5 things to watch on the FTSE 350 on Friday

The FTSE 350 is steadying, as we approach the end of the week…

The content of this article was relevant at the time of publishing. Circumstances change continuously and caution should therefore be exercised when relying upon any content contained within this article.

When investing, your capital is at risk. The value of your investments can go down as well as up and you may get back less than you put in.

Read More

The content of this article is provided for information purposes only and is not intended to be, nor does it constitute, any form of personal advice. Investments in a currency other than sterling are exposed to currency exchange risk. Currency exchange rates are constantly changing, which may affect the value of the investment in sterling terms. You could lose money in sterling even if the stock price rises in the currency of origin. Stocks listed on overseas exchanges may be subject to additional dealing and exchange rate charges, and may have other tax implications, and may not provide the same, or any, regulatory protection as in the UK.

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More.

The FTSE 350 had a calmer day Thursday, after a more volatile week overall.

UK market steadying

UK share prices started with a rocky few days, in a week that featured August inflation updates from the UK and the US. But the week looks set to end calmer, as the FTSE 100 hardly budged Thursday to end at 7,282 points. The FTSE 350 moved even less, closing at 4,035 points.

Overall, the two indexes had dipped only about 1% all week by the end of Thursday. And unless anything unexpected happens, Friday looks set to be unexciting. It’s almost as if daily stock market ups and downs don’t mean much, isn’t it?

US losses

Saying that, it might be more interesting to see how the US stock market behaves on Friday. Both the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq were sent reeling by higher-than-expected inflation figures. And they haven’t recovered yet.

By New York market close on Thursday, S&P stocks were down 4.1% on the week. The Nasdaq index, meanwhile, fell 4.6%.

Banking cash

The banking sector is struggling, is it? Try telling that to NatWest Group shareholders, who’ll have dividend payments heading in their direction Friday.

The bank raised its interim dividend by 17% to 3.5p per share. On top of that, as an outcome of the group’s share consolidation, NatWest is paying an extra dividend of 16.8p. That’s a total of 20.3p per share winging its way into investors’ accounts.

It’s dividend payment day for Barclays too. This time, it’s first-half cash of 2.25p per share.

More dividends

Currys shareholders should be getting their final dividend of 2.15p per share, to take their total for the year to 3.15p. That’s a 5% rise over last year, and represents a 5% yield on the current share price.

Vesuvius, appropriately named for its specialisation in molten metal work, is handing out 6.5p per share for H1. Analysts expect a full-year yield of 6.5%. Engineer IMI has lifted its first-half dividend too, and will pay 8.3p per share.

Friday is also interim dividend payday at Spirent Communications, 4imprint Group, Clarkson, TI Fluid Systems and Witan Investment Trust. Witan has lifted its annual dividend every year for 47 years now, and looks set for 48.

Economics

Can we really take any more economic news this week after US and UK inflation figures have had such an impact? We surely can, and we have UK retail sales figures coming our way Friday morning.

Should you invest, the value of your investment may rise or fall and your capital is at risk. Before investing, your individual circumstances should be assessed. Consider taking independent financial advice.

The Motley Fool UK has recommended Barclays and IMI. Views expressed on the companies mentioned in this article are those of the writer and therefore may differ from the official recommendations we make in our subscription services such as Share Advisor, Hidden Winners and Pro. Here at The Motley Fool we believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.

More on Investing Articles

Thin line graph
Investing Articles

Up 40% in weeks, am I too late to buy Nvidia stock?

This writer's decision last month not to buy Nvidia stock has cost him a 40% paper gain to date. Does…

Read more »

Hydrogen testing at DLR Cologne
Investing Articles

Is the Rolls-Royce share price still a bargain in 2025?

The Rolls-Royce share price has moved upwards in recent years in a way this writer sees as remarkable. So, should…

Read more »

A young woman sitting on a couch looking at a book in a quiet library space.
Investing Articles

5 steps to start buying shares this week with just £500

Christopher Ruane sets out the handful of steps a stock market newbie could follow to put £500 to work and…

Read more »

Investor looking at stock graph on a tablet with their finger hovering over the Buy button
Investing Articles

3 cheap near-penny stocks to consider buying right now

Looking for penny stocks, I keep finding shares that just sit outside the usual strict definition. But I think these…

Read more »

ISA coins
Investing Articles

Here’s a FTSE 100 dividend share and a surging ETF to consider in an ISA right now!

I think this FTSE 100 dividend share and exchange-traded fund (ETF) are worth a close look for a Stocks and…

Read more »

Young Asian woman with head in hands at her desk
Investing Articles

Investors who sold out of the stock market in April just missed a ‘face-ripping’ rally

The stock market’s just produced one of the most powerful short-term rallies in decades. So anyone who bailed out has…

Read more »

happy senior couple using a laptop in their living room to look at their financial budgets
Investing Articles

Prediction: this FTSE 250 stock could bounce back on Tuesday

Greggs has been one of the FTSE 250’s worst-performing stocks of 2025. But could that be about to change with…

Read more »

Pink 3D image of the numbers '2025' growing in size
Investing Articles

This FTSE 100 dividend superstar is up 18% in a month – time to consider buying?

Harvey Jones picks out a FTSE 100 dividend company that has been struggling in recent years, but has delivered a…

Read more »