UK stocks rallied in early trading on what commentators called 'turnaround Tuesday' following back-to back losses for markets on Friday and Monday, helped by positive US earnings reports overnight.Chip maker Micron reported strong first quarter results due to robust demand from new product areas like data centres, electric vehicles and factory automation, while footwear giant Nike posted...

It is a rare organisation which isn't trying to embrace digital transformation in one way or another these days and Kainos (KNOS) is an increasingly important force for change.Whether it is helping firms engage better with customers, improve access to information and services, bolster efficiency or simply trim costs, the Belfast-based business has a proven model and a lengthening reputation...

Belfast-based Kainos (KNOS) is an IT business that basically does three things. First, it helps typically large organisations transition their processes and operations into the 21st Century digital world. Lots of UK government departments employ Kainos to help them do this, and include the Cabinet Office, Home Office, Driver & Vehicle Licencing Agency (DVLA), Department for Transport and NHS,...

Recruitment companies tend to do well in strong economic conditions. Corporates feel more compelled to hire people and individuals feel confident enough to move jobs, seeking new opportunities.Upgrades to global growth forecasts last month by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) strengthen the outlook for recruiters. The new global forecast has been lifted from 3.7% to 3.9% for both 2018 and...

Budget airline easyJet (EZJ) soars 5.5% to £16.49 as its passenger numbers increase by 8% to 18.8m in its first quarter.For the three-month period ending 31 December, the airline has increased its total revenue by 14.4% to £1.14bn and has completed the acquisition of Air Berlin. At the end of quarter, the company had a net cash position of £357m.THE FTSE 100 is rallying early on Tuesday...

Shares in staffing specialist Empresaria (EMR) fell to a one-year low of 100p (24 Nov) after it announced that full year pre-tax profit would be below market expectations.The company has blamed historic issues for the disappointing trading update, flagging reduced margins in Germany following legislation changes, the impact of which has been felt earlier than anticipated.A weak market in the...

The AIM market has come out of the blocks in 2017 like Usain Bolt, leaving the mainstream stock market indices trailing in its wake. This article contains some of our best AIM stock ideas and explains why the market has been racing ahead.The FTSE AIM All-Share index has rallied 7.9% year to date to close at 910.38 on 1 March 2017, the highest the junior index has been since 2011. That compares...

Recruitment companies are volatile stocks with zero future earnings visibility and trade at heady valuations - a punchy cocktail for even the most risk-tolerant investors. Operating earnings across the sector's major UK-listed stocks collapsed by 80% the year after the financial crisis before tripling again the year after. Stock prices fared similarly.Over time, it has been demonstrated that...

Small cap recruiter Empresaria (EMR:AIM) looks set to smash profit forecasts this year after delivering 36% growth in earnings per share (EPS) in the last six months.Performance is being driven by strength in UK and Asian jobs markets, chief executive Joost Kreulen says, as well as office openings in key markets'There is a talent shortage generally in the market, so that's helping to drive...

Recruiter Empresaria (EMR:AIM) is up 37% in a month, a move some are putting down to a reduced share overhang from a major shareholder and others argue is a deserved re-rating for the stock.Empresaria chief executive officer (CEO) Joost Kruelen, who we met on 22 June, said at the time he was surprised at the stock's lowly rating over the preceding 12 months, given the multiples achieved by...

With cash and bonds seemingly unattractive, the market backdrop is ripe for further gains in equities. The stock market remains a better place to generate good returns on your money. The FTSE 100 has certainly had a good run this year and many of the other major indices have delivered positive returns. But that's not going to be enough for some investors, as many people are intent on BEATING...

One of the key challenges for the services sector, and those investing in the sector, is the attraction and retention of the key assets: talented people. Finding the right incentive structure is a major consideration for ambitious management teams to ensure the best people grow their business, and therefore ultimately creating value for shareholders. Management Equity is a proven incentive...

One of the key challenges for the services sector, and those investing in the sector, is the attraction and retention of the key assets: talented people. Finding the right incentive structure is a major consideration for ambitious management teams to ensure the best people grow their business, and therefore ultimately creating value for shareholders. Management Equity is a proven incentive...

International recruitment specialist Empresaria (EMR:AIM) has value appeal after sellers drove the stock 6% lower on its half-year results (4 Sep).Investors were disappointed by currency headwinds, which took the shine off a strong underlying performance. In total, currency movements wiped around £400,000 off Empresaria's operating profit, taking it around 17% lower than it would have...

A decline in like-for-like sales at fashion retailer Supergroup (SGP) is nowhere near as bad as feared in the first quarter, helping the stock to lead the FTSE All-Share leaderboard with a 10% jump to £11.51. The update reveals another quarter of double-digit sales growth across retail and wholesale and flags ongoing internationalisation of the Superdry brand.Insurer and wealth manager...

With small caps continuing to outperform it is little wonder that Shares readers are keen to find out more about the market?s minnows. The below chart says it all. We're eager to help answer any questions you have about the market, so please feel free to email us (editorial@shares.msm.co.uk), send a tweet or write a good old fashioned letter (Shares, Thames House, 18 Park Street, London SE1...

I thought 23 January issue was great and featured some really interesting and relevant shares. Would you be willing to write a feature on illiquid shares? There are a lot of illiquid shares out there that represent genuine value. Empresaria (EMR) being an example where the chairman bought over £1 million of stock or Reach4entertainment Enterprises (R4E), Stadium (SDM), Litebulb (LBB) or...

Highly regulated assets, secure cashflows, good earnings visibility and juicy dividend yields are the usual reasons why many investors find space in their portfolios for utility stocks, particularly during times of economic uncertainty.Despite their yield attractions, and the rotten income alternatives offered by many fixed-income options, both Electricity and Gas, Water and Multi-Utilities...