The FTSE 100 moved nearly 1% higher to 7,192 as investors awaited the publication of the minutes from the latest meeting of the US Federal Reserve. These might offer some clues into the future direction of interest rates across the pond.Plumbing group Ferguson (FERG) gained 1.6% amid reports it was considering switching to a US listing under pressure from activist investor Trian Fund...

Having enjoyed a strong finish on Thursday amid a big slide in sterling, the FTSE 100 softens 54.3 points to 7,301 on Friday as news that the immediate cliff edge for Brexit is being postponed drives a recovery rally in the currency. This is hurting companies deriving a significant chunk of their sales in dollars such as Unilever (ULVR) and British American Tobacco (BATS).Pharmaceuticals...

Advertising giant WPP (WPP) says the first seven months of its new financial year have been very tough thanks to slowing GDP growth around the world. Second quarter net sales growth was less than the first quarter with forecast client spending in quarter two 'under considerable pressure', it says. Unsurprisingly the market has taken a negative view of the results, sending its share price down...

London shares stage a bounce back ahead of UK services PMI data later today with a stream of corporate announcements also driving investor interest. The FTSE 100 index rises around 33 points, or 0.5%, to 6,143.Energy utility Centrica (CNA) slips 7.3% to 214p on a surprise decision to sell new shares to institutional investors. It plans to place around 350 million shares, which is 7% of its...

Weak revenues and a warning of challenging times ahead send shares in plastic and paperboard packaging manufacturer Robinson (RBN:AIM) tumbling 7.8% to 166p.The £29.5 million cap, which makes packaging for brands like Olay, Quaker and Saxa, grew revenue by 4% to £29.1 million in 2015, which was below analysts' expectations of £30.8 million.Underlying revenue fell by £2.4 million as the...

London stocks make modest gains in early trade on Friday as the market mulls over a busy week that included central bank policy decisions, a raft of economic data and the UK Budget 2016.The FTSE 100 nudges 30-odd points higher to 6,229, with midcaps and smaller companies running higher by similar margins.Foods-to-fashion conglomerate Associated British Foods (ABF) firms 15.5p to £33.94,...

London shares show sharp losses in early trade on Wednesday as investors fret over upcoming inflation figures in the US and the Federal Reserve's policy meeting minutes, due later today. Much like here in the UK, consumer prices in the US are being squeezed hard with limited real growth, signals which may have policymakers thinking twice about upping the interest rate ante too soon.The FTSE 10...

Packaging SectorAfter years of economic uncertainty the prospects for the European packaging industry are finally looking promising, making it an opportune time to invest in the high growth, cash generative stocks that populate the sector.Packaging is used in a wide range of industries across food and drink, healthcare, cosmetics and other consumer goods as well as a range of industrial...

One of the key attractions of AIM stocks is their ability to help avoid paying inheritance tax (IHT). In a nutshell, if you invest money in AIM shares that meet certain criteria set by the taxman for at least two years, that money can be passed on to third parties, such as your husband or wife, upon your death without that windfall cash being taxed.Our favourite stocks that presently qualify...

UK markets make steady progress in early trade on Friday with a mixture of corporate news, takeover gossip and financial data lift the mood of investors. The FTSE 100 is 23 points higher, or 0.3%, at 6,820, just off year-long resistance at around 6,875, but nudging ever closer to that magic 7,000 marker. Mid caps also rally, the FTSE 250 index putting on around 90 points, or 0.5%, to 16,468,...

London's FTSE 100 slides 47.74 points lower to 6405.7 on Wednesday on nervousness ahead of minutes from the US Federal Reserve's monthly policy meeting, although part-nationalised lender Lloyds Banking Group (LLOY) puts on 1% at 74.5p after selling off non-core assets. The bank has raised some £500 million through selling German life insurer Heidelberger Leben and selected UK loans to US...

British manufacturing has enjoyed its fastest growth spurt in more than two years, according to new figures. The Markit/CIPS PMI index jumped to 52.5 in June from an upwardly revised 51.5 in May. This strong performance comes on the eve of Shares' annual review of the best quoted companies in Britain. Our team of journalists will travel the country over the coming weeks, meeting small, medium...