The pain lingers for long-suffering shareholders in packaging and paper producer Mondi (MNDI). Shares in the containerboard-to-paper bag maker have shed 65% of their value over the past five years and are down over 15% year-to-date. Mondi was the biggest FTSE 100 faller on Friday morning after a Q1 earnings miss sent investors heading for the exits. In a poorly-received update, the Weybridge-headquartered firm also warned it has experienced increased energy, raw material and logistics costs across the business. Mondi is responding to increased costs from the Iran war by hiking prices. But investors will have to wait until Q3…

In our latest podcast, Sharesify’s James Crux and Ian Conway welcome Joe Bauernfreund, CEO and CIO of Asset Value Investors and the manager of AVI Global Trust (AGT). Our special guest talks us through AVI Global Trust’s unique investment approach and explains how he finds the ‘hidden gems’ other investors overlook. Bauernfreund also points to situations where AVI Global has successfully deployed its activist approach and shareholders have reaped the rewards. He also explains why corporate governance changes in South in Korea should lead to a re-rating of companies, as they have in neighbouring Japan. Lastly, our guest concedes that the fund’s investment in French…

Supermarket chain Sainsbury’s (SBRY) delivered in-line FY26 profits after outperforming the UK grocery market for the sixth year in a row. Led by CEO Simon Roberts, the FTSE 100 giant also hailed a ‘positive start’ to FY27 with ‘continued strong grocery momentum’. So why were shares in the groceries-to-general merchandise seller flashing red today? Well, Sainsbury’s warned uncertainty caused by the Middle East conflict is clouding ‌the outlook and could drag profits lower this year. The warning echoed concerns raised by arch-rival Tesco (TSCO) earlier this month. Investors were also unimpressed by subdued trading at the group’s Argos general merchandise…

High street retailer Shoe Zone (SHOE:AIM) slipped to a five-year low after the budget footwear retailer downgraded its FY26 outlook after experiencing ‘challenging’ Q1 trading. In part, the retailer blamed the Middle East conflict for dwindling demand for its cut-price boots, shoes and slippers. For the year ending 3 October 2026, Shoe Zone is now guiding to an adjusted loss before tax in the £1 million to £2 million range. That compares to previous expectations of a £1 million adjusted pre-tax profit and represents a whopping £2.5 million downgrade. Confidence rocked In a brief trading update, Shoe Zone blamed the…

In one of the strangest stock market stories of the year-to-date, shares in shoe brand Allbirds (BIRD) soared 580% on 15 April. The catalyst was the company’s announcement of plans to pivot from footwear to artificial intelligence (AI). A firm whose stock had collapsed from over $500 post-IPO to under $3, with no track record in data centres or enterprise infrastructure, is now an AI infrastructure player. Allbirds’ meteoric one-day rise evokes memories of the ‘meme stock’ phenomenon that gained prominence during Covid. The lockdown period saw shares in video games retailer Gamestop (GME), cinema chain AMC Entertainment (AMC) and…

Shares in Reckitt Benckiser (RKT) plunged to a 52-week low after the consumer health and hygiene giant’s Q1 sales missed estimates. The FTSE 100 company pinned the blame on disruption in the Middle East, a weak finish to the cold and flu season and ‘challenging’ trading in Europe. The company also warned of a possible £130 million-to-£150 million cost hit should oil prices stay high due to the Iran war. And the Strepsils-to-Gaviscon maker said consumer demand would also be impacted if commodity prices remain elevated. Q1 sales disappoint ‘Core Reckitt’ like-for-like sales rose 1.3% in the quarter to March…

Shares in Gear4music (G4M:AIM) gained ground after the online musical instruments retailer’s FY26 results breezed past recently-upgraded market expectations. The guitars, drums and pianos seller also insisted its strong revenue growth has continued into April 2026. As such, the York-based company remains confident of building on ‘the substantial financial progress achieved in FY26’. Beat across the board Gear4music hailed a strong year to March 2026 performance with significant revenue, EBITDA and pre-tax profit growth ahead of recently raised market expectations. Total sales ticked up 30% to £190.7 million in Fy26. That was comfortably above the £186.4 million consensus estimate and…

Conglomerate Associated British Foods (ABF) has decided to spin off budget fashion chain Primark. The retail arm’s demerger from the food business follows years of speculation regarding a breakup of the FTSE 100 group. The decision to demerge Primark was taken after a review of ABF’s structure in a bid to improve returns. Shares in ABF fell on the news, though the other catalyst for selling was the group’s H1 earnings miss. ABF also warned of ‘a risk to Primark sales’ if the Middle East conflict persists and consumer spending deteriorates. In addition, the company has become ‘more cautious’ on…

Shares in Advanced Medical Solutions (AMS:AIM) surged to a two-year high after the tissue-healing tech specialist confirmed it is in takeover talks with TA Associates. The Cheshire-based business was responding to recent press speculation surrounding a potential private equity bid. However, the company cautioned there can be no certainty a firm offer will be made, or on what terms. Last year, Advanced Medical Solutions held talks with Montagu Private Equity before the prospective suitor walked away. Another private equity player, Bridgepoint (BPT), has also been linked as a potential buyer for this fast growing and dividend-paying company. Predator turned prey Led…

Shares in Supreme (SUP:AIM) gained ground after the fast-moving consumer goods supplier upgraded FY26 sales and earnings guidance. The Manchester-based group attributed the upgrade to the ‘significant growth’ seen in vape sales in the year to March 2026, as well as the positive impact from acquisitions and new products. Earnings ‘significantly ahead’ Guided by entrepreneurial founder and CEO Sandy Chadha, FY26 was a record year for the vapes, drinks, batteries and lighting business company. Supreme now expects revenue and adjusted EBITDA to be ‘significantly ahead’ of consensus estimates. Analysts were calling for sales in the £245 million ballpark and adjusted…