Equities in London ended lower on Tuesday after the long weekend, with investors nervy ahead of a US inflation reading on Friday, with comments from a Federal Reserve central banker doing little to lift spirits.The UK election campaign rumbled on as all three of the main party leaders spent Tuesday visiting seats that could be crucial in deciding the outcome of the general election.Prime Minister

On 11 December 2023, a teeny company on the UK stock market saw a sudden surge in interest.Shares in Yorkshire-based EV (electric vehicle) technology firm DG Innovate (DGI:AIM) almost tripled as three former senior Tesla (TSLA:NASDAQ) executives joined the board.Taking over as chief executive is the magnificently-named Peter Bardenfleth-Hansen, joined by Christian Eidem and Jochen Rudat as executi

Illustrating the uncertainties and volatility associated with Chinese stocks, wooden home furnishings and solid wooden doors maker Jiasen (JSI:AIM) slumps 23% to 3p on dire annual numbers, sales and profits down materially due to the property market slump in China.Click here to view calendar 2015 results from the property fit-out business, which makes and installs wooden products for residential p

A passion for smaller companies oozes from Georgina Brittain. The seasoned fund manager has been running the JPMorgan Smaller Companies Investment Trust (JMI) since 1998 yet her enthusiasm for the job is plain to see.It comes out in the 100 miles per hour way she talks about the topic, the clear strategic focus on company financials, and the excitement in her voice when discussing some of the stoc

London shares rally strongly as the the trading week draws to a close early on Friday with interest rate rises and GDP growth figures stimulating market interest for investors, while corporate takeovers also provide additional positive firepower for stocks. Despite a relatively weak session overnight on Wall Street, the UK benchmark FTSE 100 index jumps 2.3%, or around 135 points, to 6,103, with m

London shares continue to make modest gains in early trade on Wednesday with UK investors seemingly unconcerned about the outcome of a policy decision from the US Federal Reserve later today, despite some analysts warning of deflation risks. Even the Shanghai Stock Exchange's Composite Index finished higher overnight, rising by 3.4% to reach 3,789.19 points, offering slight hopes that the worst of

London-focused property regeneration specialist and property investor Quintain Estates & Development (QED) advances 2.1% to 107.2p on valuation gains and asset maturities.The momentum building in the property market saw Quintain's net asset value(NAV) rise 6% to 122p a share during the year to end of March. This was led by a re-evaluation of its development land at Wembley Park which is now worth

London's blue chip index has gained 25.86 points, or 0.37%, to 7,039 in early trading following positive updates from several of its constituents.One such riser was Vodafone (VOD), which gains 4.6% to 253.8p after being upgraded on rising demand for 4G data.In other news, Premier Inn and Costa owner Whitbread (WTB) edges down 0.4% to £52.40 as investors doubt its choice of new chief executive, na

The Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) sector's 19.2% year-to-date gain ranks it second out of the 39 groupings which comprise the FTSE All-Share. Capital values and rents are both rising to create strong net asset value growth and scope for dividend increases. Yet commercial property is not the only option available to those investors who would like some exposure to bricks and mortar within thei

Tracsis US expansionTransport software specialist Tracsis (TRCS:AIM) has extended its US remote condition monitoring pilot scheme. The US rail infrastructure runs at around 140,000 track miles, about seven-times the length of the UK's, and analysts speculate that this could be worth an average £3.5 million a year to Tracsis down the line. (SFr)Quintain's Wembley wayInterims from Quintain Estates

Secondary commercial property is set to generate higher returns this year than prime assets for the first time since the financial crisis. As the UK bounces back this section of the real estate market, that is, property located in the country's regional towns and small cities and dotted in and around London, should rebound from highly depressed levels.Expert in the field DTZ forecasts 2014 total r

The total return offered by secondary properties, located in the country's regional towns and small cities, is set to outperform those generated by prime assets in the UK's major metropolitan areas, according to property services specialist DTZ. To play this trend we flag Palace Capital (PCA:AIM) although we don't rule out prime plays entirely and believe British Land (BLND) should be considered f

Chamberlin checkSpecialist foundry and engineering firm Chamberlin (CMH:AIM) is set to announce its results for the six months to 30 September next week (26 Nov). The market will be looking for management to outline how it intends to improve performance at the group's foundries at Leicester and Scunthorpe. (TS)Quintain's Wembley wayRegeneration specialist Quintain Estates & Development's (QED) int

Commercial property investor Palace Capital (PCA:AIM) is primed to declare its maiden dividend next year after completing a transformational deal.The company has bought a portfolio of 23 secondary properties spread across the UK, along with a further asset in Leeds. Management believes the purchases will help fund a 6% return to its shareholders next year.Palace, which specialises in secondary pro

Improved profitability, a booming London property market and measures to reduce a heavy debt burden all mean regeneration specialist and property investor Quintain Estates & Development (QED) could be trading at an undeservedly large discount to its net asset value (NAV). A 91p share price comes in 13% below the historic diluted book value per share of 105p and NAV should rise further as debts fal

London's FTSE 100 looked on course to finish the week with a flourish, racking up a 33.4 point gain to 6,576.85 by midday on Friday with comments from Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke that the US economy still needs monetary stimulus engendering positive sentiment among investors.Excitement surrounding potential corporate activity was a key theme for the day, with life insurer Phoenix (PHNX)

There can be no more timely a reminder of America's awesome power than the influence Ben S. Bernanke, chairman of the US Federal Reserve has had over markets in the past two months. When he speaks, everyone with a portfolio of investments or trades listens such is the country's financial, geopolitical and economic clout.Ever since the head of the planet's most powerful central bank first hinted th

Given the latest bout of equity market volatility, investors may wish to bolster their portfolios through the power of dividend compounding, especially as sluggish economies mean they may need to forage far and wide for growth opportunities. One investment trust well worthy of consideration here is Caledonia Investments (CLDN), which has both boosted its income profile and rebalanced its portfolio