Mid-cap companies have always attracted investors. Seen as large enough to compete on a global scale, but not so big that their capacity for growth is capped, like many FTSE 100 stocks, an increasing number of investors spend time researching stocks on the FTSE 250 index, or simply buy the index through the handful of inexpensive targeted ETF tracker funds that are available. While ...

Shares acknowledges there could be further volatility to come from small caps, an asset class hit by indiscriminate selling as investors fret over surging inflation, rising rates and a likely recession in 2023. Yet with much bad news already priced in, taking advantage of the stock-picking skills of a proven small cap-focused fund manager could pay off for the patient investor. We like ...

- Bus operator in the crosshairs of two potential buyers - Minded to recommend a deal if firm offer forthcoming - Last week FirstGroup rejected bid London’s largest double-decker bus operator Go-Ahead (GOG) has attracted takeover interest from two potential buyers as investors bet on a revival in the UK transport industry. Go-Ahead said on Monday (13 June) that it has received two ...

International bus and train service operator Go-Ahead (GOG) revealed it will reinstate its pre-Covid dividend policy this year as it set out medium-term plans to boost revenue and profit. That means a restoration of a policy to paying dividends equivalent to between 50% and 75% of underlying earnings per share each year, starting with plans to recommend a payout of not less than 50p this ...

Shares in online estate agency portal Purplebricks (PURP) tumbled almost 20% to 25.6p after the company announced it would delay the release of its half year results due tomorrow after it discovered a ‘process issue’ regarding tenants’ deposits. According to press reports the firm could be liable for claims totally tens of millions of pounds, sending investors scurrying for ...

After a positive start, UK shares drifted lower during the course of Thursday, although they managed to hold onto their strong gains of Monday and Tuesday, as investors looked ahead to Friday's US retail price data and consumer confidence survey. Sterling continued to drift lower against the dollar, hitting a new 12-month low of $1.318 on concerns over growth next year in the face of the ...

UK shares gave up their morning's advance to trade slightly lower at lunchtime on Thursday while still holding onto their strong gains of Monday and Tuesday. Sterling continued to drift lower against the dollar, hitting a new 12-month low of $1.318 on concerns over growth next year in the face of the Omicron variant, while Brent crude oil futures gave up 0.8% to $75.30 per barrel. By midday ...

Bus and trains operator Go-Ahead (GOG) fell sharply in early deals on Thursday after saying that its shares face being suspended because it cannot get last year’s full year results out on time. The company had been due to report figures for the 12 months to 3 July 2021 on 16 December 2021, but it has now confirmed complications that will mean missing that date. More seriously, it also said ...

UK stocks continued their positive progress on Monday with technology and energy stocks lending support to the main index. US markets pushed to new highs on Friday after a strong October payrolls report and news that drugmaker Pfizer had developed a new Covid-19 pill. Brent crude future firmed 0.8% to $83.60 per barrel after OPEC rejected US calls for it to step up production, while sterling ...

Shares in bus and rail operator Go-Ahead Group (GOG) careered 18% lower to 841p after the firm revealed that the Department for Transport had relieved it of the Southeastern rail franchise due to accounting errors. Control of Southeastern will pass to the publicly-owned Operator of Last Resort from 18 October, the date when Go-Ahead’s existing agreement ends, effectively nationalising the ...

UK stocks dropped at the open on Tuesday as the fuel crisis sweeping the country showed no signs of easing. To make matters worse, Brent crude oil prices surged to a three-year high over $80 per barrel, pushing up prices at the pump, and UK and European natural gas price hit new records. By 8.45am the FTSE 100 index was down 30 points or 0.4% to 7,035 points as weakness in miners and ...

UK stocks inched higher after two days of strong gains in US markets. At 8.30am the FTSE 100 index was up 7 points to 7,005 points led by house builders and leisure stocks while consumer goods and utility companies were on the back foot. Oil prices retreated slightly after a strong bounce overnight with Brent crude futures dipping 0.2% to $72 per barrel while the gold price retreated to $1,800 ...

After good gains in the previous two sessions, UK stocks marked time on Thursday as Brexit negotiations remained gridlocked and Russia and Saudi Arabia argued over extending production cuts agreed at the start of the pandemic. At 8.30am the FTSE 100 index of leading stocks was almost unchanged at 6,466 points with weakness in banks and utilities offsetting gains in industrial and consumer ...

UK stocks tumbled on Monday as the number of virus cases in the UK continued to rise and fears grew of a second nationwide lockdown.   At the close the benchmark FTSE 100 index was down over 200 points or 3.4%, its biggest daily loss since July, to 5,804 points. International Consolidated Airlines (IAG) was the biggest FTSE faller, dropping 12% to 97p on fears of new travel ...

UK stocks fell sharply on Monday as the number of virus cases in the UK continued to rise and fears grew of a second nationwide lockdown. At midday the benchmark FTSE 100 index was down over 200 points or 3.4% to 5,801. International Consolidated Airlines (IAG) was the biggest FTSE faller, dropping 13% to 96p on fears of new travel restrictions, while low-cost rival EasyJet (EZJ) shed 8% to ...

Listed transport companies have seen their share prices plunge on Monday morning after the Government scrapped rail franchising and extended support for the rail industry. Shares in Thameslink and Southeastern owner Go-Ahead (GOG) dropped 8.1% to 599p, while Great Western Railway and TransPennine Express operator FirstGroup (FGP) tumbled 12.5% to 37.3p. Stagecoach (SGC), which runs the ...

UK stocks rallied during the afternoon session finishing the day slightly positive, up 0.1% to 6,043 points, helped by a positive opening for stocks in the US. Markets were anticipating more stimulus measures when central bankers meet virtually at Jackson Hole tomorrow. Meanwhile a report from the Commerce Department on Wednesday showed an uneven recovery in investment as spending moved away ...

UK stocks were subdued at lunchtime Wednesday as investors weighed stimulus measures and vaccine progress against climbing Covid-19 cases in Europe. The focus now turns to the U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's address at the virtual Jackson Hole Symposium on Thursday, where he is expected to provide an update on the U.S. central bank's future monetary policy approach. At 12:00, the ...

UK shares started Wednesday on the back foot with investors still wary of climbing Covid-19 cases in Europe and elsewhere, while bracing for a key update on the state of the US economy from the Fed on Thursday. 9.30am, the benchmark FTSE 100 was down 0.15% at 6,027.96, although mid-caps were firmer. The FTSE 250 added 0.35% to 17,638.75. LOW BAR BEAT SURPRISE Subprime lender Provident ...

Shares in FTSE 250 public transport operators FirstGroup (FGP) and Go-Ahead (GOG) gained ground after the government extended a bailout for local bus services. The new funding round of £218.4 million for the industry under the COVID-19 Bus Service Support Grant Restart (CBSSG Restart) programme extends a deal previously announced at the end of May for the next eight weeks. After ...