Encouraging start for small caps trustHulse sees value opportunity in UK small capsWindward?s potential excitesShares in Onward Opportunities (ONWD:AIM) rose 1.5% to 111.5p after the smaller companies-focused trust reported an 11.3% NAV (net asset value) total return to 106.5p for the nine months from its March 2023 IPO (initial public offering) to the end of December.That performance compares...

It was in the months following the global financial crisis that Robert started becoming interested in the stock market. In a graduate IT job with Barclays (BARC) based in Canary Wharf, he'd had a front row seat during the teeth of the financial shock, but he has developed his own stocks-only DIY investment style during the decade-plus since.In this article we talk through how he goes about...

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...

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...

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....

London's FTSE 100 traded slightly lower on Wednesday, down 0.03% at 6,187.94 early on, as climbing COVID-19 cases in countries including the US and Australia cooled optimism that the global economy is turning a corner.Bus and rail company FirstGroup (FGP) fell 10.6% to 44p after reporting wider annual losses owing, in part, to write-downs at its Greyhound coach division and restructuring...

The FTSE 100 traded 1% higher at 6,786 points on Wednesday morning after a surprise 0.5% interest cut from the US federal reserve yesterday seemed to initially spook markets rather than sooth fears.Overnight gains in Asia were confined to Korea as the government announced a stimulus package.However, S&P 500 futures rose 1.4% overnight on the resurgent performance of Joe Biden in Democratic...

Retirement can be a liberating experience as finishing work gives you the freedom to enjoy life, learn new skills and embrace a wide range of hobbies.This can come at a cost as individuals may need to have saved hard through their working lives to ensure they have adequate savings and enough income to fund their desired lifestyle in older age.James from Sussex knows all about this challenge as...

London's FTSE 100 firms 26.5 points to 7,653 on Wednesday, the blue-chip benchmark given a lift by weak sterling and its beneficial impact on the large number of companies that generate earnings overseas, such as miners and construction firms.In corporate news, EasyJet (EZJ) rises 4% to £17.20 as the low cost carrier upgrades full year profit before tax guidance to between £550m and £590m,...

MPAC (MPAC:AIM) 213pGain to date: 53.2%Original entry point: Buy at 139p, 28 September 2017A bit of a whirlwind has blown through the boardroom of packaging industry engineer MPAC (MPAC:AIM) recently, dislodging both chairman Phil Moorhouse and finance director Jim Haughey.After seven years in the job Moorhouse will be replaced by Andrew Kitchingman, a non-executive for the past two years....

MPAC (MPAC:AIM) 155.2pGain to date: 11.7%Original entry price: Buy at 139p, 28 September 2017Engineering firm Molins has renamed itself MPAC (MPAC:AIM) to reflect its increasing focus on the packaging industry.Shares is not always a big fan of name changes as they can reflect an attempt to deflect attention from historically weak performance.In Molins' case the company had no choice as it...

This is a special situation investment and one which we believe is capable of creating substantial returns if management can successfully execute their plans.Molins, which has since changed its name to MPAC (MPAC:AIM), has a long history supplying machinery to the tobacco industry; that part of the business has now been sold for £30m.The company is now focused on the packaging industry where...