Specialist lender Distribution Finance Capital (LON:DFCH) delivered a 49% jump in H1 pre-tax profits to £13.4 million. That was materially ahead of expectations at the beginning of the year. And the AIM-listed bank insisted it remains on track to deliver its 2030 targets. These include a loan book north of £1.5 billion, a cost-income ratio of 45% to 48% and return on equity of roughly 20%. Profits up almost 50% This speciality lender provides flexible financing solutions that support the sales and growth of manufacturers, dealers and distributors operating in underserved retail markets. For the six months to June 2026,…

Shares in Associated British Foods (LON:ABF) plunged after the conglomerate warned Primark’s like-for-like sales are expected to fall 3% in the fourth quarter to 12 September. For FY26, the group now expects adjusted earnings per share will be ahead of previous expectations. But adjusted operating profit is expected to be broadly ⁠in ​line with forecasts. The conglomerate plans to spin off Primark next year. And it announced that the discount clothing chain will offer home delivery in the UK. As CEO George Weston explained: ‘Primark has made significant progress in building its digital capabilities and will continue this through both…

In the latest episode, the guys discuss everything from markets and chip stocks to better-than-expected results from Computacenter (LON:CCC). Our tech expert Steven explains why semiconductor stocks staged a sharp rebound this week, with Intel (NASDAQ:INTC) and Advanced Micro Devices (NASDAQ:AMD) among the biggest winners. Retail watcher James brings us up-to-speed with a mixed bag of consumer updates. Homewares leader Dunelm (LON:DNLM) was in the doghouse with investors this week after downgrading guidance again, while value-focused Gym Group (LON:GYM) and The Works (LON:WRKS) raised forecasts once more. And Ian walks us through the latest from games developer Frontier Developments (LON:FDEV), which posted forecast-beating FY26 results…

High-yielding trust Henderson High Income (LON:HHI) modestly beat its composite benchmark in H1 as takeovers lent a helping hand. Chairman Jeremy Rigg said high energy prices, supply chain issues and higher price inflation had provided ‘a challenging mix’ for the trust. And he cautioned that the on-off nature of the Middle East ceasefire provides an ‘unstable environment’ for the rest of the year. The good news for investors in the trust is dividend payouts from UK companies have ‘continued to be positive’, despite pockets of weakness such as UK housebuilders. And Rigg remains ‘confident’ in manager David Smith’s ability to…

Budget fitness operator Gym Group (LON:GYM) delivered a strong H1 performance with key financial metrics moving in the right direction. Shares in the low-cost gym operator muscled their way higher on news FY26 adjusted EBITDA is now expected to be ‘at the top end’ of analysts’ forecasts. Profits bulk up Guided by CEO Will Orr, Gym Group’s revenues rose 10% to £133.1 million in the six months to June 2026. Average members were up 5% to one million and average revenue per member per month grew by 5%. Encouragingly, like-for-like revenue grew by a solid 3%. H1 to June 2026Movement (%)Revenue…

Specialty polymers innovator Itaconix (LON:ITX) reiterated its FY26 guidance of ‘at least’ $14.8 million in revenue and a small positive EBITDA. Guided by CEO John R. Shaw, the plant-based polymers maker plans to more than double revenues to $30 million in the medium term. For the uninitiated, New Hampshire-based Itaconix produces and sells high-performance plant-based specialty polymers. These are used in everyday consumer products including homecare detergents. However, the total addressable market for the company’s polymers is far broader. It encompasses a wide range of consumer, healthcare, industrial and agricultural sectors. EBITDA breakthrough Results for the six months to June…

UK homewares leader Dunelm (LON:DNLM) delivered resilient results for what it described as a ‘challenging’ FY26. The cushions-to-curtains purveyor also unveiled a three-year growth plan to ‘win hearts and homes’. This self-funding strategy aims to accelerate revenue growth back to mid-to-high single-digit levels. It will be supported by around £100 million of cost savings and accelerated investment in stores and digital channels. Share price: 777p (-12.4%)Market cap: £1.79bnPE FY27: 11.3xYield FY27: 5.2% Source: Marketscreener So why were shares in the bedding-to-kitchenware seller marked down in early dealings? Well, the market didn’t like news of ‘significantly softer’ trading in the first…

Shares in Sigmaroc (LON:SRC) rose 10.5% after the European lime and minerals group ground out solid H1 results and reaffirmed FY26 guidance. The AIM-listed company also excited investors by announcing the €118 million acquisition of a Lithuania-based dolomite producer. The deal broadens Sigmaroc’s higher-quality industrial exposure and is expected to enhance FY27 earnings. Sigmaroc delivers solid results For the uninitiated, Sigmaroc invests in and acquires businesses in the fragmented lime and minerals sector. Lime and limestone are key resources in the transition to a more sustainable economy. Applications for lime and limestone products include the production and recycling of lithium batteries,…

Shares in The Works (LON:WRKS) rallied to a five-year high after the arts and crafts-to-toys retailer raised FY27 profit guidance again. The latest earnings upgrade demonstrates that CEO Gavin Peck’s ‘Elevating The Works’ growth strategy is paying off. The strapline of Birmingham-based The Works is ‘screen-free activities for the whole family’. Investment firm Kelso (LON:KLSO), which has a 10% stake in the business, believes this strapline is increasingly relevant in the current climate, especially given the UK’s pending social media ban on under-16s. Back-to-school boost for The Works In its annual general meeting (AGM) update, The Works said it now…

In the latest episode of the podcast, the Sharesify chaps talk US tech, value-oriented trusts and a UK engineer returning cash to shareholders. Tech guru Steven dissects the latest updates from cybersecurity leader CrowdStrike (NASDAQ:CRWD) and software group Intuit (NASDAQ:INTU). He also gives us his take on blowout numbers from the world’s most valuable company, Nvidia (NASDAQ:NVDA). James discusses the latest profit upgrade from cycles-to-camping equipment seller Halfords (LON:HFD) and flags some encouraging signs at CT Private Equity Trust (LON:CTPE). Ian analyses this week’s warning from rental property developer Watkin Jones (LON:WJG). He also wonders what’s next for industrial conglomerate Goodwin (LON:GDWN)…