Despite the Japanese market’s ascent to historic highs, the case for investing in this fascinating Asian nation remains compelling. The Japanese market is home to many high quality companies trading on cheap valuations. Additionally, tailwinds from corporate governance reform, increasing share buybacks and renewed foreign interest remain powerful tailwinds for Japan. The market is seeing increased M&A activity, which is transforming the country’s corporate landscape and boosting shareholder returns. As Stephen Cohen, chairman of investment trust JPMorgan Japanese (LON:JFJ), explains: ‘The rapid adoption of AI and a strategic surge in defence spending are driving industrial innovation. Coupled with the Bank…

Shares in unloved Remy Cointreau (EPA:RCO) rallied after the struggling cognac and brandy maker’s FY26 results proved better than feared. Investors’ spirits were also lifted as CEO Franck Marilly unveiled a bold three-year turnaround plan for the French spirits group. Share price: €41.12 (+9.7%)PE 26: 22.7xMarket cap: €1.96bnYield 26: 3.2% Marilly’s recovery strategy targets a €100 million increase in operating profits over the next three years. The plan also aims to return Remy Cointreau to sustainable organic sales growth in FY27. The Paris-based company’s drinks portfolio includes the Remy Martin and Louis XIII cognac brands. It also spans Greek spirit Metaxa,…

Wealth preservation trust Capital Gearing (LON:CGT) delivered net asset value (NAV) and share price totals returns of 5.8% and 6.4% respectively in FY26. While the defensively-positioned trust lagged global equity markets, it met its objective of beating inflation last year. The rate of CPI (Consumer Price Index) inflation was 3.3% over the same period. What are Capital Gearing’s aims? For the uninitiated, Capital Gearing aims to preserve and grow shareholders’ real wealth over time. While the FTSE 250-listed fund has a long-term investment horizon, it has an aversion to short-term losses. That means greater emphasis is placed on avoiding losses…

In our latest Podcast, the Sharesify team talk everything from US markets and Marvell Technology (NASDAQ:MRVL) to sports nutrition and Ciena (NYSE:CIEN). Our tech guru Steven brings sets the scene in terms of markets. He also brings us up-to-speed with the looming IPO of Elon Musk’s SpaceX. Retail watcher James chats about the earnings upgrades from pawnbroker Ramsdens (LON:RFX) and protein powders specialist Applied Nutrition (LON:APN). He explains why the latter’s licensing deal with Mondelez (NASDAQ:MDLZ) should open doors with Walmart (NASDAQ:WMT). Ian discusses the latest updates from electronic components maker DiscoverIE (LON:DSCV) and optical components firm Gooch & Housego (LON:GHH). He also…

Financial services-to-retail group Ramsdens (LON:RFX) rallied to all-time highs after posting record H1 results and raising FY26 profit guidance once again. Investors welcomed a 3p special dividend from the Teesside-headquartered company. This was in addition to a 33% increase in the H1 payout to 6p. Ramsdens’ latest upgrade primarily reflects the sky-high gold price, which continues to drive exceptional demand for gold buying in its precious metals business. But the company is also seeing positive momentum across the balance of its reassuringly-diversified business. Upgrade cycle continues For the year to September 2026, Ramsdens now expects to generate pre-tax profits in…

Fast-growing flooring distributor Likewise (LON:LIKE) rolled out another positive trading update confirming ongoing revenue growth and market share gains. The small cap also stressed that by the end of FY26, it will have capacity to ‘materially exceed’ its £250 million annual sales target. The upbeat news sent shares in Tony Brewer-led Likewise up in early dealings. On a roll Year-to-date to 31 May, Likewise’s like-for-like revenue is up 16.5%. Furthermore, like-for-likes were up 19.1% in the month of May. ‘Order intake continues to be positive as the group takes exponential gains in market share’, insisted the company. Likewise faces a…

Shares in British American Tobacco (LON:BATS) cheapened after the company warned FY26 global cigarette industry volume is expected to be down around 2.5%. That guidance was worse than the previously expected 2% decline. It also means BATS’ FY26 sales and profit growth will be at the lower end of the company’s medium-term guidance ranges. Investors were also unnerved by the outlook for heated tobacco, where BATS expects a low double-digit sales decline for H1 and the full year. This reflect competition and inventory movements in Japan. Showing resilience Mildly disappointing FY26 guidance overshadowed an otherwise solid H1 update from the…

High-yielding renewable energy infrastructure fund Bluefield Solar Income (LON:BSIF) soared after accepting a £548 million all cash bid from Drax (LON:DRX). The offer price sits below Bluefield Solar’s last reported net asset value (NAV). However, it represents a 31% premium to the undisturbed share price back in November, before Bluefield Solar put itself up for sale. Considering the headwinds facing renewable energy trusts, the takeover provides Bluefield Solar’s shareholders with a clean cash exit. Shares in peers including NextEnergy Solar Fund (LON:NESF), Foresight Solar Fund (LON:FSFL), Greencoat UK Wind (LON:UKW) and Octopus Renewables Infrastructure (LON:ORIT) gained ground on the positive…

Shares in Applied Nutrition (LON:APN) muscled their way to an all-time high after the sports nutrition brand delivered another FY26 upgrade. Investors welcomed an earnings-enhancing US acquisition from Applied Nutrition. And the company also announced a new licensing agreement with US snacks giant Mondelez (NASDAQ:MDLZ). Crucially, this exciting deal opens doors with Walmart (NASDAQ:WMT) and GNC. Profits bulking up For FY26, the protein powders-to-supplements maker now expects to deliver revenue of around £148 million. That is ahead of the £140.3 million consensus estimate and implies almost 40% year-on-year growth. Following the positive news, Panmure Liberum upgraded its FY26 pre-tax profit forecast…

In our latest Podcast, the Sharesify team talk parabolic tech stock moves, US retailers and investment trusts taking radical steps to improve performance. Our tech expert Steven tells us why Dell Technologies (NYSE:DELL) stormed almost 40% higher in after-hours trading on Wall Street. This followed Snowflake’s (NYSE:SNOW) stock price surge on a major Q1 FY2027 earnings beat earlier in the week. Retail guru James explains why US retailers Best Buy (NYSE:BBY) and Dollar Tree (NASDAQ:DLTR) rallied hard. He also discusses US clothing retailers GAP (NYSE:GAP) and American Eagle (NYSE:AOE), which fell after sounding the alarm on a cautious female clothes shopper. Ian…