Sterling soars as exit poll predicts huge Tory majority December 12, 2019 Sterling skyrocketed nearly two per cent as the exit poll predicted a huge Tory majority of 86 seats, the largest for the Conservatives since the days of Margaret Thatcher. The pound briefly hit as high as $1.35, reaching a level last seen in May 2018, which put the currency on course for its biggest one [...]
Dividends for AIM-listed firms soar to record heights September 9, 2019 The dividends paid by companies listed on the stock exchange’s Alternative Investment Market (AIM) exchange reached record highs in the first half of the year, and are on track to beat 2018’s record full-year total of £1.1bn. First-half AIM dividends climbed 23.9 per cent year on year to £633m, according to new figures from Link [...]
Pearson share price drops as weak print sales hurt profit September 26, 2019 Pearson’s share price dived over 14 per cent this morning as it warned that profits will fall to the bottom of its guidance range this year. The education publishing brand said “weaker than expected” sales in its US higher education courseware division mean adjusted operating profit will hit £590m, far off the £640m it had [...]
FTSE 100 and Wall Street bounce back after week of turmoil February 12, 2018 The FTSE 100 and companies on Wall Street rose today after a week of big losses following global stock market turmoil. London’s blue-chip companies gained more than 1.2 per cent by the mid-afternoon, with highs just short of the 7,200 points mark. The S&P 500, the US benchmark, rose by 1.2 per cent at the [...]
Ally quits Neil Woodford’s namesake trust in latest blow for troubled fund manager September 2, 2019 A senior figure is stepping down from one of the largest investment trusts managed by Neil Woodford, as the embattled stockpicker’s current woes continue to cause ripples across his network. Steven Harris is to resign from the board of Woodford Patient Capital Trust (WPCT), a major investment portfolio currently run by under-fire investor Neil Woodford. [...]
Government sticks to Halloween Brexit date as IDS slams ‘conniving’ Remainers August 5, 2019 A Halloween Brexit will take place “whatever the circumstances”, Downing Street has insisted, as rebel MPs up the rhetoric about blocking the process through a vote of no confidence. “The UK will be leaving the EU on 31 October, whatever the circumstances. There are no ifs or buts,” the Prime Minister’s official spokesman told journalists [...]
UK public companies post worst performance in three years in second quarter August 5, 2019 UK companies posted the weakest set of results in three years in the second quarter of 2019. Analysis from the Share Centre shows revenues for UK public companies increased 1.6 per cent in the second quarter. Profits rose 3.1 per cent, driven by the top 40 multinationals which performed strongly. Read more: FTSE 100 sinks [...]
UK economy shakes off recession fears with growth in July September 9, 2019 The UK economy grew by more than expected in July, official figures have shown, allaying fears that Britain could be heading for a recession. Read more: Into the red: UK economy shrinks for first time in seven years British GDP expanded by 0.3 per cent month on month in July, after stagnating in June. Economists [...]
Long story short: What investors can learn from Carl Icahn and Netflix July 1, 2019 Seven years ago, shareholders in Netflix – the S&P 500 listed provider of online movies and shows – suffered a crushing loss as it disastrously attempted to raise prices and restructure. Roughly one million customers cancelled their subscriptions. Netflix’s share price plummeted to less than $53 from $300 in a matter of weeks, a loss [...]
Housebuilders boosted by Boris Johnson no-deal Brexit budget June 28, 2019 Housebuilders were among the biggest risers in the FTSE 100 this morning after Boris Johnson, the front runner to be the next prime minister, said he would slash stamp duty and tax in the event of a no-deal Brexit. Berkeley Group shares were up 3.16 per cent today followed by Persimmon, which rose 2.63 per [...]