Retailer inches towards £1 billion profit markPre-tax profit guidance increased by £15 million'Exceptional' growth overseasClothing and homewares retailer Next (NXT) has raised its year-to-January-2025 profit guidance for the second time in two months.In fact, the high street stalwart is now on the verge of joining the £1 billion pre-tax profit club, quite an achievement considering the difficu

Ocado Retail revenue up 15.5% to £658 millionUK's fastest growing grower for seven months in a rowAverage basket value was broadly flat at £120.97Shares in Ocado (OCDO) were up more than 7% to 375p in morning trading as the company raised 2024 revenue guidance for its Ocado Retail joint venture with Marks & Spencer (MKS) to low double-digit growth following a strong performance in the first thre

AJ Bell's Money Matters campaign was launched three years ago with the aim of helping women navigate the massive gender investment gap.This is the first in a series of articles looking at the particular challenges women face at different stages in their financial lives.You might think that by the time you reach your 70s most of your life's financial decisions are behind you, but actually this deca

This feature marks two new beginnings. The first is a three-part-series exploring portfolio construction, management and how to adapt for major life milestones. It is also the start of a brand-new section in the magazine. We want to find out how readers approach their own investment portfolios and the methods they use to construct and manage them. You can read more about how to get involved at the

Stocks ended lower in London on Wednesday, as uncertainty around the outcome of the US Federal Reserve's interest rate decision put investors on the back foot.'This is one of the most uncertain Fed outcomes in recent memory; Chair Powell's post-decision press conference could generate plenty of fireworks,' said analysts at Brown Brothers Harriman.The FTSE 100 index fell 56.18 points, or 0.7%, at 8

Stocks in London were in the red at midday on Wednesday, awaiting clarity from the US Federal Reserve over the pace of interest rate cuts.According to CME FedWatch, a 50 basis point cut is the most likely move by the US central bank, though some believe a 25 basis point reduction is in the offing.Elsewhere, the pound perked up, taking advantage of some dollar weakness after a UK inflation reading.

Stocks were higher across the UK and Europe at midday on Tuesday, as the US Federal Reserve looks increasingly likely to cut interest rates by half a percentage point.The FTSE 100 index added 62.68 points, 0.8%, at 8,341.12. The FTSE 250 rose 106.27 points, 0.5%, at 21,035.86, and the AIM All-Share added 0.38 of a point, 0.1%, at 744.12.The Cboe UK 100 was up 0.8% at 834.51, the Cboe UK 250 rose 0

European stocks pushed higher early Tuesday on growing belief that the US Federal Reserve will lower interest rates by 50 basis points on Wednesday.'Either the Federal Reserve doves are going seriously ahead of themselves, or there will be a big disappointment when the Fed will announce its policy decision tomorrow. Or... the Fed will align with the market and give investors want they want, to avo

Group revenue up 16% to £229 millionNet ticket sales increased year-on-year by 13%Shares up 36% over the past yearShares in Trainline (TRN) were up 10% this morning to 332p as the rail booking site and app had a better-than-expected first half.Group revenue increased by 16% to £229 million for the six months ending 31 August despite ongoing UK rail strikes.Net ticket sales increased year-on-year

At the start of 2024, I speculated that interest rate cuts could lead to takeovers involving bigger companies than the type of deals seen in 2023. While the rate-cut journey still remains in its infancy for the UK and other key geographies, the predicted wave of large-cap takeovers is firmly in motion. It's a reminder there is value on the UK market in droves.There have been bids or expressions of

Blue chips traded lower at midday on Tuesday, pegged back by falls in several index heavyweights, in a mixed day for stocks in London.The FTSE 100 index traded down 43.48 points, 0.5%, at 8,227.36. The FTSE 250 was up 32.47 points, 0.2%, at 20,683.35, and the AIM All-Share was down 0.69 of a point, 0.1%, at 746.04.The Cboe UK 100 was down 0.4% at 823.76, the Cboe UK 250 rose 0.4% at 18,228.80, and

London's FTSE 100 fell in early trading on Tuesday, underperforming European peers, pegged back by a sharp fall in AstraZeneca shares.The FTSE 100 index traded down 27.30 points, 0.3%, at 8,243.54. The FTSE 250 was up 57.16 points, 0.3%, at 20,708.04, and the AIM All-Share was down 0.87 of a point, 0.1%, at 747.60.The Cboe UK 100 was down 0.2% at 824.77, the Cboe UK 250 rose 0.4% at 18,235.85, and

London's FTSE 100 was higher at midday, although Burberry suffered, ahead of US inflation figures and the latest round of central bank interest rate calls.The FTSE 100 index traded up 49.96 points, or 0.6%, at 8,231.43. The FTSE 250 was 76.94 points higher, 0.4%, at 20,570.94, and the AIM All-Share was up 2.42 points, or 0.3%, at 746.42.The Cboe UK 100 was up 0.7% at 823.23, the Cboe UK 250 added

Profit warning as key contract not renewedSofter business in tech and public sector12% hit to 2026 revenueCompanies are required to announce all price-sensitive information to the market as soon as possible.Tech consultancy and marketing group Next 15 (NFG:AIM) dropped a bomb shell on Friday (6 Sep) after saying a key customer will not be renewing a three-year contract, resulting in a 'material' h

Aeronautical engineer Rolls-Royce (RR.) is not going to be caught up in a new crisis after airline Cathay Pacific (0293:HKG) found a fault with the engines used 'on its fleet of Airbus (AIR:EPA) A350 jets.This was the prevailing mood among investors and analysts as the dust settled on a late afternoon trading session on 2 September following reports that a Rolls-Royce component failure led Cathay

CEO unexpectedly steps downPre-tax profits plunge in H1Strategic review ongoingShares in Chapel Down (CDGP:AIM) cheapened 16% to 58.5p after England's largest winemaker uncorked a first half profits plunge and said CEO Andrew Carter is leaving to take up a new role at Timothy Taylor & Co.Drinks industry veteran Carter's exit is a bitter blow to Chapel Down.During his three year stint as CEO, he ov

6.2 million passengers for Wizz Air, up 1%8% rise in passengers for RyanairRyanair reports load factor of 96% in AugustEuropean budget carrier Wizz Air (WIZZ) reported a record 6.2 million passenger numbers for August despite operated seat capacity being down 0.4% year-on-year due to the Pratt & Whitney GTF engine-related groundings.Wizz Air has seen a large number of aircraft grounded thanks to t

Stock prices in Europe opened in the green on Tuesday morning, with investors awaiting a manufacturing PMI print from the US later in the day.The FTSE 100 index opened 6.38 points, or 0.1%, at 8,370.22. The FTSE 250 was up 34.51 points, or 0.2%, at 21,015.02, and the AIM All-Share was up 1.94 points, or 0.3%, at 768.84.The Cboe UK 100 was up 0.1% at 837.86, the Cboe UK 250 was up 0.1% at 18,504.60

REA controlled by Rupert Murdoch's News Corp expresses interestOnline property portal faces competitive threat from CoStar-backed On The MarketYear-to-date Rightmove shares up 20%Shares in Rightmove (RMV) soared 22% to 677p in morning trading as Australian property listings company REA (controlled by Rupert Murdoch's News Corp) said it was considering making an offer for the online property portal

Stocks in London managed to shake off a tepid response to Nvidia's earnings across the pond on Thursday, with the positive sentiment also seen elsewhere in Europe.The FTSE 100 index closed up 35.79 points, or 0.4%, at 8,379.64. The FTSE 250 fell 35.79 points, or 0.2%, at 21,031.08, and the AIM All-Share rose 2.19 points, or 0.3%, at 772.49.The Cboe UK 100 ended up 0.5% at 837.89, the Cboe UK 250 f