Fund management group Polar Capital (LON:POLR), known for its flagship Technology and Health Care funds, posted record AuM (assets under management) in FY26. Encouragingly, momentum has continued into the current FY with assets rising further still. For the year to 31 March, Polar’s AuM increased 43% to £30.6 billion while operating profit rose 49% to £76.9 million. Positive fund performance accounted for £8.8 billion or the bulk of the increase in AuM. Net inflows of £902 million accounted for the rest of the increase, marking the second year running of positive fund flows. AuM by type at 31 March 2026…

Digital services provider to the public sector Made Tech (LON:MTEC) posted a strong FY trading update and raised guidance again. The AIM-listed firm said activity had exceeded its expectations and its results would exceed its previously upgraded forecasts. Raising guidance again For the year to May, the group expects revenue of £58.9 million, up 27% and ahead of market expectations. The company-compiled consensus is £57.5 million, up from £55 million at the 1H stage when the firm raised its outlook. Adjusted EBITDA is expected to rise 69% to £5.9 million compared with the latest consensus of £5.6 million. At the…

Supermarket group J Sainsbury (LON:SBRY) maintained its FY27 earnings and free cash flow guidance after a positive Q1 performance. Group LFL sales were up 2.1% in the 16 weeks to 20 June, driven by a 3.6% increase in grocery sales, ahead of the market. Positive start Despite a strong prior-year period, when grocery sales increased 5%, Sainsbury’s delivered positive growth in Q1. The 3.6% rise was ahead of house broker Shore Capital’s forecast of 2.75% to 3.25% and ahead of the market. It was also well ahead of Tesco’s (LON:TESCO) 1.8% LFL sales growth in the 13 weeks to 30…

Nicola Takada Wood, Asset Value Investor’s managing director for Japan, outlines the investment case for AVI Japan Opportunity Trust (AJOT). This active engagement strategy capitalises on the increased focus on corporate governance, balance sheet efficiency and shareholder returns in the Land of the Rising Sun. Nicola says global asset allocators have consistently overlooked Japan for decades. For this and many other reasons, she tells our audience why investors haven’t ‘missed the boat’. Our special guest explains AJOT’s investment process, which selects the most promising opportunities from frequent screening and comprehensive research. Takada Wood drills down on the trust’s constructive approach…

Specialist industrial technology group Porvair (LON:PRV) posted record revenue and profit for H1 2026. The group also confirmed its FY26 outlook, although factoring in recent acquisitions earnings could top forecasts. Metals demand leads King’s Lynn-based Porvair specialises in filtration, laboratory and environmental technology and serves the aerospace, industrial and life science sectors. It also designs and manufactures porous ceramic filters for the metals industry and is a world leader in the filtration of aluminium and super alloys. For the six months to end-May, the group reported a 9% rise in revenue and a 10% rise in adjusted pre-tax profit. Aerospace…

Investors can look forward to another busy next week in terms of consumer companies reporting, especially in the UK. Names in the frame include Associated British Foods (LON:ABF), Cake Box (LON:CBOX), Curry’s (LON:CURY) and Sainsbury’s (LON:SBRY). It’s a similar story in the US, although the intensity of reporting is considerably reduced compared with previous weeks. Investors will be watching Constellation Brands (NYSE:STZ), General Mills (NYSE:GIS) and Nike (NYSE:NKE) in particular. Why Moonpig is flying high today Associated British Foods (LON:ABF) Unloved conglomerate Associated British Foods (LON:ABF) will remain friendless unless its Q3 update (1 July) shows improved trading trends across…

Tim Lewis explains how JPMorgan European Growth & Income (JEGI) generates consistent market-beating returns by investing in continental European equities. The manager outlines the team’s approach in building a balanced portfolio which outperforms through economic and investment cycles. Lewis goes on to explain how the trust applies top-down macro tailwinds with bottom-up stock catalysts which support the fundamentals. Using these factors, combined with active management, the team is able to identify diversified sources of outperformance. Key questions the team ask are is it a good business, is it attractively valued and is the outlook improving. Finally, Lewis reveals how these…

Low-cost airline easyJet (LON:EZJ) said it rejected the latest offer from US firm Castlelake, pitched at 650p per share. However, the firm left the door open to a higher offer and extended the PUSU (put up or shut up) deadline to 5 July. Close but no cigar To recap, specialist aviation investor Castlelake has made four offers so far. Its latest 650p per share gambit values easyJet’s equity at £4.9 billion against a current market cap of around £4 billion. The US investor clarified again easyJet would be owned by a holding company 51% owned by EU nationals to comply…

The takeover saga at Advanced Medical Solutions (LON:AMS) appears to be finally drawing to a close. The AIM-listed surgical products maker has agreed a £660 million takeover by US peer HB Fuller (NYSE:FUL). Fuller follows through Having revealed its interest on 21 May, HB Fuller announced today it had reached agreement on a 285p cash offer. The price represents a 35% premium to the close on 20 May and a 19% premium on last night’s close. AMS had previously been in buyout tallks with private equity firm TA Associates. On 18 May, AMS shares tumbled 19% to 201p after TA…

Shares in UK asset manager Liontrust (LON:LIO) leapt on news the outflow of funds had slowed in the latest quarter. The company said it would release a fuller trading update for the three months to 30 June on 22 July. Shift in flows From the start of April 2026 to date, Liontrust registered total net outflows of £276 million. While not ideal, that marked a slowdown from the £836 million of outflows it suffered in the previous quarter. Moreover, gross institutional inflows this quarter have topped £500 million. CEO John Ions put the improvement down to the expansion of the…