THIS IS AN ADVERTISING FEATURE Investors have several options when looking for current income beyond traditional fixed income securities, including covered call strategies, preferred equities, and common stocks with attractive dividend yields. Different investors will take different paths within these broad categories, usually depending on their investment objectives, time horizons, and risk toler

The income attractions of stocks are being tested right now thanks to increased interest rates, allowing you for the first time in years to generate a decent return on cash in the bank.However, rates are approaching their peak and are still short of the latest rate of UK inflation, making a case for looking to the financial markets where a range of asset classes offer the potential for both yield

Pandemic aside, it's been more than two years since investors could buy shares in AIM-quoted SDI (SDI:AIM) on a price to earnings multiple below 20. You can now. The stock currently trades on a forward PE of around 19, and Shares believes investors with an eye for the longer-run recovery of the economy and stock market should invest now.2022 has tossed many a challenge at SDI yet the company has n

SDI (SDI:AIM) 170pLoss to date: 2.6%Original entry point: Buy at 174.5p, 27 May 2021Having drifted lower amid a wider sell-off for growth and technology stocks, a stellar trading update on 6 May has helped give science kit maker SDI (SDI:AIM) a boost.SDI is a collection of businesses which design and manufacture sensing, digital imaging and control equipment used in sectors such as life sciences,

Retail investor favourite SDI Group (SDI:AIM) offered some evidence that there is still space for multi-year growth stories in portfolios as the shares roared towards the top of the AIM risers leader board on Friday.In the current climate investors are desperate for positive news, so SDI's update that guided for an annual performance 'materially ahead' of current market expectations has unsurprisi

SDI (SDI:AIM) 176.3pGain to date: 1%Original entry point: Buy at 174.5p, 27 May 2021Science kit manufacturer SDI (SDI:AIM) may have retreated from the record share price highs reached in late 2021, but the company's latest update suggests this is more a reflection of the wider shift from growth to value than any lack of progress for the business itself.The company has announced the £7.7 million a

SDI (SDI:AIM) 217pGain to date: 23.7%Original entry point: Buy at 174.5p, 27 May 2021As pandemic recoveries go SDI's (SDI:AIM) should be counted as very encouraging by investors. A 4 November half-year update revealed that the science kit maker expects 'very strong sales and profits' with approximately £24.7 million in revenue. That's just £800,000 less than it did in the whole of last year, alb

Investors who want to tap into the rich seam of UK small cap opportunities will struggle to find a more passionate advocate than Georgina Brittain. The seasoned fund manager has been running the JPMorgan UK Smaller Companies Investment Trust (JMI) since 1998, and alongside co-manager Katen Patel since 2017.The smaller companies space has always struggled for analyst coverage yet the manager's of t

SDI (SDI:AIM) 194pGain to date: 11.2%Original entry point: Buy at 174.5p, 27 May 2021In the context of the global pandemic SDI's (SDI:AIM) full year to 30 April 2021 results were impressive. In line with May's trading update, revenue growth of 43.2% to £35.1 million (19% pre-acquisitions) and fully adjusted pre-tax profit soaring 70% to £7.4 million effectively beat market expectations in real t

AIM-traded SDI (SDI:AIM) represents a multi-year growth story with the potential to add substantial value to retail investor portfolios.It is a collection of multiple subsidiaries that design and manufacture digital imaging, sensing and control equipment used in life sciences, healthcare, astronomy, manufacturing, precision optics and art conservation applications.SDI operates a model closely rese

Individuals looking to shield wealth from inheritance tax should consider London's AIM stock market as investing in certain shares can help keep the taxman at bay. The standard rate of inheritance tax is 40% which is a meaningful amount.AIM shares that qualify for business property relief and held for at least two years do not form part of the estate for inheritance tax purposes and can be passed

UK stocks traded higher on Wednesday as mining stocks found favour thanks to a sharp rally in metals and commodity prices.In Asian trading the Shanghai Composite SE index surged 1.4% and Japan's Nikkei 225 index gained 0.2%.Gold prices were 0.3% higher at $1,845 an ounce and Brent oil prices were slightly lower at $60.8 a barrel.At 12 pm the FTSE 100 was up 27 points or 0.4% t0 6,559 points, with

Science and technology kit designer SDI (SDI:AIM) will crush pre-existing financial performance forecasts this year and next after securing 'material' follow-on orders for its Atik cameras business.The order comes from a major original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of real-time PCR DNA amplifiers, after an initial contract won by SDI in 2020.Delivery timing of orders remains up in the air but the c

UK stocks opened higher on Wednesday after a clutch of positive corporate results and dividend resumptions.In Asian trading the Shanghai Composite SE index surged 1.4% and Japan's Nikkei 225 index gained 0.2%.Gold prices were 0.3% higher at $1,845 an ounce and Brent oil prices were slightly lower at $60.8 a barrel.At 08.45 am the FTSE 100 was 14 points higher at 6,546 points.CORPORATE ROUND-UPPack

We are pleased to introduce a new series of articles that will run on a weekly basis in Shares to help you spot potential investment opportunities.There are many stock screening services available to retail investors but lots can be difficult to navigate if you aren't familiar with the ins and outs of each system. We have therefore decided to give you a head start by picking a different way of fil

Value hunters are quickly chased out of UK markets after a promising opening to Thursday trade, with leading indices extending a four-day losing streak. Confidence is not being helped by overnight falls on Wall Street and ongoing crude price pressure.The benchmark FTSE 100 index slides 0.3% lower to 6,374, led by a 3.6% fall to £28.27 by Imperial Tobacco (IMP), the biggest Footsie fallers in earl

It was Napoleon who once said Britain is a nation of shopkeepers. Our whistle-stop tour of British entrepreneurs' activities in the stock market shows that two centuries on, there may still be some truth in the old adage.A group of retail grandees including Knights of the Realm Terry Leahy, Philip Green and Stuart Rose have been among the most high profile entrepreneurs to back businesses on the B

Construction group Balfour Beatty (BBY) edges 1.6% higher to 241p despite rejecting a new merger proposal from long-time suitor Carillion (CLLN). Investors are clearly hoping this saga will ultimately result in a deal at a premium to the current terms being offered.Surveillance technology specialist Digital Barriers (DGB:AIM) dives 13% to 82.5p as it warns that full year revenues to be hurt by the

Retailer Topps Tiles (TPT), whose fortunes are correlated to housing transactions and economic recovery, rises 3.75% to 124.5p on impressive interim figures. The UK's biggest tile specialist reports 10.2% like-for-like sales growth and taxable profits up 70% to £8 million for the half to March and flags a good start to the second half.Hefty investment will squeeze Vodafone (VOD) earnings in 2015,

Pure-play online fashion retailer Boohoo.com (BOO:AIM) struts 57.5% higher to 78.75p in debut Aim dealings. The company arrives on the stockmarket having bagged £300 million through a placing at 50p to expand its Burnley warehouse and support overseas growth. Selling value-for-money yet 'on-trend' fashion lines often inspired by celebrity trends, Boohoo is delivering eye-catching sales growth and