Shares & the stock market

6 December 2023

FTSE 100 higher, British American Tobacco in £25 billion impairment charge, TUI might delist from London and Ten Entertainment bowled over by takeover offer

“The FTSE 100 moved higher on Wednesday as it responded to positive trading in Asia,” says AJ Bell Investment Director Russ Mould.

“Cooling job vacancy data from the US helped bolster expectations that we are at the pivot point of this rate hiking cycle – though more news on the US labour market through the course of this week will provide a fuller...

5 December 2023

FTSE 100 takes its cue from US weakness, Moonpig higher, Ashtead posts flat second quarter after warning and On The Beach shares soar on results

“The FTSE 100 slipped at the open after weakness on Wall Street last night. The markets are a touch nervous ahead of US jobs figures this week which could either reinforce or undermine the narrative that interest rates have peaked and rate cuts are on the way,” says AJ Bell Investment Director Russ Mould.

“Signs the labour market is heating up...

4 December 2023

Markets shaky ahead of US jobs data, gold hits new high, Rolls-Royce extends rally and Spotify slashes jobs

“A mixed session across Asia and Europe set the tone for what could be an uneven week on the markets. Tomorrow sees the first of several important US updates on jobs,” says Russ Mould, Investment Director at AJ Bell.

“The Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (or JOLTS) on 5 December will be followed by ADP payrolls on 6 December and the...

1 December 2023

Good start to December for FTSE 100, housebuilders lifted by positive market data, Tesco hit by broker downgrade and Nelson Peltz returns for round two with Disney

“A 0.8% rise in the FTSE 100 will have put investors in a good mood as we move into the final month of 2023,” said Russ Mould, Investment Director at AJ Bell.

“Miners led the charge after Chinese manufacturing data beat expectations, raising hopes that the Asian superpower will require more commodities from the big natural resources companies on...

30 November 2023

Ashtead first-half results: Tuesday 5 December

Ashtead’s November profit warning means the headlines for the first half and even guidance and forecasts for the full year to April are already being reset, but this set of results should be no less informative for that. Shareholders and analysts will be looking for more details on the reasons for the downgrade to full-year expectations and the...

30 November 2023

Breaking the Mould – Berkeley Group first-half results

AJ Bell's Investment Director, Russ Mould, discusses Berkeley Group’s first-half results and the latest monthly US macroeconomic data.

30 November 2023

FTSE 100 steady, US stocks on course for best month of the year, Mitchells & Butlers swings to pre-tax loss, OPEC to meet and Dr Martens’ US woes intensify

“The FTSE 100 made a steady start on Thursday after mixed trading in the US and gains in Asia overnight,” says AJ Bell Investment Director Russ Mould.

“US indices are on course to chalk up their best month of the year in November. Data points and commentary from the Federal Reserve have largely reinforced the idea that the current rate hiking...

29 November 2023

FTSE 100 lower as financials fall, Fed official raises prospect of rate cuts, supermarkets face loyalty card competition probe and Halfords warns on profit

“The markets struggled to find direction despite signals from Fed Governor Christopher Waller that interest rates could start to fall next year – catnip for investors right now. US markets finished flat and European stocks started Wednesday on the back foot,” says AJ Bell Investment Director Russ Mould.

“Financials helped to drag the FTSE 100...

24 November 2023

Barclays looking for cost cuts, Team17 warns and big test for retail sector on Black Friday

“The usual adage is when the US sneezes the world catches a cold – in the latest case it appears when the US is on holiday global markets hit the snooze button,” says AJ Bell investment director Russ Mould.

“The FTSE 100 drifted lower on Friday as it lacked the usual direction provided by Wall Street. A sprinkle of profit taking and some weakness...

24 November 2023

Breaking the Mould - Pennon first-half results

In this week's episode of Breaking the Mould, Russ Mould, AJ Bell's Investment Director, discusses what to look out for in Pennon’s first-half results, as well as the latest UK and US macroeconomic news.

23 November 2023

Virgin Money increases bad debt provisions, Jet2 reports bumper results but bookings slow and PZ Cussons enjoys rare good news from Nigeria

“A pre-Thanksgiving mini rally for US stocks helped set the scene for gains in Europe on Thursday morning with the FTSE 100 trading modestly higher in early trade,” says AJ Bell Investment Director Russ Mould.

“With trading in US stocks on hold for the national holiday, markets may lack some direction over the next 24 hours, though a raft of PMI...

22 November 2023

UK markets up ahead of Autumn Statement, Nvidia fails to win over investors and B&Q-owner Kingfisher sunk by French woes

“UK stocks were in fashion ahead of the Autumn Statement at lunchtime. The more domestic-focused FTSE 250 index rose 0.2% to 18,378, with property and construction stocks among those in demand,” says Russ Mould, Investment Director at AJ Bell.

“Chancellor Jeremy Hunt is expected to unveil measures to boost British business including removing...

22 November 2023

Ashtead’s star status dented by Hollywood strikes

“It may seem unfair to drive a share price down by more than 10% when the profit forecast downgrade is only 2% to 3%, but investors do not seem to be in a forgiving mood when it comes to Ashtead’s less optimistic trading outlook”, says AJ Bell investment director Russ Mould.

“In many ways, the equipment hire specialist is a victim of its own...

21 November 2023

Markets flat, Capita shares jump on cost saving plan, CRH in $2.1 billion US deal and AO World lifts guidance

“A decent showing on Wall Street last night has not extended to Europe or Asia on Tuesday, with the FTSE 100, Dax, CAC 40, Nikkei 225 and Hang Seng only showing minimal change on the day. Investors are likely to be taking stock of events and thinking about where markets might go next year,” says Russ Mould, Investment Director at AJ Bell.

“The...

20 November 2023

FTSE 100 hit by Ashtead warning, takeover talk surrounds Halfords and Musicmagpie

“It’s rare to see construction rental group Ashtead issue a profit warning so when one does come along, it’s natural for the share price to take a beating. That’s exactly what has happened today and why it has caused a considerable drag on the FTSE 100,” says Russ Mould, Investment Director at AJ Bell.

“Also weighing on the UK blue chip stock index...

17 November 2023

FTSE 100 higher despite weak retail sales, Asian stocks slide as Alibaba ditches cloud spin-off, London Stock Exchange Group underwhelms and new boss for Marston’s

“The FTSE 100 shrugged off a weak showing for Asian shares overnight and softer than expected UK retail sales to trade firmly higher on Friday, shaking off the ennui it had shown on Thursday in the wake of Wednesday’s exuberance,” says AJ Bell Investment Director Russ Mould.

“The index was hurt by its big exposure to oil and gas yesterday as a big...

17 November 2023

Price increases offset falling volumes as Imperial Brands delivers dividend growth

The shares may not be doing much in response to Imperial Brands’ full-year results, but the figures contain a lot that is good news if you are an income investor (less so if you are an ethical investor). Higher prices are offsetting the relentless decline in cigarette volumes, cash flow is strong and the dividend is up.

The fat dividend yield and...

16 November 2023

Breaking the Mould – Severn Trent first-half results

In Breaking the Mould’s latest episode, Russ Mould, AJ Bell's Investment Director, runs through the upcoming Autumn Statement from the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt. The latest European and world Macroeconomic news as well as what to expect from Severn Trent’s first-half results.

16 November 2023

FTSE 100 consolidates recent gains, losses pile up for Royal Mail owner, Burberry warns, takeovers for Hotel Chocolat and City Pub

“The FTSE 100 was flat on Thursday, consolidating its recent gains as investors await the next big push in any particular direction,” says AJ Bell Investment Director Russ Mould.

“The market may be in something of a holding pattern until the next central bank meetings land in early to mid-December – although takeover action has offered some...

15 November 2023

Fuller’s shares fly after strong first-half results

“Pubs-to-hotels group Fuller Smith & Turner’s first-half results reveal double-digit percentage growth in revenues from food, drink and accommodation, as well as healthy Christmas bookings,” says AJ Bell Investment Director Russ Mould.

“That all translates into better-than-expected profits for the six months to September, a higher dividend and a...

15 November 2023

FTSE 100 follows up yesterday’s strong gains with further progress as UK inflation comes in below forecasts, SSE ups capital investment plans and Experian posts strong profit

“The FTSE 100 maintained the head of steam it had built up on Tuesday afternoon as UK inflation followed yesterday’s US reading and came in below expectations,” says AJ Bell Investment Director Russ Mould.

“With confidence there will be no rate increases before the end of the year the market is now looking ahead to the prospect of rate cuts...

14 November 2023

Imperial Brands grows profits, Vodafone still in a mess and Glencore seals Teck coal deal

“The FTSE 100 dipped on Tuesday as investors awaited the latest inflation reading from the US,” says AJ Bell investment director Russ Mould.

“US markets were broadly flat overnight, with Asian indices subsequently making modest progress, as everyone is on tenterhooks ahead of the consumer prices data. The market feels on the cusp of performing a...

13 November 2023

FTSE 100 takes cue from Friday’s US gains, orders continue to flow at BAE Systems and Royal Mail owner fined

“The FTSE 100 made strong progress on Monday morning, following on from gains on Wall Street on Friday,” says AJ Bell Investment Director Russ Mould.

“An easing in government bond yields supported the biggest one-day gain in the Nasdaq Composite index since May as investors remained confident in the idea of interest rates having peaked despite an...

10 November 2023

FTSE 100 slips as Powell pushes back on rates, FTSE 250 sharply lower, Diageo slumps on profit warning and Redrow says annual results to be at lower end of guidance

“As US stocks snapped their recent winning streak overnight it was always likely European markets would follow their cue and, sure enough, the FTSE 100 and its counterparts on the continent were lower on Friday morning,” says AJ Bell Investment Director Russ Mould.

“Renewed caution came as Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell pushed back against...

9 November 2023

Do markets need to care about who the next US President could be?

It is a year to the sixtieth US Presidential Election, on 5 November 2024, and although financial markets are more concerned right now about US Federal Reserve policy, inflation and events in the Middle East, they will soon start to take a keener interest in the race to the White House.

A repeat of 2020’s Biden-Trump contest is on the cards...