UK companies are cheap: the smaller the cheaper December 11, 2020 | City Talk UK stocks have lagged their global peers, but is the stage set for a change of fortune? Many investors in UK stocks have looked on enviously at the super-sized returns that global stocks, and US stocks in particular, have been able to deliver over recent years. That all changed this month. As of 18 November, [...]
Before the Bell: Preparations start for a no deal Brexit December 11, 2020 It was another mixed session for European stocks yesterday, with the FTSE100 outperforming on the back of a slightly weaker pound, but it was notable that we saw heavy falls in UK banks and other stocks with a domestic focus on no deal Brexit concerns. Brexit talks With UK/EU trade talks extended to the weekend, [...]
FTSE 100 rises ahead of PM’s Brexit trip to Brussels December 9, 2020 The FTSE 100 opened higher as Prime Minister Boris Johnson prepared to fly to Brussels for key Brexit talks and after the administration of Donald Trump in the US suggested a $916bn (£685bn) stimulus package. The index climbed 0.3 per cent to 6,580 points in early trading. Britain’s FTSE 250 index of mid-cap firms rose [...]
Before the Bell: Fishing for a deal December 7, 2020 While markets in Europe underwent a fairly mixed week, the FTSE100 was notable in undergoing a significantly strong move higher to its best levels since March, driven up by a combination of optimism over the rollout of a vaccine, which begins this week, and the prospect of a possible UK/EU trade deal. US markets also [...]
FTSE 100 falls back as Brexit negotiations drag on December 3, 2020 The FTSE 100 fell back this morning after the French government threatened to veto a Brexit trade deal if EU negotiators gave further concessions to the UK. London’s premier index dropped 0.4 per cent start as trading opened, while the FTSE 250 of midcap companies picked up 0.1 per cent. Brexit talks are ongoing between [...]
Pershing Square Holdings to join FTSE 100 in latest reshuffle December 2, 2020 Pershing Square Holdings will be promoted to the FTSE 100 following the latest reshuffle of the blue-chip index. Billionaire fund manager Bill Ackman’s portfolio will replace Homeserve, which is being relegated to the FTSE 250 after just two quarters in the big leagues. Other changes include the addition of real estate investment firm Hammerson and [...]
FTSE inches higher after Pfizer vaccine approval but Wall Street slips December 2, 2020 The FTSE 100 inched higher today as the UK became the first country in the world to approve the Pfizer/Biontech coronavirus vaccine for use. Having opened in the red, London’s premier index was up 0.5 per cent in the early afternoon, with the FTSE 250 of mid-cap firms down 0.3 per cent. Analysts said that [...]
FTSE 100 and Wall Street chase record highs as vaccine hopes boost markets December 1, 2020 The FTSE 100 logged its best session in three weeks today while Wall Street hit record highs as markets continue to ride a wave of vaccine optimism. The blue-chip bourse closed up 1.9 per cent, while the FTSE 250 midcap index rose by 2.6 per cent. It comes after the FTSE recording its biggest gain [...]
Playing FTSE: How a global index was born in London November 30, 2020 It is now more than two decades since FTSE was founded – becoming common parlance not just in the City but across the business world. FTSE’s founder Mark Makepeace has teamed up with respected business journalist James Ashton to tell the story of the FTSE – and how it grew from nine people in an [...]
FTSE 100 remains on track for best month in 30 years November 30, 2020 The FTSE 100 reversed early losses this morning to remain well on track for one of the best months in its history in November. London’s premier index gained 0.4 per cent this morning, meaning it is is set for a monthly gain of over 13 per cent – its best in 31 years. JD Sports [...]