H1 results from CT Private Equity Trust (LON:CTPE) showed a disappointing net asset value (NAV) total return of -0.2% including dividends. Positive portfolio valuation movements were offset by finance costs, operating expenses and adverse currency swings. Furthermore, software portfolio write-downs caused by AI disruption fears dragged on performance. The £346 million cap trust delivered a negative share price total return of 9.3% as the discount to NAV widened from 21.2% to 31.2%. Sentiment towards the private equity sector remains tepid at best, with exit markets still challenging. Encouraging signs However, before currency moves, CT Private Equity’s portfolio increased in value…

Value investing involves a focus on identifying undervalued stocks which boast strong fundamentals, yet are underrated by the market for various reasons and trade below their intrinsic value. There is evidence in the UK and other stock markets around the world that a value investing approach can generate superior returns. The London Business School (LBS) calculates that as at 31 December 2025, value stocks in the Deutsche Numis Smaller Companies Index (excluding Investment Companies) had beaten growth stocks by 3.6% per annum since 1955 in total return terms. The LBS defines value stocks as those with low price-to-book ratios. However, value…

In this special edition of the podcast, we’re joined by Richard Stone, chief executive of The Association of Investment Companies (AIC). The AIC was founded in 1932 to represent investment trusts – the oldest form of collective investment. Richard tells James and Ian what attracted him to the investment trust industry. He also elaborates on the AIC’s mission and the ways in which it supports members and investors. Our special guest outlines the ways in which investment trusts can increase their appeal to investors relative to low-cost passive funds. He also discusses the impact that activists have had on the…

Shares in Halfords (LON:HFD) motored to a four-year high after the car parts-to-bicycles seller raised FY27 profit guidance again. The latest upgrade was driven by a strong performance in the year-to-date. Summer heatwaves drove demand in seasonal categories such as bicycles, camping equipment and air conditioning services. Halfords now expects FY27 underlying pre-tax profit to be between £55 million and £65 million. That is comfortably ahead of the current consensus of £52.6 million with a range of £48.9 million to £55.1 million. Going through the gears ‘Building on the strong current trading noted in our FY26 results announcement, Halfords has…

In the latest episode of the podcast, the Sharesify gang talk markets, a curious small cap making hay in the defence sector and upcoming results from AI chips champion Nvidia (NASDAQ:NVDA). James explains how unloved housebuilder Vistry (LON:VTY) received a much-needed boost this week. He also analyses the latest profit upgrade from protein powders specialist Applied Nutrition (LON:APN) and flags a big contract win for defence-focused engineer MS International (LON:MSI). Ian lends his view on another engineering marvel, power and data transmission products maker Volex (LON:VLX). He explains why shares in the Basingstoke-based power cables play surged higher this week. Finally,…

Shares in Applied Nutrition (LON:APN) flashed green after the sports nutrition brand delivered yet another upgrade to FY26 guidance. Drawing confidence from the strong momentum behind the business, the protein powders-to-supplements maker also boosted its FY27 outlook. Investors looked past the ‘significantly’ higher whey protein costs which will crimp FY27 EBITDA margins. Another round of upgrades For the year to July 2026, the functional nutrition products firm expects to report a 40% jump in adjusted EBITDA to £43.3 million. That is ahead of the previously-upgraded consensus estimate of £42 million. FY26 revenue grew 50% to £160 million. That topped the…

Shares in Vistry (LON:VTY) rallied after the partnership housing group was named as one of 33 strategic partners who’ll help deliver the government’s new £39 billion Social and Affordable Homes Programme (SAHP). Vistry owns Bovis, Linden and Countryside Homes. The company has secured a £350 million affordable housing grant. Furthermore, the award reinforces its position in the UK government-backed housing sector. Homes England is the government’s housing and regeneration agency. It said the SAHP represents the largest investment in social and affordable housing in a generation. Although they weren’t named as strategic partners, rival builders Persimmon (LON:PSN), MJ Gleeson (LON:GLE),…

Private equity trust Literacy Capital (LON:BOOK) suffered a ‘material widening’ of its share price discount to net asset value (NAV) in H1. The fund’s NAV per share declined by a modest 2.4% to 472.6p. Unfortunately, this sharp de-rating meant Literacy Capital delivered a disappointing 20.6% loss for shareholders. That compared to a 10.4% increase for the FTSE All-Share Closed End Investment Trust Index. And Literacy Capital underperformed the 7.2% rise in the FTSE All-Share Index. However, manager Richard Pindar insisted several portfolio companies are ‘gaining momentum and showing promise’. And Winterflood also highlighted some encouraging signs within the underlying portfolio.…

Shares in MS International (LON:MSI) rallied after the engineering group clinched a £16.6 million contract to supply naval gun systems to a NATO nation. Delivery of the systems is expected to begin towards the end of 2027. This contract is a significant win for MS International, which is sharpening its focus on defence. What does MS International do? For the uninitiated, Doncaster-headquartered MS International is a diversified engineering company operating across three divisions. These are Defence and Security, Forgings, and Petrol Station Superstructures and Branding. MS International said the order includes its effector, radar and optical systems. The company will…

In the latest Sharesify podcast, the chaps discuss everything from US bonds and low-risk value stocks to a retail behemoth whose shares took a battering this week. Retail watcher James explains why groceries goliath Walmart (NASDAQ:WMT) was punished despite a Q2 ‘beat-and-raise’. He also breaks down a profit warning from sportswear retailer JD Sports (LON:JD), whose North America sales disappointed in Q2. Our markets guru Ian provides a deep dive analysis of AIM-listed Robinson (LON:RBN), the plastic and paperboard packaging maker which downgraded its outlook this week. Finally, the guys preview next week’s results from AI-chip leader Nvidia (NASDAQ:NVDA), French spirits…