Shares & the stockmarket

  • 3 September 2025

    What kind of returns can I expect on my investments?

    This is the million pound question. Unfortunately, it comes with the answer that it’s impossible to know how your money will perform in the future.

    Regardless of what you invest in, there’s simply no guarantee you will profit. However, we can look at what has happened in the past and learn some lessons from earlier investors. Just remember that...

    8 min read
    Couple comparing shares on tablet screens
  • 5 September 2025

    Daily market update: housebuilders, Lululemon, Broadcom, Gear4Music

    “Equity markets were quiet at the end of the week, albeit there is still a chance for a last-minute wobble if US jobs data delivers a shock,” says Russ Mould, Investment Director at AJ Bell.

    “Non-farm payrolls are expected to have grown by 75,000 in August, slightly above July’s 73,000 figure. Investors are looking to see if the jobs market is hot...

    5 min read
    Author
    violins being played
  • 5 September 2025

    US shares tick higher on rate cut hopes, competition ruling boosts Alphabet

    After a difficult start US stocks recovered through the course of the week as hopes of a rate cut later this month solidified.

    This followed jobless claims data for the week to 30 August which showed an increase to 237,000. This was above expectations and meant for the first time since April 2021 the world’s largest economy has more unemployed...

    5 min read
    google logo on building at sunset
  • 4 September 2025

    Why financial markets have been front page news this week

    It’s been an eventful week across financial markets amid a sell-off in government bonds, a decline in the value of the pound against the US dollar, and billions of pounds wiped off the value of UK medium-sized companies.

    While this all sounds quite dramatic, there is no need to panic. There is a logical reason why we saw these movements, and it is...

    4 min read
    man reading newspaper at home
  • 4 September 2025

    Daily market update: Eurocell, Jet2, Currys

    “The FTSE 100 pushed ahead as bond markets calmed down and the focus shifted to US jobs data,” says AJ Bell Investment Director Russ Mould.

    “Ahead of non-farm payrolls on Friday, sharply lower job openings across the Atlantic suggested a weakening in the labour market which could push the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates more aggressively.

    “Ma...

    4 min read
    Author
    jet2 holidays plane
  • 3 September 2025

    Daily market update: Alphabet, Hilton Food, Canal+, Watches of Switzerland

    “It’s another uneven day for financial markets as the worry list gets even longer,” says Russ Mould, Investment Director at AJ Bell.

    “Having been troubled by a jump in long-dated government bond yields yesterday, equities got off to a wobbly start again as investors woke up to leaders of China, Russia and North Korea coming together in public for...

    6 min read
    Author
    watches of switzerland store
  • 2 September 2025

    Daily market update: Centrica, Nestle, Tesla, gold and silver

    “The FTSE 100 slipped in early trading on Tuesday as investors await the resumption of trading on Wall Street after yesterday’s Labor Day holiday,” says AJ Bell investment director Russ Mould.

    “Tobacco, utilities and banks acted as a drag on the UK index, failing to offset strength in energy and healthcare.

    “Oil stocks and precious metals miners...

    5 min read
    Author
    gold nuggets on dollar bills
  • 1 September 2025

    Daily market update: defence stocks, Rolls-Royce, BYD, Domino’s Pizza

    “European markets enjoyed a decent start to the week, grabbing investors’ attention as US markets will be closed later for the Labor Day holiday,” says AJ Bell Investment Director Russ Mould.

    “Wall Street was weak last Friday as a key measure of inflation came in higher than expected. That negativity weighed on Japan where the Nikkei saw a big drop...

    5 min read
    Author
    dominos pizza sign
  • 29 August 2025

    US stocks reach new records despite mixed Nvidia earnings and Fed turmoil

    Investors will be relieved that US stocks managed to consolidate the big gains they chalked up on 22 August when Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell opened the door to a near-term interest rate cut.

    Major indices hitting new record levels was an impressive show of resilience given the disquiet around the Trump administration’s effort to fire Fed...

    5 min read
    tommy hilfiger store
  • 29 August 2025

    Daily market update: UK banks, US inflation data, Wood Group

    “The UK stock market ended the week on a sour note amid suggestions that the government could help to fill its fiscal hole with a new tax on the banking sector,” says Russ Mould, Investment Director at AJ Bell.

    “Some of the biggest names in the FTSE 100 are lenders so if they’re out of favour on the stock market, it acts as a drag on the whole UK...

    4 min read
    Author
    london financial district
  • 28 August 2025

    Going viral: investing in the latest hot trends

    Every year without fail we get products that fly off the shelves. Thanks to social media, it doesn’t take long for the word to get around and certain items to go viral. This hype fuels demand, making these items even more desirable.

    Companies love nothing more than for their products to be the talk of the town. Going viral can mean a bump in sales...

    5 min read
    pop mart shop
  • 28 August 2025

    Daily market update: Nvidia, Tesla, Drax

    “The UK market was steady on Thursday morning after mixed trading in Asia and modest gains on Wall Street overnight,” says AJ Bell Investment Director Russ Mould.

    “ Nvidia may have taken a bit of a tumble as its earnings proved mixed but that didn’t damage investor sentiment too much on a broader scale.

    “A modest recovery in the dollar, despite the...

    2 min read
    Author
    hands holding pellets
  • 27 August 2025

    Daily market update: FTSE 100, Nvidia, JD Sports, National Grid

    “A small rally on Wall Street last night set the tone for a calmer session in Europe on Wednesday,” says Russ Mould, Investment Director at AJ Bell.

    “Trump’s latest meddling with the Federal Reserve had threatened to cast a dark cloud over global markets, yet investors didn’t enter the panic zone.

    “The FTSE 100 advanced 0.2% to 9,280, led by oil...

    3 min read
    Author
    people standing outside a jd sports shop
  • 26 August 2025

    Daily market update: Costa Coffee, British American Tobacco, Bunzl

    “A jump in US Treasury yields indicates that bond investors aren’t happy about how Trump continues to meddle with the Fed and threaten its independence,” says Russ Mould, Investment Director at AJ Bell.

    “Equity markets were in the red across Europe and Asia, and futures prices imply Wall Street will follow suit when it opens for trading later today...

    5 min read
    Author
    costa coffee sign
  • 22 August 2025

    Daily market update: FTSE reshuffle, Jackson Hole summit, Revolution Beauty

    “The FTSE 100 saw a subdued start on Friday after achieving a record close above 9,300 yesterday,” says AJ Bell Investment Analyst Dan Coatsworth.

    “This followed more selling on Wall Street overnight, albeit of moderate persuasion, as investors fret about the message Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell might deliver at the Jackson Hole summit.

    “Inv...

    5 min read
    young couple shopping for makeup
  • 21 August 2025

    Daily market update: WH Smith, Nvidia, Premier Foods, Hays

    “It’s not too often that the FTSE 100’s lack of technology exposure is a virtue but it has been this week,” says AJ Bell Investment Analyst Dan Coatsworth.

    “Amid selling in Europe and the US, the UK’s flagship index tested new highs above 9,300. Old world economy stocks like banks, energy companies and insurers have been to the fore – with their...

    5 min read
    book shop at airport
  • 20 August 2025

    Daily market update: AI fears, Anglo American, Pop Mart

    “Despite the sell-off in the US overnight, emanating from the technology sector, UK stocks were pretty steady in early trading on Wednesday,” says AJ Bell head of financial analysis, Danni Hewson.

    “The index was not helped by the hotter than expected UK inflation report – which gave sterling a modest lift. A stronger pound hits the relative value...

    3 min read
    Author
    AI tablet
  • 19 August 2025

    Daily market update: BHP, Intel, Palo Alto Networks

    “The FTSE 100 dipped a little in early trading after selling on Wall Street and in Asia overnight,” says AJ Bell head of financial analysis Danni Hewson.

    “Markets seem to be exercising some caution ahead of the Jackson Hole meeting later this week and as talks over a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine remain inconclusive.

    “Earnings from...

    4 min read
    Author
    Palo Alto Networks
  • 18 August 2025

    Daily market update: Jackson Hole in focus and LandSec office sale

    “The FTSE 100 ticked higher on Monday morning but was still firmly below the intraday record highs achieved on Friday morning,” says AJ Bell investment director Russ Mould.

    “Any optimism that the summit between President Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin would yield immediate progress towards a peace deal proved misplaced, but the market will...

    2 min read
    Author
    London skyline