Our portfolio picks for 2025 haven't fared too well in the first half of the year, returning 0.6% compared to a gain of 6.1% from the FTSE All-Share index as of 9 June. It wasn't all bad news, however, as stocks like defence technology group Cohort (CHRT:AIM), premium mixer-maker Fevertree Drinks (FEVR:AIM), airline and package holiday provider Jet2 (JET2:AIM) and infrastructure and...

Organic revenue growth over 20%Budget creates more opportunitiesCEO confident of full-year outcomeSpecialist business services group FRP Advisory (FRP:AIM) delivered a strong first-half update with chief executive Geoff Rowley saying he was 'confident' in meeting market expectations for the full year.The shares climbed 9p or 6% to a new 12-month high of 155p, topping their October peak. ...

Blue-chip stocks in Europe and New York struggled on Friday, though there was some impetus from a surge in the gold price, while base metals also shone.That gave a lift to mining stocks in London, though the FTSE 100 still ended lower, making a weekly loss.The FTSE 100 index ended down 18.39 points, 0.2%, at 8,420.26. The FTSE 250 closed down 72.94 points, 0.4%, at 20,749.90, and the AIM...

Full-year revenue and profit beatAdministrations increase 22%Positive outlookBusiness advisory specialist FRP Advisory (FRP:AIM) has revealed full-year revenue to the end of April grew 23% and profit increased 37%, both ahead of market expectations, sending the shares up by a tenth to 142.1p.Today's gain lifts the shares back into positive territory for the year to date and means they are up...

Clear pick-up in activity this yearHigh interest rates sinking more firmsEarnings ?at least? to meet forecastsIt?s often said it?s an ill wind which blows no good, and as corporate bankruptcies and insolvencies rise firms such as FRP Advisory (FRP:AIM) which provide services like debt restructuring and financial advice are seeing a growing stream of business.In its half-year update, the £300...

At first glance, insolvency and business advisory firm Begbies Traynor (BEG:AIM) doesn't shout 'growth stock' but over the last five years the group has doubled its revenue and trebled its pre-tax profit thanks to a mix of organic growth and acquisitions.It is now the leading insolvency practice in the UK with a 13% market share and is second to FRP Advisory (FRP:AIM) in the higher-value...

A healthy number of lesser-known businesses have done very well in share price terms since coming to market in the last two years, with price appreciation reflecting strong operational performances or the fact they sate voracious investor appetite for a particular theme.Readers will be familiar with high-profile post-pandemic newcomers on the London Stock Exchange (LSGE) trading above their...

FRP Advisory (FRP:AIM) 164pGain to date: 34%We originally recommended buying advisory group FRP at 122p on 16 September 2021 because we believed it would benefit from an increase in insolvencies as the Government ended pandemic-linked insolvency restrictions.The company specialises in corporate restructuring and helps businesses navigate the process of going into administration or...

- One-third increase in firms in 'critical' distress- Companies facing multiple financial headwinds- CCJs suggest rising tide of insolvenciesJust a day after the Bank of England forecast an early-1990s style recession lasting five quarters and the biggest drop in real incomes on record, business advisory group Begbies Traynor (BEG:AIM) published its latest 'Red Flag Report' on businesses in...

It's always disappointing to see businesses struggle and sadly the numbers could get worse given the Bank of England's warning about a big slowdown in the economy and 10% inflation.The troubles at McColl's Retail (MCLS) have set the scene for difficult times ahead. The company has gone into administration and shareholders are set to lose everything, even though the business is subsequently...

FRP Advisory (FRP:AIM) 132.3pGain to date: 8.4%Original entry point: Buy at 122p, 16 September 2021Since recommending specialist advisor FRP Advisory Group (FRP:AIM) in mid-September 2021 the shares have risen by a little more than 8%. We continue to believe that the shares offer good value and maintain our positive stance.Results (16 Dec) covering the six months to 31 October 2020, saw the...

FRP Advisory (FRP:AIM) 124pGain to date: 1.6%Original entry point: Buy at 122p, 16 September 2021Shares in FRP Advisory (FRP:AIM), the insolvency and business advisory firm, have nudged up 1.6% since we said to buy on 16 September. We continue to believe the company is well positioned to benefit from an increase in insolvencies and administrations as the Government winds up pandemic-linked...

Insolvency and business advisory firm FRP Advisory (FRP:AIM) should be a beneficiary of a rise in insolvencies and administrations as the Government brings to an end pandemic-linked insolvency restrictions.Firms in financial distress thanks to Covid have been protected from action by creditors since June 2020 but that broad-based protection ends on 1 October, to be replaced by a more targeted...

Keeping a regular watch on stocks with positive and negative share price momentum is a useful exercise as it tells us which areas of the market are hot or not.Investors who follow a pure momentum strategy like to buy stocks that keep a hitting a new 12-month high in the belief the share price is on a roll and can keep going up.Some investors avoid stocks hitting a new 12-month low, for fear...

They may not be too busy just yet but insolvency specialists are feeling fairly confident about their near-term prospects which, on the flipside, is bad news for UK businesses.On 12 February the recently-listed insolvency and business advisory firm FRP (FRP:AIM) signalled its confidence in the future with plans to pay quarterly dividends while also pointing to a 'positive' outlook.Fellow...

UK stocks jumped in afternoon trading on Friday after it emerged that coronavirus cases across the country are falling at the fastest pace in months.The UK's R value has dropped below 1 for the first time since July, and the Government has confirmed it will issue its roadmap out of lockdown on 22 February.The UK's benchmark FTSE 100 index gained 0.94% to 6,589.79, while the midcap FTSE 250...

Shares in recently-listed insolvency and business advisory group FRP (FRP:AIM) jumped 5.5% to 106p after the firm posted a positive trading update for the nine months to the end of January and raised its forecasts for the full year to April, its first as a quoted company.Trading so far has been 'pleasing' despite significant levels of government support for struggling companies and 'reduced...

Mining stocks give a post-Christmas lift to the FTSE 100 as the London market reopens following the festive break. Hochschild (HOC), BHP Billiton (BLT) and Ferrexpo (FXPO) lead the pack with gains of up to 6%.The blue chip index advances 18 points or 0.3% to 7,086. Among the mid-caps, the FTSE 250 index rises 63 points or 0.4% to 17,973.The biggest corporate news of the day is a profit warning...

Income is the dominant theme in this week's edition of Shares. We talk about what to buy, what to avoid and discuss income issues specific to people in retirement.Dividends are one of the most important factors coveted by investors when weighing up which stocks or funds to buy. They are the reward for the risks associated with putting money in stock markets anywhere in the world.Sadly the...

Legal services outsourcer Fairpoint (FRP:AIM) looks to be at the mercy of its lenders after a profit warning brought year-to-date share price losses near to 90%.A cheekily timed profit warning just before the close on Friday is to blame and shares trade 11% lower at 18p today on top of heavy losses late on Friday.Earning are weak across its key divisions and the business owed £16m to Allied...