London stocks were mixed at the closing bell, a few hours before the evening?s long-awaited interest rate decision from the Federal Reserve, with Haleon hampering the FTSE 100 and a poor performance from Aston Martin dragging down the FTSE 250.The FTSE 100 index closed down 22.89 points, 0.3%, at 8,121.24. The FTSE 250 ended down 38.80 points, 0.2%, at 19,926.59, and the AIM All-Share closed up 4.

Stock prices in London were slightly down heading into the afternoon on Wednesday, as investors awaited the latest interest rate decision from the US Federal Reserve this evening.The FTSE 100 index slipped just 1.15 points to 8,142.98. The FTSE 250 was down 35.58 points, 0.2%, at 19,929.81, and the AIM All-Share was up 3.07 points, 0.4%, at 763.81.The Cboe UK 100 was flat at 813.38, the Cboe UK 25

Full-price sales up 5.7%Full-year guidance unchangedFirm outperforming the marketHigh-street retailer Next (NXT) beat expectations with its first-quarter trading update but tempered its outlook for the second quarter so as to leave its full-year guidance unchanged.Traders took the opportunity to top-slice the shares, which have gained over 12% this year, sending them lower by 72p or 0.8%. O

Large-cap London stocks in London opened in the green on Wednesday, despite nervy trade in New York overnight ahead of the Federal Reserve?s interest rate decision later.A host of financial markets in mainland Europe and beyond, including Paris, Frankfurt and Shanghai, are closed for public holidays.The FTSE 100 index rose 24.30 points, 0.3%, at 8,168.43. The FTSE 250 was down 17.21 points, 0.1%,

London Stocks finished down on Tuesday, despite rallies from Whitbread and HSBC, as Wall Street was in the red ahead of the Fed?s major interest rate decision this week.The FTSE 100 index closed down 2.90 points at 8,144.13. The FTSE 250 ended down 119.40 points, 0.6%, at 19,965.39, and the AIM All-Share closed down 2.59 points, 0.3%, at 760.74.The Cboe UK 100 ended down 0.1% at 813.44, the Cboe U

Galaxy smartphone maker reports 10-fold jump in profitAI driving demand for memory chipsSouth Korean firm targeted by activists earlier in the yearThe world?s biggest memory chips and smartphone maker Samsung Electronics (005930:KS) is getting a much-needed lift from the AI (artificial intelligence) demand boom.The South Korean technology giant clocked a 10-fold surge in its first quarter profit,

Cards-to-gifts seller reinstates shareholder rewardStore estate performing wellFY25 profits will be second half weightedShares in Card Factory (CARD) rallied 6% to 106.6p after the value-focused greeting cards-to-party supplies retailer announced a welcome return to the dividend list, having paused payouts during the pandemic.The reinstatement of dividends signalled confidence from Card Factory an

Profits beat consensusBuyback bigger than thoughtChief executive stepping downInvestors in Anglo-Pacific bank HSBC (HSBA) had plenty to cheer as the group posted first-quarter results above expectations and increased the size of its buyback.The shares continued their recent rally, adding another 17p or 2.5% to take them to a new post-pandemic high of 685p. BETTER RESULTS AND BUYBACKFor the

Postive cancer trial resultsPotentially increases patient poolNew standard of careShares in AstraZeneca (AZN) got a further boost today, rising 2% after posting positive late-stage trial results for breast cancer treatment Enhertu which demonstrated clinically-meaningful progression-free survival improvements.This follows strong market-beating first-quarter results last week (25 April) which sent

Gatemore has over 4 million shares in ElementisShares up nearly 2% to 139p in morning tradingShareholders keen to unlock valueShareholders in Elementis (ELM) once again expressed dissatisfaction with the specialty chemicals company by writing an open letter to the board calling for change which is ?long overdue.?Liad Meidar, managing partner at Gatemore Capital Management - Gatemore Special Opport

Firm to power Tesco Clubcard ChallengesOne-year contract with option to renewEagle Eye?s sales rose 20% in H1Technology tiddler Eagle Eye Solutions (EYE:AIM) has secured a new contract with Tesco (TSCO) for personalised promotions, exciting news which sent shares in the UK SaaS (software-as-a-service) firm up 9% to 510p on Monday.While no financial details were disclosed, house broker Shore Capita

Revenue and profit top forecastsAnalysts hold back on upgradesShares climb in line with rivalsWith Barclays (BARC) and Lloyds Banking Group (LLOY) having already posted first-quarter results and seen their shares rally in response, the onus was on NatWest Group (NWG) not to let the side down and the bank duly delivered a positive update with earnings a touch above estimates despite a weak year-on-

Board recommends all cash 620p offerPrice pitched at 20% premium to prior closeBid ends tumultuous three years for DarktraceIt has certainly not been a dull time for shareholders in cybersecurity firm Darktrace (DARK) since it listed three years ago and now it looks like its short sojourn has come to an end after agreeing an all-cash offer from private equity outfit Thoma Bravo at 620p per share.H

After last week?s market spasm over hints from Fed officials that rates may need to rise rather than fall due to the resilience of the US economy, this week the focus moved on to earnings with around one third of S&P 500 companies posting first-quarter updates.So far most firms have beaten estimates, leading to slim gains for the indices, but an increasing number have tempered their guidance for t

Investors bought in London at the open on Friday, with news led by Anglo American rejecting BHP?s £31.1 billion takeover offer and Darktrace accepting a $5 billion private equity takeover offer.The FTSE 100 index opened up 42.14 points, 0.5%, at 8,121.00. The FTSE 250 was up 151.94 points, 0.8%, at 19,753.92, and the AIM All-Share was up 2.41 points, 0.3%, at 755.53.The Cboe UK 100 was up 0.6% at

London?s FTSE 100 pushed higher on Thursday, leaving peers on the continent and beyond in its wake, on share price rises for heavyweights AstraZeneca, Barclays and Unilever, as well as M&A impetus for Anglo American.Trade was underwhelming elsewhere, however, as equities struggled following a red-hot US inflation reading, which was coupled with numbers showing a slowdown in growth.The FTSE 100 ind

Stock prices were up in London heading into the afternoon on Thursday, with Anglo American leading the charge on confirming it was ?reviewing? a takeover bid from its larger Australian rival BHP Group.The FTSE 100 index was up 54.22 points, 0.7%, at 8,094.60. The FTSE 250 was down 20.05 points, 0.1%, at 19,699.32, and the AIM All-Share was up 0.33 of a point at 755.02.The Cboe UK 100 was up 0.7% a

Australian miner launches deal worth proposed $38.8 billionAnglo has huge copper assets crucial to buyoutCopper prices at two-year highs as renewable energy demand risesFTSE 100 mining group Anglo American (AAL) has huge iron ore, platinum, coal and, through its? controlling stake in dealer De Beers, diamonds, but make no mistake, BHP?s (BHP) interest in the business is a big bet on copper.Copper

Second-quarter guidance disappointsAI spending plans spook investors$200 billion wiped off market valueSocial media and technology outfit Meta Platforms (META:NASDAQ) saw its recent share price momentum stall in a big way overnight as investors fretted its ?year of efficiency? in 2023 would give way to a period of profligacy.At one point more than $200 billion had been wiped off the company?s valu

First quarter sales and profit beat expectationsStrategy update scheduled for 21 MayFull year outlook confirmedShares in AstraZeneca (AZN) surged 5% to £119.3 closing in on a new 52-week high after first quarter revenue and earnings eclipsed market expectations and the pharmaceutical company reiterated full year guidance.After a few months of consolidation, the shares are back to winning ways and