Automotive retailer Vertu Motors (VTU) delivered ‘solid results’ for the year to February 2026. The Gateshead-based company also reported ‘positive current trading’ despite the multiple pressures facing the car retail sector. Steered by CEO Robert Forrester, Vertu said trading in March and April has been strong and ahead of the prior year period. Given this strong start to FY27, Forrester is confident of matching market expectations for FY27. He also insisted his charge is ‘excellently positioned to take advantage of the inevitable opportunities that will arise as the sector continues to consolidate.’ Shares in the AIM-listed firm fell as investors…

Smaller companies can play a valuable role in investors’ portfolios. They enhance diversification and typically have higher growth potential compared to large caps. Young, nimble companies are often at the foothills of their growth trajectory. And small caps tend to have more room for expansion compared to their large cap brethren. Generally speaking, they are more agile, less burdened by bureaucracy, and more innovative, allowing them to adapt quickly and drive growth through new technologies or products. Prime targets Smaller firms receive less coverage from sell-side analysts, which means diligent investors prepared to do their homework can find undervalued gems…

Fishing tackle retailer Angling Direct (ANG) reeled in record UK sales for FY26. The AIM-listed company also netted pre-tax profits of £2.9 million, up almost 50% year-on-year. In addition, the Norfolk-headquartered firm demonstrated confidence in its ability to continue taking market share by upgrading medium-term growth targets. These include growing UK sales and EBITDA to £125 million and £8 million-plus respectively, whilst building a sustainable European business. So why did the shares slide in early dealings? Well, Angling Direct warned it has seen ‘softer trading’ since the onset of the Middle East conflict. And the UK’s biggest specialist fishing tackle…

Shares in Greggs (GRG) rallied after the food-to-go retailer reported improved trading for the first 19 weeks of 2026 and left full-year guidance unchanged. Led by CEO Roisin Currie, Greggs highlighted ‘encouraging profit progress’ during a challenging opening four-and-a-bit months of 2026. This partly reflected weak sales comparatives but also the FTSE 250 firm’s ‘good operational cost control’. Investors were also intrigued by news the sausage rolls-to-salads seller has picked holiday hotspot Tenerife as the location for its first overseas airport outlet. This suggests management believes the quintessentially British Greggs brand can travel overseas. Sales growth strengthens The Newcastle-based baker’s…

The Renewables Infrastructure Group (TRIG) is the latest clean energy fund taking bold steps to bring in a wide discount to net asset value (NAV). Ahead of its continuation vote (30 June), ‘TRIG’ has bumped up its asset disposals target by £300 million to £400 million. The proceeds will help the fund prioritise share buybacks, tackle a stubbornly wide NAV discount and reduce borrowings. TRIG has been in the spotlight since a rebellion by shareholders in InfraRed Capital Partners stablemate HICL Infrastructure (HICL) scuppered a £5.3 billion merger with TRIG last year. Critics argued the deal was motivated by InfraRed’s desire…

Shares in ASOS (ASC) leapt after the online fashion retailer announced the sale of its Lichfield fulfilment centre to Marks & Spencer (MKS). ASOS said the disposal marks another step in the ‘structural transformation’ of its financial position. The sale comes at a time when the company is focused on slashing costs and strengthening its balance sheet. Bringing in net proceeds of ‘at least £66 million’, the sale is expected to yield annual cash cost savings of around £6 million relating to rent and other costs. One-off windfall ASOS’ Lichfield site had already been mothballed to address excess capacity under…

In our latest Podcast, the Sharesify team chronicle another busy week for markets and corporate updates. Our tech guru Steven brings us up to speed with earnings from chipmaker AMD (AMD), chip architecture designer ARM Holdings (ARM) and data analytics play Palantir (PLTR). While further upside in these high-flyers is possible, Steven says investors need to consider the downside risks. Retail watcher James explains why trainers seller JD Sports Fashion (JD.) had a good run this week. He talks us through a guidance cut from home appliances brand Whirlpool (WHR). The dishwashers-to-fridges maker warned war in Iran resulted in a ‘recession-level industry…

High-flying Seraphim Space (SSIT) raised £137 million in its C share offer. This represented the largest fundraise by an investment trust since 2023. Seraphim Space’s board and fund manager said they were ‘delighted’ by the response to the fundraising. This will see 136.5 million new C shares issued at 100p. ‘Consistent with its existing investment strategy, the company will now start to deploy the proceeds into a number of advanced investment opportunities that have already been identified,’ said Seraphim Space. Why SpaceTech excites This growth capital trust backs private, early-stage ‘SpaceTech’ companies with the potential to dominate globally. The board believes…

Shares in Whirlpool (WHR) plunged to a five-year low on Wall Street after the iconic home appliances company cut FY26 earnings guidance in half. The Michigan-based firm also warned the Iran war has caused a severe downturn in the US. Share price: $47.3 (-13.6%)PE: 11.1xMarket cap: $3.5bnYield: n/a Whirlpool’s alert confirmed that soaring fuel prices and weakening consumer confidence are beginning to weigh on big-ticket purchases across the pond. Dishwasher woes In its Q1 results statement, the washing machines, dishwashers and fridges maker said: ‘War in Iran resulted in recession-level industry decline in the US as consumer confidence collapsed in…

Shares in Strix (KETL) flashed green after the kettle safety controls maker reported a recovery in volumes in both divisions despite ‘challenging’ market conditions. The Isle of Man-based company also confirmed the results of its £10 million tender offer at 43p per share. This capital was returned to shareholders as a way of distributing a portion of the proceeds from the sale of Australian filtered water business, Billi. Post-disposal, AIM-listed Strix is focused on its core kettle controls business. Here, a recovery from the tariff-driven order hiatus continues to build, albeit from a low base. Return to growth In today’s trading…