Author: James Crux
James Crux
James Crux writes extensively about funds and investment trusts and also specialises in retail, food and beverage sector stocks. He has spent 25 years working in the industry and was named Best Financial Consumer Journalist at the AIC Media Awards 2024 and 2025 for his work at Shares magazine (owned by AJ Bell). Before that, he was the editor of Growth Company Investor and a writer for investment and business titles What Investment and Business XL. James is a long-suffering West Ham supporter and a big fan of The Sopranos.
One of the stockmarket’s most exciting growth areas is Biotechnology, a sector which has been overlooked by many investors in recent years. In this article, Sharesify explains why this is a great time for investors to buy into the biotech recovery story. We also place three of our favourite biotech funds under the microscope for further examination. Why Biotech, why now? Medical research is finding breakthroughs via multiple new technologies, just as ‘Big Pharma’ companies are desperate to replace drugs going off patent. Also, mergers and acquisitions are back big time and despite a recent rally biotech sector valuations continue…
Shares in Next (NXT) rallied after the fashion retailer delivered forecast-beating FY26 profits. The FTSE 100 firm also flagged an ‘encouraging’ start to the new financial year. Accordingly, Next raised its FY27 profit guidance to £1.21 billion. That implies solid year-on-year earnings growth of 4.5%. However, the clothing colossus reiterated its forecast for growth to slow this year. It also warned the Iran conflict would likely impact costs, selling prices and consumer demand. Consistent delivery Led by Simon Wolfson, Next has a track record of under-promising and over-delivering. And the high street retailer has been on a hot streak in…
In the latest edition of the Sharesify Podcast, Ian and James discuss why markets remain difficult for investors to navigate due to the ‘tape bombs’ emanating from the White House. While the FTSE 100 has resurfaced above the 10,000 level, the FTSE 250 has been slower to recover. On the earnings front, James addresses the Middle East challenges facing protein powders-to-supplements firm Applied Nutrition (APN) and highlights this week’s fresh £300 million buyback from DIY retailer Kingfisher (KGF). The FTSE 100 retailer’s B&Q and Screwfix chains are on solid foundations but the French market remains a drag. Ian shines the spotlight on…
Shares in Franchise Brands (FRAN:AIM) rallied after the multi-brand franchisor delivered resilient FY25 results. The company also launched a £10 million buyback to reflect debt reduction progress and management’s confidence in the group’s prospects. Franchise Brands said it is ‘actively reviewing the strategic fit’ of businesses that do not support the ‘considerable’ potential of its key franchise networks. Any disposal proceeds would be used to accelerate balance sheet deleveraging. Led by CEO Peter Molloy, Franchise Brands also stressed it has ‘no current intention’ to transfer its listing to the Main Market. This addressed a key concern among AIM-focused investors. Essential…
Despite a mixed geopolitical backdrop, investment trust JPMorgan Claverhouse (JCH) outperformed its FTSE All-Share benchmark in FY25. The portfolio benefitted from good stock-picking as well as overweight allocations to the aerospace and defence, banking and insurance sectors. Furthermore, the total dividend for the year was increased by 2.3% to 36.2p. This marked the 53rd successive year of rising payouts from JPMorgan Claverhouse. The trust is one of the Association of Investment Companies’ revered ‘Dividend Heroes’. These are trusts that have consistently increased their dividends for 20 or more years in a row. To learn more about the fund, its process…
Shares in Itaconix (ITX:AIM) jumped after the specialty polymers innovator delivered record annual revenues. Sales rocketed 61% higher to top $10 million for the first time in FY25. Guided by CEO John R. Shaw, the group’s FY25 adjusted EBITDA loss improved from $1.8 million to $600,000. And Itaconix remains confident of delivering positive adjusted EBITDA for the first time in FY26. Analysts are forecasting earnings of $300,000 on $13.3 million of revenue. Encouragingly, Itaconix entered 2026 with ‘strong order momentum’ as well as a growing pipeline of projects. Sustainable growth Itaconix is a sustainable ingredients and additives company, making polymers…
Shares in CVS (CVSG:AIM) rose after the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) finally concluded its veterinary services market investigation. The competition watchdog launched its probe to address weak competition and soaring prices in the UK’s £6.7 billion-plus vets sector. There was relief among CVS investors, and shareholders in Pets at Home (PETS), as the CMA’s final decision did not introduce new remedies beyond those announced in its provisional decision. Certainty at last CVS is the AIM-listed veterinary services provider operating in the UK and Australia. The company ‘welcomes the certainty that this morning’s announcement brings after more than two and…
Spire Healthcare (SPI) tumbled 20% to 154p after buyout firms Bridgepoint (BPT) and Triton Partners terminated bid talks with the private hospitals operator. Investors hoping for a £1 billion-plus takeover of the FTSE 250 firm had chased the shares higher last week. In a statement posted on 20 March, Spire said the board ‘remains in discussions with other parties in relation to a potential sale of the company’. However, Spire warned there can be ‘no certainty that any offer will be made for the company nor as to the terms of any offer, if made. The board and management are also…
Shares in Applied Nutrition (APN) plunged 11% to 196.4p after the company warned of ‘some reduction’ in Middle East volumes due to the Iran conflict. The alert overshadowed forecast-beating results from the company, whose shareholders include brand ambassador Coleen Rooney. The sports nutrition, health and wellness brand also reiterated its FY26 performance will be H1-weighted. This reflects higher retailer stock levels ahead of the peak January period and accelerated demand for H1 product launches. ‘Cognisant’ of current challenges Founded by CEO Thomas Ryder, Applied Nutrition’s products are targeted at elite athletes, gym goers and health-conscious consumers. The protein powders-to-supplements producer…
Shares in The Works (WRKS) rallied 20% to 44p after the cut-price books-to-toys retailer shuttered its online business and raised FY27 guidance. The Birmingham-based company operates a profitable estate of 500-plus UK stores. The Works blamed repeated failures by third-party fulfilment partners for making its loss-making online channel unviable. The company sells affordable, screen-free activities for the whole family. Products span arts and crafts, toys and games as well as books. The Works’ online channel will revert to a browse-only website with immediate effect. However, the website will serve as a shop window to The Works’ brand and stores, enabling…