Investors seeking to profit from rising shareholder activism and improving corporate governance in Japan should open a position in Nippon Active Value Fund (NAVF).An activist fund floated on the London Stock Exchange before the onset of Covid in 2020, the investment trust's one year share price total return of 22.1% makes it comfortably the best performer in the Association of Investment Companies

Premium British chocolatier Hotel Chocolat (HOTC:AIM) served up 15% growth in sales, underlying earnings, profits before tax and earnings per share in the six months to 31 December.Generating growth across its retail store estate and online channels, rising ingredient costs are a headwind, although CEO Angus Thirlwell is positive about Hotel Chocolat's new store site pipeline.He also insists his c

High end chocolatier Hotel Chocolat's (HOTC:AIM) sales and profits were up 15% apiece in the first half to December, an impressive performance given the prior year's demanding comparatives.Yet the share price sours 2.5p to 320p as Hotel Chocolat warns the increased cost of purchasing some premium ingredients in euros will continue to constrain margins this year and into next.NOURISHING NUMBERSThe

Investors could see fewer opportunities in the venture capital trust (VCT) and Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) space in the 2018/19 tax year following changes introduced in the Autumn Budget.Schemes could also become riskier, meaning you will need to take even greater care when deciding which vehicles to back with your money.What has changed?The Chancellor announced in November that in order fo

With the new venture capital trust (VCT) season already in full swing, investors need to act quickly if they want to get their hands on the best offers.The past month has seen a flurry of new fundraisings being launched. The season has started earlier than previous years, which VCT providers say is due to the huge growth in demand for their products.Live offersOctopus Investments, the biggest play

Jewellery retailer-to-pawnbroker Ramsdens has raised £15.6m (before expenses) from institutional investors at 86p per share. That will value the business at £26.5m when AIM dealings begin next week (15 Feb).Middlesbrough-headquartered Ramsdens was founded in 1987 in Stockton-on-Tees. Both a retailer and financial services provider, the brand has perhaps become best known thanks to its shirt spon

Venture capital trusts (VCTs) provide an important source of funding for smaller UK companies. In 2014/15, investors attracted by the generous tax incentives paid in a total of £429 million, but the Government has recently had to amend the rules to ensure that they continue to comply with EU State Aid legislation and that the money goes where it is most needed.VCTs are private equity funds that t

Managed data centres and hosting supplier Iomart (IOM:AIM) 'remains an obvious target for takeover,' according to industry insiders. That's the view of Kate Hanaghan, analyst at respected technology website TechMarketViews. With the share price stubbornly remaining miles off previous highs of over 300p, the company may be forced to take drastic action. This could spark a change of tack in strategy