Hard-pressed Schroder UK Mid Cap Fund (LON:SCP) disappointed investors by underperforming its benchmark in the half to March 2026. But having bid Saba Capital goodbye, the trust has a stable base from which to grow going forwards. The US activist hedge fund exited Schroder UK Mid Cap’s shareholder register through a recent 35% tender offer. Under the terms of the truce, Saba committed to a three-year ‘standstill’ period during which it will desist from further activist agitation. Schroder UK Mid Cap’s manager Jean Roche believes the valuation case for UK mid caps is ‘as compelling as we can recall’. She…

Shares in Focusrite (LON:TUNE) rallied after the audio products group delivered resilient FY26 results. Focusrite said trading in Q1 FY27 has been ahead of the prior year. This reflects positive progress across both its Content Creation and Audio Reproduction divisions. Price increases to offset tariffs and cost discipline are supporting margins. And investors applauded Focusrite’s strong cash generation, which helped to drive a £9.3 million year-on-year reduction in net debt. Amping up growth Focusrite develops hardware and software products used by audio professionals and musicians. Products range from audio interfaces and preamps to speakers. And the firm’s solutions facilitate the…

In the latest episode of the Sharesify Podcast, the chaps talk everything from Micron Technology (NASDAQ:MU) and M&A to Moonpig (LON:MOON) and World Cup stock elections. Our tech expert Steven walks us through US memory-chip giant Micron’s latest blockbuster quarter. He tells listeners what the company’s price rises could mean for the likes of Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) and the wider consumer. Markets watcher Ian has been busy chronicling the latest takeover offers for UK-listed stocks including SEGRO (LON:SGRO), easyJet (LON:EZJ) and Advanced Medical Solutions (LON:AMS). And James explains why consumer stocks continue to defy gravity. Tyre seller Halfords’ (LON:HFD) turnaround strategy…

On Saturday 4 July 2026, the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary of independence. Uncle Sam’s ‘Semiquincentennial’ will see a massive celebration across this vast country. The headline event is the ‘Great American State Fair’ on the National Mall in Washington DC. UK-based investors can play their own small role in celebrating America’s stunning success by putting money to work in the world’s largest economy. The US has long been recognized as a global leader in entrepreneurship, innovation, and business creation. With a culture that encourages risk-taking, the US is home to many of the world’s most powerful and innovative…

The board at Baillie Gifford UK Growth Trust (LON:BGUK) has conceded shareholders’ patience with the fund’s poor performance is wearing thin. The £220 million cap trust lagged the benchmark again in the year to 30 April 2026. Baillie Gifford UK Growth faces a continuation vote in 2027 followed by a 100% conditional tender offer in 2029. In a bid to pep up performance, the board has drafted in a new co-manager. Baillie Gifford UK Growth has also cut its management fee in order to keep shareholders happy. Behind the benchmark The trust generated a net asset value (NAV) total return of 15.6%…

Shares in Moonpig (LON:MOON) trotted to a 52-week high after the online greeting cards and gifting platform posted solid growth in FY26 sales and profits. Investors also applauded an 11.2% increase in free cash flow to £73.5 million for the year to April 2026. This supported a 25% increase in the total dividend to 3.75p. Moonpig completed £60 million of share buybacks in FY26. And the company plans to buy back up to £65 million of shares during FY27, demonstrating confidence in its data-led model and growth prospects. A strong core Moonpig provides online greeting cards, gifts and experiences. It…

Tyres-to-bikes retailer Halfords (LON:HFD) rallied as forecast-beating FY26 results confirmed its turnaround strategy has traction. The resilient garages business is proving to be a key growth driver for the group. With CEO Henry Birch’s ‘Fit for the Future’ strategy delivering results, the motoring products seller saw ‘strong’ trading in April, May and June. Halfords now expects FY27 profits to be ‘around the top end’ of the £45.7 million to £52.3 million consensus range. The Redditch-based retailer has yet to see any changes to customer behaviour due to the Middle East conflict. However, management remains ‘sensitive to its potential impact on consumer sentiment…

In the latest episode of the Podcast, the Sharesify gang discuss a choppy week for tech. They also assess another flurry of takeovers and preview results from payments play Wise (LON:WISE). Tech whizz Steven tells us why the probability of a SpaceX (SPCX:NASDAQ)-Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) merger occurring in 2027 is being taken increasingly seriously. Markets watcher Ian lends us his view on the latest spate of takeovers. SEGRO (LON:SGRO), easyJet (LON:EZJ) and IP Group (LON:IPO) have all been targeted. And consumer sector watcher James gives his take on updates from Gear4music (LON:G4M), ProCook (LON:PROC) and Vertu Motors (LON:VTU). Finally, the chaps…

Specialist kitchenware retailer ProCook (LON:PROC) served up strong FY26 results with sales tracking ahead of schedule just two years into management’s new growth strategy. The company delivered significant market share gains and robust sales growth as it opened new stores and attracted new customers. Investors also welcomed a positive start to FY27 from ProCook. Momentum has carried over into the new financial year. Revenues were up 21.5% during Q1 despite a softer consumer backdrop. Cooking up growth Gloucester-headquartered ProCook is a direct-to-consumer specialist kitchenware brand operating 79 stores and its own website. The company sells high-quality cookware, kitchenware and tableware…

Shares in Vertu Motors (LON:VTU) moved higher after the automotive retailer delivered a surprise FY27 profit upgrade. In an AGM update covering the three months to May, Vertu said it is trading ahead of market expectations. Despite pressures facing the consumer, the resilient car dealer is delivering like-for-like volume growth in all channels. Broad-based momentum Gateshead-headquartered Vertu now expects FY27 adjusted pre-tax profits to top the £24.5 million consensus estimate. On the back of the update, Shore Capital raised its FY27 profit forecast from £25.1 million to £26.1 million. Drivers of the upgrade included positive year-to-date trading. Vertu has seen…