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...

Shares jump 10% on deal newsBuyer paying just a 25% premiumShares had halved since listingSpin-offs are usually fertile ground for investors, but that hasn't been the case for shareholders who bought into automotive components and powder metallurgy group Dowlais (DWL) after its demerger from Melrose (MRO).Fortunately, holders have been offered respite of sorts in the shape of an agreed deal...

Stock prices in London and Frankfurt opened higher on Wednesday, while Paris blue-chips fell amid weaker trade for luxury firms, as investors await a Federal Reserve interest rate decision.The FTSE 100 index added 4.45 points, 0.1%, at 8,538.32. The FTSE 250 was up 37.56 points, 0.2%, at 20,626.07, and the AIM All-Share added 0.38 of a point, 0.1%, at 715.70.The Cboe UK 100 was flat at 855.93,...

Stocks in London struggled for direction at the close on Wednesday, following a CPI print from the US, and amid general uncertainty in Europe.The FTSE 100 index rose 4.56 points, 0.1%, at 8,030.33. The FTSE 250 closed down 68.59 points, 0.3%, at 20,359.21. The AIM All-Share fell 1.57 points, 0.2%, at 729.29.The Cboe UK 100 climbed 0.2% at 807.56, the Cboe UK 250 retreated 0.4% at 17,791.49 and...

Stock prices in London were mixed at midday Wednesday, amid cautious optimism from the UK housebuilding sector, as eyes are set on upcoming US consumer price inflation data.'US inflation figures will be closely watched this afternoon, with expectations for the cost of living to have edged higher,' commented AJ Bell's Russ Mould. 'The consensus is for the annual rate of inflation to move from...

Dowlais CEO buys 415,133 sharesEvoke director buys 250,000 sharesNew Capita CFO investsThe CEO of automotive parts supplier Dowlais (DWL), Liam Butterworth, has bought nearly a quarter of million pounds worth of shares in the company after downbeat first-half results.Butterworth snapped up 415,133 shares at 60p for a total value of £248,135 on 14 August.This came after results for the six...

Automotive parts supplier hit by slowing EV volumesBuybacks no substitute for business growthStock drifts to around 60p, half its Melrose spin-out levelThere are a many reasons why global electric vehicles markets are in a slump ? still pricey compared to petrol engine versions, reduced, or axed government subsidies for buyers, renewed interest for hybrids, are some of them.The problem is, the...

Sales fall on automotive weaknessYear-to-date shares have lost 33%Revenues seen below last yearShares in Dowlais (DWL) were down over 6% to 72p in morning trading as the automotive products group released a trading update for the four months to 30 April 2024 ahead of its AGM (annual general meeting) later today.The group reported adjusted revenue of £1.7 billion in the period, a year-on-year...

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,...

Investors in automotive products maker Dowlais (DWL) were drowning their sorrows as the shares hit their lowest level since the firm spun out of conglomerate Melrose Industries (MRO) last year and listed as a stand-alone entity.The group?s underlying performance for 2023 was steady if not spectacular, helped by a banner year for UK vehicle production with output topping one million units for...

Sales and margins increasedAuto sector growing stronglyCharge for Powder Metallurgy unitAutomotive products group Dowlais (DWL) posted a steady increase in sales and earnings last year and announced a £50 million share buyback.However, the good news was overshadowed by a large impairment charge for the powder metallurgy business which pushed the group to an operating loss of £450 million.The...

Full-year guidance upgraded£500 million buyback brought forwardFounders set to leave in 2024A key part of industrial turnaround specialist Melrose Industries' (MRO) mission has been to improve profitability. It is therefore encouraging to both management and shareholders that margin improvements are a driving force behind today's upgrade to guidance.This accompanied a strong set of first half...

Automotive engineer Dowlais (DWL) is poised to announce its maiden results as a public company after its spin-off from industrial turnaround specialist Melrose (MRO) in April 2023.Shareholders will be hoping the first-half numbers on 12 September help provide a boost after a bumpy start to life on the market as an individual entity, the shares falling around 25% from their 143.5ppeak.Five...

The name Dowlais (DWL) may not mean a huge amount to you but there is a good chance something it has made is sitting on your driveway.An April 2023 spin-out from industrial turnaround specialist Melrose (MRO), Dowlais is effectively the car engineering part of GKN. An institution in the UK industrials and engineering space, GKN was controversially purchased by Melrose for £8 billion in...