Shares & the stockmarket

  • 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
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  • 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
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  • 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
    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
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  • 15 August 2025

    Stocks make new highs as rate cut hopes outweigh macro headwinds

    US stocks climbed to new highs this week with the small cap Russell 2000 index leading the gains on expectations for a rate cut at the September meeting of Federal Reserve policymakers.

    Futures markets priced in more than a 90% chance of a quarter of a percentage point cut to official rates after Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Bloomberg...

    5 min read
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  • 15 August 2025

    Daily market update: FTSE 100, Intel, Associated British Foods

    “It is not often that the market’s attention is centred on Alaska but the US state will be firmly in focus on Friday as President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin meet to discuss the Ukraine conflict,” says AJ Bell Investment Director Russ Mould.

    “Any outcomes will not come until after UK markets have concluded trading for the day but...

    3 min read
    Author
    intel headquarters
  • 14 August 2025

    Daily market update: Admiral, Aviva, Antofagasta, Centrica

    “The FTSE 100 dipped from yesterday’s record close on Thursday morning after gains on Wall Street and mixed trading in Asia overnight,” says AJ Bell Investment Director Russ Mould.

    “Increased hopes for interest rate cuts from the Federal Reserve helped US indices to advance on Wednesday, though some of that momentum had evaporated by the time Asian...

    4 min read
    Author
    open pit copper mine
  • 13 August 2025

    Daily market update: tariffs, global stocks, Persimmon

    “Animal spirits are definitely in charge of the market right now, as investors embrace the potential for the Fed to cut interest rates in the wake of what was seen as a soft inflation reading in the US,” says Russ Mould, Investment Director at AJ Bell.

    “The US central bank still remains in cautious mode, waiting to observe if tariffs stoke a pick...

    5 min read
    Author
    builder carrying a wooden beam on building site
  • 12 August 2025

    Daily market update: Spirax, Entain, Bellway

    “Markets reacted with relief to news of an extension on the US-China trade deadline which was set to expire today,” says AJ Bell Investment Director Russ Mould.

    “However, this relief was measured given the market had largely anticipated such an outcome. Asian stocks were higher overnight and the FTSE 100 got a boost from a mining sector whose...

    4 min read
    Author
    bricklayer laying bricks on construction site
  • 11 August 2025

    Daily market update: FTSE 100, gold, S4 Capital, Nvidia/AMD, Marshalls

    “The FTSE 100 made a decent start to the trading week as some recent laggards attracted attention from bargain hunters,” says AJ Bell Investment Director Russ Mould.

    “The market seems very relaxed ahead of tomorrow’s deadline on US-China trade talks, reflecting the assumption an extension is in the offing and a deal will eventually be reached...

    3 min read
    Author
    orange nvidia branded balloon
  • 8 August 2025

    Tech, tariffs and gold shenanigans dominate another up week for US markets

    It was another strong week for US stock indices as technology shares continue to lift the mood in New York and markets looked past the latest news on tariffs.

    Yet tariffs remain a real issue for investors, with reciprocal levies against a host of major trading partners taking effect from 7 August, keeping markets on edge over their potential impact...

    5 min read
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  • 8 August 2025

    Daily market update: precious metals, Flutter, Pinterest, Expedia

    “The FTSE 100 was just about keeping its head above water to stay above the 9,100 mark on Friday morning,” says AJ Bell Head of Financial Analysis Danni Hewson.

    “Overall it has been a mixed week for the index with the split vote and hawkish tone adopted by the Bank of England yesterday lifting sterling and hitting the relative value of the Footsie...

    3 min read
    phone screen with pinterest app open held by woman in cafe
  • 7 August 2025

    FTSE hits a new high: how to invest in the UK stock market

    This summer, the UK has been enjoying its time in the sun. Not just through good weather but also for the stock market, which reached an end of day high on 24 July and an intraday high on the 31st. Some investors may be considering how to get a piece of the pie.

    Adding to the appeal of the home market is a weakened US dollar, creating currency risk...

    5 min read
    city of london at night with blurred lights
  • 7 August 2025

    Daily market update: FTSE 100, WPP, IHG, Airbnb, Serco, Deliveroo

    “The FTSE 100 is struggling to make meaningful progress this week, running to stand still as investors weigh the latest economic, geopolitical and corporate developments,” says AJ Bell Head of Financial Analysis Danni Hewson.

    “Not helping today was several heavyweight names trading without the rights to their dividend. This held the index back...

    5 min read
    courier delivering food order to smiling customer
  • 6 August 2025

    Daily market update: Glencore, Legal & General, Novo Nordisk, Snapchat

    “After running out of steam and slipping into the red in the latter part of yesterday’s trading session, the FTSE 100 made another modest move higher on Wednesday,” says AJ Bell Head of Financial Analysis Danni Hewson.

    “Concern around tariffs continues to swirl as Indian stocks slipped thanks to Trump administration threats to impose higher levies...

    5 min read
    Author
    novo nordisk logo on building
  • 5 August 2025

    Berkshire Hathaway stops building cash but share price slide continues

    In the three months since Warren Buffett announced his retirement plans, Berkshire Hathaway’s share price has continued to slide, perhaps suggesting that investors are yet to convince themselves the company can continue as an investment powerhouse without Buffett at the helm.

    The decline in Berkshire’s share price since Buffett’s announcement on 3...

    3 min read
    Author
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  • 5 August 2025

    Daily market update: Smith & Nephew, Fresnillo, BP, Diageo, Palantir

    “The FTSE 100 has its recent record highs in its sights again as global markets shake off the latest tariff turmoil,” says AJ Bell Investment Director Russ Mould.

    “Strong corporate results are helping as they show businesses can still thrive despite the turbulent backdrop.

    “ Smith & Nephew seems as if it’s been on the waiting list for a recovery...

    4 min read
    Author
    oil and gas processing plant
  • 4 August 2025

    Daily market update: Supreme Court motor finance ruling, Clarkson, BP

    “The FTSE 100 managed a cautious recovery on Monday morning after the tariff-related sell-off at the end of last week,” says AJ Bell Investment Director Russ Mould.

    “Concern about the ongoing ructions in global trade was compounded by the Trump administration’s decision to fire the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics off the back of weak jobs...

    4 min read
    Author
    person sat behind office desk with laptop and toy cars