion business.As well as speakers from companies in the tec

International exposureKeep a watching brief on undervalued stationery, greetings cards and gift packaging maker International Greetings (IGR:AIM). Overall debt reduction beat expectations in the year to March, while investment in manufacturing efficiencies and closer ties with global retailers is yielding results. (JC)Dial into AniteAn acceleration in 4G investment holds out the prospect of a stro

FTSE 100 aircraft engine maker Rolls-Royce (RR.) gains 2.3% to £10.50 after announcing after the market close on 7 March that it will buy out German carmaker Daimler's 50% stake in a power systems joint venture - a transaction which observers believe reduces the likelihood Rolls will bid for Finnish peer Wartsila. Liberum increases its 2015 earnings per share forecast by 7% to 77p and says 'an eq

Sweeteners giant Tate & Lyle (TATE) tumbles 15% to 669p amid a profit warning. There's volume softness in developed markets for both its speciality food and bulk ingredients divisions, the latter also hit lower returns from co-products. Profits will be hit by downwards pressure on prices for Tate's higher margin 'SPLENDA Sucralose' sweeteners in the final quarter and beyond.Aircraft engine maker R

The market appears to be missing the benefits US onshore oil play Nostra Terra Oil & Gas (NTOG:AIM) will get from a new $25 million banking facility with Texas Capital Bank (3 Feb).A subsequent 16% advance in the share price still leaves the company well short of its 52-week high of 0.64p and further progress is possible as the group applies this firepower to its Chisholm Trail project in Oklahoma

Medical technology giant Smith & Nephew (SN.) rises 1.2% to 887p after strengthening its sports medicine business through buyingmedical device company ArthroCare (ARTC:NASDAQ) for $1.7 billion cash.High street lender Lloyds Banking (LLOY) falls 2.8% to 80.9p despite plans to eintroduce its dividend in the second half of the year after a five year absence. The market continues to be spooked by the

Emerging markets-focused bank Standard Chartered (STAN) falls 1.3% to £15.13 on news third quarter revenues were hit by depreciation in a number of currencies including the Indian rupee and Indonesian rupiah. The £37 billion cap, a running Shares Play of the Week, reckons this emerging market currency turmoil could knock around $70 million off its full-year profits.Lloyds Banking Group (LLOY) gi

The departure of Spirent (SPT) chief executive Bill Burns is a major shock with the telecoms kit business seemingly bouncing back. But it looks like Burns is paying the price for slow orders and failure to prop up the share price with cash. But the market thinks it's the right move, pushing the shares 5% higher to 135p.Yet another earnings upgrade helps to fuel shares in consultant WYG (WYG:AIM),

Two months ago (see Shares, Commodities 2 May), we highlighted project economics and cashflow as the hot topics on investors' minds when they research the natural resources sector. While these themes remain priorities today, portfolio builders are still interested in the junior end of the market and how value can be created either through opportunistic acquisitions or traditional exploration.Three