In the latest episode of the Podcast, the chaps discuss another busy week for markets, technology updates and takeovers. Steven explains why technology stocks continue to drive markets higher and previews tonight’s big report from Google-owner Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOG). Our markets watcher Ian talks us through the latest M&A action on the UK stock market. Facilities management firm Mitie Group (LON:MTO) has agreed a £3.1 billion cash takeover proposal from UK peer OCS. And in the REIT sector, warehouse and data centre operator SEGRO (LON:SGRO) and Alternative Income REIT (LON:AIRE) continue to attract interest from suitors. Roving reporter James lends us his view on positive…

Shares in Hardide (LON:HDD) soared after the advanced coatings provider upgraded FY26 guidance following strong Q3 trading and margin improvements. Having doubled revenues ahead of schedule, the Bicester-based business introduced a new target of doubling revenues again in two to three years. Trading ‘materially’ ahead For the uninitiated, Hardide provides advanced coatings for internal and external surfaces. The company applies hard-wearing coatings to metal components using chemical vapour deposition, a process that builds up a protective layer atom by atom. This process extends the life of parts used in ‘very aggressive’ environments. And the firm’s coatings result in cost savings…

Convenience food manufacturer Greencore (LON:GNC) gained ground after serving up a tasty FY26 profit guidance upgrade. The world’s biggest sandwich maker hailed a ‘strong operational and financial performance’ in Q3 with volume growth ahead of the market. The upgrade demonstrated that Greencore is seeing the benefits of its convenience food mega-merger with rival Bakkavor. Encouragingly, Q4 trading has ‘started positively’, with strong volume momentum continuing from the latter half of Q3. Portfolio nourishment Greencore now expects FY26 adjusted operating profit for the continuing UK business to be above current market expectations and in the £234 million to £242 million range.…

Infrastructure services-to-construction company Kier (LON:KIE) was in demand after delivering an upbeat FY26 trading update. The FTSE 250 firm now expects sales and profits for the year to June 2026 to be ‘at the top end’ of market expectations. Kier also called attention to a bulging order book providing ‘a high degree of visibility’ for the company. Positive momentum persists Kier said the strong trading momentum experienced in H1 persisted into H2. As a result, the Manchester-based firm sees FY26 revenue and profit at the top end of market expectations. In the infrastructure division, H2 benefited from ongoing strong growth…

Shares in Rosebank Industries (LON:ROSE) rallied after the acquisition vehicle upgraded FY26 guidance and issued a confident FY27 outlook. The FTSE 250 company operates a ‘Buy, Improve, Sell’ model. Rosebank highlighted improving performances at all three of its acquired businesses. MW Components, which makes fasteners, springs and precision metal components, was the main driver of the upgrade. Forecast-beating performance Rosebank said it expects FY26 adjusted operating profit and earnings per share (EPS) to be ahead of the company-compiled consensus. Before today, analysts were calling for adjusted operating profits of $294 million, rising to $452 million in FY27. ‘Encouragingly, the strong…

FTSE 250-listed fund GCP Infrastructure Investments (LON:GCP) has sold two operational onshore wind projects at Winscales Moor and Burton Wold. The company completed this disposal at a 13% premium to the latest net asset value (NAV) of these projects. The sale demonstrated that demand for high-quality renewable infrastructure assets remains high. Shares in GCP Infra rose on the positive news in early dealings. The FTSE 250 company continues to make good progress with its capital allocation programme. GCP Infra is using the cash from asset sales to reduce debt and fund share buybacks. Bumper ‘day one’ proceeds The wind assets…

Shares in Alternative Income REIT (LON:AIRE) climbed after the commercial property-focused fund said it views a potential all-share offer from AEW UK REIT (LON:AEWU) as superior to a competing bid from Glenstone REIT. AIRE is now assessing the terms of larger peer AEW UK REIT’s possible offer. This was made on 16 July and values AIRE at 77.4p. That represents a premium of around 10.6% to the 70p offer on the table from Glenstone, AIRE’s largest shareholder with a 25% stake. In a statement, AIRE’s board said it ‘strongly recommends’ that AIRE shareholders who have not accepted Glenstone’s offer ‘do not do so’. While…

In the latest Sharesify podcast, the gang discuss tech stocks, the frenetic pace of M&A and the FTSE 250’s re-rating potential. Steven dissects another busy week of tech results. Netflix (NASDAQ:NFLX), IBM (NYSE:IBM) and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TPE:2330) all delivered updates. Next up, Ian delves into the latest UK M&A action. This week saw Rotork (LON:ROR) agree a cash offer from ABB (SWX:ABBN) at a 73% premium, while a bidding war for Alternative Income REIT (LON:AIRE) broke out. James brings us up to speed with the latest from the luxury sector. He also teases his new mid caps feature. The FTSE…

British luxury goods group Burberry (LON:BRBY) racked up sales growth in all divisions for the first time in three years in Q1. This encouraging result demonstrated that CEO Joshua Schulman’s turnaround strategy is working. Increased spending by well-heeled US shoppers offset the negative impact of the Middle East conflict. And the London-headquartered fashion house upgraded H1 FY27 wholesale guidance following a positive response from partners. So why was Burberry the biggest faller on the FTSE 100 in early deals on Friday? Well, Q1 comparable sales growth of 5% came in shy of more optimistic forecasts. And the trench coats-to-cashmere scarves…

Want to invest in the companies of the future? Look no further than the FTSE 250. This mid cap stock index comprises the 101st to 350th largest companies on the London Stock Exchange. Mid caps are a sweet spot for innovation and disruption. Unlike many small cap companies, mid cap firms tend to have proven business models and more resilient balance sheets. And in contrast to most large cap giants, mid caps usually have a long growth runway ahead of them. Generally speaking, mid caps are more agile than often limbering large caps. This allows them to scale rapidly, innovate and…