Clear pick-up in activity this yearHigh interest rates sinking more firmsEarnings ?at least? to meet forecastsIt?s often said it?s an ill wind which blows no good, and as corporate bankruptcies and insolvencies rise firms such as FRP Advisory (FRP:AIM) which provide services like debt restructuring and financial advice are seeing a growing stream of business.In its half-year update, the £300 mill

At first glance, insolvency and business advisory firm Begbies Traynor (BEG:AIM) doesn't shout 'growth stock' but over the last five years the group has doubled its revenue and trebled its pre-tax profit thanks to a mix of organic growth and acquisitions.It is now the leading insolvency practice in the UK with a 13% market share and is second to FRP Advisory (FRP:AIM) in the higher-value company a

A rise in oil prices was supporting the FTSE 100 index at midday on Monday, but a survey showing the UK manufacturing sector continues to go in reverse was keeping the overall London market under a lid.The FTSE 100 index was up 60.87 points, 0.8%, at 7,692.61. The FTSE 250 was down 7.46 points at 18,920.84. The AIM All-Share was up 5.66 points, 0.7%, at 814.93.The Cboe UK 100 was up 0.7% at 769.17

The FTSE 100 opened higher in London on Monday, as oil companies surged amid higher oil prices after OPEC+ cartel slashed their output.The FTSE 100 index opened up 43.30 points, 0.6%, at 7,675.04. The FTSE 250 was up 8.44 points at 18,936.74, and the AIM All-Share was up 6.64 points, 0.8%, at 815.91.The Cboe UK 100 was up 0.5% at 767.71, the Cboe UK 250 was down 0.2% at 16,518.62, and the Cboe Sma

Amid all the current turmoil the US economy, thanks in part to its relative energy independence, could fare better than its G7 counterparts.Often when people look to invest in the US they focus on the mega-caps but it's actually the domestic-oriented small caps which look particularly well placed.A new era of deglobalisation, inflation and rising interest rates is leading to a domestic focus and c

A healthy number of lesser-known businesses have done very well in share price terms since coming to market in the last two years, with price appreciation reflecting strong operational performances or the fact they sate voracious investor appetite for a particular theme.Readers will be familiar with high-profile post-pandemic newcomers on the London Stock Exchange (LSGE) trading above their issue

FRP Advisory (FRP:AIM) 164pGain to date: 34%We originally recommended buying advisory group FRP at 122p on 16 September 2021 because we believed it would benefit from an increase in insolvencies as the Government ended pandemic-linked insolvency restrictions.The company specialises in corporate restructuring and helps businesses navigate the process of going into administration or liquidation.What

- One-third increase in firms in 'critical' distress- Companies facing multiple financial headwinds- CCJs suggest rising tide of insolvenciesJust a day after the Bank of England forecast an early-1990s style recession lasting five quarters and the biggest drop in real incomes on record, business advisory group Begbies Traynor (BEG:AIM) published its latest 'Red Flag Report' on businesses in financ

It's always disappointing to see businesses struggle and sadly the numbers could get worse given the Bank of England's warning about a big slowdown in the economy and 10% inflation.The troubles at McColl's Retail (MCLS) have set the scene for difficult times ahead. The company has gone into administration and shareholders are set to lose everything, even though the business is subsequently being a

FRP Advisory (FRP:AIM) 132.3pGain to date: 8.4%Original entry point: Buy at 122p, 16 September 2021Since recommending specialist advisor FRP Advisory Group (FRP:AIM) in mid-September 2021 the shares have risen by a little more than 8%. We continue to believe that the shares offer good value and maintain our positive stance.Results (16 Dec) covering the six months to 31 October 2020, saw the group

FRP Advisory (FRP:AIM) 124pGain to date: 1.6%Original entry point: Buy at 122p, 16 September 2021Shares in FRP Advisory (FRP:AIM), the insolvency and business advisory firm, have nudged up 1.6% since we said to buy on 16 September. We continue to believe the company is well positioned to benefit from an increase in insolvencies and administrations as the Government winds up pandemic-linked solvenc

Insolvency and business advisory firm FRP Advisory (FRP:AIM) should be a beneficiary of a rise in insolvencies and administrations as the Government brings to an end pandemic-linked insolvency restrictions.Firms in financial distress thanks to Covid have been protected from action by creditors since June 2020 but that broad-based protection ends on 1 October, to be replaced by a more targeted regi

Keeping a regular watch on stocks with positive and negative share price momentum is a useful exercise as it tells us which areas of the market are hot or not.Investors who follow a pure momentum strategy like to buy stocks that keep a hitting a new 12-month high in the belief the share price is on a roll and can keep going up.Some investors avoid stocks hitting a new 12-month low, for fear this n

Mike Ashley's Frasers (FRAS) has warned it may take a further accounting hit of over £200 million due to Covid restrictions, double its previous estimate provided in late February.While disappointing, shares in the Sports Direct-to-House of Fraser owner rose 0.9% to 501.5p on optimism over the reopening of vast swathes of its estate from 12 April, when non-essential retailers are allowed to welco

They may not be too busy just yet but insolvency specialists are feeling fairly confident about their near-term prospects which, on the flipside, is bad news for UK businesses.On 12 February the recently-listed insolvency and business advisory firm FRP (FRP:AIM) signalled its confidence in the future with plans to pay quarterly dividends while also pointing to a 'positive' outlook.Fellow practitio

UK stocks jumped in afternoon trading on Friday after it emerged that coronavirus cases across the country are falling at the fastest pace in months.The UK's R value has dropped below 1 for the first time since July, and the Government has confirmed it will issue its roadmap out of lockdown on 22 February.The UK's benchmark FTSE 100 index gained 0.94% to 6,589.79, while the midcap FTSE 250 index s

Shares in recently-listed insolvency and business advisory group FRP (FRP:AIM) jumped 5.5% to 106p after the firm posted a positive trading update for the nine months to the end of January and raised its forecasts for the full year to April, its first as a quoted company.Trading so far has been 'pleasing' despite significant levels of government support for struggling companies and 'reduced levels

The company which handled the administration of cake shop Patisserie Valerie and helped with the liquidation of electricals retailer Comet is to float its shares on the UK stock market.Shares understands that FRP Advisory will soon confirm plans to list on the London Stock Exchange with the intention of raising up to £30m. It is expected to be valued in the region of £200m and its closest listed

Mining stocks give a post-Christmas lift to the FTSE 100 as the London market reopens following the festive break. Hochschild (HOC), BHP Billiton (BLT) and Ferrexpo (FXPO) lead the pack with gains of up to 6%.The blue chip index advances 18 points or 0.3% to 7,086. Among the mid-caps, the FTSE 250 index rises 63 points or 0.4% to 17,973.The biggest corporate news of the day is a profit warning fro

Income is the dominant theme in this week's edition of Shares. We talk about what to buy, what to avoid and discuss income issues specific to people in retirement.Dividends are one of the most important factors coveted by investors when weighing up which stocks or funds to buy. They are the reward for the risks associated with putting money in stock markets anywhere in the world.Sadly the world of