The outlook looks far from rosy for structural steel group Severfield (SFR) after it delivered another profit warning (3 March) sending its shares down 44% to 26.5p.In a trading update for the full year ending 29 March, the company said market conditions showed no signs of improvement since it last reported in November and some clients had canceled or delayed projects.The company is known for...

Structural steel leader warns againEarnings to fall further in full year 2026£10 million buyback cancelledShares in Severfield (SFR) nearly halved to 25.6p in early dealings on 3 March after the structural steel group delivered another profit warning, with the latest downgrade blamed on continuing project delays as 'challenging' market conditions in the UK and Europe persist.The leading UK...

In the third of our four-part series on small caps (you can read part two on UK small cap funds and trusts elsewhere in this issue), we get our data-crunching caps on and take a look at key metrics around value, income and growth in the smaller companies universe.To narrow things down we limited our search to London-listed companies with market valuations between £50 million and £500...

A wall of money is going into building out the green infrastructure required to facilitate the global energy transition. This starts with electrifying power generation all the way through to transmitting and storing this energy before it is eventually consumed.At the same time, indebted governments are increasingly looking to private companies to help solve the global water challenge.Water is...

Over the longer term, UK small caps have historically outperformed their larger cap brethren, but prevailing investor sentiment towards smaller companies remains poor due to stubborn inflation, higher interest rates and recessionary fears. It won't be like this all the time.One smart way to gain exposure to the asset class ahead of an eventual rally, with a turn in inflation among the likely...

Despite mixed trading in Asia overnight, London's FTSE 100 returned to life on Wednesday as summer holidays came to an end with the index up 0.7% to 7,171.68 points early on.Mining was the only sector to struggle after metal prices took a hit, with investors showing greater interest in the oil and gas sector where commodities prices were stronger.CORPORATE NEWSMagazines, books and snacks...

London markets rose for the second day on the bounce on Wednesday as investors continued to see the positives in a post-coronavirus economic recovery.The UK's benchmark FTSE 100 rallied 0.9% in early trading to 6,299.31, following Tuesday's biggest gains in a month , thanks to robust US economic data and positive results from a UK drug trial in reducing Covid-19 death rates.Scientists in the...

UK were firmer at the open on Monday, taking their cue from positive grey market trading on Wall Street and strong Asian gains, after the Bank of Japan expanded its monetary stimulus again.The benchmark FTSE 100 rallied a fraction off 100 point, or 1.7%, to 5,851.95, while the mid cap FTSE 250 charged 2% higher at 15,996.93.Asia markets have got off to a positive start as a raft of countries...

London's FTSE 100 ticks 77 points higher to 7,681 on Wednesday, investors evidently regaining confidence with miners, tobacco sellers and drug companies in demand early on.High-end housebuilder Berkeley (BKG) cheapens 3.5% to £39.93 after warning that profit growth will slow to 'more normal levels' from 2018/19, when profits are expected to be around 30% lower.Results for the year ended 30...

The FTSE 100 index is down 19 points to 7,249.23 reversing the gains it made yesterday following a mixed session in Asian markets as trade war worries continue to persist.The UK's largest supermarket Tesco (TSCO) is up 4% to 218.4p on revealing a 28.4% rise in operating profits to £1.6bn. For its year ending 28 February, the company's sales rose to £51bn a 2.3% increase on the prior year....

After a shaky opening the FTSE 100 is recovering its poise. Currently the index of leading UK shares is up 4.38 points at 7,393.84.In corporate news budget airline Easyjet (EZJ) ascends 3.4% to £13.22 on release of decent full year results to 30 September. The company had a record amount of customers at 80.2m with total revenue up 8.1% to £5.05bn.FTSE 100 product testing company Intertek...

Wednesday 6th SeptemberThe market will be looking for the UK's leading structural steel play Severfield (SFR) to sustain the momentum seen in its March 2017 financial year when it updates on first half trading alongside its AGM on 6 September.Pre-tax profit advanced 88.5% to £18.1m in the 12 months to 31 March 2017 as the company carried out 110 projects including a roof for Wimbledon's...

There are plenty of companies on the stock market unfamiliar to many investors, despite them having delivered solid capital gains and dividends for shareholders. It's our job to put these companies on your radar and this week we've selected Barnsley-headquartered Billington (BILN:AIM) which we consider to be an unsung hero.The structural steel specialist is now positioned for growth following...

Structural steel business Severfield (SFR) is riding high after a strong set of full year results (published on 14 June).In the 12 months to 31 March 2017, pre-tax profit advanced 88.5% to £18.1m after the company carried out 110 projects including a roof for Wimbledon's Number 1 tennis court and a new stadium for Tottenham Hotspur.An Indian joint venture has moved to profit for the first...

Earnings in the US bucked a six quarter trend of declines in the three months to 30 September 2016 and there is increasing optimism about corporate profitability in Europe too.Buoyed by an improving earnings outlook and now an increasingly pro-growth agenda for government spending in a number of countries, including the US under Donald Trump, investors have started to change tactics.This is...

UK shares are firmly on the up in early trade on Tuesday ahead of Philip Hammond's first Autumn Statement due tomorrow. SOme of this strength is likely down to Monday's jump in the value of Sterling. The FTSE 100 index rallies 55 points, or about 0.8%, to 6,833, after a largely flat finish to trade on Monday.In corporate news. Construction equipment group Lavendon (LVD) soars 41% to 196p as it...

Severfield (SFR), Britain's biggest provider of structural steel, is aiming to double its profitability over the next four years as it returns to health after a 2013 rights issue.Yorkshire-based Severfield ran into difficulties three years ago because of cost-overruns on projects including the 'Cheesegrater' building in London which led to losses of £28.9 million.Full-year results for the...

Clear forward visibility and rising margins should drive the share price at structural steel specialist Severfield (SFR). At 58p the stock looks a bargain in light of a growing UK order book and an ongoing efficiency drive.A 16 February trading update confirms that the UK order book has grown from £185 million to £246 million between 1 November and 15 February and the £172.5 million cap...

At 63.6p structural steel specialist Severfield (SFR) looks a rare winner in a devastated British steel industry.The knock-on effect of oversupply in China has put unprecedented pressure on steel prices in Europe and, coupled with a strong pound, is causing all sorts of problems for UK steel producers. The debate about the pros and cons of Government support for what some on the left would...

A robust set of half-year results from structural steel specialist Severfield (SFR) sees shares in the £198.2 million cap surging 7.9% higher to 61.5p as the group's strong operational performance drives revenue 20% higher to £117.1 million. But revenue growth wasn't the only headline for Dalton-based steel fabricator. In the six months to the end of September, underlying profit before tax...