CFP SDL Free Spirit (BYYQC27) 160.7pAssets: £66.9 millionInvestors seeking to position portfolios for a re-rating of UK small and mid cap companies and a return to favour for the quality growth style should buy the CFP SDL Free Spirit (BYYQC27) fund. Admittedly, the sister vehicle to Sanford DeLand?s bigger CFP SDL Buffettology (BF0LDZ3) fund lags the IA UK All Companies sector over one and three

UK stocks extended losses on Tuesday afternoon as the economic realities of paying for the pandemic loomed large after the government hiked taxes to pay for increased costs in the NHS.A new social care tax of 1.25% will be levied on individuals and businesses while investors earnings more than the £2,000 a year tax free limit from dividends will pay an extra 1.25%.At the close the FTSE 100 index

UK stocks remained in the red Tuesday lunchtime giving back some of yesterday's gains as investors awaited the reopening of US markets following Monday's Labor Day holiday. At 12pm the FTSE 100 index of leading shares was down 0.3% at 7,166 points.COMPANY NEWSPackaging firm DS Smith (SMDS) released a trading update ahead of today's annual general meeting showing strong growth in volumes against la

After a strong start to the week, UK stocks gave back some ground in early trading on Tuesday with the FTSE 100 index shedding 16 points or 0.25% to 7,171 points.The move came as the MSCI World Index racked up its eighth consecutive day of gains to post another record high at 3,172.5 points, as investors continue to bet on central banks supporting markets with easy money policies.Sterling traded s

UK shares finished Tuesday strongly as investors shook off inflation and interest rate fears and kept their attention focused on a vaccine-led economic recovery.Blue-chip stocks briefly turned negative in afternoon trading as US stocks opened down on another rise in bond yields, demonstrating lingering concern over inflation and a rise in interest rates.The Dow Jones index was a notable faller, do

UK shares made solid gains on Tuesday as investors turned their attention to vaccine-led economic recovery optimism.Britain was given a boost as Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Monday that the economy was on track for the gradual re-opening set out in the government's road-map.Sentiment in this regard was further bolstered by news the UK had secured a deal for 60 million new Novavax jabs to b

UK shares rallied on Tuesday as investors turned their attention to vaccine-led economic recovery optimism, while Royal Mail (RMG) climbed after announcing a one-off special dividend.The benchmark FTSE 100 was up 0.75% at 9am, with bank and mining stocks among the bigger gainers, while reopening stocks also rose, led by BA-owner International Consolidated Airlines' (IAG) 3.5% jump to 198.9p. Other

The UK's leading shares continued to drift lower at lunchtime on Friday as investors mull new sweeping stiff restrictions that will see limited opportunities for thousands of businesses across Britain to re-open for business.The Brexit negotiations saga also sapped enthusiasm, with talks between the UK and European Union set to resume.At midday, the benchmark FTSE 100 was off 0.33% at 6,341.82. A

London's FTSE fell early on Friday as investors fretted over the latest set of strict Covid-19 tier designations and uncertainty over Brexit, with talks between the UK and European Union set to resume.At 8.40 am, the FTSE 100 was off 0.94% at 6,302.98.In corporate news, shares in AstraZeneca (AZN) softened 0.75% to £76.90 after its chief executive said the drugs giant is likely to run an addition

UK stocks opened substantially lower on Tuesday, with the FTSE 100 off 1.75% at 5,710.95 early on after oil plays were hit by the crude oil price slump, with COVID-19 lockdowns sapping demand for energy in an already-oversupplied market.Oil futures fell heavily on Tuesday after short-run contracts of West Texas Intermediate yesterday fell in to negative territory for the first time ever, meaning p

UK shares made gains in early trade on Tuesday as stable oil prices, on track GDP and positive factory data out of China were encouraging even though the blue-chip FTSE 100 was set for its worst quarter since 1987.The UK's GDP rose 1.1% in the quarter to March, bang on target with forecasts.China's manufacturing purchasing managers index jumped to 52.0 in March, up from 35.7 in February.The benchm

Ibstock (IBST) is the UK's leading clay brick manufacturer and we think it could be a useful building block in any balanced investment portfolio.With close to 80% of new buildings using brick in their construction, you might reasonably be concerned about suppliers, like Ibstock, on signs of a slowing housebuilding market. However, we believe those concerns are misplaced.There are fundamental reaso

Michelmersh Brick Holdings (MBH:AIM) 92.3pGain to date: 9.9%Original entry price: Buy at 84p, 29 March 2018An extremely positive set of first half results from brick maker Michelmersh Brick Holdings (MBH:AIM) helps build some momentum behind our positive call on the shares.As we expected the acquisition of Barnsley's Carlton Main Brickworks has resulted in a substantial increase in earnings and ca

A positive environment for the brickmaking sector as a whole and Ibstock (IBST) specifically means now looks a good time to add a second brickie to our Great Ideas portfolio.The East Midlands firm joins its counterpart Michelmersh Brick Holdings (MBH:AIM), which we flagged in March.In our view the sector will continue to benefit from strong demand from housebuilders and falling brick stockpiles.Ib

Demand for new homes continues apace but the investment case for the housebuilders is muddied by legitimate concern their margins may have peaked. We believe a better way to participate in new housing growth is through the brickmakers.The most attractive of the three UK-listed outfits, which encompasses Forterra (FORT), Ibstock (IBST) and Michelmersh Brick (MBH:AIM), is the third one.Michelmersh i

The FTSE 100 is treading water at around the 7,150.25 in early trading as traders look ahead to the latest rates decision from the US Federal Reserve on Wednesday.Software firm Micro Focus (MCRO) plunges 40% to £11.29 as it warns revenue will fall between 6% and 9% in 2018 against previous guidance for a drop of between 2% to 3% and chief executive Chris Hsu quits the group. The problems are link

When Donald Trump won the US election, a top executive of one the UK's largest brick makers texted a counterpart at Ibstock (IBST).'Are you loading up your wagons?' the message read.The joke, playing on Donald Trump's promise to build a wall between the US and Mexico, was tongue in cheek. Even if Trump's wall goes ahead, most of Ibstock's operations in the US are in Pennsylvania, a north-eastern s

The FTSE 100 opens modestly higher at 7,040.6 buoyed by further sterling weakness and deal making in the tobacco sector.Cigarette manufacturer British American Tobacco (BATS) gains 2.3% to £49.13 as it announces a $47bn offer to buy the 57.8% of US peer Reynolds American (RAI:NYSE) it does not already own. The news accompanies an otherwise robust third quarter trading update, showing good growth

Two brick makers, Forterra (FORT) and Ibstock (IBST), joined the stock market over the last 12 months creating a new mini-sector alongside Michelmersh Brick (MHT:AIM) at what could be the start of a lucrative period for the industry.An under-supplied UK housing market, government initiatives to promote house building and a weaker UK currency means domestic brick demand is well underpinned while im

Early winners from Brexit include rat catchers, pawnbrokers, a budget toilet roll company and the i newspaper.According to Shares' research on all companies mentioning the referendum in trading updates since its result was announced, less than a fifth said they saw a positive impact on their business.Just under one-third said the event was a negative influence on trading while the remainder said t