With the US Q1 reporting season under way, we flag crucial earnings incoming next week from AI infrastructure stock Lam Research (LRCX). We also explain what to look for from Primark-to-Kingsmill owner Associated British Foods (ABF) and Dettol-to-Durex owner Reckitt Benckiser (RKT). Remember, if you value this content, or any of our analysis features and stories, let us know at editorial@sharesify.com. Also, like us on X, Bluesky, Facebook or LinkedIn and be sure to click that ‘follow’ button. And don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel, where you’ll find a wealth of investing podcast material. Lam Research (LRCX) We’ve been talking quite a…

Shares in green hydrogen producer ITM Power (ITM) surged 40% on news the firm had signed a major strategic deal. The agreement with Germany’s Rheinmetall is for ‘several hundred’ plants across Europe to make synthetic fuel for NATO armed forces. Large-scale deployment German firm Rheinmetall, one of Europe’s leading defence contractors, has a project called Giga PtX. The project aims to strengthen defence energy resilience, sovereign fuel capability and operational readiness through decentralised sites for synthetic fuel production. The plan is to build several hundred plants, each with an electrolysis capacity of up to 50 MW and able to produce…

Specialist electronics maker DiscoverIE (DSCV) posted a positive trading update for the year to March 2026. Activity across the group accelerated in the final quarter, resulting in ‘a strong sequential increase’ in sales and orders. Strong demand The firm said its Magnetics & Controls division, which represents around 60% of sales and earnings, saw a strong pick-up in demand. Customers in the industrial and healthcare sectors were particularly active, and Control orders were up sharply for the third quarter running. The Sensing & Connectivity division, which makes up around 40% of sales and earnings, made ‘encouraging progress’. Orders were particularly…

AIM-listed veterinary products firm Animalcare (ANCR) has agreed a takeover by CPP Paw 2, backed by Charterhouse Capital. The cash offer, at 336p per share or a 36% premium to yesterday’s close, values the business at £235.2 million. ‘A superior outcome’ Animalcare said while it was ‘highly confident’ of its standalone prospects, it had received and considered several approaches in recent years. Having evaluated the offer against its growth strategy, the board believes a takeover represents ‘a superior outcome for stakeholders’. The group’s aim was to drive revenue growth in the medium term through organic growth, M&A and new products.…

At-home beauty device maker The Beauty Tech Group (TBTG) posted glowing FY25 results. The firm also raised its profit guidance for this year, its third upgrade since coming to market in October 2025. Margin expansion For the year to December, total revenue rose 39% to £141 million. Within that, own-brand revenue jumped 60% from £88 million to £140.9 million. Sales of the firm’s CurrentBody Skin LED face mask soared 59% to £126 million, while ZIIP Beauty sales climbed 46% to £13 million. Impressively, group gross margins increased from 56.8% to 62.7% with ZIIP Beauty margins expanding to 71.7%. Adjusted EBITDA…

Construction and fit-out group Morgan Sindall (MGNS) has raised its 2026 outlook for the second time this year. The board now sees group pre-tax profit ‘significantly ahead of previous expectations’, which it only set out in February. Strong trading The firm operates through several divisions: Partnership Housing & Mixed-Use Partnerships, Infrastructure, Construction and Fit Out. The improved outlook is largely due to strong trading activity and increased visibility in the Construction and Fit Out divisions. Revenue at the Construction business is now seen at £1.4 billion for the year against £1.3 billion previously, excluding property services. Meanwhile, the operating margin…

Wall Street titan JPMorgan Chase (JPM) saw its shares drop overnight despite a double-digit surge in trading income. Analysts attributed the drop to comments by CEO Jamie Dimon over the ‘increasingly complex set of risks’ facing the economy. Trading-driven quarter For Q1, the bank reported revenue of $50.5 billion against $46 billion last year and a consensus of $48.6 billion. A large part of the ‘beat’ came from investment banking where Markets revenue hit a record $11.6 billion. EPS came in at $5.94 against $5.07 a year ago and a consensus of $5.46, continuing the bank’s record of trouncing forecasts.…

Pensions and retirement savings group Standard Life (SDLF) has agreed to buy Aegon UK for £2 billion. The deal will create the UK’s second-biggest player in both workplace pensions and retail pensions and savings. Substantial synergies The enlarged group will have 16 million customers and total assets under administration of £480 billion. Total net synergies are projected at £800 million, including £340 million of one-off savings and £110 million of annual savings. Standard Life is funding the deal with £750 million of cash and the issuance of 18.1 million new shares to Dutch assurer Aegon. Shares will be issued using…

Housebuilder Barratt Redrow (BTRW) confirmed its targets for FY26 housing completions and pre-tax profit, lifting its shares 1.6% to 262p. The group also raised its target for year-end net cash to £550 million to £650 million from £400 million to £500 million previously. ‘Good demand’ For Q3, covering the 13 weeks to 29 March, the firm said it saw ‘a resilient reservation rate underpinned by good customer demand’. It also said it expected the Middle East siuation to have ‘limited impact’ on its FY26 performance. As a result, it should deliver between 17,200 and 17,800 new homes by the end…

In the latest special edition of the podcast, the team welcomes Nick Britton, Research and Content Director at the AIC (Association of Investment Companies). With his wealth of experience, Nick discusses investment trust trends, discounts, activists, dividend heroes and much more. First, we get an insight into the AIC’s vision and how it aims to help investors. Nick also runs through what sets investment trusts apart from open-ended funds and ETFs and their overall appeal. Next, our guest talks through some of the many interesting trends within the sector, including premiums and discounts and the notable rise in activism, not…