- 2022 results top market estimates- Strong underlying trading continued into this year- 2023 seen beating previous guidanceSmall and mid-cap focused payment firm Equals Group (EQLS:AIM) delivered yet another set of forecast-beating results and revealed trading for the current year would be 'ahead of current expectations'.Investors snapped up the shares, pushing them higher by as much as 9p or 11%

- Sales already close to full-year estimates- Solutions revenues jump almost 300%- Analysts raise their price targetFinancial payments firm Equals Group (EQLS:AIM) delivered shareholders an early Christmas present with its latest trading update and the news full year results would be ahead of market expectations.The shares jumped as much as 7% to 100p in early dealing before settling back to trade

As investors debate whether the next move in markets is up or down, it's worth noting that there are a group of stocks which are quietly making new 52-week and multi-year highs and even a few making new all-time highs.While some are involved in special situations, such as bid talks, and some are related to the unprecedented surge in energy prices, the most interesting from our point of view are th

- Shares drift on profit taking- Potential for a future dividend payment- Solutions and payments drive growthShares in global payments firm Equals Group (EQLS:AIM) eased 2.8% to 92.8p despite the group announcing an impressive set of results for the six months ended 30 June 2022.Management provided an encouraging outlook and hinted it was considering a future dividend policy, which is significant

It is one thing for analysts to forecast which stocks and sectors will do well in a rising-rate or inflationary environment, but when it actually comes to pass it's always fascinating to see what works in practice.Judging by the list of stocks making 12-month highs over the past week, those who favoured real assets were on the money.Standing tall are 3i Infrastructure (3IN), AEW UK REIT (AEWU), GC

London's FTSE 100 finished Wednesday's session down 0.04% at 7,337.35 points, so broadly flat on the day, the blue chip benchmark giving up earlier gains with the UK on the cusp of fresh restrictions designed to slow the growth in Omicron cases.The pound weakened and travel and leisure stocks were under pressure as investors weighed the likely impact of new rules being imposed in the UK, such as h

UK stocks rose on Wednesday as concerns about the Omicron coronavirus variant continued to cool amid early signs that it could cause milder symptoms.By lunchtime, the FTSE 100 was up 0.38% at 7367.82 and the mid-cap FTSE 250 traded 0.35% higher at 23,319.28.The blue chip benchmark built on its gains of recent days as fears about the new variant waxed and waned amid mixed news on vaccines and the p

UK equity markets continued to trade in positive territory on Wednesday, as market fears regarding the potential economic impact of the Omicron coronavirus variant continued to abate.In addition, a distinctly positive showing from all of the American equity markets provided further positive momentum.Markets eagerly awaited the Department of Labour's publication of the JOLTS labour market survey. T

UK shares closed higher on Wednesday, spurred on by US economic data which showed personal spending rose more than expected and weekly US jobless claims were the lowest since 1969, signaling continued strength in the economy.The latest minutes from the Federal Reserve's Open Market Committee meeting, are due after the market close.At the close the FTSE 100 index of leading shares was up 0.3% at 7,

UK shares gave back early gains as markets braced for a torrent of US economic data due to be released later today and ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday tomorrow when US markets will stay closed.As well as the weekly jobless numbers, investors will receive updates on the core latest inflation data, durable goods orders, and personal consumption trends, providing further evidence of economic streng

UK shares continued to climb on Wednesday with the FTSE 100 rising 0.5% back above the 7,300 level thanks to buying of oil majors and mining stocks.Meanwhile, investors were awaiting the release of minutes from the US Federal Reserve's latest Open Market Committee meeting, due after the market close, for clues as to the pace of interest rate hikes after recent strong inflation and jobs data.Sterli

UK stocks consolidated their gains on Monday after comments from Bank of England members over the weekend hinting at an early rise in interest rates to head off persistently high inflation.US markets were weaker on Friday after a weak jobs report, but the mood was brighter in Asia where China, Hong Kong and Japan all posted solid gains of between 1% and 2%.After climbing steadily throughout the se

UK stocks edged higher again on Monday despite comments from Bank of England members over the weekend hinting at an early rise in interest rates to head off persistently high inflation and a subsequent rally in sterling.US markets were weaker on Friday after a weak jobs report, but the mood was brighter in Asia where China, Hong Kong and Japan all posted solid gains of between 1% and 2%.At midday

Shares in global payments firm Equals (EQLS:AIM) surged 7.3% higher on Monday to 65.3p, following the announcement of a positive third quarter update.Strong momentum has been sustained in part, by healthy demand for the group's 'Equals Solution' proposition, the new multicurrency product aimed at larger businesses.The record start to the third quarter of 2021, highlighted at the interim results o

Monday morning trading on the UK equity market was distinctly subdued with the FTSE 100 index edging 0.2% higher to 7112.17, whilst the FTSE 250 drifted -0.2% lower to 22,474.27.There were fears UK investors could be rattled by comments over the weekend from external MPC member Michael Saunders who argued the rapid rise in energy markets coupled with labor shortages were fueling inflationary press

Equals (EQLS:AIM) 63.99pGain to date: 48.8%Original entry point: Buy at 43p, 29 April 2021Payments group Equals (EQLS:AIM) reported half year numbers that were ahead of analysts' expectations. Group revenue increased by 23% to £16.9 million. Adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation), increased by 128% to £1.6 million.Third quarter revenue to 10 September was

Equals (EQLS:AIM) 47.8pGain to date: 11.2%Original entry point: Buy at 43p, 29 April 2021Global payments group Equals (EQLS:AIM) posted a strong first half trading update on 8 July, showing revenue growth of more than 20% compared with the first six months of last year even without a meaningful recovery in travel-related foreign exchange revenues.In fact, travel-related activity made up less than

It's not often you see an activist investor target another activist for poor performance but that's what happening at Crystal Amber Fund (CRS:AIM).On 25 June Crystal Amber revealed that Saba Capital Management, its largest shareholder holding over 25% of its shares, intended to vote against the company at November's continuation vote.A resolution passed in 2013 requires 75% of shareholder approval

For most firms, 2020 was difficult enough, dealing with the impact of Covid on their business and managing the shift to remote working.For electronic banking and international payments firm Equals (EQLS:AIM), which offered among its many services pre-paid foreign exchange cards for travellers backed by now-defunct German firm Wirecard, it was even more tumultuous.Yet with its bank-grade payments

UK shares started the new week and month in an optimistic mood, shrugging off recent inflation and bond market jitters as the focus shifted to a vaccine-led recovery and US fiscal stimulus.Trading in Asia was strong with the Nikkei 225 gaining 2.4% and the SE Composite adding 1.2%. Gold prices were 0.7% higher at $1,750 an ounce while Brent Crude added 0.25% to $62.63 a barrel. The pound was stead