Over the long haul, small-caps have historically outperformed large caps, fuelling the research highlighting the so-called 'small-cap effect' ? the idea that smaller companies offer higher risk-adjusted returns than larger ones. Unfortunately, the higher interest rate environment of recent years has proved tough for the stock market's small fry, who've spent more than a decade lagging more sizeabl

In contrast to the housebuilders, who have had a torrid time this month, construction materials firms are enjoying a positive run of form as demand for their products continues to grow unabated.Results today from brick maker Ibstock (IBST) and door and window manufacturer Epwin (EPWN:AIM) both met a favourable response from investors with gains of as much as 4% and 6% respectively.That follows pos

One of the very few positive effects of last year's pandemic was an increase in consumers spending on the repair, maintenance and improvement of their flats and houses.Having been confined indoors for months at a time, it didn't take long for people to set about redecorating and adding more indoor or outdoor space so they could live and work remotely more comfortably.That led to an explosion in pr

The UK's index of blue-chip shares finished the day holding in the green up 0.3% to close at 7,016.63.Across the pond, US markets were mixed as investors await update from US Federal Reserve, with tech and small caps rebounding. The Dow and S&P 500 were both trading modestly in the red but the Nasdaq Composite and Russell 2000 rallied 0.4% and 1% respectively.As well as continuing concerns about i

The UK's index of blue-chip shares regained ground in early afternoon trading after late morning drift as investors await update from US Federal Reserve.As well as continuing concerns about inflation, investors are worried about the rising number of Delta variant cases and the repercussions of China's latest clampdown on tech and other private sector businesses.At 12.30pm, the benchmark FTSE 100 w

UK stocks got off to a mixed start on Wednesday as better corporate earnings were outweighed by weak overnight performances in the US and Asia.US markets gave back some of their recent gains as heavyweight tech stocks Alphabet, Apple and Microsoft dipped despite strong earnings.In Asia, Chinese stocks remained at their lows for the year after three days of heavy losses despite state-run media chan

UK markets held on to gains throughout Wednesday to end the session higher as investors cling to hopes of a stimulus package being agreed by US lawmakers and that UK and EU negotiators can pull a last-ditch trade agreement out of the fire.The UK's post-Brexit trade deal transition period ends on 1 January 2021.Meaningful progress on either the stimulus or Brexit fronts could help markets rally in

UK markets continued their positive run through midday on Wednesday as investors cling to hopes of a stimulus package being agreed by US lawmakers and that UK and EU negotiators can pull a last-ditch trade agreement out of the fire.The UK's post-Brexit trade deal transition period ends on 1 January 2021.Meaningful progress on either the stimulus or Brexit fronts could help markets rally in the fin

UK stocks were trading higher early on in Wednesday's session as US lawmakers moved closer to agreeing on a new stimulus package for the world's biggest economy.Investors also were holding out hope that Britain and the EU could agree on a post-Brexit trade deal before the transition period ends on 1 January.Meaningful progress on either the stimulus or Brexit fronts could help put the markets on t

A profit warning from Epwin (EPWN:AIM) has investors running for the exit, the market concerned about the company's ability to pay its dividend.Shares in the building products company have plummeted 17.1% to 78.75p on a warning results for the year to December 2017 will be 'marginally below market expectations.'In April, we flagged Epwin as a resilient company that can deliver a high dividend yiel

As the FTSE 100 index rises by 56.2 points to 7,440 ahead of UK unemployment figures and following uninspiring performances on Wall Street overnight and in Asia this morning, insurer Admiral (ADM) sinks 6.75% to £20.31.Despite reporting marginal growth in first half profits and a boost in customer numbers and turnover, CEO David Stevens concedes some extra costs of large injury claims resulting f

We're generally cautious about companies with high dividend yields, as it tends to represent disbelief by the market that the money will be paid. One exception, in our view, is building products business Epwin (EPWN:AIM) which has a handsome 6.5% prospective dividend yield.We view Epwin as having a resilient business and note it has limited debt and excellent cash generation.Panmure Gordon analyst

Chief executive Jon Bednall at building products supplier Epwin (EPWN) remains bullish in the face of flat end-markets, citing acquisitions and further cost efficiencies as key levers to grow profitability.Acquisitions in the past 18 months helped revenue at the supplier of PVC doors and windows, roofline and cladding grow 15.5% to £143.3 million in the six months to 30 June 2016.Organic growth,

It's another big week for the building sector after mixed updates from housebuilders Redrow (RDW) and Berkeley (BKG) along with a rebound in July's purchasing manager's index (PMI).ONS data scheduled for Friday 9 September will provide the first 'hard data' on UK construction output after the vote to leave the EU, a data point analysts at Bank of America-Merrill Lynch argue is a key recession swi

For several quarters now, analysts, economists and journalists have been anticipating a pick-up in activity in the RMI (renovation, maintenance and improvement) market. There are signs that this pick-up is finally coming through.The logic behind a predicted RMI recovery is both compelling and straightforward; activity in the housing market is brisk which would suggest a certain amount of home imp

RESULTS > FINALS > Thursday 14 APRILEpwin (EPWN:AIM) 143.5pThe markets have been slow so far this year to pick up on the compelling investment case behind building materials specialist Epwin (EPWN:AIM) but upcoming full year results could change that situation.(Click on chart to enlarge)Solihull-based Epwin, which manufactures extrusions, mouldings and fabricated low maintenance building produc

The markets have been slow so far this year to pick up on the compelling investment case being made by building materials specialist Epwin (EPWN:AIM).Epwin, which manufactures extrusions, mouldings and fabricated low maintenance building products, started the year brightly with the announcement of its acquisition of Stormking Plastics.It will pay a total consideration of £27 million for the busin

Hikma is not too sickContinuing demand for Hikma Pharmaceuticals' (HIK) injectables and branded businesses and consensus expecting a 30.5% rise in pre-tax profits for 2016 are reasons for investors to stick with the Jordanian drug company. The FTSE 100 member issued a profit warning in November 2015 on lower generic sales. (MD)Oil glut weighsOil prices start 2016 under continuing pressure as the m

Investors might take some badly needed encouragement from Epwin (EPWN:AIM) which is up nearly 4% at 136.6p in a session when global markets are finding precious few reasons to be cheerful on the first day of 2016 trading.Epwin, which manufactures extrusions, mouldings and fabricated low maintenance building products, starts the year with the announcement of its acquisition of Stormking Plastics.It

There should be more to come from Epwin (EPWN:AIM) even after a strong run by since January that puts the shares 41% ahead for the year-to-date.Given the strength of its operating metrics and the size of its market share in the RMI (Renovation Maintenance Improvement) space, we believe Epwin is well placed to grow its operating profits and cash and to be able to capitalise on future market growth