Stock prices were higher in London, Paris and Frankfurt on Thursday, while the UK got a boost in a flash purchasing managers' index reading, ahead of weekly US jobless data.The FTSE 100 index was up 11.79 points, 0.1%, at 8,295.22. The FTSE 250 was down 18.70 points, 0.1%, at 21,168.49, and the AIM All-Share was down 0.54 points, 0.1%, at 776.27.The Cboe UK 100 was up 0.2% at 829.44, the Cboe...

Protective packaging specialist Macfarlane (MACF) gained 3% to 133.8p as it confirmed it had sold its Macfarlane Labels division on 31 December 2021 to The Reflex Group for £6.4 million.The market appears pleased by the exit from a lower-margin part of its business and the modest, though still helpful cash injection associated with the proceeds from the deal.In November, the...

Investors would be wise to look at stocks that are going places, in more ways than one. Backing a business that is growing earnings and market position, as well as strengthening its finances, should in theory result in decent share price gains. It is this combination of factors which underpins our latest search for investment ideas.For this article, we have run two screens on Stockopedia to...

London's FTSE 100 finished Thursday's trading session 0.35% lower at 7,124.98 points as Wall Street endured a slow start and bomb attacks at Kabul airport in Afghanistan rattled investors.Earlier in the day, the blue chip benchmark was grounded by ongoing Covid concerns and fears of a tapering of support for the global economy ahead of the Jackson Hole summit of central bankers.By 4.30pm UK...

After falls in Europe and the US on Friday, Asian markets were mixed at the start of the week as the coronavirus death toll continued to climb.On currency markets the pound lost 0.5% to $1.239 while in commodities gold lost 0.8% to $1,612/oz.However, the big news was in the oil market where the price war between Russia and Saudi Arabia pushed Brent crude to an 18-year low of $23/barrel and New...

London's FTSE 100 is off 0.78 points at 7,573.5 in early trading, the blue-chip benchmark seemingly ignoring the latest tit-for-tat tariffs between the US and China.Infrastructure giant John Laing (JLG) jumps 6.6% higher to 312.4p as first half results reveal growth in both profit before tax (PBT) and net asset value, bolstered by a gain on the sale of the company's remaining 15% investment in...

Shares in packaging companies have jumped up after FTSE 100 sector constituent Smurfit Kappa (SKG) received a surprise takeover approach from US-based International Paper.No details were given as to the value of the approach. Takeover bids are often priced at least 20% above the market price before an approach, to give an incentive for shareholders to accept an offer.Investec analyst Gerard...

Investors tend to flock to the most popular options when it comes to choosing investment funds and trusts. This herd mentality means many people are missing out on some first-class investments simply because they are under the radar.But seeking out these lesser-known names could provide a serious boost to your returns; several investment trusts which would have tripled your money over the past...

Small cap Macfarlane (MACF) is worth checking out in more detail after two directors bought shares for the first time in the acquisitive packaging and distribution business.Finance director John Love and chairman Graeme Bissett each bought £15,250 worth of shares in the company while two non-executive directors also bought in slightly smaller quantities.In July, Shares followed up director...

A slump in the share price of protective packaging distributor Macfarlane (MACF) offers an attractive entry point into the fast-growing, acquisitive £79 million cap.The stock fell 9% on 10 May when it revealed sales grew by just 3% in the year to date as a result of subdued market conditions. At 64p it's now trading 8% below its March peak of 69.4p.Macfarlane offers exposure to the growing...

Protective packaging distributor Macfarlane (MACF) is set for further growth this year on the back of major account wins and a rapidly expanding online retail market.At 65.3p the £81 million cap has gained 36% since we wrote on the stock in August 2015. We think there's further growth to come as the online retail market, which accounts for 19% of group revenue, is expected to rise by around...

Investors are yet to grasp the potential of protective packaging distributor Macfarlane (MACF), which is set for further profit upgrades as it continues its acquisitive and organic growth trajectory.The £57 million cap recently reported a 52% rise in pre-tax profit to £1.85 million in the first half of the year driven by 7% organic growth in packaging distribution sales and its acquisitions...

The FTSE 100 is up 2.3% to 6,116 points following recoveries in stocks listed in the US and China. The CSI 300 index closed 6% higher at 3,205.64, while the Shanghai Composite Index gained 5.4%.Such strong gains overnight have seen risk appetite return to markets, meaning miners are once again in demand - Anglo American (AAL) gains 4.4% to 693p, BHP Billiton (BLT) adds 3.7% to £10.47 and...

Genus croppedAnimal genetics specialist Genus (GNS) lost 10% of its value when its pre-tax profits dropped 30% to £38.1 million in the year to July. A 10% dividend rise to 16.1p per share highlights management's confidence in rising demand fuelled by good harvests. (MD)Fluid MycelxWater technology specialist Mycelx (MYX:AIM) could be in demand following next week's interims (16 Aug). Shares...