The shrinking UK stock market is a worry for fund managers and has wider implications for the UK as a listing venue as well as the UK?s economic growth, say analysts at Peel Hunt.This article explores the so-called de-equitisation of the UK stock market, or plainly put the substitution of debt for equity via share buybacks and cash acquisitions.More than 45 companies exited the UK market in 2023 d

Increase of 5.5 million passengers' year-on-yearNew route to ThessalonikiLower CO2 emissionsWizz Air (WIZZ) has reported a 21% increase in passenger numbers, or 5.5 million passengers' year-on-year compared to September 2022, at a load factor of 92.4%.The European budget carrier also announced a new route from Bucharest to Thessaloniki, Greece starting at the end of October.Wizz shares were unaffe

We suggested at the start of 2023 that commercial property stocks could prove to be a good bet this year, with valuations offering significant upward reversion potential from their depressed levels and dividend yields at the top end of their historic range.While valuations have improved slightly, if anything sentiment is even more negative than it was in January, especially after April's stubbornl

In almost any market, crowds of competitors fight for business within their niche, but over the years and with few exceptions, a small number of businesses have come to dominate the industry.These are often names we all know, logos we see every day, and brands that have become part of everyday life.Markets love a monopoly, and while there are regulations designed to level the playing field and pro

Allied Minds (ALM) chairman Bruce Failing bought $4 million worth of shares in the tech incubator just days before investors voted in favour of the company delisting from the London Stock Exchange.Once backed by fund manager Neil Woodford before his career hit the wall, Allied Minds was set up to commercialise bright ideas created by US academia and federal research laboratories.The company has st

Japan's stock market enjoyed a recent surge following the resignation of increasingly unpopular prime minister Yoshihide Suga.The Nikkei 225 index reaching a 31-year high in September as the whole Tokyo stock exchange cheered Suga's departure.Japan bulls are hoping the arrival of new PM Fumio Kishida can provide the impetus for a fresh rally, though markets are trying to work out just how his lead

Shares in financial and retail group Ramsdens (RFX:AIM) jumped 9% to 155p after it delivered strong results for the 12 months to 31 March and said could reopen stores with minimal additional investment.Revenue for the period climbed 27% to £59.5m, while pre-tax profit rose 30% to £8.5m helped by the rise in the gold price and the timely sale of old jewellery stock which netted £0.8m of profits.

The new venture capital trust (VCT) offer season is now in full swing where investors are able to apply for new shares and enjoy immediate tax benefits.Recent offers from Amati AIM VCT, Octopus AIM VCT and Hazel Renewable Energy VCT have already closed, having hit their subscription target. Others are filling up quickly.Each year VCTs seem to attract money faster than the previous year, meaning in

Fallen fashion-to-furnishings brand Laura Ashley (ALY) warns this year's pre-tax profit will 'fall below market expectations' as it rolls out poor half year figures.Already unloved, shares in the Fulham-based small cap slump 9.7% to 5.51p on yet another profit warning, one twinned with poor interim results hurt by the impact of sterling weakness versus the US dollar.Chairman Tan Sri Dr Khoo Kay Pe

Advertising giant WPP (WPP) says the first seven months of its new financial year have been very tough thanks to slowing GDP growth around the world. Second quarter net sales growth was less than the first quarter with forecast client spending in quarter two 'under considerable pressure', it says. Unsurprisingly the market has taken a negative view of the results, sending its share price down 1.9%

Restaurants operator Richoux (RIC:AIM) is latest quoted casual dining firm to experience a bad start to 2017, following similar pains experienced by Comptoir (COM:AIM) and Tasty (TAST:AIM) Its shares fell 27% on 27 April in response to the news, not helped by saying it needs to raise more money. Former Prezzo boss Jonathan Kaye is now overseeing a revamp of its estate.

Poor half year results and a severe profit warning weigh heavily on fashion-to-homewares retailer Laura Ashley (ALY). Given prevailing headwinds and having assessed forecasts for the rest of the year to June 2017, chairman Tan Sri Dr Khoo Kay Peng warns 'that net pre-tax profit for the year will fall below market expectations'.One analyst has slashed pre-tax profit estimates from £17m to £11m.Th

Unloved fashion-to-homewares retailer Laura Ashley (ALY) rallies 3.5% to 22p as finals showcase unexpected positive sales trends. The heritage home furnishings purveyor also issues an optimistic outlook statement, expressing confidence that 'Laura Ashley will remain a business with solid foundations to withstand challenges as they arise.'Shares in the fashion, cabinet furniture and curtains purve

Divorce is a highly stressful time when emotional pressures are compounded by difficult financial decisions that can have implications for many years to come. We've spoken to the experts to find out what you need to consider when dividing up your home, pensions and investments.The family homeYour house is likely to be your most significant asset and deciding what to do with it can be challenging.

Lebanese canteen group Comptoir is hoping to cook up a storm by floating on AIM in June.Investors should note the presence of highly-respected restaurateur Jonathan Kaye on the board. He is part of the family that founded ASK, Zizzi and Garfunkel's and is the former boss of Prezzo which was sold to private equity in 2015.We expect investors to show considerable interest in the stock given his invo

Esure in Gocompare demerger talkEsure (ESUR) is considering a demerger of insurance price comparison site Gocompare.com. The business may qualify for the FTSE 250 if floated as a standalone entity. Esure's last investment valued it at £190 million in March 2015 and the parent reckons profit will improve by 30% in 2016-so it is fair to say the valuation will also be much higher today. The bottom e

Higher-rate taxpayers are increasingly looking for alternative tax benefits as the government tightens up the roles around pensions. This is making venture capital trusts (VCTs) a popular choice for people across the country.Venture capital trusts are funds that allow investors to claim up to 30% income tax relief on up to £200,000 invested in a VCT per year. You need to hold the investment for a

Investors looking for an another way to play the strong film line-up on the big screen should reappraise independent cinema group Everyman Media (EMAN:AIM).The £57 million cap has 16 sites and a further six cinemas are scheduled to open in the next two years. It has 1% market share by UK box office revenues but this should grow in the second half when four sites acquired from Odeon start to contr

Peer to peer or P2P lending is proving very attractive to the income-starved investor. At a time when their savings account is paying less than 1%, peer to peer lenders claim to offer rates from 5-10% for lending to individual and small businesses. In theory it also allows you to bypass the unpopular banking sector. But can it beat the income available on shares? And are investors taking more risk

A sharp decline for Japan's economy and poor data from China and Germany leave investors cautious in early trade on Monday, with UK stocks starting the week on the back foot. London's FTSE 100 index is trading nearly 0.6% off at 6,698 early on after closing out last week at 6,742.84, its highest finish since 21 November.Stock broker Hargreaves Lansdown (HL.) and retailer Marks & Spencer (MKS) are