Shares & the stock market

9 December 2024

FTSE 100 higher amid China stimulus talk, Boohoo continues fight against Frasers, WPP shares unfazed by talk of arch-rivals merging, Domino’s agrees deal with franchisees

“The FTSE 100 was higher on Monday amid a strong showing from resources stocks,” says AJ Bell Investment Analyst, Dan Coatsworth.

“The mining sector, as well as other China-exposed stocks like Prudential, Standard Chartered and Burberry, moved higher on tweaked wording from the country’s Politburo that suggested more economic stimulus could be on...

6 December 2024

Aviva raises bid for Direct Line, bitcoin below $100,000, Frasers signals bid for XXL, Berkeley outlines 10-year plan, Lululemon beats expectations, Quiz may need cash call and SDX Energy to delist

“After the drama of bitcoin going through $100,000, the French government going through a crisis, and yet more takeover twists and turns, investors have had more than enough on their plate this week to go chasing opportunities on Friday. Markets look set to end the week on a dull note, with heads spinning faster than the morning after the Christmas...

5 December 2024

Bitcoin smashes through $100,000 in latest post-Trump milestone for crypto

We’ve reached the magic moment as bitcoin goes through $100,000 for the first time.

Forget the Brat Summer. Welcome to the Brat Winter. First, Charli XCX redefined the meaning of the term to characterise an aesthetic and a way of life, now we’ve got a new twist on Brat representing one of this year’s biggest stories in the investment universe –...

5 December 2024

Russ Mould: what to expect from Currys’ results next week

Shares in the electrical retailer have rallied this year following takeover interest and good news on trading.

5 December 2024

European markets shrug off French political strife, bitcoin hits $100,000, Frasers warns, Vodafone merger approved, Shell strikes North Sea venture, Future soars and Warpaint and Card Factory go shopping

“The French political crisis failed to knock European indices off course, with the CAC 40 up 0.6% and the FTSE 100 holding firm. That might be the calm before the storm if the pressure grows on president Emmanuel Macron to resign and there is a full breakdown of the current regime,” says Dan Coatsworth, Investment Analyst at AJ Bell.

“Financials...

4 December 2024

ChatGPT celebrates second birthday: how the GenAI chatbot has changed the world

When asked how it would celebrate its second birthday on Saturday 30 November, ChatGPT said there would be no cake or candles. That’s a shame given the profound impact this Generative AI (GenAI) chatbot has had on businesses and consumers.

The speed and scale at which GenAI has been embraced by companies and the general public is remarkable. It’s...

4 December 2024

Defensives slip as FTSE 100 starts lower, Centrica energised by nuclear plant extensions and Salesforce earnings impress

“The FTSE 100 started sluggishly on Wednesday as traditionally defensive sectors like pharmaceuticals and utilities were on the back foot,” says AJ Bell Investment Analyst Dan Coatsworth.

“These names had been in demand on Tuesday afternoon after South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol briefly declared martial law. The situation seemed to de-escalate...

3 December 2024

Good day for European indices, Elon Musk pay deal fails again, UK retail sales disappointment, On The Beach outlines ambitious growth targets and Marston’s posts big profit growth

“European equity markets got off to a solid start with gains across all the major indices. This included a 0.5% rise in the FTSE 100 to 8,353, led by commodity producers and banks,” says Dan Coatsworth, Investment Analyst at AJ Bell.

“Among UK mid-caps, Currys took a beating after Deutsche Bank downgraded its rating on the stock from ‘buy’ to...

2 December 2024

China data surprises, housebuilders hit, Supreme saves Typhoo Tea, reports of new US clampdown on semiconductor sales into China, Topps Tiles fires back on criticism and Stellantis boss quits

“Beijing’s economic stimulus effort seems to be having a positive effect, judging by better-than-expected manufacturing data from China,” says Dan Coatsworth, Investment Analyst at AJ Bell.

“The Caixin Manufacturing PMI data hit 51.5 in November against a forecast of 50.7%. The data sent Chinese shares flying, including a 1.1% rise in the Shanghai...

28 November 2024

Takeovers galore as Direct Line and Loungers join the M&A list, Royal Mail Kretinsky deal nears endgame, Ocado’s latest setback, Microsoft antitrust chatter and Dr Martens finally puts the right foot forward

“After a difficult few days, European markets had a spring in their step on Thursday,” says Dan Coatsworth, Investment Analyst at AJ Bell.

“The FTSE 100 advanced 0.2% to 8,290, led by Admiral which jumped 3.5% on positive read-across from Aviva’s move on Direct Line.

“It’s normal to see other companies in the same sector jump when there is...

27 November 2024

Russ Mould: what to expect from Berkeley and Balfour Beatty’s updates next week

The two building companies operate in priority industries for the new UK government.

27 November 2024

Supermarket relief over loyalty probe, loss-making Pennon has much to do, Just Eat to leave UK stock market, Pets at Home counts cost of Budget and subdued market and EasyJet reports record summer

“The FTSE 100 was the outlier in a sea of red across the main European indices. The UK index nudged up 0.16% to 8,271 thanks to strength in the mining and pharmaceutical sectors,” says Dan Coatsworth, Investment Analyst at AJ Bell.

“Investors are growing increasingly concerned that Donald Trump’s next tariff target is continental Europe, creating...

26 November 2024

Markets retreat as Trump goes aggressive on tariffs, Melrose boosted by broker upgrade, Halfords stuck in the slow lane, Compass disappoints and AO upgrades guidance

“Talk about swinging from one extreme to the other. The week started on a calm note with the nomination of Scott Bessent as US Treasury secretary, a hedge fund manager seen as a safe pair of hands and someone who might rein in Donald Trump’s more aggressive ideas, such as toning down tariffs,” says Dan Coatsworth, Investment Analyst at AJ Bell.

“Tr...

25 November 2024

FTSE 100 higher as markets welcome Trump’s Treasury pick, , ITV up on takeover chatter and InterContinental Hotels in JPMorgan Chase tie-up

“The FTSE 100 made a decent start on Monday morning after US president-elect Donald Trump’s pick for Treasury secretary got a warm reception from the market,” says AJ Bell investment director Russ Mould.

“Hedge fund manager Scott Bessent is perceived as being a relatively conventional and safe pair of hands candidate and the market gains in Europe...

22 November 2024

FTSE 100 higher as energy stocks advance, UK retail sales disappoint, Games Workshop shares reach new record high as it raises guidance and DFS reports robust trading

“The FTSE 100 enjoyed strong gains on Friday morning after mixed trading in Asia and the US last night,” says AJ Bell Investment Director Russ Mould.

“There were broad-based gains across the UK index with only a handful of constituents trading in negative territory early on. Oil majors BP and Shell continued to gather strength as oil and natural...

21 November 2024

Nvidia beats earnings and revenue forecasts for eighth consecutive quarter

Investors are increasingly focused on the minutiae rather than the big picture with Nvidia. That’s a natural evolution as the more people zoom in on a company, the more they learn about it, and the more granular detail they want.

At face value, Nvidia has once again generated the kind of growth that most companies will never achieve in their...

21 November 2024

Next at front of queue to join £1 billion club as JD Sports’ hopes are dashed for now

JD Sports’ goal of scoring £1 billion in annual profits has been kicked down the road for the second year in a row.

It was previously hoping to join the club of UK-quoted retailers with this accolade and get its membership badge at its next set of full-year earnings, putting itself alongside a high street elite that includes Tesco, Marks & Spencer...

21 November 2024

Bitcoin on the run again, new drama between Frasers and Boohoo, JD Sports disappoints, Liontrust on the comeback trail and Jet2 soars

“Amid a relatively calm day for equities, investors’ attention was elsewhere on the markets as bitcoin edged ever closer to the magic $100,000 level,” says Russ Mould, Investment Director at AJ Bell.

“Hitting an intraday high of $97,671, the cryptocurrency continues to climb as investors and traders anticipate big things in 2025.

“The FTSE 100...

20 November 2024

All eyes on Nvidia, US retail continues its divergent fortunes as TJX impresses and Target misses and MicroStrategy soars as it prepares to go on bitcoin shopping spree

“A 2%-plus decline in Nvidia’s share price ahead of its latest results doesn’t set a celebratory tone. It implies investors are slightly nervous about the forthcoming figures,” says Dan Coatsworth, Investment Analyst at AJ Bell.

“Demand for Nvidia’s products and services is unlikely to be a problem, it’s more about the fine detail on the new...

20 November 2024

Russ Mould: why next week’s results from easyJet and B&Q-owner Kingfisher are so important

They will tell us a lot about the state of the UK consumer.

20 November 2024

FTSE 100 steady, UK inflation comes in higher than expected, British Land gets retail boost, Sage shines and unveils buyback, Severn Trent profit up and Hornby continues to chalk up losses

“After yesterday’s wobble on heightened tensions between Russia and the West, the FTSE 100 was steady in early trading on Wednesday,” says AJ Bell Investment Director Russ Mould.

“For now, investors seem to have largely shrugged off concerns about the Ukraine war. Moscow said yesterday the Ukrainians had fired US-made long-range missiles into...

19 November 2024

Investors turn to safe-haven assets amid escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine, Walmart delivers another crowd-pleasing update

“It’s been a tough day for markets as investors rushed for safe-haven assets, rattled by escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine,” says AJ Bell Head of Financial Analysis Danni Hewson.

“It’s hard to believe there have been a thousand days since this conflict began and for much of that time investors have been able to push concerns aside...

19 November 2024

Imperial Brands lights up, Novo Nordisk launches weight-loss drug in China, Alphabet could be forced to sell Chrome, Nestlé to slash costs and carve out water and drinks arm and Mulberry’s losses grow

“Well-received results from Imperial Brands helped to drive the FTSE 100 up 0.15% to 8,121. Imperial Brands’ shares lit up 1.8% to £24.45, having hit £24.84 soon after the market opened,” says Russ Mould, Investment director at AJ Bell.

“Despite a big push from governments, healthcare representatives and campaigners in society to curb the number...

18 November 2024

FTSE 100 higher, Shein IPO in sight according to reports, retail investors shun Boohoo fundraise, Melrose sticks with guidance and Begbies Traynor delivers insolvencies warning

“The FTSE 100 ticked higher on Monday, helped by a decent showing for resources and financial stocks,” says AJ Bell Investment Director Russ Mould.

“Business recovery specialist Begbies Traynor delivered a stark warning that the UK will see more companies facing insolvency after the changes in the Budget, as it announced a strong start to its...

15 November 2024

FTSE 100 lower, pharma stocks hit by Trump’s RFK pick and Land Securities upgrades guidance as office and retail assets shine

“Pharmaceutical stocks left the FTSE 100 looking sickly on Friday morning as AstraZeneca and GSK shares came under pressure,” says AJ Bell Investment Director Russ Mould.

“The announcement of vaccine-sceptic Robert F. Kennedy Junior as health secretary pick for the incoming Trump administration has spooked investors in the sector, with US drug...