Dr. Martens (DOCS) 72.1pLoss to date: 21.6%In mid-December 2023 we said the knock-down share price of iconic footwear brand Dr. Martens (DOCS) was too tempting to resist despite the company delivering four profit warnings.Our rationale was simple ? either the self-inflicted operational issues would be fixed by the current management or the business would be taken over by an opportunistic predator

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

Stock prices in London opened in the green on Thursday, with some positive corporate updates helping lift the FTSE 100, a far cry from the sell-off New York tech shares suffered overnight.The tech sector comes into focus again, with streaming service Netflix, traditionally one of the FAANG stocks alongside Facebook owner Meta, Amazon, Apple and Alphabet, reporting quarterly earnings later.The FTSE

A classic example of a superb business with staying power, The Coca-Cola Company (KO:NYSE) is blessed with iconic brands spearheaded by Coca-Cola or ?Coke?, the world?s most recognised soft drink synonymous with its red cans.Coca-Cola?s brands resonate with consumers around the world, making the New York-listed group?s products the beverage of choice for billions when at home or on the move.Powerf

Equity prices in London found some composure heading into Wednesday afternoon, recovering from an uncertain start following an unnerving UK inflation reading.International Distribution Services jumped, after a billionaire shareholder?s takeover proposal that was rebuffed by the Royal Mail parent.The FTSE 100 index rose 46.18 points, 0.6%, at 7,866.54. The FTSE 250 climbed 107.23 points, 0.6%, at 1

Shares down 59% over the past yearCEO Kenny Wilson to step downChallenging performance in the USShares in Dr. Martens (DOCS) fell 31% at one point to 66p in morning trading - a new 52-week low - as the iconic British footwear brand issued a profit warning.The Camden Town-headquartered company said US wholesale revenue ?is anticipated to be double-digit down year-on-year,? adding ?the decline in wh

Confected or not the recent round of international football fixtures was coloured by outrage over two major kit makers. With Nike (NKE:NYSE) in the firing line thanks to its ?playful? update of the St George?s Cross on the latest England jersey.For its part Adidas (ADS:ETR) was caught up in controversy over Die Mannschaft switching allegiance to its aforementioned US rival, ending a 77-year associ

Technology giant Apple (AAPL:NASDAQ) is facing an epic fight with regulators after the US Department of Justice launched a lawsuit accusing the iPhone maker of violating antitrust laws and suppressing competition by blocking rivals from accessing hardware and software features on its devices.The challenge, announced last week (21 March), saw shares in Apple lose more than 4%, their biggest one-day

One of the chocolate industry?s seasonal peaks, Easter is upon us with eggs from the world?s major brands adorning retailer?s shelves.Chocolates are tough for consumers to resist at this time of year, but is this an opportune time to put money to work with purveyors of one of the world?s most popular little luxuries?SWEET CONSUMER CATEGORYAccording to MarkNtel Advisors, the global chocolate market

Iconic denim products maker Levi Strauss (LEVI:NYSE) may be one of the oldest companies in the US, tracing its origins all the way back to 1853, but it remains highly relevant today.It regularly scores near the top in apparel brand rankings in both the US and internationally and the company?s shares are on a strong run ahead of its first-quarter numbers (to the end of February) on 3 April.Earnings

Leisure business London Tunnels is expected to float on the AIM market sometime around the middle of the year. The company is majority owned by Angus Murray who is the brains behind plans to turn London?s tunnels into a tourist attraction, which showcases the story of the London Blitz.In October 1940 the UK government decided to build a system of deep shelters linked to existing tube stations inte

One of the most popular investment trusts with AJ Bell?s ISA millionaires, City of London (CTY) is a favourite with investors seeking long-term income and capital growth and a gateway to large international companies.However, while the long-run performance record is strong, Curtis? cautious approach means the fund can underperform in some market conditions. On a 10-year share price total return ba

Full year revenues decline2024 sales seen acceleratingOlympics and Euros to comeShares in German trainers-to-sports apparel giant Adidas (ADS:ETR) cheapened 2.5% to ?188 in Frankfurt on Wednesday morning after the company reported downbeat full year results and delivered a lighter-than-expected operating profit forecast for 2024.However, the trainers-to-football jerseys seller did provide more upb

Pension cash contributions haltedMajor boost to free cash flowFirepower for growth enhancedShares in Premier Foods (PFD) were the FTSE 250?s biggest risers on Wednesday morning, surging 14% to a five-year high of 158.2p after the cakes, custards and cooking sauces maker struck an agreement with the RHM Pension Scheme Trustee to suspend pension deficit payments from 1 April 2024.One of Shares? 2023

Full year profit rises 13.1%2024 off to good startUnexpected extra payoutFood-to-go specialist Greggs (GRG) continues to deliver tasty sales and profit growth despite the tough economic backdrop with its value proposition shining through during the cost-of-living crisis.Shares in the bakery retailer rose 4.6% to £28.40 on Tuesday morning after Greggs served up strong full-year results, announced

Full year losses better than expectedRecord average selling prices2024 and medium-term targets reiteratedLuxury sportscar maker Aston Martin Lagonda (AML) raced off the start line gaining 6% in early trading as full year losses came in better than expected.But by late morning those gains had reversed with the shares falling 2% to 173.2p. Since listing on the stock exchange in 2018 the shares have

BT CEO snaps up 400,000 sharesGSK CEO offloads £2.3 million sharesPoolbeg Pharma chairman ups his stakeAllison Kirkby CEO of BT (BT.A) has bought 400,000 shares at 107p for a total value of £428,000 on 20 February.The move comes as the telecoms giant announced that it was offloading its iconic ?BT Tower? in London?s Fitzrovia to MCR for £275 million.The company announced Kirkby?s appointment la

Each quarter the analyst community eagerly awaits the publication of the 13F forms by the leading US investment managers.The releases, which have to be published within 45 days of the end of the quarter, are parsed for clues into what these ?star? managers are thinking about the world and about the markets.Unsurprisingly, the quarterly filings by Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.B:NYSE), led by legendary i

Having hit a new record high of 5,040 points on Monday, the S&P 500 index quickly went into reverse on Tuesday after a hotter-than expected January inflation report.However, economists were quick to point out that when it comes to interest-rate decisions, the Federal Reserve pays more attention to the PCE (personal-consumption expenditure) data which is released at the end of the month. Sure enou

Bottler serves up third year of record profitsMarket share gains, improved marginsBut slower organic growth expected for 2024Coca-Cola HBC (CCH) was the FTSE 100?s best performer in early dealings on Wednesday, shares in the beverages behemoth fizzing 5.5% higher to £23.27 after it served up forecast-beating results for 2023 and delivered a 19.2% dividend hike.Despite a difficult consumer backdro