Shares in packaging group MPAC (MPAC) hit a two-year low after the firm warned of an ‘uncertain’ FY outlook. While the group stuck to its guidance, it admitted predicting the timing of customer orders had become ‘difficult’. Order flow slowed MPAC, which manufactures automated packaging machinery, posted solid FY25 results with a 42% jump in revenue. Orders rose 25% to £151 million, but the closing order book was only £90 million, down 24% on FY24. The firm said FY26 results would be H2 weighted, as in previous years. However, given ‘increasingly uncertain market conditions’ it can’t assess the timing of…

Shares in housebuilder Crest Nicholson (CRST) collapsed 35% after the firm lowered its outlook for FY26 revenue and earnings. Today’s update comes less than a month after the company issued positive guidance at its AGM on 25 March. The firm blamed soft land prices, cost pressures, high interest rates and weak consumer confidence due to the Iran conflict. Eating its words The group, which builds mid-premium homes across the Midlands and Southern England, issued a positive trading statement four weeks ago. It hailed a ‘sustained improvement’ in the sales rate since mid-January helped by ‘encouraging levels of customer enquiries’. Moreover,…

Micro-cap plastic products maker Coral Products (CRU) has warned it will miss its FY26 targets due to delayed orders. The firm said the timing of existing contracts and new customer wins had been affected by the ongoing Middle East siutation. Delayed revenue Coral makes specialist plastics, primarily for the food packaging, personal care products and the construction and telecoms markets. The group has manufacturing and distribution facilities throughout the North West of England. Trading during the final quarter of FY26, which ends this month, has been ‘adversely affected’ by the timing of revenues. The delays have affected existing contracts and…

AIM-listed insurance and workplace benefits business Personal Group (PGH) is an exciting growth story with rising margins and a strong balance sheet. After a year of significant strategic progress in 2025, the business has entered 2026 with strong momentum. Personal Group aims to be the champion of affordable and accessible insurance and benefits, keeping companies and their workforces happy, healthy and protected. Insurance revenue and new premium sales are both growing at double-digit rates and 90% of revenue is recurring. With zero debt and £29 million of net cash, close to 30% of its market value, the company looks seriously…

Shares in gambling firm Evoke (EVOK) gained 6% to 41.2p after the company confirmed press talk it had received a bid approach. The rally takes the advance in the shares to over 80% year-to-date. US interest Evoke, which owns the William Hill, 888 and Mr Green brands, said it was in discussions with US firm Bally’s Corp. The US firm has proposed an all-share combination, plus a second plan with a partial cash component, valuing Evoke at 50p/share. Bally’s has until 18 May to announce a firm intention to make a bid or walk away. As usual, there is no…

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…