Most investors looking for top AI stocks automatically gravitate toward Nvidia (NASDAQ:NVDA), Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT), Broadcom (NASDAQ:AVGO), and perhaps few others. Yet some of the most attractive AI opportunities may lie among lesser-known companies supplying the infrastructure, connectivity, and computing capacity powering the AI revolution. Broadcom Q2 FY2026 earnings analysis: AI growth remains exceptional, but expectations were even higher Broadcom Q2 2027 presentation The following five companies are not household names, but they are increasingly appearing on institutional investors’ watchlists as potential best AI stock candidates for the next phase of the AI buildout. While all AI stocks carry risk, these…

Oxford Instruments (LON:OXIG) published its full-year results announcement on 9 June with investors looking for confirmation that a difficult first half has given way to a stronger growth trajectory. The scientific instrumentation specialist has spent the past year navigating tariff disruption, weaker academic spending and a slower demand environment in parts of its Imaging & Analysis division. Oxford Instruments (LON:OXIG)Price: £28.80 (-6.7%)Market cap: £1.48bn However, the more important story for long-term investors is the accelerating momentum within Advanced Technologies, particularly compound semiconductors and other high-growth industrial applications. FY 2026 Snapshot MetricFY2026FY2025*Revenue£423.2m£443.4mAdjusted operating profit£73.7m£79.5mAdjusted operating margin17.4%17.9%Order intake growth~8%PositiveBook-to-bill ratio~1.06xAbove 1x *2025…

Few FTSE 100 stocks have rewarded investors like Rolls-Royce (LON:RR.). Since CEO Tufan Erginbilgic took charge in early 2023, the turnaround has been extraordinary, but what next? Rolls-Royce remains an excellent business, but it is no longer an obvious bargain. The question for UK retail investors today is whether Rolls-Royce remains a buy after a remarkable three-year run, or whether much of the good news is already reflected in the share price. Rolls-Royce (LON:RR.)Price: £12.35 (-2%)Market cap: £101.2bn Performance vs FTSE 100 YearRolls-Royce Share Price ReturnFTSE 100 Return*Outperformance2023+203%c.+3.8%+199.2%2024+90.7%c.+5.7%+85.0%2025+95.5%c.+7%+88.5%2026 YTD+3.2%c.+4%-0.8% *Approximate price return basis. Rolls-Royce dividends were relatively small until recently.…

Gold has already delivered exceptional returns over the past several years, reaching record highs during 2025 and early 2026. The key question for UK investors is whether the rally has further to run or whether much of the upside has already been captured. The consensus among analysts remains broadly positive, although expectations vary considerably. Most analysts continue to see structural support from central-bank buying, geopolitical uncertainty, fiscal concerns in the US, and the prospect of lower interest rates. However, after such a strong run, volatility and corrections should be expected. Summary Base Case (Most Likely) Gold trades broadly sideways to…

Raspberry Pi (LON:RPI) delivered one of the strongest trading updates on the London market so far in 2026, with upgraded profit expectations that sent the shares to new all-time highs. The update confirms that the Cambridge-based computing platform is increasingly becoming an industrial technology and semiconductor company rather than simply a hobbyist computer brand. Raspberry Pi (LON:RPI)Price: £10.32 (+25%)Market cap: £2.23bn For UK retail investors, the key question is whether today’s surge reflects the start of a longer growth story or whether much of the good news is now reflected in the valuation. What Did Raspberry Pi Announce? The company…

For UK retail investors building a global income portfolio, the ideal holdings combine four characteristics: Global dividends are expected to reach a record US$2.47 trillion in 2026, although growth is slowing to around 2.9% as companies prioritise sustainable payout growth over aggressive increases. The following 10 companies provide exposure across North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific while balancing income and growth. Snapshot Table CompanyRegionSectorForecast YieldForecast EPS Growth (2026)Forecast Dividend GrowthConsensus Target UpsideJPMorgan ChaseUSBanking2.3%8-10%8%10%BroadcomUSAI & Semiconductors1.5%25-30%10%+14%MicrosoftUSTechnology0.7%12-15%10%10%Johnson & JohnsonUSHealthcare3.2%5-7%4-5%8%ShellUKEnergy4.4%6-8%5%8%UnileverUKConsumer Staples3.5%5-7%4-5%14-18%AstraZenecaUKHealthcare2.1%10-12%3%12%NovartisSwitzerlandHealthcare3.7%Flat to -3%3-4%8%Toyota MotorJapanIndustrials2.8%7-10%7%12%DBS GroupSingaporeBanking5.5%5-8%5%10% Yields, growth forecasts and target upside are consensus estimates and rounded. 1. JPMorgan Chase (NYSE:JPM) The world’s highest-quality large…

Cybersecurity leader CrowdStrike (NASDAQ:CRWD) delivered another quarter of impressive growth, beating Wall Street expectations on revenue, earnings and annual recurring revenue (ARR). However, investors had set an exceptionally high bar after the stock’s remarkable rally in 2026, resulting in a sharp post-earnings sell-off despite management raising full-year guidance. CrowdStrike (NASDAQ:CRWD)Price: $667 (-10%)Market cap: $169.7bn Key Q1 FY2027 Results The cybersecurity specialist beat expectations across every major metric, showing that demand for its Falcon cybersecurity platform remains robust despite a challenging macroeconomic environment. CrowdStrike Q1 2027 release CrowdStrike Q1 2027 presentation MetricQ1 FY2027YoY GrowthConsensusRevenue$1.39bn+26%$1.36bnAdjusted EPS$1.10+51%$1.07ARR$5.51bn+24%~$5.50bnNet New ARR$256m+32%Ahead Share price reaction Despite…

Shares in Broadcom (NASDAQ:AVGO) fell sharply after fiscal Q2 2026 results despite another quarter of explosive AI-driven growth. The reaction highlights a key reality for investors: Broadcom is no longer judged on whether it is growing rapidly, but whether it can exceed increasingly ambitious expectations. Broadcom (NASDAQ:AVGO)Price: $415.08 (-13.4%)Market cap: $1.97tn Broadcom delivered another earnings beat, driven by demand for AI accelerators and networking products used in hyperscale data centres. AI revenue alone increased 143% year-on-year to $10.8 billion. Broadcom’s Q2 2026 release Broadcom Q2 2027 presentation Q2 FY2026 results snapshot MetricQ2 FY2026YoY GrowthConsensusRevenue$22.19bn+48%~$22.1-22.3bnAdjusted EPS$2.44+54%~$2.40AI Semiconductor Revenue$10.8bn+143%~$10.7bnSemiconductor Revenue$15.0bn+79%BeatInfrastructure Software Revenue$7.2bn+9%In…

Actively managed OEIC funds remain popular with UK retail investors in 2026 despite the long-term rise of passive investing. The reason is straightforward: many investors still want experienced fund managers to navigate volatile markets, identify AI and technology winners, generate income, or reduce downside risk during uncertain periods. Recent data from Fidelity, Trustnet and major UK investment platforms suggests the most bought active funds today tend to fall into three categories: What is an OEIC fund? An OEIC (Open-Ended Investment Company) is a type of collective investment fund commonly used in the UK. It pools money from many investors and…

UK retail investors have been rebalancing investment trust portfolio strategies considering increased market volatility. War in the Middle East, the potential return of the inflation monster, reducing risk, bolstering income, AI capex, de-risking US exposure… there’s plenty to occupy the market mind at present So where are UK retail investors now focusing their attention? This feature provides answers and explains the thinking behind the rebalancing act. Explore the most-followed investment trusts and trust sectors, from income and infrastructure to technology and global growth, based on current investor interest. Whether you’re looking for dividend income, long-term capital growth, or diversification, these…