Graeme Evans News Today : Breaking News, Live Updates & Top Stories | Vimarsana

The property market is in focus today after Nationwide reported the first rise in prices in over a year and Rightmove posted annual results. Other companies reporting today include coursework publisher Pearson, while ITV has sold its 50% stake in BritBox to BBC Studios for £255 million. Meanwhile, European stock markets are higher after Wall Street trading was lifted by hopes for a summer cut in US interest rates.

Smith & Nephew, speciality chemicals firm Croda International and asset manager Abrdn are among the major companies with results out today. Other developments include a potential boost for the London stock market amid reports that China e-commerce firm Shein is mulling a potential listing.

Barclays is to return at least £10 billion to shareholders over the next three years as part of plans unveiled by boss C.S. Venkatakrishnan today. Hotels group IHG has also reported results today, while the focus for US investors will be on the earnings of retailers The Home Depot and Walmart.

London's leading shares are continuing to show progress amid hopes that global interest rates have peaked. The latest buying has helped the FTSE 250 index to add another 1% on top of yesterday’s 3% rebound. Big risers in the second tier included Currys after the retailer sold its business in Greece and Cyprus for £185 million.

A strong handover from Wall Street and Asia markets has left the FTSE 100 index 0.5% higher, up 38.97 points at 7659. The FTSE 250 index added 23.21 points to 17,899.45, a rise of 0.1% during a busy session of mid-cap updates. The biggest downward move came from National Express company Mobico, which reversed 21% or 18p to 67p on the suspension of dividend payments as its profit recovery has taken longer than expected.