More S&P 500 companies have issued positive Q1 earnings guidance than at any time in the last five years, according to FactSet. At the same time, the number of S&P companies issuing negative Q1 EPS guidance is close to a five-year low. So far, of the 110 index members who have issued quarterly guidance, 59 are positive while 51 are negative. This marks the highest number of positive outlooks since Q2 2021 and the lowest level of negative outlooks since Q4 2021. Guidance is classified as positive if the company’s EPS estimate is above the mean estimate the day before…

Student accomodation provider Unite Group (UTG) said it was stepping up asset sales to boost income this year. The group reiterated rental growth and occupancy levels would both be at the lower end of forecasts in FY26. Low end of guidance So far, the company has sold £130 million of property assets and another £500 million are earmarked for sale. The firm expects asset sales this year to be between £300 million and £400 million. Unite warned in February it had seen weaker student demand in a number of university towns and cities. The number of international and postgraduate students…

Greek conglomerate Metlen Energy & Metals (MTLN) reaffirmed its medium-term guidance despite a sharp drop in FY25 earnings. The firm, which listed in London last summer, has a market cap of €5.3 billion (£4.6 billion) and is a FTSE 100 member. Work in progress For the year to December 2025, Metlen posted sales of €7.1 billion (£6.2 billion), up 25% on the previous year. The increase was driven by a doubling of revenue in Infrastructure and Concessions and a strong performance in Renewables. However, EBITDA fell 30% to €753 million (£650 million) due to cost overruns and delays on major…

The board of specialist contractor Van Elle (VANL) has agreed a takeover by Austrian group Strabag at a 58% premium. Shares in AIM-listed Van Elle jumped 55% to 51p in response. Strong strategic fit The all-cash deal is pitched at 52.3p per VANL share against a closing price last night of 33p, valuing the company at £58.8 million. Strabag is acquiring the firm through its UK subsidiary which already has an established position in ground engineering. Van Elle’s main business is infrastructure-related, providing services like open site piling, ground improvement and stabilisation. It is contracted by larger firms such as…

In today’s Podcast, the Sharesify team discuss another crazy week for stocks after the US and Iran agreed a ceasefire. Is this the biggest TACO in history? Appraently not, Ian reckons. With the FTSE 100 up over 2% and European markets up 3% to 4%, it’s a banner day for stocks. In the US, index futures are pointing to gains of 2% to 3% for the S&P 500 and Nasdaq, says Steve. James talks us through why results at car dealer Motorpoint (MOTR) were better than expected. Also, why Bill Ackman’s Pershing Square (PSH) is pushing the boat out with a bid…

Shares in Close Brothers (CBG) leapt 17% to 458p after the lender issued a positive update on motor finance claims. The cost of the scheme is now expected to be broadly in line with the group’s existing provisions, meaning it doesn’t need to raise fresh capital. Claims ‘comfortably absorbed’ Following the FCA’s revised guidance, Close Brothers says the compensation scheme will cost it around £320 million. Given it has already provisioned £294 million, the balance can therefore be ‘comfortably absorbed by existing capital resources’. This would reduce the group’s CET1 (core equity tier one) capital ratio by just 0.25% to…

Oil giant Shell (SHEL) cut its outlook for Q1 ahead of the publication of its results on 7 May. The company now expects a quarterly loss of $800 million to $1 billion against $400 million to $600 million previously. Temporary decrease Shell warned its Q1 natural gas output would be lower than forecast due to the Middle East conflict. Natural gas is the firm’s biggest source of revenue and profit, representing around 37% of this year’s earnings. Output is seen at 880,000 to 920,000 boepd (barrels of oil equivalent per day) against 920,000 to 980,000 boepd previously. Production in Qatar…

The Artemis II mission, which has seen astronauts travel further from Earth than ever before, has captured the public and investors’ imagination and put the spotlight on space stocks. Meanwhile, SpaceX is preparing to go public later this year at a record valuation, and the limited free float is set to drive demand to the stars. So, how can retail investors tap into the ‘space economy’, which is reckoned to be worth $1.8 trillion within a decade? Here we list some of the UK stocks with space exposure, along with several European and US players. To boldly go According to…

As the turmoil in markets rolls into Q2, we have put together a list of the most shorted UK and US stocks. Having done the same exercise at the end of 2025 and again at the end of February, there are some notable changes. For the uninitiated, short selling involves borrowing stock and selling with the aim of buying back at a lower price. We have to stress this is only suitable for professional and institutional investors, NOT for retail investors. This is because the ‘risk-reward’ involves a great deal more risk than reward. The reward is limited, as even…

This week we spin through what to expect from US beverage giant Constellation Brands (STZ) and energy major Shell (SHEL). 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. Constellation Brands (STZ) Beer, wine and spirits producer Constellation Brands (STZ) uncorks Q4 and FY26 earnings after the US market close on 8 April. Given the tough backdrop for alcoholic beverages, shareholders will…