Valuations for the small-cap asset class have returned to levels last seen during the Global Financial Crisis, and history shows that when valuations have plunged to similarly low levels in the past, stellar returns have ensued for small caps over the subsequent five years.A savvy way to gain differentiated exposure to this structurally-inefficient part of the market is through value-focused...

A mistake investors frequently repeat is chasing in-vogue, go-go-growth shares and shunning the 'steady eddies' of the stock market.It is easy to understand how electric car maker Tesla captures the imagination, even as it burns through cash, while online fashion retailers including Amazon and ASOS (ASC:AIM) may be disrupting industries and grabbing market share, but their gravity-defying...

Specialist industrial fastenings engineer Trifast (TRI) is expected to emerge virtually debt-free by the end of its current financial year. The Sussex-based business supplies bespoke solutions to motor manufacturers, heavy industry and electronics customers across Europe and Asia. Strong cash generation is expected to leave net debt at just £0.1m for the 12 months to 31 March 2018. (SF)

Industrial parts distributor Trifast (TRI) flags potential weakness in its UK business but decent growth prospects elsewhere in a half-year results statement.In the UK, where Trifast generates around a quarter of its revenue, executive chairman Malcolm Diamond says the business is already experiencing pricing pressure after sterling's depreciation against most major currencies.Business...

London's FTSE 100 nudges up a meagre 3 points to 6,810 as investors sit on the sidelines ahead of the impending US election result. The blue chip benchmark surged 113.64 points higher on Monday in hope of a Hillary Clinton victory across the pond.Sweetening things up for investors is conglomerate Associated British Foods (ABF), which firms 6.1% to £26.40 on better-than-expected full year...

Margin growth is stalling and valuations look stretched among the quoted engineers, meaning investors need to tread carefully when looking at stocks in the sector.Shares warned the rally in engineering stocks was running out of steam when we last looked at the sector (24 Apr 2014, Spanner in the Works). Total returns in the FTSE All-Share industrial engineering index have subsequently been...

London shares put in a strong showing in early trade on Monday as markets rebound, after a heavy sell-off the previous session, as sentiment recovers over the weekend following stimulus measures in China. The benchmark FTSE 100 is up around 60 points, or 0.9%, at 7,057 in early deals, with mining stocks leading the charge, including a 3.2% rise for Anglo American (AAL) to £10.43, heading the...

Ready to flowEnergy supply and micro combined heat and power (mCHP) boiler designer Flowgroup (FLOW:AIM) is believed to be close to having the first units roll off the production line of manufacturing partner Jabil Circuit (JBL:NYSE). First boiler sales are predicted in January ahead of Britain's boiler replacement annual peak. (SFr)Serco story unravelsTroubles persist for FTSE 100 outsourcing...

With the UK interim reporting season just getting into full swing the portents from the US provide encouraging read-across to this side of the Atlantic. Seventy six per cent of S&P 500 companies have beaten earnings per share (EPS) expectations with second quarter results. With a similar improving economic backdrop in the UK, now is a good time to look at the stocks on London's Main Market and...

Results > Tuesday 17 June > FinalsTrifast (TRI:AIM) 127.0pIndustrial fasteners business Trifast (TRI:AIM) is likely to provide additional commentary on the £22.5 million capture of Italian rival Viterie Italia Centrale when it announces finals next week (17 Jun). Broker finnCap lifted its earnings per share forecasts for the current financial year by 23% to 7.5p when the deal was announced (7...

Turnaround stories are highly desired by investors with an appetite for risk. Get your timing right and stocks can soar in value once the market realises problems have been fixed. Because the stock market is forward looking, prices can start to re-rate ahead of a company confirming its recovery is in full swing. But that doesn't necessarily mean you've missed the boat. The challenge is...

Credit agency Experian (EXPN) falls 6.1% to £10.65 after full-year results flag short-term headwinds. Subdued trading in Brazil and a likely hit to revenue in the US, due to operational changes, are combining to constrain growth in the first half of its new financial year. Read our latest view on Experian in this cover story on investment themes from December 2013 which flagged some of the...

UK investors seeking to profit from the proven investment principles of Warren Buffett need not splash out $190,557-a-pop on shares in Berkshire Hathaway (BRK/A:NYSE). There is an alternative pathway to build and preserve wealth along the guidelines of the legendary 'Sage of Omaha'.It is provided by modest-yet-steely Keith Ashworth-Lord, founder of Sanford DeLand Asset Management and manager...

Industrial fastenings maker Trifast (TRI) gains 5.8% to 88.1p as a positive pre-close trading update prompts earnings upgrades.The company says results for the year to March 2014 - scheduled for mid-June - will be exceed market expectations. It attributes the uplift to an improved macro backdrop and increased demand. The benefits of this increased demand have been seen across most of its...

Carpets manufacturer Victoria (VCP:AIM) vaults 10.7% higher to 346p on news profits for the year to 29 March will be better-than-expected, boosted by successful turnaround initiatives and last year's acquisition of Westex Carpets.Global beer brewing behemoth SABMiller (SAB) sags 2.2% to £30.55 on a soggy full-year and fourth quarter trading update. The Grolsch-to-Peroni Nastro Azzurroi maker...

Turn the PageUnfavourable foreign exchange rates could take the shine off Michael Page International's (MPI) first-quarter numbers (15 Apr) as experienced by sector peer Robert Walters (RWA) (7 Apr). Page has operations in the Asia Pacific, North and South America and Russia, as well as a presence across Europe. (DC)Dial into ManxKeep an eye on next week's first results from Isle of Man...

Analysts are forced to downgrade earnings forecasts for John Menzies (MNZS) after a disappointing trading update. The shares fall 7.4% to 759p as the support services group flags a weak turn in its distribution arm. Business hasn't been very good with ancillary revenues, sticker collections and even its growing marketing services arm doesn't look like it will meet previous...

Interim results: Tuesday 12 NovemberIndustrial fasteners maker Trifast (TRI) is set to update the market on its results for the six months to 30 September. The last trading update (15 Aug) was bullish citing new opportunities in Asia and the US, with a particular emphasis on the electronics and automotive sectors. Investors will be looking for topline growth to justify the current rating of...

Golden Virginia-to-Gauloises Blondes maker Imperial Tobacco (IMT) puffs up 1.7% to £21.91 on reassurance it is on track to meet full-year forecasts with the help of at least £30 million of cost savings. Over the nine months to 30 June, volumes and revenues fall 7% and 3% respectively, a weaker-than-expected performance reflecting tough market conditions across the EU, notably in Spain, as...

Our Plays of the Week portfolio continues to hugely outperform the broader stock market, a reflection of the rewards on offer from well-researched share selections. Over the past 12 months, our portfolio has produced a 10.7% return (before dividends) versus a mere 4% gain from the FTSE All-Share on a trade-related, 'time-exposed' comparable basis.Shares Plays of the Week +10.7%FTSE All-Share...