20 March 2019
Kingfisher in a fix as DIY expert looks for a new boss“ Kingfisher’s failure to increase its dividend for a tenth year in a row – and join an elite club of just 26 current FTSE 100 members to have such a record – is the subtlest indication that its turnaround plan is not delivering. The decision to change not just its head of IT and also its chief executive is more of a giveaway, as is a change in how...
20 March 2019
Kingfisher and IQE“The FTSE 100 dips ahead of the US Federal Reserve’s latest policy decision and chatter that top US trade officials will head to China next week for new trade talks. The blue chip index is also weighed down by various big mining companies whose shares have been hit by a fall in iron ore prices. Vale has cleared a hurdle to restart production at one...
20 March 2019
FTSE 100 is off to a good start in 2019 as analysts forecast new peak for UK plc profits“The FTSE 100 is currently doing a good job of confounding the Cassandras, naysayers and pessimists with a capital gain of nearly 8% in 2019 to date, despite the ongoing uncertainty over global tariff and trade policies, Brexit and gathering concerns over the globe’s economic growth prospects, says Russ Mould, AJ Bell Investment Director.
“The...
19 March 2019
ASOS and Kier“Markets around the world were fairly steady on Tuesday as investors await updates later this week from the US Federal Reserve and, to a lesser extent, the Bank of England. A handful of retail and mining stocks helped to give the FTSE 100 a small lift, rising 0.1% to 7,308,” says Russ Mould, Investment Director at AJ Bell.
ASOS“Life remains tough...
18 March 2019
Worldpay and JD Sports“It’s a big week for the markets with policy decisions from both the US Federal Reserve and the Bank of England. We’re also likely to get some update on Brexit, meaning there are various significant factors hanging over the heads of investors.
“Markets remain calm despite this backdrop with both the FTSE 100 and FTSE 250 indices rising on Monday...
15 March 2019
Restaurant Group and JD Wetherspoon“The idea that Brexit could potentially be delayed has stirred up investor interest in UK stocks, as illustrated by the FTSE 250 rising 0.2% following the vote by MPs last night to ask the EU to push back the UK’s exit beyond the current 29 March departure date. The FTSE 100 was also in positive territory, rising 0.4% to 7,213.
“Housebuilders...
14 March 2019
Cineworld and Savills“The fact MPs voted to take no deal off the table may not have legal force, but the pound is certainly taking it as making that outcome less likely, consolidating overnight gains this morning.
“Having struggled for direction early on, the FTSE 100 traded slightly higher as investors digested the news,” says Russ Mould, Investment Director at AJ...
13 March 2019
Brexit-proofed funds for ISAsTuesday's defeat of Theresa May’s Brexit deal confirms investors continue to face a period of uncertainty as they approach the important tax year end deadline.
The latest fund sales data from the Investment Association showed that £506 million was withdrawn from funds held in ISAs during January, the ninth month of outflows in a row. Whilst it is...
13 March 2019
Standard Life Aberdeen and Morrisons“UK markets have shrugged off the latest Brexit setback with only a small dip in the domestic-focused FTSE 250 index. Sterling moved 0.5% higher against the euro and the US dollar. Investors remain relatively calm as they await the next vote in parliament.
“The flagship FTSE 100 slipped 0.1% with strength among oil producers and insurers offset by...
12 March 2019
Domino’s Pizza“The pound appears to be reflecting hopes that a (somewhat) revised offer from the EU at the 11th hour can smooth the passage of Theresa May’s Brexit deal through the House of Commons.
“The strong pound is putting pressure on the FTSE 100 as the relative value of overseas earnings takes a knock.
“The late-night drama in Strasbourg felt a bit...
11 March 2019
Superdry and OneSavings Bank/Charter Court Financial Services“Asia drove global markets on Monday as investors bid up Chinese stocks on hopes of more government support for the country’s economy. Shanghai’s SSE Composite index jumped 1.9%, extending strong gains seen last week. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index climbed nearly 1%. “Commodity producers rode this wave with the FTSE 100 being propped up by miners...
8 March 2019
GVC and SIG“Several bouts of poor economic news from China and Germany cast a dark cloud over global markets. The FTSE 100 fell 0.7% to 7,107 on Friday; markets in mainland Europe all flashed red and Asian shares really took a beating. Japan’s Nikkei 225 index fell by 2% and China’s SSE Composite Index dropped by a punishing 4.4%. “Chinese exports saw their...
7 March 2019
Greggs and Countrywide“The FTSE 100 dipped 0.4% to 7,165 on Thursday as several big names traded without the right to their dividends including Rio Tinto, Evraz and Persimmon. Disappointing results from Admiral and Schroders also weighed on the index. “Asian shares were also weak including a 0.9% decline in Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index and a 0.7% decline in Japan’s...
6 March 2019
Just Eat and DS Smith“Tobacco and mining stocks initially helped to drive the FTSE 100 up but the index quickly lost all its gains in early trading to stay flat at 7,186. Chinese stocks rallied on stimulus hopes with the SSE Composite index up 1.6%,” says Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell.
Just Eat“You can tell Just Eat is a company under pressure from an...
5 March 2019
Ashtead’s powerful profits growth yet to fully dispel doubts over US economy“With around 85% of sales and 90% of profits coming from its American operation, Sunbelt, Ashtead provides a useful insight into the US economy and how it is performing. Investors who have a bullish view of the world will therefore take comfort from yet another quarter of double-digit percentage increases in both sales and profit, as Ashtead added...
5 March 2019
GoCompare and Debenhams“It’s rare these days to see Vodafone as the biggest riser on the FTSE 100 given its share price has been depressed for a long time amid market concerns about the sustainability of its dividend. “It bucks the trend on Tuesday to top the FTSE leader board on news it plans to raise circa €4 billion through issuing bonds. Vodafone’s share price...
4 March 2019
Aviva and Ted Baker“There is growing chatter that US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping could meet this month to end the US/China trade war," says Russ Mould, Investment Director at AJ Bell.
“A positive outcome would be a major catalyst for global markets; indeed, stocks are rallying in many parts of the world on Monday following media reports that...
1 March 2019
WPP and Rightmove“A mixture of corporate results, a dip in sterling and a recovery rally in the resources sector helped the FTSE 100 to a decent start on Friday after a tricky week for the index. “Sentiment was helped by better than expected Chinese manufacturing figures with a solid increase in new orders,” says Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell.
WPP“Exp...
28 February 2019
Aston Martin and Howden Joinery“Markets around the world take a step back amid disappointment over Donald Trump’s failure to reach a deal with North Korea and weak manufacturing data from China. The FTSE 100 was also hit by several large companies trading without the rights to the latest dividend including AstraZeneca and Micro Focus,” says Russ Mould, Investment Director at AJ...
27 February 2019
Taylor Wimpey / Rio Tinto, ITV and Experian“The FTSE 100 took a step back on Wednesday, falling 0.6% to 7,110 with notable weakness in the big consumer goods companies such as Unilever and Reckitt Benckiser. “Markets were also weak across mainland Europe and parts of Asia including a 0.4% decline in Germany’s DAX index,” says Russ Mould, Investment Director at AJ Bell.
Taylor Wimpey / Rio...26 February 2019
Persimmon and Travis Perkins“The pound is rallying amid hopes that Theresa May could delay Brexit, rising 0.5% against the euro to €1.1591 and up by the same amount against the US dollar at $1.3160. “Strong sterling is generally bad for the FTSE 100 because a large number of the index constituents earn in overseas currencies but have their shares priced in pounds. “The blue...
25 February 2019
Persimmon and Associated British Foods“Donald Trump’s decision to delay increasing tariffs on Chinese goods has helped to lift stock markets around the world. It is therefore no surprise to see companies with exposure to Asia leading the UK market. “Top risers in the FTSE 350 include investment trust Fidelity China Special Situations, mining companies and financial services group...
22 February 2019
Dairy Crest / Provident Financial and Pearson“The FTSE 100 is back in business with a 0.3% gain to 7,186, led by miners Evraz, Fresnillo and Glencore. Chatter about Just Eat being a takeover target also fuels share price momentum in the food ordering platform. “Over in Japan, the Nikkei failed to extend its winning streak with a 0.2% decline to 21,425,” says Russ Mould, Investment Director at...
20 February 2019
Sainsbury’s, Lloyds and Intu“Share price gains from the banking and mining sectors help to boost the FTSE 100 by 0.3% to 7,199 on Wednesday, with Lloyds and Glencore both riding high off the back of financial results. “Markets across mainland Europe and Asia also take a step forward. Sterling dips 0.2% against the US dollar and oil prices also fall by the same amount,” says...
19 February 2019
HSBC and BHP“A string of disappointing results from some of London’s largest-listed companies weighs on the FTSE 100 and drags the index down 0.2% to 7,202. HSBC and BHP both fail to impress the market and there is also negative analyst comment on Standard Chartered which depresses its share price. “The next few weeks are very busy in terms of companies...