The persistently high interest rate environment means companies are under pressure to cut costs and jobs are an obvious target. While they can cut their workforce through redundancies or slash the wage bill through shorter or fewer shifts, others might already be operating with a skeleton crew and cannot pare back any further.It is against this scenario that higher wages are adding to companies? p

Ultimate Products (ULTP) 156pMarket cap: £142.9 millionStrong brands, a resilient business model and multiple growth opportunities ahead are among the investment attractions the market is missing at Ultimate Products (ULTP). This company is the owner of homeware brands including Salter and Beldray. The Oldham-headquartered firm is well placed to profit with UK and international retailers starting

Store group gaining market shareOperating profit tops forecastFurther £1 billion share buybackThe UK?s largest supermarket group, Tesco (TSCO), reported record operating profits for the year to February 2024 and announced a fresh share buyback as it continues to attract shoppers and inflation eases.Shares in the Hertfordshire-based company gained 6p or 2% to 293p. VALUE PROPOSITION DRIVES

Stocks in Europe opened in the green on Wednesday, with FTSE 100?s Tesco edging up as it announced a new share buyback programme on the back of surging annual profit.The FTSE 100 index opened up 46.08 points, 0.6%, at 7,980.87. The FTSE 250 was up 130.70 points, 0.7%, at 19,894.05, and the AIM All-Share was up 3.15 points, 0.4%, at 754.13.The Cboe UK 100 was up 0.6% at 797.85, the Cboe UK 250 was

Positive momentum continuesRecord first quarter sales10% earnings upgrade impliedAffordable colour cosmetics supplier Warpaint London?s (W7L:AIM) stunning cycle of upgrades continues.The company, which supplies its wares to the likes of Tesco (TSCO), Boots and Superdrug, has raised its year-to-December 2024 outlook after experiencing continued rapid growth in the first quarter, sending shares in t

This year is looking rosy so far for the UK?s largest supermarket group by market value and market share, Tesco (TSCO), and investors will be hoping it stays that way when the company reports its full-year earnings on 10 April.The year started with a report of record Christmas sales, up 6.8% in the six weeks to 6 January, and the group recording its busiest ever day on 22 December thanks to contin

Average orders of 414,000 per week grew 8.4%Average basket value up 2.1%, basket size stableOcado shares down 37% year-to-dateShares in Ocado (OCDO) were marginally higher at 463p this morning as the online grocer reported a 10.6% rise in revenue for its Ocado Retail joint venture to £645.23 million for the 13 weeks to 3rd March 2024Average orders per week of 414,000 grew 8.4% compared with the f

Supermarket Income REIT (SUPR) 76pMarket cap: £950 millionAlong with healthcare REITs (real estate investment trusts), Supermarket Income REIT (SUPR) must have one of the most secure revenue streams of any property company.It owns and leases 55 supermarkets up and down the country, with the two leading operators Tesco (TSCO) and Sainsbury?s (SBRY) accounting for over three quarters of its rental

Full-year results from Greggs (GRG) on 5 March painted a picture of a company doing so well in its domestic territory that one has to ask when it might export the successful business model abroad.Greggs? profits and market share are growing, it is investing in manufacturing and distribution expansion, and shareholders are getting a special dividend. While the company is confident it can add at lea

The end of the tax year is fast approaching and with it the opportunity to maximise your £20,000 ISA allowance for the year.In this article we have identified six names from a list of some of the most consistent funds and fund managers in the UK which could be a good fit for your tax wrapper. While we have aimed for a balance across different investment styles and asset classes this is not intend

Bank to return £10 billion over next three yearsLender launches cost-cutting driveFresh divisional reorganisationShares in Barclays (BARC) topped the FTSE 100 on Tuesday, rallying 4.5% to 156p after the lender announced a strategic overhaul and plans to return ?at least? £10 billion to shareholders over the next three years via buybacks and dividends.The new plan, which includes a substantial ef

The publication of full-year results by the big four UK high-street banks is imminent and there will inevitably be a good deal of scrutiny of their margins and provisions for bad loans.If last week?s update from Virgin Money UK (VMUK) is any guide, net interest margins should be fairly steady although that will depend on how keen the major players have been to expand their loan books.Virgin itself

There was a divergence between US and European equities on Friday, with stocks on Wall Street largely on the up, but peers in Europe struggling to find their feet at the end of a tricky week.The divergence between markets in Europe and New York was perhaps typified by the S&P 500 hitting a record high, cementing its status above the 5,000 point threshold.The greenback ended the week by returning g

Stocks in London lacked direction at midday on Friday, as markets ?paused for breath? across Europe.The FTSE 100 index was up 8.94 points, 0.1%, at 7,604.42. The FTSE 250 was up 12.99 points, 0.1%, at 19,115.71, and the AIM All-Share was down 0.71 of a point, 0.1%, at 750.39.The Cboe UK 100 was up 0.1% at 760.46, the Cboe UK 250 was flat at 16,537.56, and the Cboe Small Companies was flat at 14,58

Sale to net Tesco £700 millionDeal seen as earning-enhancingSurplus cash to boost buybackHigh-street lender Barclays (BARC) has signed a 10-year strategic deal with supermarket giant Tesco (TSCO) to provide customers with supermarket-branded banking products and services.As part of the agreement, Barclays will pay Tesco £600 million for its banking operations in loans, savings and credit cards p

When Martin Sorrell completed his acrimonious exit in 2018 from the business he had built up over decades he had a point to prove.His S4 Capital (SFOR) vehicle was supposed to leave his former charge in the shade by adopting a similar buy-and-build model to that employed at WPP (WPP).The latter started life as wire shopping-basket manufacturer Wire and Plastic Products before Sorrell and co-founde

Despite well-documented cost-of-living pressures, consumers continue to set aside cash for affordable luxuries such as cosmetics which make them feel good about their appearance and add a little glamour to their lives.In contrast to the slowing growth being reported by the large luxury goods groups, companies which sell makeup, skincare and haircare products and other beauty and wellness wares are

The retail sector accounts for £104 billion of the FTSE 350 index by value of its 22 constituents, making it of significant importance to the UK stock market and to any investor with exposure to UK equities.The fortunes of retailers can tell us about the state of the consumer and in turn provide clues on economic activity. Therefore, even if you do not have exposure to individual stocks in this s

Cranswick (CWK) £40Profit to date: 11%In November 2023, we said investors hungry for positive earnings momentum and an unbroken 33 years of dividend growth should take a closer look at pork and poultry products supplier Cranswick (CWK).We saw scope for further earnings forecast upgrades based on strong UK food trading highlighted by leading grocer Tesco (TSCO).There is also underappreciated upsid

Year-end sales beat forecastsGroup ?in great shape? for 2024Operating profit outlook raisedSupermarket group Tesco (TSCO) cemented itself as the UK?s number one grocer with record Christmas sales and pleased shareholders by raising its full-year earnings outlook, in contrast to second-placed Sainsbury?s (SBRY) which disappointed the market with its guidance yesterday.Tesco shares climbed 0.8% to 2