The latest index review by FTSE Russell, part of the London Stock Exchange Group (LSE), sees cybersecurity firm Darktrace (DARK) relegated from the top flight less than two months after it was promoted due to the de-listing of supermarket group Wm Morrison following its acquisition by private equity. Darktrace shares have had a rollercoaster ride since the firm’s hotly-anticipated initial ...

UK stocks dropped in early trading after a selloff in overseas markets following the first case of the Omicron variant in the U.S. and a warning from technology firm Apple that demand for its latest iPhone had weakened. Meanwhile, investors were also watching energy prices ahead of an meeting of OPEC+ oil producers, which it is hoped will lead to an increase in supplies after the U.S. and ...

The UK franchise owner of American casual dining brand TGI Fridays, Hostmore (HOST), was spun out from private equity trust Electra (ELTA) on 2 November but its shares have been a flop so far. They’ve fallen by 27% to 108p, possibly caused by Electra shareholders dumping the shares they received as part of the demerger. There is a lot to like about the company’s growth plans, but equally ...

Shares in drinks-maker Diageo (DGE) hit a new all-time high of £39.48 this week after the firm released an ambitious set of sales targets reaching from the current financial year out to 2030. Chief executive Ivan Menezes said: ‘We believe our sales growth trajectory has accelerated, underpinned by the strength of our advantaged position across geographies, categories and price ...

Shares in Wagamama owner Restaurant Group (RTN) were the biggest gainers on the FTSE 250, surging 17% to 93p after the company increased its full year profit guidance. In an unscheduled trading update, the company said the strong trading it reported at the half year results on 15 September had continued across its restaurant, pub and leisure operations, with like-for-like sales growth ahead of ...

UK stocks were subdued on Tuesday after strong September employment data and rising average wages sent the pound higher against the dollar and the euro, creating a headwind for the globally-focused FTSE 100 index. Energy prices were higher with Brent crude up 1% to $83 per barrel as commentators talked of a tight market heading into winter, helping to lift the oil majors, but weakness in ...

Private equity trust Electra (ELTA) is entering the final stretch in its strategy to sell off assets, which include controlling interests in Fridays (74% of NAV (net asset value)) and Hotter Shoes (10% of NAV). Fridays (formerly branded TGI Fridays) is an iconic American themed restaurant and cocktail bar, while Hotter Shoes is a digitally-led shoe manufacturer with a focus on customised ...

The FTSE 100 index ended Friday’s session in negative territory falling 0.91% to 6963.64 below the psychologically critical 7,000 level. The FTSE 250 index fared marginally better, remaining in positive territory up 0.1% at 23,658.14. Two main factors contributed to this decidedly mixed performance. First, the UK market was uninspired by the latest UK retail sales volumes for August which ...

Restaurants and pubs company Restaurant Group (RTN) said it had seen a strong rebound in trading since reopening, leading to higher full year profit expectations, but negated the positive tone by flagging near-term cost and labour challenges, sending the shares 3% lower to 117.6p. The reported half year results to 4 July were not particularly relevant given the restrictions in place during the ...

UK stocks made little headway on Wednesday despite a spate of earnings reports which on the whole painted a picture of improving corporate health. By 9.30am the FTSE 100 index of leading stocks was unchanged at 7,033 points. In Asia, Chinese stocks closed lower after August retail sales data disappointed, sending the CSI index down for a fifth day in succession. In Japan on the other hand, the ...

The start of the new school year is traditionally the time that offices, which languished half empty over the long summer holidays, are suddenly bustling with life. Lunch dates are made, career catch ups scheduled and goals recalibrated. Covid threw everything up in the air and everybody’s watching to see where the pieces will eventually settle. As of 19 July, the Government’s work from ...

The UK’s benchmark FTSE 100 continues to be outperformed by midcaps continuing a trend that has been in place for most of 2021. Based on current index levels, the FTSE 250 – often seen a better indicator of the UK’s economic health over its FTSE 100 peer – has rallied more than 10% so far this year, outstripping the FTSE 100 by around 10% in relative terms. Extending the timeframe to ...

The delay in easing lockdown restrictions in England from 21 June to 19 July has caused consternation among many business sectors, but if the stock market’s reaction to the news is anything to go by, it doesn’t matter much to the UK’s listed companies. Both the FTSE 100 and more domestically-focused FTSE 250 shrugged off the news. The delay had been widely expected, with the ...

Airline stocks have taken the biggest knock after reports emerged that lockdown easing in England is set to be delayed by four weeks. According to widespread reports, most of the current coronavirus restrictions are set to stay in place, which could mean nightclubs will stay closed and capacity limits will continue for sports, pubs and cinemas. While in theory leisure companies could be most ...

London’s FTSE 100 ended Tuesday with decent gains after closing 0.25% higher to 7,095.79 despite a slow start on Wall Street for US stocks. The UK’s benchmark index was lifted by insurer Aviva (AV.), which gained after the arrival of activist investor Cevian, while the index also shook off an issue involving several major websites, which were down thanks to a problem at cloud computing firm ...

London’s FTSE 100 gained 0.3% to 7,097 by midday as shares in UK insurer Aviva (AV.) were lifted by the arrival of activist investor Cevian, while the index shook off an issue involving several major websites, which were down thanks to a problem at cloud computing firm Fastly. With little on the economic agenda apart from US job openings and trade figures, investors are keeping their powder ...

Major UK shares edged higher in early trading but gains modest as investors take a breather. The benchmark FTSE 100 inched less than four points higher, or 0.04%, to 7,079.25, while the mid-cap FTSE 250 was equally unenthusiastic, up a miniscule 0.08% at 22,925.64. With little on the economic agenda apart from US job openings and trade figures, investors are keeping their powder dry until the ...

Wagamama owner The Restaurant Group (RTN) said trading had been very encouraging since the reopening of hospitality in April, leaving the group well positioned to benefit from the removal of restrictions. The shares added 1% to 129.1p. Prior to reopening the company had experienced strong delivery and takeaway sales across its Wagamama and Leisure sites with sales running at around 3-to-5.5 ...

After more than a decade of domination for growth stocks, global markets are finally seeing a shift into value. This in turn has benefited funds pursuing a value investing style. Growth performed relatively well through the initial course of the pandemic with technology stocks leading the way, but the key catalyst for the long-awaited rotation into value was ‘Pfizer Monday’ on 9 November ...

A big story of the first four-and-a-bit months of 2021 has been a recovery for UK assets with the domestic-facing FTSE 250 index reaching all-time highs and sterling recently hitting $1.42 against the dollar for the first time since 2018. Sentiment towards the UK has been boosted by the successful vaccine rollout and the steady easing of coronavirus restrictions. However, there are now ...