How stock markets perform after heavy falls March 10, 2020 Coronavirus concerns have swept through financial markets. Globally, stocks have endured some of their worst performances since the days of the financial crisis. For instance, the US stock market, as measured by the S&P 500, fell 7.6% in one day on 9 March 2020, its fifth worst trading day since 1988. On the same day, [...]
Neil Woodford offloads stake in Eurocell amid fire sale August 6, 2019 Neil Woodford has sold off his entire stake in Eurocell as the under-fire stockpicker battles to shore up the health of his own troubled equity income fund. The former star investor dropped his 16 per cent holding in the plastic window and door firm Eurocell last week, ramping up his fire sale after a torrid [...]
Podcast: Why invest in AIM shares? June 27, 2019 AIM is 24 years-old! To celebrate, our head of equity strategy Lee Wild and head of markets Richard Hunter discuss why it can be a happy hunting ground for investors, and how to do it successfully. AIM was launched in 1995, has a combined market capitalisation of more than £70 billion, and is home to [...]
Three big questions corporate America must answer this week July 15, 2019 The seond quarter earnings season kicks off this week as investor attention for a while shifts away from central banks to how well actual companies are performing. There are several big questions facing corporate America as we hit this important period. Earnings recession Earnings season is coming with fairly low expectations. Two weeks prior to earnings season [...]
Phrasee reveals how artificial intelligence will change marketing August 5, 2019 We’re all aware that artificial intelligence (AI) is predicted to transform every sector of the economy, and marketing is no exception. Already, the industry is using this new technology to analyse data or give product recommendations to customers. Of course, as adoption of the technology increases, so too is anxiety over the future of jobs. [...]
China expansion and UK troubles take a slice out of earnings at Pizza Express April 30, 2019 Pizza Express reported a slump in underlying earnings this morning, as expansion in China and tough trading conditions in the UK hit the group. Read more: SSE talks to Talktalk over £1bn retail unit after scrapping Npower deal In the latest sign of distress within the casual dining sector, Pizza Express posted a 15.3 per [...]
BASF profit warning sparks European chemicals spill July 9, 2019 Chemicals stocks weighed on European markets today as German giant BASF warned on profits in the wake of the US-China trade war. The company did worse than the already gloomy predictions from analysts, who had not bought its insistence in May that operating profit would grow. The firm had forecast growth at the lower end [...]
Pizza Express losses widen amid strain on casual dining sector June 26, 2019 Pizza Express has reported hefty losses for the full year as it battles with increased competition in the casual dining sector. The restaurant chain posted a loss of £55.8m in 2018, an increase of more than 40 per cent from £31.6m the previous year. Read more: China expansion and UK troubles take slice out of [...]
End of the Saga: Chief executive Batchelor hangs up his lance June 12, 2019 The chief executive of over 50s travel and insurance group Saga will retire next year, the company said today. Lance Batchelor will retire at the end of the financial year in January 2020 after six years with the business. The recruitment of his successor is underway. In April Saga shares sank 40 per cent after [...]
Axel Springer doubles stake in FTSE struggler Purplebricks June 3, 2019 A major backer of Purplebricks has doubled its stake in the online estate agency, as the group battles to shore up investor confidence following the departure of its chief executive last month. Read more: Purplebricks beaten black and blue as shares enter freefall Global media group Axel Springer upped its stake in the group from [...]