In this third part of our investor survey, we asked some of the UK?s leading fund managers which sectors or stocks they thought were the most promising for 2024.The responses were as varied as they were thought-provoking, with only a couple of managers singling out technology stocks.As before we would like to thank all those who took part for sharing their views, and we hope readers enjoy them. WH

Geopolitical ructions and rising interest rates have seemingly failed to stem the appetite for global takeover activity according to analysis from consultants Earnest & Young (EY).And the UK financial services industry recorded a seven-year high of 136 deals in in the first half of 2022, although their £8.6 billion combined value was 18% down on 2021 levels.While a recent survey of UK M&A profess

-Shares fall despite positive trading update-Uncertainty remains over proposed M&C Saatchi acquisition-Fears over decline in global marketing spendShares in specialist marketing firm Next Fifteen Communications (NFC:AIM) fell by over 4% despite the group announcing positive trading ahead of its AGM today.Over the last month shares have fallen by 35%.Management reiterated that first quarter revenue

-M&C Saatchi shares continue to rise-AdvancedAdvt believes Next15 bid fails to reflect synergy potential-A higher offer price may be requiredShares in advertising agency M&C Saatchi (SAA) continued to be in demand on Monday rising 1.6% to 216p.This follows today's news that AdvancedAdvt (ADVT) the acquisition vehicle headed by serial software entrepreneur Vin Murria, believes Next Fifteen Communic

UK shares saw selling pressure on Thursday following the Bank of England's historic decision to deliver the first back to back interest rate increase since 2004.Sentiment was further dampened following a 24% decline in Meta shares, previously known as Facebook which sent US indices into the red with the tech heavy Nasdaq Index down 2.25% and the SAP Index off 1.4%.Meta has been impacted by competi

The Bank of England has made the historic decision to deliver the first back to back interest rate increase since 2004.The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voted unanimously in favour of raising the benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points to 0.5%. The decision had been expected by the market.The benchmark FTSE 100 and the mid-cap FTSE 250 indexes traded 0.3% and 0.6% lower on the news at 7,556.6

Major shares in London opened higher on Thursday, albeit modestly, lifted by earnings from energy and consumer companies as investors braced for an expected second consecutive rate hike by the Bank of England.At 9am, the benchmark FTSE 100 is 0.1% up at 7,590.86, led by Compass (CPG), while BT (BT.A) checked further progress. Mid-caps remain under pressure, the FTSE 250 losing 0.25% at 22,198.16.U

Shares in media agency M&C Saatchi (SAA) moved 3% higher to 180p following the announcement that AdvancedAdvt (ADVT) had made two new offers to the board last week, although both were turned down.AdvancedAdvt, the acquisition vehicle headed by serial software entrepreneur Vin Murria, who is also a Saatchi director, made an initial approach on 7 January with an offer of 1.86 AdvtT share for each M

The FTSE 100 closed higher on Friday, ignoring declines in US stocks as inflation, looming interest rate hikes and weak jobs report spooked investors across the pond.At the close, the UK benchmark index had rallied 0.47% to hit 7,485.28, although the mid-cap FTSE 250 lost further ground, down 0.27% to finish at 23,353.25.'Although today's jobs report shows yet another disappointing top line jobs n

Shares in media agency M&C Saatchi (SAA) jumped over 8% to 204p, after the firm confirmed recent press speculation that it has received a preliminary approach from AdvancedAdvt (ADVT), the acquisition vehicle headed by serial software entrepreneur Vin Murria, who is also a Saatchi director.Murria's extensive career has predominantly been based around mergers and acquisitions in the software sector

Investors have an opportunity to ride the value creation coattails of Vin Murria, the serial software sector entrepreneur who has twice made a packet for shareholders.Murria will chair AdvancedAdvT (ADVT), a so-called SPAC (special purpose acquisition company) which has raised £130 million from investors with a remit to target mid-sized privately-owned software businesses. She is expected to take