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HL LIVE

Updated Friday 2nd May 2025
Live blog covering today's important financial market events and news
Brent crude prices flat at $67 per barrel
US PMI drops to 48.7 in April, jobs data in focus
China hints at open door to US trade talks
FTSE off to a strong start
Oil prices remain near lows not seen since February 2021
Bank of Japan keeps interest rates on hold
May optimism set to unfurl on Wall Street amid big tech strength
Footsie takes a breather in its winning streak in early trade
Trump stays defiant in the face of market turmoil as he marks 100 days in office
China shows weakness in manufacturing, putting pressure on energy prices
The FTSE 100 continues its longest winning streak since 2017
Mark Carney’s Liberal Party wins the General election in Canada
Trade uncertainty pushes down expectations for energy demand
FTSE 100 struggles to cling onto gains
Gold falls back amid volatility
Corporate earnings season set to stay buoyant
The 100th day of Trump’s second presidency looms
FTSE 100 trading higher despite uncertainty surrounding tariffs

Investing insights

Google buys Wiz for $32bn – what it means for investors
How compounding can supercharge your ISA returns

Personal finance

Inheritance tax (IHT) hits new record – how to cut your family’s IHT bill?
UK interest rates set for May cut – what it means for you

Investing during market uncertainty

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3 fund ideas for volatile times

From Trump’s tariffs to talk of higher inflation and a possible recession, how can investors shelter their portfolio in volatile markets? Plus we share 3 fund ideas.

Read now

Make the most of your pension

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5 tips to turbocharge your pension this tax year

Are you on track for the retirement you want? Here are 5 easy tips to help boost your pension pot.

Read now
Is now a good time to invest in gold?
5 shares to watch in 2025
5 funds for 2025
5 ETFs for 2025

Stock markets today

Prices delayed by at least 15 minutes

Next week on the stock market

5th - 9th May 2025
  • Markets look to Novo Nordisk for reassurance on full-year outlook
  • AI platform adoption in focus for Palantir
  • Next starts the year strong, but will UK retail hold up?
Insights for the week ahead

Share research

Shell: Q1 profit beat and $3.5bn buyback
NatWest: Q1 beat on top-line growth and lower costs
Chevron: caution on buybacks after Q1 profit falls
Standard Chartered: good Q1, guidance unchanged

Fund research

Legal & General ESG Global High Yield Bond Index: April 2025 fund update
Global stock market review – how have markets dealt with Trump’s tariffs?
UK stock market review – where’s done well amidst Trump’s tariff uncertainty?
Legal & General Global Inflation Linked Bond Index: April 2025 fund update

ETF research

SPDR FTSE UK All Share ETF: April 2025 update
iShares Physical Gold ETC: April 2025 update

Investment trust research

BlackRock World Mining Trust: April 2025 update
HgCapital Trust: April 2025 update

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Our savings and resilience report

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How financially secure is the nation?

We’ve partnered with experts at Oxford Economics to explore ways to strengthen household finances, compared which regions are more financially resilient than others, and the potential risks to the nation for 2025.

Explore our research

Why Women Invest Report

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A report into how, why and where women invest

In a first report of its kind, we delve into the minds of female investors to see what makes them tick. Read our report now and get fearless today.

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Newsroom

Oil edges up as China opens door for trade talks with US
Reuters
NatWest profit leaps by a third as customers ‘resilient’ against uncertainty
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Tariff-induced uncertainty seen curbing US job growth in April
Reuters
Investors are pressuring companies to get serious about AI
Business Insider