London's blue chip index was mostly flat at the market open on Friday, while its peers in Paris and Frankfurt rose, as data showed UK car production declined in the first quarter, while Chancellor Rachel Reeves is in Washington for economic talks with the US. The FTSE 100 index opened down 0.70 points at 8,406.74. The FTSE 250 was up 48.43 points, 0.3%, at 19,552.80, and the AIM All-Share was...

By the Shares teamInvestors are spoiled for choice when it comes to small cap stocks with exciting events. As a taster for what's to come in 2018, we've scoured the markets to look for some of the most interesting activities.Read on to discover 19 stocks either expecting big news in the very near future or ones which are in the middle of developments which could have a big impact on their...

Resurgence in the price of gold amid geopolitical tensions between North Korea and Japan has drawn investors back to gold mining shares.The precious metal has increased by nearly 10% in value since 7 July to $1,317 per ounce. Over that same period the best performing gold miner on the UK stock market has risen by 100% in value, being Bezant Resources (BZT:AIM).Gold miners often outperform a...

The price of zinc hit a new 10-year high of $3,180.50 per tonne on 21 August amid supply issues. Falling inventory levels, the closure of exhausted mines and production cutbacks have all contributed to the price movement.Zinc-related stocks on the London stock market include Griffin Mining (GFM:AIM) and Vast Resources (VAST:AIM) among the juniors; and Vedanta Resources (VED) and Glencore...

Clarity on the Brexit timetable by Prime Minister Theresa May sends the pound down 0.3% against the dollar at $1.2936 and triggers a small sell-off in banks and housebuilder shares. The latter overshadows expectations that Chancellor Philip Hammond will unveil a £5 billion housebuilding stimulus package later today at the Conservative Party conference.Fund manager Henderson Global Investors...

Overnight commentaries from central banks in the US and Japan flag softening economic activity, sending global stock markets into reverse.The FTSE 100 trades 0.6% lower at 5,930 in early deals, following losses of 3.1% on Japan's Nikkei 225, a 2.0% drop in Hong Kong and smaller declines in the US and China.Central banks remain in focus today as the Bank of England issues its own interest rate...

London stocks drop in early trade on Tuesday as oil prices fall and traders awaited a slate of data on the services industry. The benchmark FTSE 100 index slumps 78 points, or about 1.3%, to 6,085, although the declines is less sharply felt among UK midcaps.In corporate news, breakdown recovery and insurance company AA (AA.) saw its earnings fall in the year to the end of January but revenues...

The market is off to a quiet start ahead of George Osborne's Budget announcement at lunchtime. The FTSE nudges ahead 24 points to 6,163.The biggest corporate news is the recommended all-share merger between London Stock Exchange (LSE) and Deutsche Borse. It is called a merger of equals but LSE shareholders will only hold 45.6% of the combined business and the two parties haven't yet agreed a...

Moving into profit can be a powerful share price catalyst. In 2015, investors were well-rewarded for owning some of these types of stocks as they 'moved into the black'.Fast-growing high-end tonic water producer Fevertree (FEVR:AIM) gained 246% in 2015 after registering a profit in its first year as a public company. And commercial gas pipeline engineer Fulcrum (FCRM:AIM), which swung back...

London shares continue to sink in early trade on Thursday as US interest rate hawks appear to hold the upper hand, spooking investors on both sides of the pond, and across Europe. The FTSE 100 index dips 33 points, or about 0.5%, to 6,369, although a number of FTSE 100 companies went ex-dividend, shaving 5.4 points off the benchmark and explaining some of the early losses.Declines were heavier...

It is always interesting to spot a once-sleepy company that gets new leadership who is able to instigate major changes and breath some life into the business. This is exactly what happened with packaging supplier Essentra (ESNT) whose share price has more than trebled since CEO Colin Day took charge in 2011. In the mining sector, there are now signs that Vast Resources (VAST:AIM) could be...

'Most people get interested in stocks when everyone else is. The time to get interested is when no one else is. You can't buy what is popular and do well.' Warren Buffett's famous quotation certainly resonates with gold mining equities. Five years ago you couldn't move for every Tom, Dick and Harry talking about the merits of the sector, giving you tips on hot prospects and everyone declaring...

European stock markets continue to slide as the Greece debt saga drags on, with London shares mirroring the performances in financial performance in France and Germany. The FTSE 100 slips 0.3% to 6,516, while France CAC 40 and Germany's Xetra Dax decline by 0.4% and 0.25% respectively. Falling crude prices add to the downward pressure on share prices, with oil services firm Wood Group (WG.)...