In light of the implications of the unfolding tragedy in Ukraine, the global growth outlook has dimmed, which means now more than ever, portfolios should be as diversified by asset class as possible to in order to maximise returns relative to risk.Higher risk assets they may be, yet 'micro caps', the London stock market's smallest quoted companies should form at least a portion of a...

Birmingham-based car parts maker Strip Tinning (STG:AIM) saw trading start in its newly listed shares on Wednesday (16 February 2022) as it bids to expand deeper into the electric vehicles space.The company, which raised £11.5 million (£8 million of growth funding and £3.5 million going to selling shareholders) at 185p per share on junior market AIM, gives the company a rough £28 million...

Despite what you may have read over the past week there's no chance of Sussex being transformed into a mini-Texas.The results of analysis of the Horse Hill-1 well near Gatwick airport prompted reports there could be a 100 billion barrels of oil in the Weald basin (which contains the discovery). Do not get caught up in this hype.For context 100 billion barrels is more than double the 45 billion...

The consortium looking to tap the Horse Hill prospect near Gatwick airport has upgraded its estimate of oil in place (OIP) to 158 million barrels of oil per square mile and flags a 'possible world class potential resource'.The eye-catching number - which is based on analysis of 2014's HH-1 well by consultant NUTECH and could imply an onshore find running to billions of barrels- is driving big...

On the cusp of bringing a mine into production, Wolf Minerals' (WLFE:AIM) managing director Russell Clark is one of the few directors at the Mines & Money conference in London relaxed about the general state of affairs. Unlike most peers at the industry event, Wolf isn't seeking finance to stay afloat. Its Hemerdon tungsten mine in Devon is fully funded and customers have already been secured...

High street bellwether Marks & Spencer (MKS) jumps 8% to 437.1p as investors are relieved that half-year results aren't as bad as feared. Pre-tax profits of £268 million are ahead of the £252 million consensus and there's improved full-year guidance on gross margin and costs. General merchandise like-for-like sales continue to underperform, with clothing sales hit by warm September weather....

Emerging markets fund manager Ashmore (ASHM) dives 8.7% to 310.4p after unfavourable foreign exchange rates leave half-year earningsbelow consensus forecasts. Emerging markets turbulence has continued into 2014.With group operating profit falling by a third in 2013 and no growth in the dividend, investors' patience is really being testedin Ladbrokes (LAD). Yet the shares rise 2.4% to 154.6p...

The FTSE 100 kicked off the week with a robust opening, rising 42 points to 6,329, driven by gains in the banking sector and news that BlackRock had used gold price weakness to increase its stake in miner Randgold Resources (RRS).Having issued a profit warning after Friday?s (19 Apr) market close, the implications of this setback are now being felt in Albemarle & Bond?s (ABM:AIM) share price....

The long-awaited restructuring of Punch Taverns' (PUB) borrowings sent the pub operator up 21% to 13p. A rejig of its securitised bonds means that net debt will immediately be reduced by £137 million without having to issue any new shares.There will also be a £463 million reduction in debt service payments over the next five years. It's not a done deal quite yet as the proposals need 75%...

It is easy to see why Stellar Resources (STG:AIM) is one of the best performing small caps today (7 Feb), rising 57% to 2.62p. Its high-grade gold sample results are simply stunning. The highest result was 263 grams per tonne of gold. Even the lowest, 11.65 grams per tonne of gold, is better than most results from your average gold mine.Stellar hopes to revive the Welsh gold mining industry by...