Author: James Crux

James Crux writes extensively about funds and investment trusts and also specialises in retail, food and beverage sector stocks. He has spent 25 years working in the industry and was named Best Financial Consumer Journalist at the AIC Media Awards 2024 and 2025 for his work at Shares magazine (owned by AJ Bell). Before that, he was the editor of Growth Company Investor and a writer for investment and business titles What Investment and Business XL. James is a long-suffering West Ham supporter and a big fan of The Sopranos.

SDCL Efficiency Income

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…

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Levi Strauss delivered forecast-beating Q1 results

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…

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Motorpoint rallied after the omnichannel car seller reported a forecast-beating 83% profits surge

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,…

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International Biotechnology Trust was boosted by news its largest holding Soleno has agreed a $2.9 billion takeover

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…

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Pershing Square Capital Management plans

Bill Ackman’s Pershing Square plans to take over Universal Music Group (UMG) in a $64 billion (£48.4 billion) cash and shares deal. Ackman said Universal Music’s share price has ‘languished’ due to a range of issues the merger would address. Universal Music GroupShare price: €19.4 (+13.3%)Market cap: €31.4bnPE: 19.3 Amsterdam-listed shares in the world’s biggest music company, whose artists includes Taylor Swift and Lady Gaga, surged on the news. As at 31 December 2025, Universal Music represented 13% of the net asset value (NAV) of Pershing Square Holdings (PSH). This is Pershing Square Capital Management’s flagship fund listed in London.…

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Sharesify podcast

In today’s Podcast, the Sharesify team discuss this week’s big bounce for the S&P 500 and Nasdaq and Steven explains why ‘loose cannon’ Donald Trump’s utterances could send indices lower again. James urges investors to stay calm and remain invested despite this turbulence. As the old stock market adage goes, ‘time in the market beats timing the market’. Turning to the week’s corporate news, James explains why the sale of Unilever’s (ULVR) food business to McCormick (MKC) is a Marmite deal in more ways than one. Ian talks about the latest share price leap at affordable computing firm Raspberry Pi (RPI) and…

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Murray Income Trust

Having taken over the management of Murray Income Trust (MUT) on 2 March, Artemis’ UK equity income team has speedily repositioned the portfolio. As of 31 March, new managers Adrian Frost, Andy Marsh and Nick Shenton had completed 98.7% of the transition. The managers turned over roughly 75% of the portfolio, implementing their changes despite the market volatility of the last month. Murray Income currently has 46 holdings with an expected range of 40 to 65 going forward. The new team has increased the trust’s gearing. This has risen from around 5.3% as of end-February to 7% as of end-March. In…

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Nike issued a downbeat Q4 revenue outlook

Nike (NKE) shares plunged in pre-market trading on Wall Street despite a Q3 earnings ‘beat’ from the sneakers-to-soccer balls brand. The catalyst was a downbeat Q4 revenue outlook provided by Nike. NikeShare price: $47.2 (-10.7%)Market cap: $78.2bnPE: 30.1x This heightened concerns that the conflict in Iran could halt the sportswear titan’s turnaround progress under CEO Elliott Hill. Q3 beat Oregon-based Nike delivered Q3 adjusted earnings per share of $0.35, above the $0.31 Wall Street was looking for. Revenue of $11.3 billion was flat year-on-year but higher than the $11.34 billion analysts expected. While performance in China improved, sales were still…

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Topps to shut stores

Shares in Topps Tiles (TPT) tumbled after the tiles seller posted a drop in H1 sales amid ‘challenging’ market conditions. A robust Q1 was followed by a slight slowdown in Q2 as homeowners and trade customers pulled in their horns. The Middle East conflict is likely to suppress consumer confidence and raise inflationary cost pressures further. Accordingly, Topps Tiles is undertaking a series of self-help measures. Not only will Topps slash head office costs, it will also close 23 underperforming stores over the next 12 months. Savings on the slate The wall and floor tile specialist’s H1 revenue softened 0.1% to…

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Rubicon maker AG Barr delivered tasty profit growth for FY26

Shares in AG Barr (BAG) bubbled up 7% to 659p after the beverage producer delivered tasty profit growth for FY26. The Irn-Bru-to-Rubicon maker said it entered FY27 with ‘good momentum’. And the company insisted it is on track to generate double digit percentage sales growth this year. Furthermore, CEO Euan Sutherland reiterated his ambition to double the size of the business, both organically and via a ‘more meaningful M&A strategy’. Strong core Revenue grew 4% to £437.3 million in the year to January 2026. This rise reflected growing momentum in AG Barr’s core soft drinks brands of IRN-BRU, Rubicon and…

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