8 May 2026
Daily market update: FTSE 100 lower, Intertek, IAG, RightmoveThe FTSE 100 started Friday on the back foot as local election results trickled in and tensions simmered in the Middle East.
While officially the ceasefire between the US and Iran remains in place, an exchange of fire in the Strait of Hormuz has helped to extinguish some of the hope that a deal between the parties might be close.
For now, the move...
8 May 2026
Why are housebuilders’ shares crumbling?UK housebuilder shares have fallen sharply—but what’s driving the decline, and what could change next?
We break down the key pressures on the sector and what it means for investors.
The UK housing sector has struggled in 2026, with housebuilder shares among the worst performers in the FTSE 350. Rising interest rates, affordability challenges, and...
7 May 2026
Daily market update: Shell, Centrica, Herald, BAE SystemsEuropean markets mostly continued yesterday’s strong session, which saw equities rally globally on hopes of a resolution to the Middle East conflict.
The exception was the FTSE 100 which fell 0.6% as energy stocks weighed on the index amid oil falling back below $100 a barrel.
Shell reported bumper profits, but the market had fully expected that...
7 May 2026
Could value stocks offer the remedy to an AI bubble?The lofty valuations of AI stocks in the past few years have dredged up memories for some of the time before the dotcom bubble burst in 2000.
This burst, which led to steep fall in the MSCI World over a period of two years, was due to overinvestment in internet companies that eventually couldn’t live up to their value despite the internet becoming...
6 May 2026
Daily market update: FTSE 100 higher on Iran hopes, Next, Diageo, Novo NordiskThe market is celebrating an apparent late-night TACO Tuesday as the US pauses its plan to escort commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz to focus on negotiations with Tehran.
A ceasefire which seemed to have been stretched to breaking point appears to be just about holding up. Hopes for de-escalation have been renewed by the latest...
6 May 2026
Different generations' financial goals and how to achieve themNew research by AJ Bell explores the top financial goals at each stage in life and found that for Gen Z, Millennials and Gen X, the top three financial goals are retirement savings, money for travel and building an emergency fund.
Among those aged 61 and under, the older you are, the more likely you are to prioritise retirement savings (31% for Gen...
6 May 2026
The story behind the Magnificent Seven’s push to new heightsThe combined stock market value of the so-called Magnificent Seven of Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Meta, Microsoft, Nvidia and Tesla has hit a new record high of $22.5 trillion, finally passing last October’s peak as investors react a strong set of quarterly results from the six to have reported so far.
Nvidia’s first-quarter earnings are due on 20...
6 May 2026
The FTSE, DAX and CAC are more concentrated than the S&P 500Equity indices are often seen as a good way to achieve a broad spread of exposures to companies operating in different industries and thereby reduce stock risk, but it is important to be aware of concentration risk.
While much has been written recently about how the S&P 500 is dominated by its largest constituents, it is probably less well...
6 May 2026
April market review: How equities bounced back while bonds flounderedAfter a chaotic March, April allowed investors to take a step back and process the situation in front of them. What markets saw, by and large, was a return to the norms of earlier this year.
The US made a strong recovery, as the Morningstar US Market index rose 7.2% during the month, while the Morningstar UK Index climbed up 2.4%. The indices are...
4 May 2026
Three types of funds for beginner investorsInvesting doesn’t have to be complicated when you use funds, and you’re never too old to get started. There are some easy steps for anyone whose interest has been piqued by the government’s push to get more people investing their money rather than letting it sit in cash.
A lot of people feel overwhelmed when looking for investments because the...
1 May 2026
Martin Gamble on US markets: Google-owner Alphabet soars, Meta punishedUS markets were surprisingly steady this week despite a barrage of macroeconomic news and big technology earnings.
The Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged as expected but four of its twelve policy members dissented, revealing the biggest lack of consensus at the Fed in 34 years.
In Jerome Powell’s last meeting as chair, he told reporters...
1 May 2026
Daily market update: FTSE 100 drifts with oil above $110, Diageo, NatWest, AppleThe FTSE 100 took a step back on Friday on a mix of continuing concern about the situation in the Middle East, profit taking in the utilities sector and weakness among precious metals miners.
The latest US earnings season has been robust, which has helped prevent global markets from suffering big losses despite the impact of the Iran conflict. US...
30 April 2026
Consumer staples stocks 2026: what’s going wrong?Consumer staples stocks in 2026 are not behaving as expected. Russ Mould explains why traditionally defensive stocks are under pressure. In uncertain markets, investors often turn to consumer staples for stability. But this year, companies like Unilever and Reckitt Benckiser have struggled, despite rising geopolitical tensions and inflation...
30 April 2026
Daily market update: Markets mixed as Iran crisis continues, United Utilities, Rolls-RoyceThe relative calm the market has displayed so far over the Iran war has started to dissipate, with oil prices creeping higher on fears a timely resolution to the conflict is slipping away.
The FTSE 100 was helped by its oil and gas heavyweights but elsewhere there was heavy selling in Europe as the energy price shock threatens to intensify and with...
29 April 2026
Daily market update: FTSE retreats, Lloyds, AstraZeneca and GSK bullish, AdidasDespite a decent showing from Asian markets, Europe was on the back foot as yesterday’s dip in oil prices reversed, reminding investors that inflation risks are still elevated.
UAE’s exit from oil producers’ cartel Opec might eventually lead to greater oil supplies from the region which could bring down oil prices, but it won’t happen overnight.
T...
29 April 2026
Why are shares in defence companies under pressure?European defence stocks suffered their worst drop in five years in March while the iShares US Aerospace & Defence ETF saw nearly $1 billion of outflows in the week ending 24 April.
Many defence companies now sit below where they stood before the war in Iran began at the end of February 2026.
While this may seem counterintuitive, there are reasons...
28 April 2026
Investing in the British companies you use every dayWe’re often told to invest in what we know – and there’s a surprisingly large number of companies on the UK stock market embedded into everyday life.
From the moment we wake up, get dressed and have breakfast, go to work and come home again, there are oodles of touch points with companies whose shares can be bought at the click of a button. There’s...
28 April 2026
Daily market update: FTSE up, oil above $110, BP, Card Factory, Travis PerkinsA matter of weeks ago oil moving through $110 per barrel would be enough to give markets the willies but they seem to be in wait-and-see mode right now .
Energy prices are reacting to stalled talks between the US and Iran and a blockage of the Strait of Hormuz which has now extended to the best part of two months – with just a few fleeting moments...
27 April 2026
Daily market update: Equity markets higher, Whitbread, motor finance redress schemeEquity markets pushed ahead in Europe despite oil prices creeping ever higher.
The exception was the FTSE 100 which held firm as energy and industrial sector gains were offset by weakness in consumer non-cyclicals and miners.
The oil market has been the place to watch closely since the start of March when the Middle East crisis unfolded. Oil below...
26 April 2026
Big dividends: The highest yielding stocks on UK stock marketOne of the UK stock market’s key attractions is the rich bounty of dividends on offer. There are companies with a history of returning copious amounts of money to shareholders and that makes the UK a fertile hunting ground for income investors.
At a headline level, the FTSE 100 yields 3.3% based on forecast payments. While 3.3% is less than you’d...
24 April 2026
Martin Gamble on US Markets: Tesla spend spooks investorsUS markets took a well-earned breather this week after President Trump announced an indefinite ceasefire to hostilities in the Middle East.
It is likely to be the quiet before the storm ahead of a next week’s deluge of data including a interest rate decision from the Federal Reserve and earnings from the mega-cap technology firms, including Apple...
24 April 2026
Daily market update: FTSE falls after Bank of England warning, Intel, MondiAn official from the Bank of England has warned of a potential global stock market correction.
Deputy governor for financial stability Sarah Breeden told the BBC that current share prices didn’t reflect economic pressures facing the markets.
The stock market reflects what investors think will happen in the future. While markets have been wobbly...
24 April 2026
Big pharma in focus: What’s driving AstraZeneca and GSK right nowAstraZeneca results are in focus as the FTSE 100 earnings season accelerates. With pharma stocks near record highs, what should investors be watching?
In this week’s market update, Russ Mould looks ahead to upcoming results from AstraZeneca and GSK, two of the UK’s largest pharmaceutical companies. With strong share price performance and ambitious...
23 April 2026
Why the UK beats the US on value and dividendsThere has been a pervasive misconception about UK companies when compared to those in the US that they don't have as much to offer in terms of exciting opportunities and, for market participants, returns.
Comparing the valuation and dividend trends – two of the most crucial factors for investing – on UK and US stocks the former trumps the US.
The...
22 April 2026
What are trackers and how can they get you started with investing?If you’re new to investing, the level of choice can feel overwhelming and leave you confused on where to begin. One option when you’re starting out is to use tracker funds to get exposure to lots of different investments in one go.
Casual followers of financial headlines will likely have heard of the FTSE 100 and possibly even the S&P 500. These...
