Luxury goods group Watches of Switzerland (WOSG) upgraded FY26 sales guidance on the back of ‘strong trading’ throughout Q3 including the Christmas period. The FTSE 250 firm also stressed that demand for its key luxury brands continues to outstrip supply in both the UK and US. So why then, did shares in the UK’s largest luxury watch retailer tick 2.5% lower to 501.5p in early dealings? Share price: 501.5p (-2.5%)PE: 12.6Market cap: £1.2bnYield: n/a The catalyst for profit-taking was a slight cut to FY26 margin guidance. The Rolex, OMEGA and Breitling watches seller pinned the downgrade on brand margin and…

Pepsico’s (PEP:NASDAQ) shares rose 4.3% to $162 on Wall Street after the sodas-to-snacks maker’s fourth quarter earnings topped analysts’ estimates. The food and drink giant reiterated FY26 guidance and said it plans to cut prices on snacking products to stimulate demand from cash-strapped consumers. Share price: $162 (+4.3%)PE: 19.7Market cap: $215bnYield: 3.8% While Pepsico’s drink sales are improving, demand for its snacks remains sluggish with inflation-weary consumers in North America pushing back against higher prices. The impact of weight-loss drugs on consumer behaviour is another concern for investors. Partly in response to pressure from feared activist Elliott, Pepsico plans to…

When it comes to fund selection, every investor will pursue his or her own distinct strategy. Nevertheless, it can be instructive to see which portfolios have piqued the interest of other investors, since this exercise can throw up ideas for further research. With this in mind, Sharesify notes The Association of Investment Companies’ (AIC) recent list of the 20 most viewed investment trusts on its website during 2025. Interest rate cuts by central banks are reducing the returns available from cash, so it is no surprise to see income was the dominant theme when it came to companies ranked by…

Shares in AG Barr (BAG) bubbled up 4.5% to 679p after the Irn-Bru maker served up a reassuring FY26 trading update guiding to a year of double-digit profit growth. Share price: 679p (+4.5%)PE: 15.1Market cap: £721mYield: 2.8% The FTSE 250 firm insisted it is entering 2026 with ‘good momentum’ and a series of product launches planned. Investors also applauded the acquisitions of soft drinks rivals Fentimans and Frobishers for a combined £51 million. Thirst for growth Cumbernauld-based AG Barr is the company behind iconic Scottish tipple Irn-Bru as well as Rubicon, Boost and Funkin. It has strengthened its brand portfolio…

Small and mid caps-focused trust Smithson (SSON) continued to underperform its benchmark in 2025 after experiencing a ‘year of two halves’. While the strategy of buying high quality small and mid-caps struggled last year, manager Simon Barnard believes being ‘so different’ from the market ‘could prove to be useful diversification for shareholders when this particular environment changes’. Share price: £15.02NAV/share: £15.40Market cap: £1.6bnDiscount to NAV: 2.5% The closed-ended fund will shortly roll into an open-ended structure to permanently close an ‘entrenched’ discount. The audacious move will allow shareholders to participate in the same investment strategy with the same management team.…

In this article, we highlight some of the most bought and sold equity income funds of 2025. In the process we reveal which strategies and managers proved popular with investors and which may be falling out of favour. Hopefully, this exercise throws up some ideas for readers. Credit goes to Trustnet for running the market movements data for OEICs and unit trusts from FE Analytics. Artemis in demand Falling interest rates, driven by central bank cuts, reduce returns on cash savings. During such periods, equity income funds come into favour they bring exposure to portfolios of cash-generative, dividend-paying stocks. Among…

Shares in Pinewood Technologies (PINE) motored higher 23.5% to 475.8p on confirmation the automotive software provider is in talks with private equity group Apax Partners over a possible cash offer pitched at 500p. Share price: 475.8pPE: 40.8Market cap: £444mYield: n/a A £575.5 million takeover would see Pinewood disappear from the London stock exchange less than two years after it a spin-out from automotive retailer Pendragon. This separation followed the sale of Pendragon’s UK Motor and Leasing divisions to Lithia Motors (LAD:NYSE), a North American dealerships giant. Apax on the prowl In a response to press speculation, Pinewood’s board said it…

Shares in 3i (III) rallied 11.5% to £35.10 after the private equity giant said that sales at discount non-food retailer Action, by far its biggest investment, have recovered from an Autumn slowdown that had investors worried. Share price: £35.10PE: 5.2Market cap: £31.05bnYield: 2.7% Consumer caution in France impacted the Dutch discounter’s performance in 2025, dragging like-for-like growth down from 10.3% in 2024 to 4.9% in 2025. The encouraging news is 2026 has ‘stated well’ with same-store sales turning positive in France. Back in Action In today’s (29 Jan) third quarter update, 3i reported a robust start to the new year…

Investors toasted Fevertree Drinks (FEVR:AIM) after the carbonated mixers company boosted FY25 guidance, sending shares up 5% to 939p. There was also relief as Fevertree maintained its FY26 outlook and confirmed that a previously announced, additional £30 million share buyback will begin in February, building on last year’s £100 million return of capital. Share price: 939p (+5%)PE: 34xMarket cap: £1bnYield: 1.9% The guidance upgrade follows a strong performance from the brand in the second half of last year, with Fevertree generating further market share gains, notably in the US, its largest market. The posh tonic water-to-cocktail mixers supplier now expects…

Shares in coffeehouse colossus Starbucks (SBUX:NASDAQ) frothed up 5.5% to $101 despite Q1 earnings missing estimates. The firm extended its tasty year-to-date run even after turnaround-related costs and a margin hit. Instead, investors focused on the fact revenue beat forecasts and US sales rose for the first time in two years. This shows CEO Brian Niccol’s turnaround plan, including a return to the Seatle-based firm’s coffeehouse roots, is taking hold. Share price: $101 (+5.5%)PE: 40.6xMarket cap: $109bnYield: 2.6% Just the beginning Comparable sales growth at company-operated stores in the US returned to a transaction-driven increase for the first time in…