It?s been a busy month in small-cap land with good news, bad news and downright weird news for investors to digest.First the good news, as the persistent undervaluation of UK companies ? and small caps in particular ? draws increasing numbers of corporate buyers.Financial services software provider Gresham Technologies (GHT) agreed a 163p per share cash offer from funds managed or advised by STG P

In light of the implications of the unfolding tragedy in Ukraine, the global growth outlook has dimmed, which means now more than ever, portfolios should be as diversified by asset class as possible to in order to maximise returns relative to risk.Higher risk assets they may be, yet 'micro caps', the London stock market's smallest quoted companies should form at least a portion of a well-diversifi

Birmingham-based car parts maker Strip Tinning (STG:AIM) saw trading start in its newly listed shares on Wednesday (16 February 2022) as it bids to expand deeper into the electric vehicles space.The company, which raised £11.5 million (£8 million of growth funding and £3.5 million going to selling shareholders) at 185p per share on junior market AIM, gives the company a rough £28 million marke

A 75% pay cut by directors and £344,500 fundraising priced 54% above the previous trading day's stock valuation gives cash shell Stratmin Global Resources (STGR:AIM) a lifeline while it seeks an acquisition.It must do a deal by March 2017 or it will be delisted under AIM rules.Stratmin recently sold a graphite mine and retains a joint venture interest in a similar asset.

Clarity on the Brexit timetable by Prime Minister Theresa May sends the pound down 0.3% against the dollar at $1.2936 and triggers a small sell-off in banks and housebuilder shares. The latter overshadows expectations that Chancellor Philip Hammond will unveil a £5 billion housebuilding stimulus package later today at the Conservative Party conference.Fund manager Henderson Global Investors (HGG)

A rebound in financial stocks helps push shares in London's blue chip index almost 1.4% higher to 6,552.Lloyds Banking(LLOY) rises 3.7% to 49.3p, while Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) trades 3.6% higher to 154.4p as investors take advantage of the recent sell off in the sector. Life insurer Prudential (PRU) improves 3.1% to £11.88.Overnight gains in Hong Kong, China, India and Australia also help se

London shares take a New Year pounding in early trade on Monday as traders reacted to heavy falls on the Shanghai Composite stock ladder and the bleak outlook for China's economy. Bourses in Germany and France were heavily lower, too. The benchmark FTSE 100 index dives 109 points, or around 1.8%, to 6,133, although declines are less pronounced among UK midcap and smaller companies.Stocks in Shangh

The UK markets remain lower as concerns about the slowdown in the Chinese economy continue to weigh on investors from Toyko to New York and all points between. While the UK's benchmark is not matching the market declines of the previous day, the FTSE 100 is still down 12 points at 6,046.59.Commodities behemoth Glencore (GLEN) is leading the fallers again, shedding 4.9% to 127.05p, compounding its

UK shares nudge lower in early trade on Thursday with a quiet session anticipated on the macro economic front, while corporate earnings announcements remain mixed. Several blue-chip stocks going ex-dividend also drags on the London market. The FTSE 100 is trading down around 20 points, or 0.3%, at 6,928 early on, although midcaps buck the weak blue-chip trend, edging a fraction up to 17,863.On the

Despite what you may have read over the past week there's no chance of Sussex being transformed into a mini-Texas.The results of analysis of the Horse Hill-1 well near Gatwick airport prompted reports there could be a 100 billion barrels of oil in the Weald basin (which contains the discovery). Do not get caught up in this hype.For context 100 billion barrels is more than double the 45 billion bar

The consortium looking to tap the Horse Hill prospect near Gatwick airport has upgraded its estimate of oil in place (OIP) to 158 million barrels of oil per square mile and flags a 'possible world class potential resource'.The eye-catching number - which is based on analysis of 2014's HH-1 well by consultant NUTECH and could imply an onshore find running to billions of barrels- is driving big gain

On the cusp of bringing a mine into production, Wolf Minerals' (WLFE:AIM) managing director Russell Clark is one of the few directors at the Mines & Money conference in London relaxed about the general state of affairs. Unlike most peers at the industry event, Wolf isn't seeking finance to stay afloat. Its Hemerdon tungsten mine in Devon is fully funded and customers have already been secured for

High street bellwether Marks & Spencer (MKS) jumps 8% to 437.1p as investors are relieved that half-year results aren't as bad as feared. Pre-tax profits of £268 million are ahead of the £252 million consensus and there's improved full-year guidance on gross margin and costs. General merchandise like-for-like sales continue to underperform, with clothing sales hit by warm September weather. We'v

Troubled mother and baby products retailer Mothercare (MTC) falls 4.1% to 179.13p on reports it has been forced to renegotiate bank loan terms a mere seven months after refinancing. The embattled high street brand, currently guided by interim chief executive officer Mark Newton-Jones, rocked the market with a severe profit warning in January. Responding to the media speculation, Mothercare says it

Confirmation that Stratmin Global Resources (STGR:AIM) is finally able to produce premium-priced carbon-rich graphite is reason to take another look at the Madagascar-based miner. A £2.5 million placing in March provides some comfort, yet there's still operational and financial risks to overcome before market sentiment may improve. Only investors with money they can afford to lose should consider

Emerging markets fund manager Ashmore (ASHM) dives 8.7% to 310.4p after unfavourable foreign exchange rates leave half-year earningsbelow consensus forecasts. Emerging markets turbulence has continued into 2014.With group operating profit falling by a third in 2013 and no growth in the dividend, investors' patience is really being testedin Ladbrokes (LAD). Yet the shares rise 2.4% to 154.6p for re

LEDs designer Dialight (DIA) is feeling the squeeze again with its obstruction lighting arm still under the cosh. New business for lights put on tall buildings, mobile masts and wind turbines, for example, have failed to materialise as hoped. This will hit full-year expectations. Dialight continues to see rapid 50%-plus growth on the industrial installation side, but investors mark the shares 14%

A quiet end to the week sees the FTSE 100 flat at 6,530 on a lack of big-name corporate news. The market is more interested in the imminent US jobs data.On the UK markets, FTSE 100 oil explorer Tullow Oil (TLW) slicks up 1.8% to £10.52 on news of a significant oil discovery in the Barents Sea offshore Norway. We look at the details in more depth here.Specialty insurer and reinsurer Lancashire (LR

Small cap resources group Stratmin Global (STGR:AIM) continues to struggle with efforts to build a commercial graphite mine in Madagascar. Its shares fall 13.7% to 15.75p after admitting that it won't be able to produce a high-quality product this month, as previously hoped. It needs to do further processing test work and plant upgrades as presently it cannot produce a consistent quality product.A

Production delays and fear of a cash call to support working capital requirements have dragged down shares in Madagascar-based graphite miner StratMin Global Resources (STGR:AIM). While it is disappointing to see the ramp-up in production pushed back until later this year, investors must consider that most new mines experience teething problems.At 14.62p, we believe the bad news is fully priced in