In the latest episode of the podcast, the Sharesify team discuss a mixed week of earnings updates and market reactions. Ian explains his absence from Wednesday’s recording. He reports back on a valuable evening of networking at the Association of investment Companies’ summer reception. Steven discusses FTSE 100 tech specialist trust Polar Capital Technology (LON:PCT), which delivered another exceptionally strong year to 30 April 2026. He also highlights positive updates from Bytes Technology (LON:BYIT) and Computacenter (LON:CCC). Next up, James explains why Hays’ (LON:HAS) upgrade owed plenty to cost-cutting and why the recruitment sector outlook is gloomy. And Ian tells us…

Shares in Hays (LON:HAS) rallied after the staffing company said it expects FY26 profits to come in at the top end of the consensus range. Q4 proved another period of subdued recruitment activity for Hays. However, cost reductions and a return to year-on-year growth in H2 helped drive an unexpected upgrade. Top end of the guide FY26 pre-exceptional operating profit is now expected to be at the top of the £37 million to £46 million consensus range, said Hays. In Q4, the FTSE 250 recruiter saw the decline in group net fees moderate. Furthermore, in FY26, Hays delivered annualised cost…

Shares in Capita (LON:CPI) plunged on a warning failures at its civil service pension scheme contract will impact FY26 profits and cash flows. The outsourcer now expects issues on the contract, together with the knock-on effect on its wider pension solutions division, will reduce FY26 adjusted operating profit by £25 million-to-£40 million. Capita also expects a £35 million to £50 million free cash flow impact this year. As a result, the London-based firm pushed back its positive free cash flow delivery target to FY27. Working through the backlog Capita’s disappointing update follows the government’s criticism of its handling the scheme.…

Members-only warehouse giant Costco (NASDAQ:COST) has been a juggernaut of a stock for decades. The Washington-based company is loved by investors for its defensive business model, steady international growth and dependable dividends. Results for the five weeks ended 5 July 2026 showed an impressive 10.6% jump in net sales to $29.24 million. Which begs the question, why did Costco shares weaken in after-hours Wall Street dealings on 8 July? Growth slows Well, Costco racked up comparable sales growth of 8.8%. Unfortunately, this marked a slowdown on the 12.5% comparable growth recorded in the four week period ended 31 May. Admittedly,…

In the latest Podcast, an Ian-less team see James and Steven discuss volatile markets, Samsung (KRX:005930) and investment trusts taking action to address NAV discounts. Our tech expert Steven explains why the AI infrastructure boom continued to drive demand for Samsung’s memory chips in its latest quarter. However, investors questioned whether earnings have peaked and whether today’s AI spending can be sustained. Samsung Electronics Q2 2026: Record profits, but investors wanted even more He also explains how investors can gain exposure to AI through stocks outside the US. These are often trading at considerably lower valuations. Consumer stock watcher James…

Budget fitness operator Gym Group (LON:GYM) is a growth company in decent shape judging by its latest update. The low-cost gym operator insisted ‘positive trading momentum’ continued through H1 of 2026. As expected, like-for-like revenue grew by a solid 3% year on year. Guided by CEO Will Orr, Gym Group remains on track to open ‘at least’ 20 gyms in 2026. While the company reported a half of solid revenue growth and market share gains, it failed to deliver another earnings upgrade. This explains why the stock traded slightly lower in early dealings. Flexing its muscles London-based Gym Group’s revenues…

Shares in International Biotechnology Trust (LON:IBT) were boosted by the news portfolio company Crinetics Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:CRNX) has been acquired by Vertex Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:VRTX). IBT managers Ailsa Craig and Marek Poszepczynski have a real knack for spotting takeover targets. Amazingly, the Crinetics takeover marks the eighth acquisition within the trust’s portfolio in 2026-to-date. These include the takeover of Soleno Therapeutics (SLNO) by Neurocrine Biosciences (NBIX). Nuvalent (NASDAQ:NUVL) was snapped up by GSK (LON:GSK), while Apogee Therapeutics (NASDAQ:APGE) was bought by AbbVie (NYSE:ABBV). Another healthy premium The biotech M&A boom shows no signs of slowing, benefiting those funds and trusts able to identify…

Specialist contractor Keller (LON:KLR) upgraded FY26 guidance following a recent acceleration in its positive trading momentum. The ground improvements-to-grouting group highlighted an ‘excellent performance’ through the remainder of Q2 with North America trading ‘materially outperforming’ management’s expectations. Investors also welcomed news of ‘buoyant’ contract tendering activity across the group, sending the shares to new all-time highs. Trading ‘materially’ ahead London-headquartered Keller is in fact the world’s largest geotechnical specialist contractor. Basically, the company gets ground ready to build on and provides solutions to geotechnical challenges across the global construction sector. Keller now expects FY26 sales and underlying operating profit will…

Shares in The Beauty Tech Group (LON:TBTG) rallied after the at-home beauty device maker delivered its fourth guidance upgrade since IPO. Cheshire-based Beauty Tech Group now expects H1 revenue will be ‘materially’ ahead of last year’s £55 million haul. The upgrade reflects the broad-based growth the firm is seeing across all key markets and channels. FY26 sales and adjusted EBITDA are now expected to be ‘no less than £170 million and £45 million’ respectively. This reflects strong revenue growth and the firm’s expanding margins. The updated guidance is comfortably ahead of the company-compiled consensus. Analysts were previously calling for sales…

Alternative Income REIT’s (LON:AIRE) biggest shareholder Glenstone has sweetened its bid for the company from 70p to 71.4p per share in cash. Glenstone described its new offer for the commercial property-focused REIT as ‘final’. And yet the Guernsey-listed REIT reserved the right to upsize its offer should a counterbid emerge. This looks to be a response to another potential AIRE suitor, AEW UK REIT (LON:AEWU), which is monitoring the situation. AEWU previously had an all-share approach pitched 3% below AIRE’s then net asset value (NAV) rejected by the board. Low-ball bid? Glenstone’s 1.4p, or 2%, increase from the previous 70p…