magazine archive
magazine archive
Big News
AIM dividends come of age
Thursday 06 Sep 2018Dividends paid by AIM-quoted companies are set to burst through the £1bn mark for the first time in 2018 according to Link Asset Services’ inaugural annual AIM Dividend Monitor . Launched in 1995 as a growth market for small and medium-sized companies, AIM market-derived dividends are growing...
Shock CEO departure leaves questions lingering for Sage investors
Thursday 06 Sep 2018The UK’s largest listed software business Sage ( SGE ) has surprisingly parted company with its chief executive Stephen Kelly (3 Sep) in a move that left investors shocked. Kelly joined Sage four years ago and has overseen a major overhaul at the FTSE 100 accounting and enterprise software company...
Who could be the next to buckle under the influence of activists?
Thursday 06 Sep 2018The surprise sale of Whitbread’s ( WTB ) Costa Coffee business to Coca-Cola for £3.9bn on 31 August is sparking a debate over who could be next to buckle under the influence of activist investors. For the activist funds with stakes in Whitbread, Sachem Head and Elliott, the deal is a victory,...
What do Wonga’s woes mean for UK listed subprime lenders?
Thursday 30 Aug 2018One of the most well-known payday loan companies, Wonga, is understood to be in financial trouble following a surge in customer compensation claims relating to loans taken out before 2014. The situation is likely to result in increased regulatory pressure on the sector which includes several listed...
Electra takes down ‘for sale’ sign
Thursday 30 Aug 2018Private equity investment trust Electra Private Equity ( ELTA ) is no longer up for sale after failing to attract any credible suitors during a formal sales process. The development denies a clean exit for activist investor Edward Bramson who first targeted Electra in 2013 through his Sherborne...
FTSE 250 promotion could be the catalyst Avast needs
Thursday 30 Aug 2018September could be a big month for internet security company Avast ( AVST ) which looks nailed on to be promoted into the FTSE 250 index. The company will be hoping that this is a step in the right direction towards heating up a, so far, lukewarm investor response to its listing. Czech Republic-...
Clarkson directors sell shares worth £3.6m
Thursday 30 Aug 2018At shipping services specialist Clarkson ( CKN ) executive director Peter Anker and non-executive director Birger Nergaard collectively sold £3.65m of shares in a single day. Approximately 131,000 shares were sold on 23 August at £27.50. These deals could provide a potential insight into Clarkson’s...
Solid reasons why Headlam still looks attractive despite recent profit warning
Thursday 30 Aug 2018Don’t be put off by a recent profit warning from floor coverings distributor Headlam ( HEAD ) as the business still has attractive qualities. Stockbroker Panmure Gordon argues the European operation, ‘mentally written off’ by many investors, is likely to provide ‘a strong positive catalyst for...
Is a ‘no deal’ risk rising for Sainsbury’s?
Thursday 30 Aug 2018In a development giving J Sainsbury’s ( SBRY ) shareholders food for thought, the UK Competition & Markets Authority (CMA) has announced (23 Aug) the formal launch of its investigation into the grocer’s proposed mega-merger with Asda with a broader than anticipated remit. The regulator will...
Hill & Smith directors take advantage of profit warning-led share weakness to snap up stock
Thursday 23 Aug 2018Directors of infrastructure engineering business Hill & Smith ( HILS ) have gone on a stock buying spree in an attempt to shore up damaged investor sentiment towards the company following a profit warning on 8 August. Led by chairman Jock Lennox and chief executive Derek Muir, stock worth just...