Investors in Dr. Martens (DOCS) have endured a torrid time since the iconic footwear firm's 2021 IPO (initial public offering), with the shares booted around 80% lower following a slew of profit warnings. Results for the year ended 31 March 2024 revealed another drop in profits after a challenging year, mostly driven by issues in the US, the FTSE 250 company's largest market, where it has encou...

Shares in Auto Trader (AUTO) jumped by 94p or 12% to a new life-high of 825p as the online car marketplace reported a 14% increase in group revenue to £570.9 million for the year ended 31 March 2024. The FTSE 100 firm said the used car retail market had been robust throughout the past financial year and it expected the trend to continue. AD INCOME AND USERS UP Average revenue per retailer or A...

Shares in Dick's Sporting Goods (DKS:NYSE) jumped 16% to an all-time high on Wednesday (29 May) after the omni-channel retailer reported better than expected first quarter sales and profit growth and raised its full year outlook. Executive chairman Ed Stack noted the product pipeline from key brand partners and vertical brand portfolio has 'never been better'. The shares have gained 54% so far...

Stock prices in London were virtually unmoved Thursday morning, as investors carefully eye a flurry of US economic data. Amongst individual stocks, Auto Trader was the morning's star performer, after it posted higher annual revenue and profit. Bootmaker Dr Martens shares got a boost, too, despite warning of a gloomy outlook. The FTSE 100 index opened up 0.35 of a point at 8,183.42. The FTSE 250...

Equity prices in London fell on Wednesday, as stocks struggled to find their feet amid rising US Treasury yields. There was also a flurry of M&A news threatening to hog the spotlight. The prospect of a mega mining merger between BHP and Anglo American was ruled out, though Royal Mail owner International Distributions Services has agreed to a takeover. The FTSE 100 index ended down 71.11 points,...

Co-managers of the Henderson European Focus Trust (HEFT), Tom O'Hara and John Bennett, conceded that it was more important to 'stay out of trouble' over the six months to the end of March as the FTSE World Europe (ex UK) index powered ahead by 14.9% on a total return basis. The trust delivered a 3% outperformance against the benchmark due to owning most of the names which went up more than the...

Stock prices in Europe were lower at midday on Wednesday, with major firms Ocado and St James's Place set to lose their spots in the FTSE 100. The FTSE 100 index was down 19.58 points, 0.2%, at 8,234.60. The FTSE 250 was down 112.26 points, 0.5%, at 20,593.01, and the AIM All-Share was down 3.43 points, 0.4%, at 804.93. The Cboe UK 100 was down 0.3% at 821.69, the Cboe UK 250 was down 0.7% at 1...

Publishing house Bloomsbury (BMY) announced this morning it had agreed to buy academic publisher Rowman & Littlefield for £65 million. Bloomsbury is financing the acquisition from its own cash resources and a new £30 million three-year term loan with Lloyds Bank (LLOY). The acquisition marks another step towards diversification of the company's business interests. ACCELERATING GROWTH The comp...

The board of Royal Mail-owner International Distributions Services (IDS) said it had agreed to a raised £3.57 billion bid from Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky, already a major shareholder in the firm. Despite the bid valuing IDS shares at 370p each, the stock traded just 11p, or 3.5% higher at 332p suggesting investors were reserving judgement on the deal getting government approval. IMPROV...

Pets at Home's (PETS) shares have been buffeted by weakening demand and a CMA (Competition & Markets Authority) probe into the vet industry. However, the stock rallied 4.2% to 295.2p on Wednesday, despite news of a full-year profits decline. Investors were relieved as the dog food-to-cat litter seller stuck with guidance for the new financial year amid resilient pet care spend and with the bene...

Stock prices in London were in the red on a rather calm Wednesday morning, with Royal Mail owner IDS, and Foresight Sustainable Forestry boosted by takeovers. In the FTSE 250, Royal Mail owner IDS agreed to a takeover by a Daniel Kretinsky-led group. Meanwhile, Foresight Sustainable Forestry shares shot up, after Averon Park said it will buy the firm for £167 million. The FTSE 100 index opened...

Equities in London ended lower on Tuesday after the long weekend, with investors nervy ahead of a US inflation reading on Friday, with comments from a Federal Reserve central banker doing little to lift spirits. The UK election campaign rumbled on as all three of the main party leaders spent Tuesday visiting seats that could be crucial in deciding the outcome of the general election. Prime Mini...

Stock prices in London were mostly higher at midday on Tuesday but the FTSE 100 declined ahead of a slew of US data in the afternoon, after a public holiday in both the US and the UK. The FTSE 100 index was down 16.64 points, or 0.2%, at 8,301.04. The FTSE 250 was up 83.97 points, or 0.4%, at 20,855.45, and the AIM All-Share was up 1.17 points, or 0.1%, at 811.19. The Cboe UK 100 was down 0.3%...