This feature explores spin-offs or de-mergers, looking at the rationale for them and how they have performed, and asks if they can be a promising hunting ground for investors.One of the UK?s largest recent spin-offs was GSK?s (GSK) demerger of its consumer healthcare division in 2022.GSK reportedly rebuffed a £50 billion offer from personal goods giant Unilever (ULVR) to buy the division, named H

Investors looking for continued sales momentumConsensus earnings estimates have been revised upLooking for signs of improving marginsInvestors will be interested to see if sales momentum has continued into the final quarter at global medical technology company Smith & Nephew (SN.) when it reports next week (27 Feb).Running into the Q4 and full-year numbers the shares have started to outperform the

Out of more than 3,500 regulated investment funds in the UK industry VT Argonaut Absolute Return (B7FT1K7) says to ?the best of its knowledge? it is the only one to have delivered double-digit returns for the last five years in a row.The fund?s performance over the past year is particularly eye-catching, returning more than 30% to investors. Since launch in 2009 the fund has achieved a return of 2

London?s FTSE 100 had another tricky day on Wednesday, as it continues to struggle to find its groove in 2024, though trade was more confident in New York.There was M&A activity in the housing sector on Wednesday, a strategic plan from grocer Sainsbury?s and a dividend hike from packaging company Smurfit Kappa.The FTSE 100 index lost 52.26 points, 0.7%, at 7,628.75. So far this year, the blue-chip

Most of us will be aware of the need to plan for our retirement, however far or otherwise we might have got with doing so. After all, when we stop working we all still want to enjoy a decent quality of life. In this article we will explore how much money you will need and the level of pension pot required to achieve it as well as providing some investment ideas for people at the start of the proce

Stocks in Europe endured another muted session on Wednesday, extending the FTSE 100?s recent poor run, amid some nerves ahead of Thursday?s US inflation reading.Investors also have one eye on the start of the US banking season, with the likes of JPMorgan getting things going forward.The FTSE 100 index ended down 32.20 points, 0.4%, at 7,651.76. The FTSE 250 closed down 13.94 points, 0.1%, at 19,28

Grocery market share gains a plusNon-food and clothing sales disappointFull-year earnings outlook unchangedInvestors responded negatively to the latest trading update from the UK?s second-largest supermarket group J Sainsbury (SBRY), despite the firm outperforming its peers over the key Christmas period.The shares fell more than 5% to 290p, sending them to the bottom of the FTSE 100 leader board a

Stock prices in London were mixed on Wednesday morning, as investors looked ahead to US inflation data and weighed continued geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.The FTSE 100 index opened down 25.03 points, 0.3%, at 7,658.88. The FTSE 250 was up 12.96 points, 0.1%, at 19,306.98, and the AIM All-Share was up 0.27 of a point at 752.93.The Cboe UK 100 was down 0.3% at 765.32, the Cboe UK 250 was

Add a fast-growing company with a massive international market share opportunity to portfolios by buying SharkNinja (SN:NYSE). This household appliance innovator is the group behind two exciting global brands, Shark and Ninja. The clue is in the name.Shares in the Massachusetts-headquartered company have had a strong run since their New York Stock Exchange debut (31 July), yet they remain modestly

Third-quarter revenue up 7.7%Full-year growth forecast increasedNew finance chief appointedMedical products-maker Smith & Nephew (SN.) was one of the top gainers in the FTSE 100 on Thursday, up 5% after delivering strong third-quarter growth and raising its full-year outlook.Underlying revenue for the three months to 30 September grew 7.7% to $1.4 billion driven by broad-based growth across the fi

Stock prices in London finished lower on Monday, with the FTSE 100 index down amid fears that the Chinese property sector is weakening.The FTSE 100 index closed down 59.92 points, 0.8%, at 7,623.99. The FTSE 250 ended down 191.53 points, 1.0%, at 18,415.31, and the AIM All-Share closed down 4.91 points, or 0.7%, at 734.52.The Cboe UK 100 ended down 0.9% at 760.21, the Cboe UK 250 closed down 1.5%

Despite coming under selling pressure from the slightly hawkish words of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell this afternoon, the FTSE 100 closed in the green on Friday.The FTSE 100 index edged up 4.95 points, or 0.1%, at 7,338.58. The FTSE 250 shed 63.55 points, 0.4%, to 18,131.02, and the AIM All-Share slipped 0.85 of a point, 0.1%, to 733.67.For the week, the FTSE 100 added 1.1%, both the FTSE 2

Spun-out from Hong Kong's JS Global Lifestyle (1691:HKG), household appliance innovator SharkNinja (SN:NYSE) is an interesting addition to the public markets and the shares surged on their New York Stock Exchange debut (31 July) in an early feeding frenzy.But SharkNinja's shares then sank below the initial public offering (IPO) price amid concerns over the company's significant China exposure at a

Although the latest UK inflation figures are easy off, the cost-of-living crisis is still alive and kicking, as food, energy and petrol costs remain stubbornly high.This is bad news for consumers but good news for some companies who are benefiting from the doom and gloom on the high street and in households. Here are 10 names doing well.Shoe ZoneFootwear retailer Shoe Zone (SHOE:AIM) sells shoes a

Price cuts help stoke volume growth returnGrocery sales up 11% in Q1Argos sales rise 5.1%In the face of a cost-of-living crisis eating into shoppers' disposable income, Sainsbury's (SBRY) delivered solid sales in the first quarter to 24 June with a welcome return to volume growth and market share gains.The UK's second largest supermarket also maintained its year-to-March 2024 outlook, forecasting

The FTSE 100 opened flat on Tuesday, with weakness in housebuilding stocks, amid a subdued day for global markets in light of the US holiday and a light economic calendar.The FTSE 100 index opened up just 0.31 of a point lower at 7,526.95. The FTSE 250 was up 10.59 points, 0.1%, at 18,518.33. The AIM All-Share was also up by just 0.31 of a point at 754.00.The Cboe UK 100 and Cboe UK 250 were large

Strong profitable momentum reported for Q1Groceries, general merchandise flying off shelvesAbsence of upgrades disappointsDiscount variety retailer B&M European Value Retail (BME) delivered 'strong profitable' trading momentum across the business in the first quarter to 24 June as hard-pressed shoppers flocked to its stores. So why then, were the shares marked down 6.6% to 551.5p on the news?It co

Do you ever think about ejecting the part of your portfolio that is not doing well? By cutting your losses you could reinvest the proceeds back into what is doing well and your portfolio would look healthier. That may not be the best action to take.The fact parts of your portfolio are laggards could be a sign you have a healthy mix of uncorrelated assets. Yes, it can also mean you have made bad in

Can embattled retailer ASOS bounce back into fashion with investors?The online fast-fashion retailer is wrestling with weak consumer demand and cash flow pressuresHalf-year results on 10 May from ASOS (ASC) will give investors a read into how 20-something fashionistas are coping with the cost-of-living crisis, as well as an update on progress against new CEO Jose Antonio Ramos Calamonte's 'Driving

Equities in Europe were on the up on Wednesday afternoon, with focus squarely on the Federal Reserve, ahead of what is expected to be the central bank's final rate lift of the current hiking cycle.The European Central, which announces its decision on Thursday, is also largely expected to hike by 25 basis points. In contrast to the Fed, however, it may continue hiking thereafter.US labour market da