Companies which sit in the middle of the market capitalisation range, represented in the UK by the FTSE 250 index, by definition have the potential to become the next large-cap leaders. Unlike small caps, mid caps are big enough to have built a stable business supported by a strong balance sheet, but in contrast to large caps, still have the potential to grow for decades to come. The problem...

Bakkavor (BAKK) 181.6p Gain to date: 20.7% We urged readers to buy chilled prepared-food maker Bakkavor (BAKK) at 150.5p on 13 March 2025 for its cash generation, defensive attributes and positive trading momentum. Shares spotted scope for a further re-rating of the stock given the private label pizza-to-hummus maker continues to rebuild its margins whilst paring debt levels. WHAT HAS HAPPENED...

The UK market's long-awaited IPO comeback is conspicuous by its absence. There were only four floats in the first quarter of 2025 versus 15 takeover situations, meaning the UK market continues to shrink in size. Last summer, there was market euphoria about a new government coming into power and how that would create more certainty for businesses. They might not like all policies, but they...

Investors across Europe held back on Wednesday as markets awaited clarity from Washington on tariffs, with mixed moves in London reflecting caution despite a late bounce in mid-caps.The FTSE 100 index ended down 26.32 points, 0.3%, at 8,608.48. It had traded as low as 8,548.32.The FTSE 250 climbed 58.77 points, 0.3%, at 19,649.63, and the AIM All-Share declined 2.61 points, 0.4%, at 685.77.The...

Bakkavor (BAKK) 170pGain to date: 13%Shares highlighted Bakkavor's (BAKK) attractions at 150.5p on 13 March, urging investors to buy the chilled prepared-food manufacturer for its cash generation, defensive qualities and positive trading momentum.We noted the private label pizza-to-hummus maker was rebuilding margins and reducing debt levels, a tasty combination which could drive a further...

Shares ended higher in London on Friday as the German government agreed a defence and infrastructure spending package, while the US Senate worked to avoid a government shutdown ahead of its midnight funding deadline.The FTSE 100 index closed up 89.77 points, 1.1%, at 8,632.33. The FTSE 250 ended up 307.02 points, 1.6%, at 19,995.59, and the AIM All-Share closed up 7.59 points, 1.1%, at...

Bakkavor (BAKK) 150.5pMarket cap: £872 millionInvestors fretting over geopolitical uncertainties, downbeat economic outlooks on both sides of the Atlantic and frothy valuations across the pond should consider tucking into an attractively valued, cash generative and dividend paying UK stock with defensive qualities.One name that fits the bill is Bakkavor (BAKK), the chilled prepared food...

Bakkavor's (BAKK) shares have rebounded more than 80% to 153.5p year-to-date, investors regaining their appetite for the fresh prepared food provider amid evidence CEO Mike Edwards' reset is paying off, an improving outlook with margin-crimping inflation moderating and with debt on the way down.In March Bakkavor, which supplies UK and US grocers and food brands in China with everything from...

Shares in Bakkavor (BAKK) are trading 20% lower than their February year-to-date high, with strike action being the latest issue to worry investors.Production staff in its London pizza factory have voted to down tools in a dispute over pay. This could affect supplies for big name clients including Sainsbury's (SBRY), Tesco (TSCO) and Waitrose.Bakkavor was hit by a slowdown last year in the UK...

When supermarket giant Tesco (TSCO) posted its first quarter trading update, chief executive Ken Murphy made a reference to 'changing customer behaviour as a result of the inflationary environment'.His comment reverberated through the market, unsettling investors who had come to rely on the grocery sector as dull but dependable - after all, whatever else is happening in the world, we all must...

After more than a decade of domination for growth stocks, global markets are finally seeing a shift into value.This in turn has benefited funds pursuing a value investing style. Growth performed relatively well through the initial course of the pandemic with technology stocks leading the way, but the key catalyst for the long-awaited rotation into value was 'Pfizer Monday' on 9 November last...

London's FTSE 100 finished Tuesday's session down 2% at 6,859.87 as stronger sterling and resurgent concerns about the course of the global Covid-19 pandemic weighed on investor sentiment, while tobacco stocks remained weak amid reports of US regulatory pressure. On Wall Street the S&P 500 was down 0.9% at 4,128.07 by 4.30pm UK time.TOBACCO STOCKS TUMBLEShares in British American Tobacco...

UK stocks continued to slide on Tuesday following some mixed company updates and modest profit-taking after the big gains of last week, with weakness also reflecting the pound's continued rise on UK recovery hopes and share price declines for London's two tobacco firms.By midday, the FTSE 100 was down 1.1% at 6,923.5 points while the FTSE 250 was off 0.7% at 22,339.TOBACCO STOCKS TUMBLEShares...

The FTSE 100 dipped back below 7,000 in early trading on Tuesday following some mixed company updates and modest profit taking after the big gains of last week.The UK's benchmark index fell 0.2% to 6,986.18, taking its cue from Wall Street where stocks also fell overnight, with the tech-heavy Nasdaq dropping 1% and even the Dow Jones falling 0.3% as banks, energy firms and consumer-facing...

The news on 9 November of successful early trials of a coronavirus vaccine sent global markets soaring with the most beaten-down sectors like travel, leisure and hospitality, energy and banks enjoying their best daily or weekly performance in years. This has been followed by further positive news on other vaccines in development.It remains the case, however, that many of the top-performing...

Shares in Bakkavor (BAKK) softened 2.1% to 77.15p on Friday after the supermarket pizzas-to-salads supplier warned the outlook for the second half of the year was fraught with 'significant' uncertainty.This caution overshadowed a fairly positive trading update from the fresh prepared food play, in which it assured investors sales volumes have stabilised and are 'showing early signs of recovery...

Stocks around the world took something of a pause today after a heavy sell-off yesterday, though the FTSE remains volatile, with markets concerned over a second wave of coronavirus infections.US markets all closed over 5% lower last night, with the Dow Jones tumbling 6.9%, as pockets of the country battle with a rapidly rising number of cases again, something which appears to be happening in...

Yesterday saw the latest FTSE Russell quarterly index review, resulting in significant changes to the composition of both the FTSE 100 large-cap index and the FTSE 250 mid-cap index.Four stocks left the FTSE 100 - cruise ship operator Carnival (CCL), utility group Centrica (CNA), low-cost airline EasyJet (EZJ) and aerospace firm Meggitt (MGGT).Travel related stocks bore the brunt of the...

FTSE bounced on Thursday, up 0.6% at 5,460 points, driven by energy stocks after China increased US Crude Oil purchases, snapping up cargoes at the widest discounts ever as sellers seek to offload supplies in Asia.Brent Crude jumped 9% to $25.3 lifting UK oil stocks with Royal Dutch Shell (RDSB) up by 7% to £14.5 and BP (BP.) 6% higher at 353p. Premier Oil (PMO) was 11% higher at 17.5p and...

The FTSE 100 confounded expectations by opening lower this morning, despite the US and China signing off on the first phase of their trade deal.US stocks rallied last night following the signing with the S&P 500 and Dow Jones hitting all-time highs, but UK stocks evidently haven't followed suit.Perhaps the market is more concerned about what's not in the trade deal rather than what is, with...