They say if you want something doing, ask a busy person, and few people have been busier over the past four months than Dan Finley, head of Manchester-based online fashion firm Boohoo (BOO:AIM).Since taking over as chief executive at the start of November, Finley has fought off a rearguard action by Frasers (FRAS) to install Mike Ashley in the CEO role, raised £39 million of fresh capital in...

Shares in WH Smith (SMWH) jumped 5% to £12.11 on 27 January after the storied retailer confirmed it was 'exploring potential strategic options' for its High Street business, which opened its first shop in London back in 1792.These options include a potential sale of all 500 High Street stores at a time when bricks-and-mortar retailing faces online competition, subdued footfall and a sharp...

Exploring options for High Street divisionTalks ongoing with prospective buyersFocus on faster-growing Travel armShares in WH Smith (SMWH) were marked up 5.5% to £12.11 on 27 January after the global travel retailer confirmed it is 'exploring potential strategic options' for its storied-yet-struggling High Street business, which opened its first shop in London back in 1792.These include a...

Wealth managers least likedBank of Georgia gets full houseReal estate popular among analystsHumans generally feel more comfortable in groups which partly explains why stock prices often move in broad trends: knowing other investors and analysts have come to the same conclusion about a company breeds confidence in the investment case, whether or not it turns out to be correct.A rarer breed of...

Shares in Mike Ashley's retail empire Frasers (FRAS) have fallen more than 15% in one month and are down almost 30% year-to-date, with investors worried about the UK consumer outlook and potential distractions from a boardroom battle with Boohoo (BOO:AIM) and overseas acquisitions dragging on the stock.An unexpected profit warning on 5 December, blamed on a Budget-induced dip in consumer...

Ashley blasts Boohoo's 'egotistical' founderFrasers' criticisms labelled 'superficial'Boohoo highlights 'credible' turnaround planBoohoo's (BOO:AIM) shares were bid up 2% to 36p after the struggling online fashion group revealed that Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS) has recommended shareholders reject Mike Ashley's bid to become CEO at the company's forthcoming general meeting (20...

London stocks opened mostly lower on Friday as house prices reach a record high, while Prime Minister Keir Starmer sets out his plan to improve UK growth.Starmer made living standards a key target as he outlined his 'next phase' on Thursday, saying he wanted to see real household disposable income rise by the next election.But in an interview with BBC Breakfast, Starmer said: 'I want people to...

Company blames slowdown on BudgetFull-year profit growth cut in halfHigher costs may be mitigatedApparel retailer Frasers (FRAS) stunned the market by cutting its full-year 2025 adjusted profit targets, blaming a dip in consumer confidence due to the Budget, while increasing its cost forecast for the 2026 financial year.The shares fell as much as 114p or 15% to 627p at one stage before...

When you purchase shares, you are not just buying numbers on a screen - you are becoming a part-owner of a business. It's important to remember this fact because, as a part-owner, you have a say in how the business is run and the ability to vote at annual general meetings (AGMs) and extraordinary general meetings (EGMs).AGMs provide a platform for shareholders to engage with the company's...

Frasers stake is a 'conflict of interest'Board representation calls rejectedKamani has 'no intention' of making offerStruggling online fashion group Boohoo (BOO:AIM) has accused Mike Ashley's Frasers (FRAS) of using its stake in the Debenhams-to-Karen Millen owner and other retailers to promote its own 'commercial self-interest'.The defiant comments came as Boohoo hit back at Frasers' demands...

CEO appointed from withinDan Finley transformed DebenhamsMike Ashley may yet flex his musclesChallenged online fashion retailer Boohoo (BOO:AIM) has shunned major shareholder Frasers' (FRAS) demand to install Mike Ashley as CEO and appointed internal candidate Dan Finley as its new boss instead.Finley has been running Boohoo's fast-growing online department store Debenhams since 2022 and...

Debt deal characterisation 'inaccurate and unfair'Search for new CEO underwayFurther drama to unfoldHard-pressed online fashion group Boohoo (BOO:AIM) has given a robust response to Frasers' (FRAS) bid to install Mike Ashley as its new CEO, questioning whether putting the retail tycoon in charge would be in the interests of shareholders other than Frasers.Boohoo's bombed-out shares ticked up...

Frasers wants Mike Ashley as Boohoo CEOBoohoo board unresponsiveCompany owns 27% Boohoo stakeEmbattled online fast-fashion retailer Boohoo (BOO:AIM) jumped 3% on news its largest shareholder Frasers (FRAS) has requisitioned a general shareholder meeting to appoint Mike Ashley as CEO.Ashley has published an open letter after being stone-walled by Boohoo's board in his attempts to meaningfully...

The FTSE 100 made a bright start on Thursday, looking to break a four-day losing run, supported by well received earnings.The advance in London follows weak trading on Wall Street, where pre-US election and interest rate nerves hit stocks.The FTSE 100 index traded up 55.66 points, 0.7%, at 8,314.30. The FTSE 250 was up 25.76 points, or 0.1%, at 20,855.69, and the AIM All-Share added 1.40...

Strategic review launchedDebt refinancing agreedSales continue to slideAfter an inglorious five years with the group, John Lyttle is to step down as Boohoo (BOO:AIM) chief executive as the struggling online fashion retailer launches a strategic review to 'unlock and maximise shareholder value'.That is code for corporate restructuring and points to a sale or demerger of some of its assets.The...

Fresh bid spurned by ChalliceChallice has 'no interest' in sellingMulberry board considering its positionStruggling luxury handbag maker Mulberry (MUL:AIM) is weighing up a sweetened £111 million bid from Frasers (FRAS), although its majority owner is standing in the way of a takeover by refusing to sell its shares to the Mike Ashley-controlled conglomerate.Mulberry's biggest shareholder with...

Posh handbag maker Mulberry (MUL:AIM) has rejected (1 October) a potential £83 million takeover proposal from Frasers (FRAS), Mike Ashley's sprawling retail conglomerate.Like Lord Wolfson's Next (NXT), Frasers is expanding its stable of brands through acquisitions of, and investments in, distressed retail assets and on 30 September, proposed a 130p cash offer for Mulberry. However, the...

Stocks in London were higher at midday Tuesday, as the UK manufacturing sector continued to outperform its peers in France and Germany.The FTSE 100 index was up 26.97 points, or 0.3%, at 8,264.19. The FTSE 250 was up 18.02 points, or 0.1%, at 21,071.21, and the AIM All-Share was down 0.48 points, or 0.1%, at 739.95.The Cboe UK 100 was up 0.4% at 827.69, the Cboe UK 250 was up 0.2% at...

Record year for trust mergersCombination to create £353 million vehicleKartik Kumar to join PhoenixArtemis Alpha Trust (ATS) has agreed to be taken over by UK All Companies sector rival Aurora Investment Trust (ARR) as the record year for investment trust mergers continues.Sub-scale, underperforming funds are combining with larger rivals to remedy wide discounts to NAV (net asset value) and...

Takes 14.65% stake in Aussie retailer'Mutually beneficial opportunities' for both groupsStrengthens ties with Hoka, SkechersDespite already having fingers in multiple pies, Mike Ashley-controlled Frasers (FRAS) has swooped on yet another opportunity to expand its international footprint.The deal-hungry conglomerate has taken a 14.65% stake in Australian sports and lifestyle brands seller...