London's FTSE 100 enjoyed a positive start to the week as investors clung onto a usually ignored piece of data out of China in the search for optimism, while HSBC (HSBA) and Diageo (DGE) rallies also helped the index.For the fourth straight month Chinese industrial profits were on the rise, surging 19.1% in August year-on-year having been buoyed by a rise in commodities prices and equipment...

London's FTSE 100 enjoyed a positive start on Monday after Asian exchanges were boosted by positive Chinese industrial profit data and as HSBC (HSBA) jumped following the news a large investor has raised its stake in the beaten-down bank.At 8.30, the blue chip benchmark was 1.5% higher at 5,929.53, while the FTSE 250 was trading 0.9% higher at 17,194.20.Unloved banking behemoth HSBC rose 10%...

Fallen star fund manager Neil Woodford's one-time flagship fund Woodford Equity Income is now returning its depleted capital to investors.The first payment of cash to investors is expected to be on or around 30 January, representing about 70% of the fund's current value.If you feel royally let down by Woodford and want a better fund generating income, help is at hand. Rather than being lured...

A lot of people moan about how difficult it is to get a decent income from the market, but is it really that hard?The FTSE 100 index currently yields 3.86%, so you can buy a low-cost tracker fund and get that level of income with relative ease. Getting a higher level of income is also fairly easy if you do some research.This article discusses the stocks, ETFs and funds with the potential - but...

The FTSE 100 slips 0.2% to 6,805 in early trading on Thursday 24 November, dragged down by weakness in defensive stocks like utilities and consumer staples businesses.The property sector is in focus yet again as estate agents respond to the Government's decision to clampdown on lettings fees and a few companies update on trading.A mild profit warning sends estate agent Countrywide (CWD) down...

UK shares are firmly on the up in early trade on Tuesday ahead of Philip Hammond's first Autumn Statement due tomorrow. SOme of this strength is likely down to Monday's jump in the value of Sterling. The FTSE 100 index rallies 55 points, or about 0.8%, to 6,833, after a largely flat finish to trade on Monday.In corporate news. Construction equipment group Lavendon (LVD) soars 41% to 196p as it...

The chances of the UK entering a recession have increased following the Brexit vote. Short-term the uncertainty is likely to see planned corporate investment cancelled, hiring freezes put in place and consumer sentiment wane.A rise in the cost of living as a result of sterling weakness may add to the country's economic pressures and result in recession in the near future.Historical evidence...

London stocks nudge lower in early trade on Thursday as resources group are hit by profiteers and crude oil prices weaken again. Safe-haven gold is ahead. Wall Street closed up overnight while Asian markets are mixed and European Bourses also decline.The FTSE 100 index slides around 32 points, or 6,170.UK economic growth in the fourth quarter was unexpectedly revised higher by the Office for...

George Osborne is getting radical and it looks like bad news for life insurers. After the Chancellor abolished the compulsory buying of annuities for retirees from April he went a step further in the Summer Budget by slashing tax relief on higher earners' pension contributions. He hints that further changes to the way people save for their retirement are to come and they could hit pension...

At the time of writing talks between the Greek government and its creditors were in deadlock ahead of a 30 June debt repayment deadline. Even if an agreement is brokered, any deal is likely to offer short-term resolution at best, essentially kicking the risk of default and a Greek exit from the eurozone down the road.This is not the only threat to equity markets for the remainder of 2015. You...

UK stocks snap a five day winning streak in early deals Wednesday, pulling back from their highest level in nearly two months. Investors are turning cautious ahead of minutes of the latest Bank of England (BoE) and Federal Reserve meetings. The FTSE 100 slips 12 points, or about 0.2%, lower at 6,696 in early trading with heavy falls from blue chips Royal Mail (RMG) and outsourcing group...

When we think about spread betting, the focus tends to be on the larger macro-economic financial instruments such as indices, foreign exchange and commodities. But of course plenty of people will use these derivatives as almost a surrogate stock broking account, taking a position for weeks or even months on individual shares.Although shares traders will usually gravitate towards the larger...

UK drug giant AstraZeneca (AZN) drops 13.9% to £41.49 on the company rejectinga third and final £55 a share bid from Pfizer (PFE:NYSE). This latest offer values the Cambridge-based company at £69 billion. The US outfit cannot make another bid for at least six months.Centaur Media (CAU) falls 7.5% to 65p after a weak trading update raises risks over its earnings forecasts. We take a closer...

Dip in at DiageoWeakness at alcoholic drinks giant Diageo (DGE) on emerging markets uncertainties and currency woes might interest long-term investors. The Johnnie Walker whisky-to-Smirnoff vodka maker's myriad strengths, including brand strength, pricing power, global distribution and copious free cashflow, remain undiminished despite near-term challenges. (JC)See Superglass danger...

As for most of us, trouble seems to come in threes for life insurers. The fallout from 2008's financial crisis is still making its presence felt today as historically low interest rates and the declining number of UK policyholders make this a tough period for the industry, especially when combined with greater regulatory scrutiny as the authorities try to ensure the financial system will not...

The market welcomes the proposal of a special dividend from insurer Direct Line (DLG), nudging up the shares by 0.6% to 208.3p. The 4p cash per share payout will be funded by the sale of its UK closed life business.The operation is being bought by insurer Chesnara (CSN) for £39.3 million. Its shareholders must vote on the acquisition, which, if approved, could complete by early...

Those searching for a safe haven to generate solid returns from their cash following the return of a 'risk on/risk off' market should look at Chesnara (CSN). Investors will struggle to find a more boring life insurer, with its assets predominately held in secure sovereign debt, and a 6.8% prospective yield represents a bargain.The Preston-based firm's fixed-income portfolio has limited...

Reduced earnings guidance triggers a mass sell-off in gambling provider Bwin.Party (BPTY), down 14.7% to 108.6p. New taxes in Germany have eaten into profit and current trading is below market expectations. What's interesting is that the analyst community aren't prepared to be big sellers of the stock. They are sitting on the fence, in general, saying there's brighter spots in the near future...