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.
In the latest Sharesify podcast, the gang discuss tech stocks, the frenetic pace of M&A and the FTSE 250’s re-rating potential. Steven dissects another busy week of tech results. Netflix (NASDAQ:NFLX), IBM (NYSE:IBM) and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TPE:2330) all delivered updates. Next up, Ian delves into the latest UK M&A action. This week saw Rotork (LON:ROR) agree a cash offer from ABB (SWX:ABBN) at a 73% premium, while a bidding war for Alternative Income REIT (LON:AIRE) broke out. James brings us up to speed with the latest from the luxury sector. He also teases his new mid caps feature. The FTSE…
British luxury goods group Burberry (LON:BRBY) racked up sales growth in all divisions for the first time in three years in Q1. This encouraging result demonstrated that CEO Joshua Schulman’s turnaround strategy is working. Increased spending by well-heeled US shoppers offset the negative impact of the Middle East conflict. And the London-headquartered fashion house upgraded H1 FY27 wholesale guidance following a positive response from partners. So why was Burberry the biggest faller on the FTSE 100 in early deals on Friday? Well, Q1 comparable sales growth of 5% came in shy of more optimistic forecasts. And the trench coats-to-cashmere scarves…
Want to invest in the companies of the future? Look no further than the FTSE 250. This mid cap stock index comprises the 101st to 350th largest companies on the London Stock Exchange. Mid caps are a sweet spot for innovation and disruption. Unlike many small cap companies, mid cap firms tend to have proven business models and more resilient balance sheets. And in contrast to most large cap giants, mid caps usually have a long growth runway ahead of them. Generally speaking, mid caps are more agile than often limbering large caps. This allows them to scale rapidly, innovate and…
A bidding war for commercial property-focused fund Alternative Income REIT (LON:AIRE) has broken out with AEW UK REIT (LON:AEWU) re-entering the fray. AEWU, whose management group AEW previously ran AIRE, is mulling a possible all-share offer at a 6% discount to AIRE’s NAV. This is a more attractive offer than the cash bid on the table from Glenstone REIT. Glenstone is AIRE’s largest shareholder with a 25% stake. An AEWU takeover would allow AIRE’s investors to retain a position in a listed REIT that has paid an 8p per share annual dividend since 2016. Earnings accretive deal AEWU is considering…
Shares in Dunelm (LON:DNLM) rallied after the UK homewares leader maintained FY26 profit guidance off the back of ‘solid’ Q4 sales. The cushions-to-curtains seller’s CEO Clo Moriarty insisted Dunelm’s best growth opportunities are ‘still in front of us’. Moriarty plans to set out her bold growth strategy for the FTSE 250 business in September. A ‘solid’ showing The bedding-to-kitchenware purveyor assured investors FY26 pre-tax profits will be in line with the company-compiled consensus estimate of £210 million. This followed the delivery of ‘solid’ Q4 sales of £428 million, up 2.9% year-on-year despite a tough consumer spending backdrop. Q4 sales growth…
In the latest Sharesify podcast, the team talk US indices testing new highs. They also discuss defensive trusts and why dog-wash machines are a growth driver for one unique, UK-listed stock. Tech whizz Steven talks us through another impressive quarter from Dutch chip equipment manufacturer ASML (AMS:ASML). He also explains why a joint takeover proposal from Stripe and Advent has thrust PayPal (NASDAQ:PYPL) back into the spotlight. Income seeker Ian lends us his view on Barratt Redrow (LON:BTRW), BP (LON:BP.) and blowout results from US banks. And James walks us through encouraging updates from consumer-facing firms Dr Martens (LON:DOCS) and Sosandar (LON:SOS). The…
Out-of-favour renewables trust NextEnergy Solar (LON:NESF) rallied on news the company has put itself up for sale. The board blamed the decision on a wide share price discount to net asset value (NAV) that has ‘persisted for several years’. It also bemoaned the short-term horizons of some investors. The launch of a formal sales process comes as no great surprise. It follows the sales process conducted by rival Bluefield Solar Income Fund (LON:BSIF). This culminated in a successful £548 million bid from Drax (LON:DRX). NextEnergy Solar’s proposed dividend cut and capital recycling plan also met with a poor investor reaction. The…
Shares in Dr Martens (LON:DOCS) flashed green after the British footwear brand flagged growth in the US and maintained FY27 guidance. Investors were relieved as the firm insisted trading since the start of the financial year has met expectations. Back in May, Dr Martens announced a return to profit growth for FY26. This confirmed its Levers for Growth strategy is working. Profit growth was delivered despite a 29% drop in revenue to £764.9 million as the boot brand pulled back on clearance activity. The move was designed to improve the quality of its revenues and protect margins as part of CEO…
Risk-averse investors are now asking whether AI and technology stocks are in a bubble. The AI trade has boosted the performance of the US equity market for some time, but many now believe the market is overvalued. Bears argue we are close to a market top and see signs of irrational exuberance everywhere they look. Elon Musk’s SpaceX (NASDAQ:SPCX) recently floated at a stratospheric valuation. Craziest IPO in history? Legendary investor Jeremy Grantham, co-founder of GMO Asset Management, has dubbed SpaceX ‘the craziest IPO in the history of man’. Meanwhile, hundreds of billions of dollars are being spent annually on…
Women’s fashion brand Sosandar (LON:SOS) returned to strong revenue growth in FY26. This robust sales growth was generated despite a cyber incident that impacted retail partner Marks & Spencer (LON:MKS) and removed roughly £1 million of third-party revenue. AIM-listed Sosandar also delivered record gross margins thanks to a shift away from discount-led trading. Investors welcomed news of a good start to FY27 too. Sales were up 22% to £11.6 million in Q1 despite a tough retail backdrop. ‘Trading with third-party partners continues to be strong, including M&S,’ insisted Sosandar, ‘with all partners trading ahead of the prior year.’ Adjusted profits…