Over the long haul, small-caps have historically outperformed large caps, fuelling the research highlighting the so-called 'small-cap effect' ? the idea that smaller companies offer higher risk-adjusted returns than larger ones. Unfortunately, the higher interest rate environment of recent years has proved tough for the stock market's small fry, who've spent more than a decade lagging more...

In contrast to the housebuilders, who have had a torrid time this month, construction materials firms are enjoying a positive run of form as demand for their products continues to grow unabated.Results today from brick maker Ibstock (IBST) and door and window manufacturer Epwin (EPWN:AIM) both met a favourable response from investors with gains of as much as 4% and 6% respectively.That follows...

One of the very few positive effects of last year's pandemic was an increase in consumers spending on the repair, maintenance and improvement of their flats and houses.Having been confined indoors for months at a time, it didn't take long for people to set about redecorating and adding more indoor or outdoor space so they could live and work remotely more comfortably.That led to an explosion...

UK stocks got off to a mixed start on Wednesday as better corporate earnings were outweighed by weak overnight performances in the US and Asia.US markets gave back some of their recent gains as heavyweight tech stocks Alphabet, Apple and Microsoft dipped despite strong earnings.In Asia, Chinese stocks remained at their lows for the year after three days of heavy losses despite state-run media...

UK stocks were trading higher early on in Wednesday's session as US lawmakers moved closer to agreeing on a new stimulus package for the world's biggest economy.Investors also were holding out hope that Britain and the EU could agree on a post-Brexit trade deal before the transition period ends on 1 January.Meaningful progress on either the stimulus or Brexit fronts could help put the markets...

A profit warning from Epwin (EPWN:AIM) has investors running for the exit, the market concerned about the company's ability to pay its dividend.Shares in the building products company have plummeted 17.1% to 78.75p on a warning results for the year to December 2017 will be 'marginally below market expectations.'In April, we flagged Epwin as a resilient company that can deliver a high dividend...

As the FTSE 100 index rises by 56.2 points to 7,440 ahead of UK unemployment figures and following uninspiring performances on Wall Street overnight and in Asia this morning, insurer Admiral (ADM) sinks 6.75% to £20.31.Despite reporting marginal growth in first half profits and a boost in customer numbers and turnover, CEO David Stevens concedes some extra costs of large injury claims...

We're generally cautious about companies with high dividend yields, as it tends to represent disbelief by the market that the money will be paid. One exception, in our view, is building products business Epwin (EPWN:AIM) which has a handsome 6.5% prospective dividend yield.We view Epwin as having a resilient business and note it has limited debt and excellent cash generation.Panmure Gordon...

Chief executive Jon Bednall at building products supplier Epwin (EPWN) remains bullish in the face of flat end-markets, citing acquisitions and further cost efficiencies as key levers to grow profitability.Acquisitions in the past 18 months helped revenue at the supplier of PVC doors and windows, roofline and cladding grow 15.5% to £143.3 million in the six months to 30 June 2016.Organic...

It's another big week for the building sector after mixed updates from housebuilders Redrow (RDW) and Berkeley (BKG) along with a rebound in July's purchasing manager's index (PMI).ONS data scheduled for Friday 9 September will provide the first 'hard data' on UK construction output after the vote to leave the EU, a data point analysts at Bank of America-Merrill Lynch argue is a key recession...

For several quarters now, analysts, economists and journalists have been anticipating a pick-up in activity in the RMI (renovation, maintenance and improvement) market. There are signs that this pick-up is finally coming through.The logic behind a predicted RMI recovery is both compelling and straightforward; activity in the housing market is brisk which would suggest a certain amount of home...

RESULTS > FINALS > Thursday 14 APRILEpwin (EPWN:AIM) 143.5pThe markets have been slow so far this year to pick up on the compelling investment case behind building materials specialist Epwin (EPWN:AIM) but upcoming full year results could change that situation.(Click on chart to enlarge)Solihull-based Epwin, which manufactures extrusions, mouldings and fabricated low maintenance building...

The markets have been slow so far this year to pick up on the compelling investment case being made by building materials specialist Epwin (EPWN:AIM).Epwin, which manufactures extrusions, mouldings and fabricated low maintenance building products, started the year brightly with the announcement of its acquisition of Stormking Plastics.It will pay a total consideration of £27 million for the...

Hikma is not too sickContinuing demand for Hikma Pharmaceuticals' (HIK) injectables and branded businesses and consensus expecting a 30.5% rise in pre-tax profits for 2016 are reasons for investors to stick with the Jordanian drug company. The FTSE 100 member issued a profit warning in November 2015 on lower generic sales. (MD)Oil glut weighsOil prices start 2016 under continuing pressure as...

Investors might take some badly needed encouragement from Epwin (EPWN:AIM) which is up nearly 4% at 136.6p in a session when global markets are finding precious few reasons to be cheerful on the first day of 2016 trading.Epwin, which manufactures extrusions, mouldings and fabricated low maintenance building products, starts the year with the announcement of its acquisition of Stormking...

There should be more to come from Epwin (EPWN:AIM) even after a strong run by since January that puts the shares 41% ahead for the year-to-date.Given the strength of its operating metrics and the size of its market share in the RMI (Renovation Maintenance Improvement) space, we believe Epwin is well placed to grow its operating profits and cash and to be able to capitalise on future market...

An expectation-busting set of full-year results from Epwin (EPWN:AIM) on 16 April only copper-fastens our conviction that the stock will continue to benefit from a number of key growth drivers in its markets.We believe the manufacturer of extrusions, mouldings and fabricated low maintenance building products is a stock that has unjustifiably failed to excite the interest it deserves and at...

Occasionally a stock comes to market and despite robust and compelling fundamentals, it can fail to excite the interest it perhaps deserves.Manufacturer of extrusions, mouldings and fabricated low maintenance building products Epwin (EPWN:AIM) would appear to be one such company. At 100p, shares in the Solihull-headquartered firm currently trade close to the group's 24 July 2014 IPO price but...

Eagle Eye (EYE:AIM) 165pAIM is littered with strugglers chasing the mobile commerce dream but Eagle Eye is off to a decent start. SMS marketing and vouchers space has potential, but this is also high-risk territory.Earthport (EPO:AIM) 45.25pNew management is key to ending years of failure and cash calls. Making rapid progress to promised global platform for medium-sized cross-border payments...

Drax payout boost eyedAnalysts believe that coal-to-biomass electricity supplier Drax (DRX) is set for a prolonged increase in revenues and earnings, paving the way for a dividend payout hike that could exceed 200% by 2016. Consensus is for an 11.3p per share dividend this year, but top-of-the-range market estimates reckon it could rise to 37.9p inside three years. (SFr)Synthomer's margin...