For anyone who owns a FTSE 100, FTSE 250 or FTSE All-Share tracker fund or ETF, there are one or two changes next week as a result of the latest quarterly index review.Investors in these securities don?t need to do anything themselves as the underlying indices ? compiled by FTSE Russell, part of London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) ? will automatically implement the changes from the start of trading

The FTSE 100 dipped into the red at midday on Thursday, as a slew of its heavyweights going ex-dividend weighed.Equities in mainland Europe, meanwhile, were higher, showing no signs of angst ahead of the latest US inflation print, out at 1330 BST.The FTSE 100 index went into Thursday afternoon just 3.58 points lower at 7,583.72. The FTSE 250 was down just 4.05 points at 18,933.15, and the AIM All-

Gordon retired in his late 50s after a successful career in media planning including a period working for The Sunday Times. He is a big fan of investing and calls his SIPP (self-invested personal pension) 'my family's future'.Dividing his time between a rented flat in Mexico City and a house in the UK, Gordon's investment journey stems from his interest in the general management of companies, thei

Some of the UK's best-known businesses are being targeted by hedge funds this year as investors' nerves are shredded by inflation risks, rising interest rates and Russia's war in Ukraine.British retailers such as ASOS (ASC), B&Q-owner Kingfisher (KGF) and Currys (CURY) have seen short sellers make big bets that they will struggle as the cost-of-living crisis spirals, potentially leading to large s

- New £1.4 billion entity will be a leading African oil producer- Tullow shareholders own 57% and Capricorn 43% in new group- Plan to pay annual dividend of $60 millionShares in oil explorer Tullow Oil and (TLW) and Capricorn Energy (CNE) rose 2.3% and 3.1% respectively following the announcement of an agreement for a recommended all-share merger.If agreed the new London listed entity would be on

UK stocks closed on a positive note with the FTSE 100 index ending 1.3% higher at 7,470 points and the FTSE 250 Index firming 1% to 21,873 points at the bell.Brent crude futures hit $90 per barrel for the time since 2014, fueling concerns over inflationary pressures and the need to further raise UK interest rates. Goldman Sachs recently increased its oil price forecast to $100 per barrel.However,

The major UK equity markets continued to build on earlier gains at lunchtime trading on Wednesday.Travel stocks were in demand following the government's confirmation that Covid testing will be dropped for double jabbed travellers arriving in England.At lunchtime the blue chip FTSE 100 equity index was 1.76% higher at 7501.16 and the mid-cap FTSE 250 firmed 1.5% to 21,976.03.All eyes will be focus

Leading UK shares have shrugged-off concerns currently upsetting Wall Street as expectations grow that the Federal Reserve will act more swiftly than previously predicted to try and tame rampant inflation. At the same time, tensions between Ukraine and Russia continue to grow, adding another volatile factor into the mix.At 9am, the benchmark FTSE 100 is close on 1.5% ahead at 7,479.13, not far fro

FTSE traded in a narrow band of just 20 points on Wednesday suggesting indecision among investors as they face what could be a tricky autumn with infection levels and hospitalisations remaining stubbornly high while economic recovery wanes.By the close of business, the FTSE 100 index of leading shares was 4 points lower at 7,030.COMPANY NEWSHouse builder Redrow (RDW) posted a strong set of results

UK stocks remained directionless at 1pm as investors weighed increasing risks to the global recovery and rising inflation.Sterling gained as the latest UK inflation surprised to the upside. According to the Office for National Statistics, consumer prices jumped 3.2% in the year to August compared with a 2.1% rise the previous month.At 1pm the FTSE 100 index of leading shares was flat at 7,029.COMP

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 Nikk

Major UK stocks pulled away from intra-day lows on Wednesday but still closed in the red as investors were haunted by the return of inflation fears and the prospects of interest rate hikes coming sooner rather than later.At the close, the benchmark FTSE 100 had fallen 0.46% at 7,091.90, while mid-caps faced even larger losses, with the FTSE 250 off 0.7% at 22,761.05.Data earlier on Wednesday saw U

Major UK stocks remained lower at midday as investors continued to fret over inflation data and the possibility of interest rate hikes down the line.At 12pm, the benchmark FTSE 100 was trading down 0.6% at 7,085.15, while mid-caps fell by a similar measure, the FTSE 250 0.65% off at 22,776.74.Data earlier on Wednesday saw UK consumer prices rise 2.5% in June, ahead of expectations of a 2.2% increa

UK stocks fell in early trading on Wednesday after higher inflation data, both at home and in the US, stoked concerns about rising interest rates.At 8.35 am, the benchmark FTSE 100 index and the more domestically focused FTSE 250 were both trading 0.5% lower, at 7,086.31 and 22,818.8 points respectively.The UK consumer price index rose 2.5% in June, ahead of expectations of a 2.2% increase. The US

London's FTSE 100 finished Wednesday's trading session 0.4% higher at 7,108 points as inflation worries eased and the blue chip benchmark was boosted by a decent start on Wall Street, with the S&P 500 up 0.3% to 4,216.2 by 4.30pm UK time.As in the US, the absence of earnings from big-name companies left the FTSE 100 lacking a bit of inspiration, with the index outshone by the FTSE 250, which rose

London's FTSE 100 had retreated modestly from its morning highs by lunchtime as housebuilders slipped back on mixed mortgage data.By 12.20, the blue chip benchmark was 0.2% higher at 7,092.37 points, while the more domestically-focused FTSE 250 was 0.1% easier at 22,854.5.BLOOMSBURY REPORTS RECORD YEARPublisher Bloomsbury (BMY) jumped 8.7% to 336p after it reported a record financial year as readi

UK stocks continued their momentum on Wednesday with more solid gains as investors remained upbeat on the global economic recovery.Defying expectations of a flat opening, the UK's benchmark FTSE 100 index moved 0.56% higher to 7,120 while the midcap FTSE 250 index, currently sitting at all-time highs, gained 0.33% to 22,951.It comes after a flat session overnight on Wall Street, where the Dow Jone

UK stocks made good gains on Tuesday following the Easter break after the International Monetary Fund increased its forecast for global growth and Boris Johnson confirmed that non-essential shops and outdoor hospitality would open as planned on 12 April.Miners and other overseas earners were particularly strong as the pound weakened following reports that the UK was considering suspending the Astr

UK stocks held onto early gains by Tuesday lunchtime, reflecting increased risk appetite and tame bond markets despite stronger economic data.UK car sales rose around 11% in the key selling month of March. While showrooms have been closed for most of the past year, dealerships have kept sales afloat thanks to 'click and collect' and delivery services.By 12pm the FTSE 100 index was 1.2% higher at 6

UK stocks posted early gains after the S&P500 index hit more all-time highs yesterday, driven by a strong jobs report and a record high in service sector activity.In addition, UK car sales rose around 11% in the key selling month of March. While showrooms have been closed for most of the past year, dealerships have kept sales afloat thanks to 'click and collect' and delivery services.By 8.30am the