Ongoing industrial relations challengesContinued electrification of First Bus divisionFirstGroup shares up 17% over the past yearShares in FirstGroup (FGP) were up marginally in morning trading to 169p as the FTSE 250 transport group reported a pre-tax loss of £24.4 million for the 53 weeks ending 30 March 2024.The pre-tax loss included non-cash charges of £146.9 million relating to the group's

Shares up 57% over the past yearFirst Rail division sees strong demandFirstGroup shortlisted for Elizabeth Line bidShares in FirstGroup (FGP) were marginally higher as the FTSE 250 transport company said full year group adjusting operating profit and group adjusting earnings for 2024 was going to be ?slightly ahead of previous expectations? due to the robust performance from First Rail.The group a

European stocks pushed higher on Friday, with an ease in inflationary pressure in the US, UK and the eurozone providing a supportive backdrop for equities.Interest rate sensitive stocks continued to climb in London, with the likes of housebuilder Barratt, up 2.0% and insurer Admiral, rising 1.0%, among its better large-cap performers.?The FTSE 100 shrugged off a weak showing for Asian shares overn

Stocks in London looked set to end the week in the green, notching some gains on Friday despite disappointing local retail sales figures.The FTSE 100 index opened up 50.90 points, 0.7%, at 7,461.07. The FTSE 250 was up 156.88 points, 0.9%, at 18,508.36, and the AIM All-Share was up 2.87 points, 0.4%, at 716.16.The Cboe UK 100 was up 0.7% at 744.69, the Cboe UK 250 was up 0.9% at 15,997.34, and the

The Schroder Recovery Fund (B3VVG60) aims to generate capital gains superior to the FTSE All-Share Total Return Index, net of fees, over a three- to five-year horizon by investing in 'UK companies which have suffered a severe setback in either share price or profitability'.The fund was launched back in 1970 and has stood the test of time, beating its target return over one, three and 10 years and

Value stocks have outperformed growth stocks by 12% since Pfizer (PFE:NYSE) announced the first effective Covid-19 vaccine on 9 November 2020. That's comparing the MSCI World Value index against the MSCI World Growth index.We have reason to believe the value investing style could soon deliver even bigger outperformance given the shift in the backdrop from cheap money to more normalised interest ra

The FTSE 100 outperformed at midday on Wednesday, enjoying a boost from utilities, though the wider market mood was downbeat amid nerves ahead of two key pieces of US inflation data.The FTSE 100 index was up 13.51 points, or 0.2%, at 7,641.72. Meanwhile, the FTSE 250 was down 74.52 points, or 0.4%, at 17,893.15, and the AIM All-Share was down 1.52 points, or 0.2%, at 696.57.The Cboe UK 100 was up

Trading in London was lukewarm at Friday's market open, despite a strong UK retail sales print and Wednesday's consumer price inflation read otherwise boosting stocks across the week so far.The FTSE 100 index opened down 1.8 points at 7,644.25. The FTSE 250 was down 54.85 points, 0.3% at 19,256.88, and the AIM All-Share was up 1.03 points, 0.1%, at 765.32.The Cboe UK 100 was down 0.1% at 762.55, t

Shares in the FTSE 250 transport company FirstGroup (FGP) have been on a strong run this year, up 42% as travel activity perks up. In March, it upgraded pre-tax profit expectations for the year thanks to a better performance with its bus operations (more passengers, fewer staff problems) and a better turn from its rail operations over the winter.It then impressed investors with a strong set of ful

There are several reasons to invest in the rail sector. For one, there is continued investment by governments from the UK, US and Europe in rail infrastructure and technology.The railway industry is starting to take notice of its own carbon emissions and is taking steps to cut its carbon footprint. For example, UK railway company Network Rail has a 30-year strategy to deliver a more sustainable ne

Shares acknowledges there could be further volatility to come from small caps, an asset class hit by indiscriminate selling as investors fret over surging inflation, rising rates and a likely recession in 2023.Yet with much bad news already priced in, taking advantage of the stock-picking skills of a proven small cap-focused fund manager could pay off for the patient investor.We like Aberforth Sma

- Bus operator in the crosshairs of two potential buyers- Minded to recommend a deal if firm offer forthcoming- Last week FirstGroup rejected bidLondon's largest double-decker bus operator Go-Ahead (GOG) has attracted takeover interest from two potential buyers as investors bet on a revival in the UK transport industry.Go-Ahead said on Monday (13 June) that it has received two takeover proposals a

- Shares jump 10% on bid interest- Infrastructure assets in high demand- Timing looks well-chosenShares in bus and rail operator FirstGroup (FGP) jumped 9% to 130p, continuing a week of gains after it confirmed it had received 'a series of unsolicited' bid approaches.The firm, which is the largest rail operator and the second-largest bus operator in the UK, said it 'strongly advised' shareholders

After a positive start, UK shares drifted lower during the course of Thursday, although they managed to hold onto their strong gains of Monday and Tuesday, as investors looked ahead to Friday's US retail price data and consumer confidence survey.Sterling continued to drift lower against the dollar, hitting a new 12-month low of $1.318 on concerns over growth next year in the face of the Omicron va

UK shares gave up their morning's advance to trade slightly lower at lunchtime on Thursday while still holding onto their strong gains of Monday and Tuesday.Sterling continued to drift lower against the dollar, hitting a new 12-month low of $1.318 on concerns over growth next year in the face of the Omicron variant, while Brent crude oil futures gave up 0.8% to $75.30 per barrel.By midday the FTSE

Our latest review of the best and worst earnings revisions across the FTSE 350 throws up a few surprises in terms of sectors and individual stocks, particularly in the light of their relative performance.There are three distinct clusters of winners, split between investment, real estate and consumer discretionary companies.Among the investment companies, Molten Ventures (GROW) - previously known a

UK stocks regained some of their earlier losses on Thursday but closed in the red as the debate around the potential economic damage caused by Omicron intensified.US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen weighed in on the debate by saying the new variant could slow the global economy and cause significant problems.Meanwhile oil prices rallied around 1.5% after the OPEC+ oil producers' cartel said they w

UK stocks remained in deep negative territory at midday Thursday as investment sentiment continued to suffer from worries over the Omicron variant and US central bank plans to increase its pace of tapering. Investors were also watching energy prices ahead of a meeting of OPEC+ oil producers, which it is hoped will lead to an increase in supplies after the U.S. and others released crude from their

UK stocks dropped in early trading after a selloff in overseas markets following the first case of the Omicron variant in the U.S. and a warning from technology firm Apple that demand for its latest iPhone had weakened.Meanwhile, investors were also watching energy prices ahead of an meeting of OPEC+ oil producers, which it is hoped will lead to an increase in supplies after the U.S. and others re

Just as the US Treasury bond is a key driver of global risk appetite, watching trends in US equities is always a useful guide to what changes we might expect to see in the UK and Europe at some stage.In recent trading sessions, US investors have begun rotating out of their holdings in internationally exposed 'recovery' stocks and into 'Covid winners' again.This shift has undoubtedly been prompted