Shares in Marks Electrical (MRK:AIM) sparked up 3% to 49p after the online electrical retailer upgraded FY26 earnings guidance for the second time in a month. Despite the well-documented cost-of-living pressures facing consumers, Marks Electrical saw a stronger-than-expected end to the year to March 2026. And the dishwashers-to-televisions seller enters FY27 with ‘positive’ trading momentum and a strengthened cash position. In its latest unscheduled trading update, Marks Electrical maintained FY26 revenue guidance of £108.5 million but raised EBITDA guidance again to £2.65 million. This is up from the company’s 26 March outlook for EBITDA ‘in excess of £2 million’, which…

Specialist boutique Polar Capital (POLR:AIM) reported a forecast-beating 8% rise in Q4 assets under management (AuM) to £30.6 billion. The active asset manager also insisted it entered the new financial year with ‘positive net inflow momentum’, despite heightened geopolitical uncertainty and ongoing market volatility. Shares in the company jumped 7.1% to a four-year high of 680p on the news. Inflows top £1.4 billion In the quarter to 31 March 2026, Polar Capital’s AuM grew thanks to net inflows of more than £1.4 billion and investment returns of £0.8 billion. This offset fund closures of £13 million. Established in 2001, Polar…

In today’s Podcast, the Sharesify team talk markets, this week’s absence of a Trump ‘tape bomb’ and why it’s deja vu across the pond with US tech firms driving the rally. Ian flags the significance of US stocks trading above their long-term averages again, while Steven lends us his view on ASML (ASML), the Dutch semiconductor equipment giant which also put up a strong showing. James explains why online electricals retailer AO World (AO.) is reaping the benefits of a ‘pivot to profit’ strategy. He also talks us through SDCL Efficiency Income’s (SEIT) decision to start a managed wind-down after shareholders rejected…

Shares in AO World (AO.) rallied 5% to 93.2p after the electricals retailer delivered another upgrade to FY26 profit guidance. Despite the tough consumer backdrop, AO World is reaping the benefits of management’s ‘pivot to profit’ strategy. CEO John Roberts said ‘the numbers speak for themselves again’ and he is ‘delighted to keep doing our talking on the pitch’. FY26 adjusted pre-tax profit is now expected to be at the top end of the previously upgraded £45 million to £50 million range. Gaining share That represents 15% year-on-year profit growth from AO World. This robust performance was underpinned by the…

War in the Middle East is already stoking up inflation, meaning there will be no let-up in the rising cost of living. One way to beat the squeeze from the ‘cruellest tax’ is to buy dividend-paying stocks. Reinvest their payouts and you can profit from the wonder of compounding while boosting your purchasing power. Investment trusts have some big advantages when it comes to dividends. In this article, we explain what those advantages are. We also reveal the Association of Investment Companies’ (AIC) ‘Dividend Hero’ trusts that have near six-decade-long track records of growing their payouts. And we shine the…

US alcoholic drinks group Constellation Brands (STZ) served up forecast-beating Q4 results and called out encouraging momentum across its beer and wine and spirits businesses. However, FY27 earnings guidance came in shy of Wall Street expectations, sending the unloved stock lower on Wall Street. Share price: $150.3 (-2.3%)Market cap: $26bnPE: 24xYield: 2.7% The Corona Extra-to-Modelo Especial beer maker also rattled investors by withdrawing FY28 guidance due to the uncertainties facing the sector. Beer delivers a beat For the quarter to February 2026, Constellation Brands delivered adjusted earnings per share of $1.90 versus the $1.72 Wall Street analysts expected. The firm…

Investment trust SDCL Efficiency Income (SEIT) is to start a managed wind-down after shareholders rejected a plan to turn the fund into an energy services operating company. A ‘significant number’ of shareholders spurned a proposal from the board and investment manager Sustainable Development Capital for a ‘strategic realignment’ of the trust. These long-suffering shareholders in the trust, which languishes on a near-50% discount to net asset value (NAV), have decided they want their money back instead. What is SEIT? ‘SEIT’ is a FTSE 250-listed fund that invests in projects that either provide decentralised on-site generation of power and heat, or…

Denim lifestyle retailer Levi Strauss (LEVI) delivered forecast-beating Q1 results. The company also raised FY26 guidance after reporting a ‘great start’ to the new financial year. The upgraded outlook sent shares in the global jeanswear leader higher in aftermarket trading on Wall Street. The American clothing company known for its Levi’s denim jeans brand demonstrated confidence in its turnaround strategy. The firm raised its FY26 sales, margin and earnings per share (EPS) guidance. Unzipping an upgrade Drawing confidence from a strong start to the year and robust global sales, Levi Strauss is now guiding for FY26 EPS in the $1.42…

Shares in Motorpoint (MOTR) rallied after the omnichannel car seller reported a forecast-beating 83% profits surge for FY26. This was driven by record retail volumes of around 65,000, an 8% year-on-year increase demonstrating continued outperformance of a tough used car market. Motorpoint also said it will open in Leeds this summer. The new site is on a busy route close to the city centre and Elland Road. ‘The city of Leeds, and surrounding areas, provide an excellent opportunity to access a new, large market,’ insisted the company. Pedal to the metal Steered by CEO Mark Carpenter, the former CFO of Sytner,…

Shares in International Biotechnology Trust (IBT) were boosted by the $2.9 billion takeover of its largest holding Soleno Therapeutics (SLNO). This marks the fourth acquisition within IBT’s portfolio in 2026. Furthermore, the latest deal follows three takeovers of IBT portfolio companies in March alone. IBT managers Ailsa Craig and Marek Poszepczynski expect this M&A wave to persist, as Sharesify highlighted in our Biotechnology sector feature. As a result, they have positioned IBT’s portfolio to take advantage. The managers believe the drivers of this elevated deal flow activity are likely to remain ‘firmly in place’ for the foreseeable future. Rare asset…