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Investors exit emerging markets funds
Thursday 17 May 2018Data from investment bank UBS shows emerging markets funds saw the second-biggest weekly outflow since 2016 in the week to 9 May. This breaks a run of 11 weeks of inflows which has attracted $26.6bn into emerging market equities in the wake of the global market correction in February. Around 97% of...
Is investor excitement over US gambling breakthrough premature?
Thursday 17 May 2018Shares in several UK betting stocks are enjoying a rare moment in the sun as a court ruling opens the door for sports betting to be legalised in multiple US states. However, some observers are warning the market not to get carried away with the news. Broker Davy cautions against ‘assuming too big a...
Could you get 6% yield from Royal Bank of Scotland?
Thursday 17 May 2018There is growing speculation that Royal Bank of Scotland ( RBS ) will soon pay its first dividend since 2008 and rejoin its UK-quoted banking peers as an income stock. A $4.9bn settlement with the US Department of Justice (DoJ) over mis-selling mortgage-backed securities from 2005 to 2007...
Angling Direct is a good catch in the retail sector
Thursday 17 May 2018Fishing tackle retailer Angling Direct ( ANG:AIM ) has reported better than expected sales in the year to 31 January 2018 at £30.2m, a 44% increase year-on-year. This was driven by new store openings and acquisitions, robust like-for-like store sales growth of 9% and the benefits of e-commerce...
Ranger Direct Lending resists calls to be wound up
Thursday 10 May 2018Troubled peer-to-peer ( P2P ) investment trust Ranger Direct Lending ( RDL ) continues to reject calls from one of its largest shareholders to be wound up as it looks to pursue a new approach by investing in secured loans. Backed by noted Invesco fund manager Mark Barnett, Ranger listed in April...
Why new car sales jump is a false dawn
Thursday 10 May 2018UK new car registrations rose 10.4% to 167,911 year-on-year in the month of April, according to the latest figures (4 May) released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). While this reversed the trend over the last 12 months of a declining market, the uptick is flattered by a...
Fund manager calls the top of the market
Thursday 10 May 2018Fidelity Special Values’ ( FSV ) fund manager Alex Wright warns the UK stock market has hit its peak, arguing it is trading ‘around its long-term average’ with many stocks on peak margins. ‘I believe this constrains the ability of the overall market to continue to make above-average returns in the...
Games Workshop’s looming growth battle
Thursday 10 May 2018Fantasy miniatures maker Games Workshop’s ( GAW ) sales and profits for the financial year to 28 May 2018 are running ‘slightly above expectations’, extending its winning run of earnings upgrades. Yet investors should recognise sales and profits could decline in the next financial year. Peel Hunt...
What is behind the FTSE 100’s big comeback?
Thursday 10 May 2018The FTSE 100 has been racing away since its most recent low point in late March. It has surged back above the 7,500 mark and is within striking distance of the previous record close of 7,778 on 12 January 2018. It has advanced by nearly 10% on the 26 March closing level of 6,889. In doing so it has...
Bleak water industry prospects are putting off investors
Thursday 10 May 2018UK water companies are trading close to four-year share price lows even after a mini rally since February, with the sector dogged by political and regulatory threats. There are few reasons why this bleak performance may reverse convincingly any time soon, according to analysts at investment bank...