Energy powerhouse BP (BP.) gained ground after the FTSE 100 company pumped out forecast-beating Q1 profits. During the quarter to March, BP benefited from ‘exceptional’ oil trading driven by the effects of the Middle East conflict. On the negative side of the ledger, operating cash flow disappointed and drove up net debt. BP also warned Q2 reported upstream production will be lower when compared to the first three months of 2026. Profits more than double In the first results presided over by new CEO Meg O’Neill, BP revealed profits more than doubled in the three months to March 2026. This…

Inflation is often described as a ‘hidden’ form of income tax as it reduces your spending power. The same is also true if you use your investments to provide a regular income. In this article, we’ll look at why inflation may be on the rise again. We’ll also highlight some funds, investment trusts and stocks that can help protect your purchasing power. Why is inflation rising? The main reason why inflation rises is because demand for goods or services exceeds the supply. That means companies can raise prices. However, if they raise them too far there is a risk demand will fall, so it’s a balancing act. Demand-led inflation tends to be fairly short-lived, as it is caused by short-term situations.…

High-flying Seraphim Space (SSIT) is seeking to raise up to £350 million via a C share issue. The investment trust backs private, early-stage ‘SpaceTech’ companies with the potential to dominate globally. Accordingly, it plans to deploy the fundraise proceeds into an ‘exciting pipeline of investment opportunities’. Seraphim Space launched in July 2021 at 100p. After falling to a 2023 low of 26.25p, the share price has recovered strongly. The trust is the best one-year share price total return performer in the Association of Investment Companies’ (AIC) Growth Capital sector. Seraphim Space trades on a 50%-plus premium to net asset value…

In our latest podcast, the Sharesify team discuss record US markets, chip stock Intel’s (INTC) overnight surge, today’s big FTSE 100 faller and incoming earnings from an array of corporates. Mondi shredded James explains why containerboard-to-paper bag maker Mondi (MNDI) has shed 65% of its value over the past five years. He reckons bargain hunters should be wary of this stock given its uncertain recovery prospects. Steven gives us the lowdown on Intel. He tells us why the after-hours action in the stock was one of the most violent repricings of a legacy semiconductor company in years. Next up, James…

The pain lingers for long-suffering shareholders in packaging and paper producer Mondi (MNDI). Shares in the containerboard-to-paper bag maker have shed 65% of their value over the past five years and are down over 15% year-to-date. Mondi was the biggest FTSE 100 faller on Friday morning after a Q1 earnings miss sent investors heading for the exits. In a poorly-received update, the Weybridge-headquartered firm also warned it has experienced increased energy, raw material and logistics costs across the business. Mondi is responding to increased costs from the Iran war by hiking prices. But investors will have to wait until Q3…

In our latest podcast, Sharesify’s James Crux and Ian Conway welcome Joe Bauernfreund, CEO and CIO of Asset Value Investors and the manager of AVI Global Trust (AGT). Our special guest talks us through AVI Global Trust’s unique investment approach and explains how he finds the ‘hidden gems’ other investors overlook. Bauernfreund also points to situations where AVI Global has successfully deployed its activist approach and shareholders have reaped the rewards. He also explains why corporate governance changes in South in Korea should lead to a re-rating of companies, as they have in neighbouring Japan. Lastly, our guest concedes that the fund’s investment in French…

Supermarket chain Sainsbury’s (SBRY) delivered in-line FY26 profits after outperforming the UK grocery market for the sixth year in a row. Led by CEO Simon Roberts, the FTSE 100 giant also hailed a ‘positive start’ to FY27 with ‘continued strong grocery momentum’. So why were shares in the groceries-to-general merchandise seller flashing red today? Well, Sainsbury’s warned uncertainty caused by the Middle East conflict is clouding ‌the outlook and could drag profits lower this year. The warning echoed concerns raised by arch-rival Tesco (TSCO) earlier this month. Investors were also unimpressed by subdued trading at the group’s Argos general merchandise…

High street retailer Shoe Zone (SHOE:AIM) slipped to a five-year low after the budget footwear retailer downgraded its FY26 outlook after experiencing ‘challenging’ Q1 trading. In part, the retailer blamed the Middle East conflict for dwindling demand for its cut-price boots, shoes and slippers. For the year ending 3 October 2026, Shoe Zone is now guiding to an adjusted loss before tax in the £1 million to £2 million range. That compares to previous expectations of a £1 million adjusted pre-tax profit and represents a whopping £2.5 million downgrade. Confidence rocked In a brief trading update, Shoe Zone blamed the…

In one of the strangest stock market stories of the year-to-date, shares in shoe brand Allbirds (BIRD) soared 580% on 15 April. The catalyst was the company’s announcement of plans to pivot from footwear to artificial intelligence (AI). A firm whose stock had collapsed from over $500 post-IPO to under $3, with no track record in data centres or enterprise infrastructure, is now an AI infrastructure player. Allbirds’ meteoric one-day rise evokes memories of the ‘meme stock’ phenomenon that gained prominence during Covid. The lockdown period saw shares in video games retailer Gamestop (GME), cinema chain AMC Entertainment (AMC) and…

Shares in Reckitt Benckiser (RKT) plunged to a 52-week low after the consumer health and hygiene giant’s Q1 sales missed estimates. The FTSE 100 company pinned the blame on disruption in the Middle East, a weak finish to the cold and flu season and ‘challenging’ trading in Europe. The company also warned of a possible £130 million-to-£150 million cost hit should oil prices stay high due to the Iran war. And the Strepsils-to-Gaviscon maker said consumer demand would also be impacted if commodity prices remain elevated. Q1 sales disappoint ‘Core Reckitt’ like-for-like sales rose 1.3% in the quarter to March…