UK stocks opened the week on the back foot amid rising fears of slowing global growth and persistent inflationary pressures, leading to stagflation. Spiraling natural gas prices have led to a spike in electricity prices, causing smaller suppliers to struggle while some fertiliser plants have curtailed production after they became uneconomic to operate. Shares in Hong Kong were 3% lower as ...

London’s FTSE 100 reversed 24.2 points to 7,343.25 on Monday with investors spooked by the attack on Saudi oil facilities and flocking to safer havens such as gold. Markets were also weak across other parts of Europe and Asia where investors reacted in a similar manner to the oil price spike and how it might fuel inflation. In corporate news, Tullow Oil (TLW) gushed 9.9% higher to 244.3p on ...

UK markets make modest gains in early trade on Monday reversing an extended losing streak with investors warming to positive news from mining group Antofagasta (ANTO), although news of delayed results by Mike Ashley’s Sports Direct (SPD) comes as another knock to the embattled UK retail space. Antofagasta announced today that the World Bank arbitration court has ordered the Pakistani ...

The ability to successfully navigate endless market challenges is the sign of good management and a well-run business. Investors seeking examples should look no further than Finsbury Food (FIF:AIM) which has just served up an impressive set of full year results. While you may think that baking bread and cakes isn’t challenging, this company is currently battling with a multitude of ...

London’s FTSE 100 is off to a strong start on its first trading day of the autumn, bid up 47.5 points to 7,480 on Monday after enduring a difficult month of August. In corporate news, Scottish broadcaster STV (STVG) skips 4.6% higher to 410p after inking a four-year strategic partnership with Virgin Media which will see Virgin TV customers in Scotland have access to fully regionalised ...

Speciality bakery business Finsbury Food (FIF:AIM) has reported a resilient first half performance with growth in sales, profit and dividends. This performance is good when you consider the headwinds facing the business, namely the consumer income squeeze and increasing commodity costs compounded by weak sterling. HOW MUCH MONEY HAS IT MADE? Results for the six months to 30 December ...

If you own shares in a company you’re entitled to attend its annual general meeting (AGM) where you have a chance to grill directors about issues like performance and pay. Despite this opportunity, the number of shareholders attending AGMs has fallen dramatically in recent years. That’s mainly because most investors today deal through investment platforms and don’t have their names on ...

The FTSE 100 starts slightly higher on Friday, up 6.83 points after sterling weakens against both the dollar and the euro. The US indices all hit new highs last night and all eyes will be on job figures from across the pond later. In corporate news, budget airline EasyJet (EZJ) sheds 1.1% to £12.70 despite releasing a pleasing trading statement. The company expects headline pre-tax profit for ...

Monday 18 September Full year results from diversified bakery business Finsbury Food (FIF:AIM) on 18 September are forecast to show an improvement in pre-tax profit. That would be good going in a tough consumer market with rising input costs putting the margin squeeze on the sector. We expect the celebration cakes-to-muffins and breads maker to issue cautiously optimistic outlook ...

A share price pullback at diversified bakery group Finsbury Food (FIF:AIM) represents a buying opportunity ahead of full year results (18 Sep). Reassuring commentary despite trading amid tough industry conditions and potential for updates on new license and customer wins or even further acquisitions, are among the reasons to swoop at 109p. Celebration cakes, artisan breads and muffins maker ...

Buy low and sell high. Sounds simple, doesn’t it? Investors following this advice have over the years become either extremely rich or flat broke. So when should investors buy after a big market fall? The challenge is deciding whether or not to top up on an existing holding without risking too much money on one stock or fund. You may need to make a tough decision and exit the ...

Cardiff-headquartered food producer Finsbury Food (FIF:AIM) warns sterling weakness has increased the cost of key raw materials sending shares 5.6% lower to 117.5p. The sterling-driven commodity cost spike overshadows a broadly positive update from long-standing Shares favourite Finsbury, a manufacturer of celebration cakes, breads, rolls and muffins. INPUT COST SPIKE In the speciality ...

Specialist bakery manufacturer Finsbury Food (FIF:AIM) has a platform for ambitious deals in a fragmented industry. Already a bigger, more diversified business having integrated the Fletchers and Johnstone’s acquisitions, the cake, bread and muffin maker has consistently been a Shares favourite. We remain bullish at 129p with 34% upside towards Investec’s 173p price target. Full year ...

London's FTSE 100 rebounds on Monday, up 82.15 points to 6,792.43, recovering from Friday's banking stock-led falls. The market is drawing strength from a rally in Asian stocks triggered by a firmer oil price and brushing aside caution ahead of this week's Federal Reserve policy meeting. In corporate news, the session's main casualty is outsourcing giant Mitie (MTO), which slumps 26.5% to 197.6p ...

A core component of the food producers sector, which also includes plantations plays and manufacturers of agricultural supplies, are its branded food manufacturers. A surprise bid for Premier Foods (PFD) has served to underscore the attractions of suppliers of one of life's key essentials, food being a largely non-discretionary spend. As outlined in our last look at the sector – see ...

The market is off to a quiet start ahead of George Osborne’s Budget announcement at lunchtime. The FTSE nudges ahead 24 points to 6,163. The biggest corporate news is the recommended all-share merger between London Stock Exchange (LSE) and Deutsche Borse. It is called a merger of equals but LSE shareholders will only hold 45.6% of the combined business and the two parties haven’t yet agreed ...

UK shares rally in early trade on Wednesday ahead of Chancellor George Osborne’s joint Spending Review and Autumn Statement. Osborne is widely expected to announce deep cuts to public sector spending when he kicks off the Autumn Statement at 11.30 this morning. He could also unveil tax changes to pensions, motoring, savings and housing. The UK housing market is anticipated to be sharply in ...

The food producers sector, spanning everything from branded food manufacturers to plantations plays and producers of agricultural supplies, has put up a good showing versus the FTSE All Share. This reflects healthy investor appetite to own the cash flows of suppliers of one of life’s key essentials; food remains a non-discretionary spend, UK consumer confidence is recovering and food producers ...

Tasty momentum is being maintained at speciality cake, bread and morning goods maker Finsbury Food (FIF:AIM). Organic growth, upside from M&A and falling debt levels offer a powerful combined re-rating catalyst. Upgrades accompanied Finsbury’s full-year pre-close update (16 Jul), highlighting a strong second half and outperformance against annual profit targets. Encouragingly, Finsbury ...

UK stocks ease back from highs in early trade Monday as investors top slice profits after the FTSE 100 closed on Friday at a record-breaking 7,022.51. The blue-chip index slips around 20 points, or 0.3%, lower dipping just below the psychologically important 7,000 mark at 6,999. Investors continue to flock to emerging market lender Standard Chartered (STAN) ahead of the new chief executive’s ...