Gold: A personal view
Peter Temple
19.11.09
The price of gold has just kept rising during the financial storm, but Peter Temple says it's shrewd to keep an eye on the moves of governments. India's recent decision to swap dollars for gold, could mean it's time to exit.
Rising diamond prices to help Petra shine
Edmond Jackson
18.11.09
Edmond Jackson says the strengthening in rough diamond supports the top-down and bottom-up views he expressed in Petra Diamonds back in October. There could be more growth ahead.
Stockbroker fined for insider trading
Rhian Nicholson
17.11.09
A former Pacific Continental Securities stockbroker has been fined £24,000 for using inside information about an AIM-traded company to encourage his clients to buy its shares.
Not too late for Salamander success
Edmond Jackson
16.11.09
Just because shares in exploration firm Salamander Energy have risen, don't necessarily think you've missed the boat, says Edmond Jackson. Its risks are still on the upside, he feels, creating potential buying opportunities.
Fenner shows virtue in being contrarian
Edmond Jackson
12.11.09
Shares in industrial engineer Fenner have soared since April, underscoring the virtue in being contrarian, says Edmond Jackson. If operating results show the top line is stable, the risk remains on the upside.
The Coppock indicator and how it works
Peter Temple
11.11.09
Edwin Coppock devised one of the most accurate ways of determining if a new bull market trend has begun, says Peter Temple. And he got it right this June...
Get a lift from thrift
Richard Beddard
09.11.09
Richard Beddard favours a return to the prudent share-buying principles advocated by the economist and investor Benjamin Graham.
Re-rating leaves Man Group well set
Edmond Jackson
09.11.09
A prompt re-rating for alternative investment provider Man Group has much to do with a turnaround in investor sentiment, says Edmond Jackson. Having highlighted its value back in April, it also underlines the virtue of patience to ride out a crisis he says.
Podcast: Are Gilts the biggest Ponzi scheme ever?
John Mulligan
06.11.09
Repaying existing investors through funds raised from new investors and boosted by exaggerated claims from the scheme operator? Might ring some bells, says John Mulligan.
Never mind the margin - watch the wives
Edmond Jackson
05.11.09
After releasing positive financial results IT group Sanderson could be an attractive risk/reward share for your Portfolio, says Edmond Jackson.
Can Taylor Wimpey's rise go on?
Edmond Jackson
04.11.09
Housebuilder Taylor Wimpey reported an encouraging performance in turbulent times. But, our resident stock-picker Edmond Jackson asks, are results sustainable?
Podcast: C of E's strategy without virtue
Edmond Jackson
03.11.09
With the Church of England's equity-oriented pensions strategy today being derided as 'reckless' by financial advisers, where does this leave individuals who look mainly to shares, in order to maximise long-term return from savings?
Here's Lookers at you, kid
Edmond Jackson
02.11.09
UK motor dealer Lookers is a useful example of a 'cyclical' company, says Edmond Jackson. But with consumer confidence now returning how should we regard cyclicals such as Lookers right now and for the longer term?
Being Warren Buffett
Richard Beddard
30.10.09
Find the world's most successful investor then do exactly what he does. In reality it's not that easy, says Richard Beddard. If Warren Buffett was in your shoes, he wouldn't copy Warren Buffett.
More than hope on show at Aminex
Edmond Jackson
30.10.09
Oil and gas explorer Aminex's circa 50% premium may suggest some hope is valued in, says Edmond Jackson. However, if potential is realised, the firm's current price offers safety for investors willing to take a chance.
Resilient Scott Wilson on the up
Edmond Jackson
29.10.09
A resilient pre-close statement from property and business services firm Scott Wilson Group has led Edmond Jackson to target 150p or higher in the medium term for its shares - if the group's markets do not deteriorate.
Santander's UK profits go sky high
Rhian Nicholson
28.10.09
Banco Santander's UK banking operations saw profits more than double for the year to date despite warning that the economy remains "fragile".
Lessons to learn at RAB Special Situations
Edmond Jackson
27.10.09
Funds investors and stockpickers should find plenty of pertinent issues in today's announcement from RAB Special Situations Company on its investment policy, says Edmond Jackson.
Patience a virtue with Scott Wilson
Edmond Jackson
26.10.09
Scott Wilson Group has been a volatile share, a cyclical firm suffering a backlash. But Edmond Jackson says the risk/reward profile is still attractive - if you've got the patience.
GKP holds the key to unlocking potential
Edmond Jackson
22.10.09
Gulf Keystone Petroleum offers good potential for long and short positions says Edmond Jackson as the exploration firm announces an "outstanding" discovery in Iraq. It all depends on how events unfold, he says.
Building blocks of recovery
Edmond Jackson
19.10.09
On a long-term view, house builders such as Taylor Wimpey and Barratt Development should have further upside, says Edmond Jackson. But let's see more evidence before we get carried away, he says.
Hope springs eternal at Tullow
Edmond Jackson
15.10.09
Tullow's prospects justifiably make it distinguished among oil & gas shares, says Edmond Jackson. Despite a muted response to its latest drilling results, it's likely to attract plenty of interest.
Ricardo proves suitably thrifty
Richard Beddard
15.10.09
Richard Beddard assesses the value of engineering consultancy Ricardo and, having survived his stringent research criteria, the firm becomes the latest member of his Thrifty 30 portfolio.
Tornado discovery buoys Dana and Faroe
Edmond Jackson
14.10.09
Oil producers Dana Petroleum and Faroe Petroleum were boosted today by news of a key discovery in the Tornado prospect. Edmond Jackson talks through what it means for investors.
Petropavlovsk one for the gold rush
Edmond Jackson
13.10.09
Edmond Jackson has tipped it before and even though it's changed name, Petropavlovsk - formerly Peter Hambro Mining - is well placed to benefit from the gold run. So, watch for another buying opportunity, amid the shares' volatility, he says.
B&B compensation fight 'will end by June'
Rhian Nicholson
12.10.09
Almost one million former Bradford & Bingley shareholders will learn of the outcome of their fight for compensation by next June at the latest.
RBS shareholders planning £9bn lawsuit
Rhian Nicholson
12.10.09
Disgruntled Royal Bank of Scotland shareholders are planning a potential £9 billion lawsuit against ex-boss Sir Fred Goodwin and other directors of the part-nationalised bank.
All hail Peter Lynch!
Richard Beddard
08.10.09
Interactive Investor's companies and markets editor, Richard Beddard, pays tribute to Fidelity's stock-picking guru, Peter Lynch, and pulls apart his strategies.
Michael Page teaches a valuable lesson
Edmond Jackson
07.10.09
Following Michael Page's third-quarter update, Edmond Jackson takes a look at the firm and says, having been overpriced for a while, it's a lesson in taking care with valuations on shares you hold.
Top tips for income seekers
Ruth Emery
06.10.09
Investors have been hit hard by dividend cuts over the past 18 months but two managers have revealed their secrets as they search for the elusive income.
Snapshot of Jessops shows caution
Edmond Jackson
05.10.09
With a restructuring now in place to save it from insolvency, camera retailer Jessops can be viewed as an illustrative option for the open minded investor, says Edmond Jackson.
Mister Gloom's boom
Lindsay Vincent
01.10.09
Peter Spiller has made money - oodles of it - for investors in Capital Gearing Trust. He may be pessimistic on prospects, but Spiller is pursuing unconventional ways to sustain the gains, finds Lindsay Vincent.
Petra is no diamond dog
Edmond Jackson
01.10.09
If the economics of the diamond industry remain supportive, Edmond Jackson says Petra Diamond's long-term development and takeover potential could be set to come to the fore.
Take heed of history's helpful pointers
Richard Beddard
01.10.09
Richard Beddard, Interactive Investor's own companies and markets editor, unveils some startling historical pointers that could prove useful for investors.
Charting the open waters
Richard Beddard
30.09.09
From the privatisations of the 1980s to the bursting of the dotcom bubble in the 1990s, Richard Beddard looks at how investors navigated their way through changing times, stayed afloat and thrived.
Finding a pearl in Western Canadian Coal
Edmond Jackson
30.09.09
Our resident stockpicker Edmond Jackson offers his views in his latest podcast on today's bullish AGM statement from Western Canadian Coal.
Seeking diversity for investment success
John Mulligan
29.09.09
Stock market veteran John Mulligan outlines the latest additions to his portfolio as he strives for a truly diversified selection.
Golden growth for Albemarle
Edmond Jackson
28.09.09
Pawnbroking has boomed in the recession, with Albemarle & Bond posting very healthy full-year figures. By adding gold-buying to its stores and positioned for a recovery in consumer jewellery spending, Edmond Jackson says it's in growth mode.
Podcast: Edmond Jackson on Corac Group
Edmond Jackson
28.09.09
Shares in Corac plunged in immediate response to the firm's interims today. Our resident stockpicker Edmond Jackson looks at the prospects from here...
Twenty-five years, not out
Jim Levi
28.09.09
Just 26 companies from the FTSE 100's original starting line-up remain in the index after a quarter of a century. Jim Levi traces the changing face of the UK's leading index and looks at likely new additions.
Podcast: Edmond Jackson on Regal Petroleum
Edmond Jackson
24.09.09
Listen to Edmond Jackson's response to Regal Petroleum's shareprice jump on the back of on operational update. Beware volatility, he says, but further interest should be attracted.
Podcast: Edmond Jackson on GCM Resources
Edmond Jackson
21.09.09
Our resident stockpicker Edmond Jackson sifts through the latest news from exploration firm GCM Resources, where he sees an interesting risk/reward profile.
Podcast: Edmond Jackson on Raymarine
Edmond Jackson
21.09.09
If this developer of boat navigation electronics can get through a sticky patch, Edmond Jackson says shares could rocket. Alternatively, Raymarine could sink.
Use your Imagination for growth
Edmond Jackson
21.09.09
Shares in this multimedia hardware licensing firm reflect much of the company's potential, says Edmond Jackson. If you can stomach a rocky ride, long-term investors could opt for Imagination Technologies Group, he says.
Regal has gas in the tank
Edmond Jackson
14.09.09
A volatile history this oil and gas explorer may have, says Edmond Jackson, but Regal Petroleum has plenty of gas left in the tank to launch a successful delivery phase.
ETFs: build a portfolio on the cheap
Harriet Meyer
11.09.09
ETFs are baskets of shares that are growing in popularity. Harriet Meyer looks at how they work and if they could be right for you .
Northgate could push hire and hire
Edmond Jackson
07.09.09
Standard Life Investments' upping of its holding in hire group Northgate has made Edmond Jackson stand up and take note. He believes reducing debt is achievable and it could be primed for the recovery.
Ride out volatility at Dana
Edmond Jackson
01.09.09
Although he dismisses current bid talk, Edmond Jackson says a solid debt profile and diversification of wells could help Dana Petroleum prosper as oil prices steady.
Dig deep for Faroe Petroleum
Edmond Jackson
24.08.09
Oil exploration firm Faroe Petroleum's portfolio is full of substantive prospects, says Edmond Jackson. With a bit of luck at the drill bit, it currently looks nicely poised.
Raymarine is steadying the ship
Edmond Jackson
19.08.09
As the subject of a potential bidding war, this developer of boat navigation electronics could further its strong competitive advantage and prove ripe for shareholder picking, says Edmond Jackson.
Go Tribal for growth
Edmond Jackson
17.08.09
If it can ride out the medium-term uncertainty, shares in this public sector support and services firm could be set for a welcome bounce, says Edmond Jackson.
Hold on to Harvey Nash for recovery
Edmond Jackson
13.08.09
IT recruitment firm Harvey Nash Group is worth a look as a recovery share, says Edmond Jackson. However, he adds, there is an art in picking an industry leader and be patient.
Find Sanderson on your radar
Edmond Jackson
06.08.09
Sanderson Group, an IT firm specialising in the retail and manufacturing sectors, seems to have fallen off the City's radar. But Edmond Jackson says there's an attractive risk/reward profile.
Tell-tale signs of promise at Western Canadian
Edmond Jackson
30.07.09
Shares at Western Canadian Coal have been a roller coaster, says Edmond Jackson, but signs of new development opportunities being identified offer hope for long-term investors.
A rock of stability
Ruth Emery
28.07.09
The venerable Foreign & Colonial Investment Trust is still increasing dividends, despite a wobble with its private equity exposure. Ruth Emery speaks to manager Jeremy Tigue.
In for a penny
Richard Beddard
28.07.09
Shrewd investors in very low-priced shares can find a bargain, while the unwary can find themselves being short-changed, says Richard Beddard.
Is it time to invest in smaller companies?
Faith Glasgow
27.07.09
Smaller company returns have been disappointing, but as Faith Glasgow shows, on a long-term view, they can offer golden investment opportunities.
Looks good on paper
Richard Beddard
27.07.09
Printing company printing.com has a lean and efficient business model that should see it survive the recessionary carnage in its sector, says Richard Beddard.
Peter Hambro is a special situation
Edmond Jackson
23.07.09
Over ambitious production targets have been abated at miner Peter Hambro, says Edmond Jackson. If gold remains strong, there's plenty here for investors to get excited about.
A view to a killing
Ceri Jones
22.07.09
The short-term volatility of physical commodities and related shares is attracting the interest of spreadbetting traders with a taste for risk and high returns, says Ceri Jones.
Alphameric to up the ante
Edmond Jackson
16.07.09
Objectivity over the prospects for Alphameric, an IT solution provider for bookmakers, is key says Edmond Jackson. If growth can be demonstrated, shares are set to rise.
Meldex on the ropes, but fighting back
Edmond Jackson
10.07.09
Pharmaceutical materials technology firm Meldex International is fighting back with a successful restructuring following director irregularities.
Keep it simple with Parkmead
Edmond Jackson
09.07.09
Oil and gas merchant bank Parkmead Group finds promising ventures and looks to develop value. It's a simple strategy and one that could apply to its own shares, says Edmond Jackson.
Steady platform for success at Tanfield
Edmond Jackson
08.07.09
Director faith and a favourable risk/reward profile are reasons to embrace the roller coaster ride in powered access platform developer Tanfield Group, says Edmond Jackson.
Taste of success
Jim Levi
06.07.09
Many companies are enjoying an unexpected rise in profits in spite of the general economic gloom, reports Jim Levi.
The road to recovery
Trevor Greetham
06.07.09
There have been a few diversions along the way, but now unmistakable signs that we are moving towards a sustained economic revival have emerged, says Trevor Greetham.
Get more for your trades
Ceri Jones
03.07.09
Many investors view CFDs as the preserve of stock market junkies. While that is true of some types of trade, Ceri Jones explains why they are useful for managing risk or backing a hunch.
Triumph over adversity
Richard Beddard
03.07.09
It has been a tumultuous year for equity investors, but Richard Beddard's forensic approach has paid off in all but one instance.
Go for growth with Petrofac
Edmond Jackson
02.07.09
Facilities solutions firm Petrofac is currently viewed as a cyclical by the market, but Edmond Jackson says, with no signs of a slowdown, it could be a growth share.
What is the future for online stockbrokers?
Matthew Wall
26.06.09
Following the shock announcement of Hoodless Brennan's withdrawal from the consumer online share dealing market, does this form of stockbroking have a future?
No defence for caution on Chemring
Edmond Jackson
25.06.09
Despite an excellent six-month performance, the market is still low in its pricing of defence materials group Chemring. Edmond Jackson asks, is the market being over-cautious?
Cyclical Scott Wilson to return to favour
Edmond Jackson
18.06.09
Despite heavy focus on state-funded projects, there's ample headroom for growth at design and engineering consultants Scott Wilson Group, says Edmond Jackson.
Hard-hit Bateman to turnaround
Edmond Jackson
11.06.09
Oil turnkey and EPC solutions provider Bateman Litwin has been battered by the downturn, but new management could prove the turning point, says Edmond Jackson.
Getting to grips with technical analysis
Ceri Jones
05.06.09
Stock market traders have searched in vain for the perfect indicator of asset price movements. However, there are a number of analytical tools that offer valuable insights into the likely direction of individual shares and wider indices, writes Ceri Jones.
Shoots of optimism at William Sinclair
Edmond Jackson
04.06.09
William Sinclair Holdings is the only play left on gardening lucre, says Edmond Jackson. The horticultural products firm's commercial progress is key to success, he says.
Boom-time mentality
Richard Beddard
02.06.09
Recruitment consultancy OPD is a classic contender for bargain-hunting investors who also require a safety margin. Richard Beddard delves deeper.
Write-offs on the wall
Heather Connon
02.06.09
As banks pull down the shutters, there's never been a better time for 3i to snap up bargains. But Heather Connon fears more balance sheet repairs will temper the private equity giant's ambitions.
Downturn can't hold back Albemarle
Edmond Jackson
28.05.09
In a recession, alertness to value and change can still be profitable, says Edmond Jackson. Albemarle & Bond's recent trading update suggests it could be one to succeed.
Sweeter times ahead for Tate & Lyle?
Edmond Jackson
20.05.09
Shares in maize refiner Tate & Lyle have had their short-term growth potential questioned, but Edmond Jackson believes its current rating is too mean and makes it a long-term prospect.
New leadership to turn Southern Cross around
Edmond Jackson
18.05.09
A UK market leader in care homes, Southern Cross Healthcare's new management could deliver on revenue and margins growth, says Edmond Jackson. If the forecasts are realistic, there's scope for a re-rating, he says.
Taylor Wimpey's house still in order
Edmond Jackson
13.05.09
Housebuilder Taylor Wimpey's recent cash call and improved debt facilities could mark the turning of a corner, says Edmond Jackson. Don't be put off by the re-rating, he adds.
Lift the lid on an investment gem
Fiona Hamilton
12.05.09
Deeply discounted bargains can be found among carefully chosen private equity trusts, reports Fiona Hamilton.
Signs of life
Alexander Garrett
12.05.09
The moribund property market has further to fall, but with the bottom in sight, investors and buyers are stepping up their interest, reports Alexander Garrett.
Cheap little earners
Heather Connon
11.05.09
Bargains abound in the small companies sector after an abysmal 18 months, and investors are positioning themselves for recovery, says Heather Connon.
The emerging optimist
Lindsay Vincent
11.05.09
The fundamental appeal of emerging market shares is far superior to those of developed markets, Aberdeen's Devan Kaloo tells Lindsay Vincent.
When the music's over
Richard Beddard
11.05.09
Manufacturers of electronics for gadgets such as iPods are suffering as sales dry up, but sound companies such as Holders Technology are great value, says Richard Beddard.
Get in tune with Cello
Edmond Jackson
07.05.09
Market services firm Cello Group is the victim of a classic swing in sentiment, says Edmond Jackson, but management's preparation for the recession should stand it in good stead.
"Return to go" with Meldex
Edmond Jackson
30.04.09
Shareholders of Meldex International have been put through the wringer with plenty of drama, says Edmond Jackson, but persistence could pay off.
Have we hit rock bottom?
Iain Murray
30.04.09
Did the rally in global stock markets on either side of the G20 Summit herald a new bull market in shares? While it would be foolhardy to categorically say yes, the signs seem to favour the optimists, discovers Iain Murray.
Respite from dividend slashers
Heather Connon
30.04.09
While UK dividends are being cut left right and centre, Heather Connon canvasses fund managers on where they are finding safe and even rising income from shares.
Juggling ups and downs at Barclays
Edmond Jackson
23.04.09
Barclays could be set to prosper internationally - if it can overcome medium-term challenges, says Edmond Jackson. Shareholders could win if they can stomach the risks.
Be prepared against financial risk
Barry Riley
20.04.09
There are financial dangers everywhere you look, and the so-called experts are floundering. Barry Riley offers a few survival tips.
Recovery around the corner for Fenner
Edmond Jackson
19.04.09
Industrial engineering group Fenner has seen its shares plummet, but Edmond Jackson says the recent stabilisation could lead to a full-blown recovery...
Aim for asset agility
Trevor Greetham
17.04.09
Timing tactical asset allocation decisions can be made easier by ensuring you already have a spread of asset classes, says Trevor Greetham.
Exhibitions in a sorry state
Richard Beddard
17.04.09
The economic woes of trade exhibition company ITE's key market, Russia, make shares in this promising company a bit of a gamble, says Richard Beddard.
Get the right IFA for your lifestyle
Faith Glasgow
17.04.09
Financial planners offer a very different service to traditional advisers, in that as well as managing an investor's finances, they also help to structure their desired lifestyle, finds Faith Glasgow
Get on board roller-coaster RAB
Edmond Jackson
16.04.09
There's been plenty of ups and downs with RAB Capital, says Edmond Jackson, but a handsome risk/reward profile could mark a bright future.
Babcock unveils £150m contract win
Jim Moore
09.04.09
Babcock International has announced a £150 million contract to provide engineering support to the UK's submarine flotilla.
Be prepared for Corac's defining year
Edmond Jackson
09.04.09
Engineering firm Corac has a lot riding on its latest offering, says Edmond Jackson. But there is more than just this to a company that could progress in an extended recession.
PartyGaming buoyed by US settlement
Interactive Investor News Team
07.04.09
PartyGaming shareholders look to have hit the jackpot after the company announced a legal settlement with the US authorities.
RBS Rights Issue Action Group
Chris Thomas
03.04.09
Join the Interactive Investor RBS action group, which seeks answers over whether shareholders are due compensation following the firm's rights issue.
Profit by principles
Richard Beddard
02.04.09
Warren Buffett's mentor Benjamin Graham developed a share strategy proven to deliver an average return of 15% and more. More than 30 years later, Richard Beddard puts it into action.
Look to Man as an "alternative"
Edmond Jackson
01.04.09
Facing up to the risk involved in Man Group's shares is key, says Edmond Jackson. But it is an industry leader with a board that has plenty of belief in its value.
Speedy Hire soars after new loan deal
Jim Levi
01.04.09
Tool hire firm Speedy Hire today announced the successful renegotiation of a loan plan and that it would meet analysts' forecasts, sending shares flying.
Pickings slim as bear bites
Jim Levi
30.03.09
A sustained recovery in share values remains a distant prospect, says Jim Levi.
An investment trust for your ISA
Faith Glasgow
27.03.09
Alliance Trust, the UK's largest generalist investment trust, may be emerging from a period of sub-par performance. It's new chief executive is making all the right moves.
Dragon Oil profits up by a fifth
Jim Moore
27.03.09
Dragon Oil has unveiled plans to capitalise on Bermuda's tax breaks by setting up a new holding company, after reporting profits had surged by a fifth.
Speculating on semiconductors
Edmond Jackson
26.03.09
After an industry wide slump last year, it may not seem the right time to speculate on semiconductors, but Edmond Jackson thinks the IQE is at an interesting stage.
Carnival cruises to profits
Jim Moore
24.03.09
Shares in Carnival were riding the crest of a wave on Tuesday, as the cruise operator posted higher profits.
Pawning your way to profit
Edmond Jackson
23.03.09
After 17 years of uninterrupted growth, pawnbroker Albemarle & Bond should reward investors in a recession.
GCM in last chance saloon
Edmond Jackson
18.03.09
Global Coal Management has always been a rollercoaster ride, but the election of a new Government in Bangladesh gives it one more chance to get its Phulbari coal project off the ground
Tullow oils the wheels of recovery
Edmond Jackson
12.03.09
Although you can't second guess oil prices in the short-term, oil is an essential commodity and FTSE 100 E&P company Tullow Oil is discovering more and more of it.
Beware the risks of structured products
Helen Pridham
09.03.09
Guaranteed or protected growth and income products are selling like hot cakes. However, investors must understand the risks if they don't want to get burned, warns Helen Pridham.
Engine still running at FirstGroup
Peter Temple
09.03.09
Peter Temple finds compelling reasons to continue investing in bus and train operator FirstGroup.
Profiting from insolvency
Edmond Jackson
06.03.09
Why is the price of the perfect recession share, an insolvency practice, so volatile? Edmond Jackson has the answer, and at the current price, he thinks Begbies Traynor is attractive.
A most progressive trust
Faith Glasgow
05.03.09
City of London Investment Trust is one of a select band of investment trusts that have increased their dividends each year for decades. As other income investments fall away, it's worth a look.
Glaxo proposes pay shake-up
Rhian Nicholson
05.03.09
GlaxoSmithKline is proposing to revamp its executive pay structure and bring in a claw back mechanism for bonuses.
Private investors returning to markets
Chris Thomas
02.03.09
Weak share prices are tempting small shareholders back into the stockmarket after months of turbulence, according to a report from Capita Registrars.
Know your currents
Ruth Emery
28.02.09
Shares come in many forms, and potential investors need to be aware of the differences between them if they don't want a shock. Ruth Emery explains.
BAE's £2.6bn confidence booster
Edmond Jackson
27.02.09
Although growth at BAE is likely to slow, Europe's largest defence contractor is a dependable stock in an undependable market, says Edmond Jackson.
Can gold ride out the financial storm?
Faith Glasgow
26.02.09
Recent gains from the 'barbaric relic' have been boosted by dollar strength. Faith Glasgow asks if gold will retain its lustre in troubled times and beyond.
Income comes in many guises
Faith Glasgow
26.02.09
Investors seeking out funds in the traditional income-producing sectors might easily miss some interesting members of the UK equity and bond income sector, reports Faith Glasgow.
Reduce your exposure to tax
Phil Leiwy
26.02.09
We are nearing the end of the tax year. It is time to minimise your tax liabilities for the current year and reduce your future tax exposure. Phil Leiwy explains how.
Seek your path to profit
Ceri Jones
26.02.09
Whether you‚ are starved for income or looking for longer-term growth opportunities, undervalued assets abound on the markets. Ceri Jones expands on 10 investment themes carrying varying degrees of risk for investors to consider buying into.
Sinking stocks can bounce back
Fiona Hamilton
26.02.09
UK smaller company trusts are suffering more than most of their brethren, but history shows they will recover stongly when sentiment improves, reports Fiona Hamilton.
Will the insurers pay out?
Jim Levi
26.02.09
Investors will be in line for some tasty yields if the big insurance companies pay out dividends in line with current expectations, says Jim Levi.
Profits tumble at Redrow
Rhian Nicholson
24.02.09
Falling sales and lower prices have seen revenues and profits at Redrow plummet during the latter half of 2008.
Rolls-Royce, a share for hard times
Edmond Jackson
20.02.09
A flat outlook for profits may not sound enticing, but look deep into Rolls Royce's annual report and there's good reason for confidence, says Edmond Jackson.
QinetiQ shares lack energy
Edmond Jackson
18.02.09
Defence is a traditional safe haven, but investors need reassuring that QinetiQ will grow in recession. Since the shares trade at a 30% discount to the sector, fears may be priced in.
Centamin Egypt's gold prospect
Edmond Jackson
13.02.09
While there is an infinite supply of depreciating currency, gold reserves are finite. Centamin Egypt is likely to profit as investors herd into hard assets, says Edmond Jackson.
Could you profit from new frontiers?
Liam Tarry
09.02.09
As developing countries appear to defy the global gloom, Liam Tarry looks at the opportunities - and risks - of investing these new frontier markets.
Helical to exploit property opportunity
Edmond Jackson
06.02.09
Commercial property is out of favour, yet Helical Bar managed to raise £27m for expansion. This reflects confidence in Helical's management, says Edmond Jackson.
Indian market "within 5%" of bottom
Faith Glasgow
04.02.09
Single-country emerging market investments are not designed to help investors sleep easily at night, but the sell-off in India seems overdone. JP Morgan Indian Trust is a way in.
All your income options
Heather Connon
29.01.09
Income seekers increasingly need to take risks to get a decent yield. But safety in numbers can help mitigate risk and, through careful portfolio construction, generate a healthy monthly income to boot, writes Heather Connon.
Profit fall can't stop Shell's record results
Rhian Nicholson and Chris Thomas
29.01.09
Oil giant Shell sees a big drop in fourth-quarter profits, but still reports record annual results.
Pushing the right buttons
Richard Beddard
29.01.09
Richard Beddard examines the prospects for a company whose products are always close at hand - button manufacturer Dewhurst. He likes what he sees.
Step up to higher yields
Jim Levi
29.01.09
Jim Levi delves into this month's annual corporate results and finds that income-seekers could be in for some pleasant surprises.
FSA bans two directors over mis-selling
Rhian Nicholson
28.01.09
Two directors at notorious stockbroker Pacific Continental Securities have been fined and banned from top-level roles in the financial services industry by the financial regulator.
Printing.com is small business survivor
Edmond Jackson
28.01.09
Managers at Printing.com must decide whether to maintain its dividend, yielding 11%, or save cash to buy up struggling printers. Either way, investors should win in the long-run.
Barclays moves to reassure investors
Rhian Nicholson
26.01.09
Efforts from banking giant Barclays to reassure investors over its financial health provided a much needed boost to its share price on Monday.
Plunging profits send Wolseley south
Rhian Nicholson
26.01.09
Plunging profits and rising debts resulting from a deteriorating housing market and the turmoil in the financial markets took their toll on building materials firm Wolseley on Monday.
SFO urged to investigate RBS "fraud"
Chris Thomas
26.01.09
An investigation into the Royal Bank of Scotland's £12 billion rights issue has come a step nearer following complaints by members of the Scottish Parliament.
Barclays' share price plummets further
Rhian Nicholson and Chris Thomas
23.01.09
Shares in stricken bank Barclays were heading for their ninth consecutive day of losses on Friday, as fears over its future refused to disappear.
Costain to prosper in recession
Edmond Jackson
23.01.09
With its blue-chip clientele, engineering group Costain should weather the recession well. The shares look good for the long-term, says Edmond Jackson.
Barclays unbowed
Edmond Jackson
21.01.09
It may seem perverse to consider shares in banks as their prices melt down, but perversity can be a winning trait in the stockmarket, says Edmond Jackson.
January key to the year's fortunes
Rhian Nicholson
15.01.09
January is the all-important month for determining how shares perform for the remainder of the year, according to the Halifax.
Taylor Wimpey, where speculators dare
Edmond Jackson
15.01.09
If you like to buy when the news is dire, it's surely a good time to look at Taylor Wimpey. If banks prove supportive, it could be a sensational recovery play. But risks abound...
Back to basics
Richard Beddard
14.01.09
Unless you are a disciplined value investor you will not have heard of Benjamin Graham. But his bottom-up strategy for company valuations could help you grow your stock returns, as Richard Beddard discovers.
Can investors have a conscience?
Rebecca Atkinson
13.01.09
Ethical investing has become an increasingly popular option for those looking to put their money into the stockmarkets, but can investors have a conscience?
Land of Leather in administration
Rhian Nicholson
12.01.09
Retailer Land of Leather today announced it has called in the administrators after suspending its shares in late morning trading.
Momentum returns at Monterrico Metals
Edmond Jackson
08.01.09
A recovery in mining shares indicates that falling prices overshot last year, says Edmond Jackson, and developments in Peru have speculators re-tuning their perceptions of the copper miner.
Edinburgh IT a rock for uncertain times
Faith Glasgow
07.01.09
The appointment of Neil Woodford, one of the UK's most successful fund managers, is a good move by Edinburgh Investment Trust, the UK's largest, says Faith Glasgow.
Investment outlook for 2009
Rachel Lacey
06.01.09
With more financial pain in store, 2009 is set to be a challenge. Rachel Lacey takes a look at the investment horizon and asks how savers and investors should respond.
Shareholders to be left in the dark?
Rhian Nicholson
05.01.09
Shareholders in UK companies could be left in the dark after the ABI made it doubly easy for companies to plough ahead with cash calls without their approval.
Five contrarian picks for 2009
Edmond Jackson
31.12.08
Edmond Jackson shares his five best contrarian ideas for 2009. From giant advertising groups to small coal miners, he's betting the economy won't get much worse.
Where to put your money in 2009
Peter Temple
31.12.08
Peter Temple imagines the year ahead and decides there's not much future in stocks and bonds. Cash, gold and perhaps later, property, will be the best homes for money.
A great year for cash
Peter Temple
24.12.08
The Analyst looks back on a year to forget. A few companies are riding the storm, but if it hadn't been for cash, gilts, and dividends his portfolios would have been in much worse shape.
Beacon of light in the gloom
Ruth Emery
24.12.08
Stockmarket turbulence continues, but there are pockets of opportunity out there, says Ruth Emery.
Bonds - safe haven or treacherous waters?
Andrew Pitts
24.12.08
Money Observer editor Andrew Pitts asks some leading fund managers what they see in store for bonds in 2009.
How to save in a slump
Barry Riley
24.12.08
Savers may need to take some risks to get a decent yield but investors can construct a bullet-proof portfolio to suit market condition.
Lessons from a year to forget
Peter Temple
24.12.08
Rather than wring his hands over spectacular casualties in his portfolios, the Analyst decides to learn from his mistakes and ponder the bizarre performance of a gold fund.
Solid gains in time
Peter Temple
24.12.08
Investors seeking an alternative to traditional asset classes need to tread carefully, as some tangible investments are more resilient in a downturn than others, writes Peter Temple.
Taylor Wimpey shares tumble
Rhian Nicholson
23.12.08
Shares in Taylor Wimpey fell by 15% on Tuesday despite the housebuilder saying it is likely to reach an agreement with lenders over its debt by the end of the year.
Corac plunge reveals upside
Edmond Jackson
22.12.08
Delays in commercialising its gas field compressor technology have hit Corac's share price hard. But Edmond Jackson believes there might be substance, as well as hope, in Corac's business.
Hot small caps round-up
19.12.08
A round-up of key small cap movers on the London stockmarket.
HSBC falls on dividend and rights issue fears
Rhian Nicholson
18.12.08
Fears over a potential cut in dividend and the possibility of a rights issue pushed HSBC lower for the sixth consecutive day.
Our stock picks, one year on
Edmond Jackson
18.12.08
At the end of 2007, stockpicker Edmond Jackson picked five special situations for 2008. It's been a difficult year...
Vodafone for the defensive
Edmond Jackson
12.12.08
If developing countries prove resilient, Vodafone promises modest returns, a solid dividend, and relatively low risk. That's an attractive package for the conservative investor.
Hot small caps round-up
10.12.08
A round-up of the latest key small cap movers on the London stockmarkets.
Pharma comes back to life
Faith Glasgow
09.12.08
Well not exactly, but the pharma and healthcare sector is doing better than most as investors search for security. Finsbury Worldwide Pharmaceutical Trust is profiting, and trading at a discount.
Confident Harvey Nash is undervalued
Edmond Jackson
08.12.08
Unlike other recruiters, Harvey Nash seems to be growing through the downturn. But despite all the good news, the price keeps falling - it could spell opportunity.
Hot small caps round-up
08.12.08
A round-up of the latest key small cap movers on the London stockmarkets.
Hot small caps round-up
05.12.08
A round-up of the latest key small cap movers on the London stockmarkets.
New Star shareholders set to miss out
Rhian Nicholson
04.12.08
Shareholders in ailing fund mangement group New Star are set to be left with next to nothing under plans to dramatically restructure the firm.
The F factor
Richard Beddard
01.12.08
Finding cheap shares is easy, but picking the ones that will recover most strongly is the trick. This is where the F score comes in, says Richard Beddard.
Cookson so cheap it's mouth-watering
Edmond Jackson
28.11.08
Depending on how it does this year, Cookson could be on a price-earnings multiple of two or lower. Surely that's too cheap, says Edmond Jackson. The directors seem to think so.
Gold miner to dig itself out of trouble
Edmond Jackson
26.11.08
A perfect storm of falling gold prices, wariness about Russia, operational delays, and uncertainty about reserves has driven Peter Hambro's shares down. When it blows out, speculators could profit.
Hot small caps round-up
26.11.08
A round-up of the latest key small cap movers on the London stockmarkets.
Woolworths goes into administration
Chris Thomas
26.11.08
Tens of thousands of jobs are under threat, after UK retailer Woolworths went into administration.
Taste the difference
Edmond Jackson
21.11.08
Sainsbury's is in as a good a position as the other supermarkets to profit from recession and recovery, says Edmond Jackson, yet investors are more cautious. It could be an opportunity.
Shares in Woolworths suspended
Rhian Nicholson
19.11.08
Shares in ailing high street chain Woolworths were suspended on Wednesday morning after the group confirmed it is in talks with restructuring firm Hilco.
Resilient yields take centre stage
Jim Levi
18.11.08
With recession lurking around the corner, investors are focusing on companies that can ride out the economic storm and pay decent dividends into the bargain, reports Jim Levi.
Third-quarter AIM activity hits four-year low
Rhian Nicholson
14.11.08
Investor activity on the AIM dropped to its lowest level in the third quarter for more than four years, according to business advisory firm Deloitte.
From Russia, with risk
Faith Glasgow
13.11.08
JP Morgan Russian Securities was the most consistent investment trust of all in the decade to last September. It also returned 4,754%. Even though its share price is down 64% in the last six months, it's one to watch.
Fortune's fortune tied up with China
Edmond Jackson
12.11.08
Fortune Oil is ideally placed to profit from growth in China, says Edmond Jackson. The problem is, investors are wondering whether China can avoid a damaging recession of its own.
FirstGroup offers ticket for recovery
Iain Murray
10.11.08
John Pattullo tells Iain Murray why bond fund specialists prefer reliable income over "excitement".
BRICs to the rescue
Ceri Jones
09.11.08
Commodity prices and natural resources shares are in freefall. Ceri Jones asks whether emerging market demand can help them bounce back.
Directors back Premier Foods recovery
Edmond Jackson
09.11.08
Heavy buying by directors, and bullish outlook statements seem to be tempting recovery investors back to indebted Premier Food, says Edmond Jackson.
Budget choices to beat recession
Heather Connon
03.11.08
By promoting its hotels and restaurants as value-for-money options, Whitbread is seeking to appeal to increasingly cost-conscious customers, says Heather Connon.
Investors upbeat on BT's prospects
Rhian Nicholson and Chris Thomas
31.10.08
Investors remain upbeat on the prospects of telecoms giant BT, despite today's surprise profits warning from the firm.
Braving the recession with Dignity
Edmond Jackson
30.10.08
As Britain's only listed funeral services group, Dignity is in a unique and relatively stable position. Morbid though it seems, demand for funerals is likely to remain.
Oil giants continue to soar
Rhian Nicholson
30.10.08
Soaring third quarter results from oil giants BP and Shell were lifted by lower oil prices and have got investors busily trading.
Glaxo a winner from the top down
Edmond Jackson
29.10.08
Big pharma is more ethical than other defensive stocks, says Edmond Jackson and, because of its size, GlaxoSmithKline should be able to profit from other firms' weakness.
Stick's search for high-flying income payers
Iain Murray
28.10.08
Stockmarket volatility does not faze Carl Stick of Rathbone. He is more interested in companies' long-term potential to generate a reliable income stream, he tells Iain Murray.
Buy Petroleum, despite low oil prices
Edmond Jackson
24.10.08
Oil prices have halved, so why look at BP now? Oil prices are unlikely to remain low, says Edmond Jackson, and BP's a blue chip with a reliable dividend, going cheap.
Wetherspoon to buck recession
Edmond Jackson
21.10.08
If recession drives us to drink, we'll probably be doing it in a Wetherspoon pub. The drinks are cheaper there, says Edmond Jackson, and the cash is flowing (as well as the booze).
Can you make a healthy investment in medicine?
Liam Tarry
20.10.08
An ageing population and ongoing medical advances offer big opportunities for healthcare companies. Liam Tarry puts the funds that specialise in this area under the microscope.
Chain inaction
Lindsay Vincent
20.10.08
Since engineer Renold was turned around a few years ago, it has gone from strength to strength. Yet its share price does not yet reflect the recovery, reports Lindsay Vincent.
Time to get back into emerging markets
Faith Glasgow
16.10.08
Emerging markets was the worst performing investment trust sector in September - an opportunity for contrarian investors? JP Morgan's Emerging Markets trust is the "obvious choice".
Game back on
Richard Beddard
14.10.08
After four years of falling sales and a share price dip in July, Games Workshop looks to be marching back to profitability, writes Richard Beddard.
Do you invest with your head or your heart?
Sarah Coles
13.10.08
It's easy to become attached to shares and funds for the wrong reasons. Sarah Coles points out some of the warning signs of a sentimental investor and offers some tips for a return to reason.
Tanfield is a potential 'multi-bagger'
Edmond Jackson
13.10.08
Despite a firm balance sheet and improving cash-flow, Tanfield may be undervalued. Edmond Jackson says they could recover strongly, once the impact of the credit crunch is known.
Scott Wilson still engineering growth
Edmond Jackson
06.10.08
As with many cyclical companies, Scott Wilson's shares have more than halved. How cyclical is the engineering consultancy though? Edmond Jackson thinks fears may be overdone.
Lonmin flounders as Xstrata pulls deal
Rhian Nicholson
01.10.08
Mining giant Lonmin lost more than a quarter of its value on Wednesday, after potential partner Xstrata pulled the plug on a £5 billion offer due to the credit crisis.
Directors buying Ambrian falls
Edmond Jackson
29.09.08
Investment banking is a feast-famine business and it pays to trade shares at extremes of sentiment. Could that be now? Well-capitalised Ambrian's directors seem to think so.
Shares in B&B 'extinguished'
Rhian Nicholson
29.09.08
Shares in troubled mortgage lender Bradford & Bingley have been cancelled following its nationalisation.
Hot small caps round-up
26.09.08
A round-up of the key small cap movers on markets. A new one each week, updated daily.
Not-so-cyclical Cape
Edmond Jackson
26.09.08
There's a whiff of cyclicality about Cape, says Edmond Jackson, which explains investors' caution. Its second-half performance and planned move to the main market might change their minds, though.
B&B shares hit record low
Rhian Nicholson
25.09.08
Shares in beleaugered mortgage lender Bradford & Bingley hit a record low following the unveiling of cost-cutting plans.
HBOS shares tumble
Rhian Nicholson
23.09.08
HBOS shares tumbled again on Tuesday amid fears that the Lloyds TSB takeover will not solve its funding problem or its slowing growth as the mortgage market dwindles.
Bradford & Bingley set for takeover?
Rhian Nicholson
22.09.08
Investors piled into Bradford & Bingley as speculation mounted the firm could be next in line for a takeover.
FTSE treads water on Monday
Rhian Nicholson
22.09.08
The FTSE slipped back into the red as investors awaited further news on the US government's proposed $700 billion bank bail-out.
Profits flowing freely at Hyder
22.09.08
Welsh Water spin-off Hyder Consulting has been garnering orders for diverse projects around the world, which should buffer it against the credit crisis, says Jim Lev.
Yell suspends dividends to reduce debt
22.09.08
Directories company Yell has announced an aggressive debt reduction programme and said it had begun negotiating easier terms with its lenders.
Hot small caps round-up
19.09.08
Our weekly round-up of the key small cap movers on the markets. Updated daily.
Investors cheer shorting ban
Rhian Nicholson
19.09.08
Investors are cheering the temporary ban on shorting financial stocks which came into play on Friday morning.
Short-selling ban gets mixed reaction
19.09.08
The FSA's temporary ban on short-selling has been cheered by investors, but not everyone welcomes the move.
Bet on Barclays to beat the crunch
Edmond Jackson
18.09.08
While all around it tumbles, Barclays appears to be on solid ground and actually expanding as it purchases part of Lehman Brothers. Edmond Jackson says it's worth closer inspection.
Financial fears plague markets
Rhian Nicholson
18.09.08
The FTSE 100 lost ground once again despite central banks injecting billions of dollars into the money markets.
Don't get the wrong idea about Alliance Trust
Faith Glasgow
17.09.08
It may be selling at big discount to net asset value, but under its new chief investment officer the second biggest investment trust on the market could be about to turn itself around.
How long left for AIG?
Rhian Nicholson
16.09.08
Troubled insurer AIG sees its share price plunge further on funding concerns, while it has been claimed it has just one day to fund the requisite funds to stay afloat.
Shareholders approve A&L takeover
Liam Tarry
16.09.08
Alliance & Leicester shareholders have voted in favour of the bank's £1.3 billion takeover by Santander, the Spanish owner of Abbey.
Could you be an Olympic winner?
Harriet Meyer
15.09.08
Harriet Meyer finds out how the 2012 Olympic Games will affect the UK economy and asks whether savvy investors could cash in.
Will Optare win the battle of the buses?
Richard Beddard
15.09.08
Optare's new hybrid buses are a compelling investment idea. Richard Beddard assesses whether the firm can convince the big operators of their worth.
Growth anticipated at Fiberweb
Edmond Jackson
12.09.08
It may be in the slightly unfashionable support services sector, but Fiberweb has an interesting risk/reward profile that warrants further investigation, says Edmond Jackson.
Hot small caps round-up
11.09.08
Our weekly round-up of the key small cap movers on the markets. Updated daily.
Hot small caps round-up
10.09.08
A round-up of some of the latest small cap movers on the London Stock Exchange.
London markets relinquish gains
Rhian Nicholson
09.09.08
Falling metal prices and a poor opening on Wall Street weighed heavily on the London markets during the afternoon's trading.
Fury as LSE glitch leaves billions of shares untraded
Rhian Nicholson
08.09.08
Billions of share trades went unexecuted and left investors fuming after a computer glitch shut down trading for all but about 90 minutes.
Pipeline provider undervalued
Edmond Jackson
05.09.08
Bargain stocks don't necessarily cost pennies, says Edmond Jackson. Although it's priced near £11, oil services company Wellstream's growth potential makes it one to watch.
Transport's green possibilities
John Mulligan
05.09.08
In the third article in a three-part series on climate investing, John Mulligan investigates opportunities in the transport, manufacturing and service sectors.
Green investment opportunities in energy
John Mulligan
04.09.08
In the second article in a three-part series on climate investing, John Mulligan investigates opportunities in the energy sector.
Hot small caps round-up
04.09.08
A round-up of the latest key small cap movers on European stockmarkets.
Profits in the pipeline for SWP
Edmond Jackson
04.09.08
Edmond Jackson feels SWP Group is undervalued at £15m, but the growth prospects at recently acquired Ulva could still see it profit from a booming oil industry.
The case for climate investing
John Mulligan
04.09.08
In the first of a three-part series on climate investing, John Mulligan explains how investors can profit from society's push towards more sustainable lifestyles.
Hot small caps round-up
03.09.08
A round-up of the latest key small cap movers on the London stockmarket.
Hot small caps round-up
02.09.08
A round-up of the latest small cap movers on the London stockmarket over the past few days.
Rentokil's recovery is a 'when' not an 'if'
Edmond Jackson
29.08.08
Four profit warnings aren't enough to put Edmond Jackson off Rentokil, despite a floundering share price. He has faith in the company's new managers, the same team that turned around ICI.
Should you still be investing in the UK?
Lindsey Rogerson
29.08.08
With a possible recession looming, is it time to ditch British investments for potentially more lucrative emerging markets, asks Lindsey Rogerson?
Hot small caps round-up
27.08.08
Here's today's round-up of the key small cap movers on the London stockmarket.
Hot small caps round-up
26.08.08
A round-up of the recent key small cap movers on the London stockmarket.
Investors wrong to give up on Tribal
Edmond Jackson
26.08.08
Despite restructuring, investors have turned their backs on Tribal but Edmond Jackson says the company offers the modest capital growth they need.
It's all in the recovery
Faith Glasgow
20.08.08
The only inevitability around the current economic gloom is that it can't go on forever. In preparing for the eventual upturn, you could do worse than opt for Principle Capital, says Faith Glasgow.
Don't let your trust get lost in translation
Faith Glasgow
19.08.08
Investment trusts can be a great choice, but their complicated pricing structure can put investors off. Faith Glasgow explains how they could work for you.
Hot small caps round-up
18.08.08
Here's Monday's round-up of the latest small cap movers on the London stockmarket.
Hunting shoots up on oil rush riches
Heather Connon
18.08.08
The scramble to get high-priced oil out of the ground has sent profits at oil services provider Hunting soaring, and its shares should soon follow suit, writes Heather Connon.
Value lies with Tullow
Edmond Jackson
18.08.08
Investors shouldn't fear the current retreat in oil prices, but see a chance to seize value in the stockmarket, says Edmond Jackson.
Hot small caps round-up
12.08.08
Here's Tuesday's round-up of the key small cap movers on the London stockmarket.
Hot small caps round-up
11.08.08
Here's Monday's round-up of the latest small cap movers on the London stockmarket.
Signs of intrinsic value
Edmond Jackson
11.08.08
Directors' buying is often put down to a PR stunt, but can be a sign of intrinsic value, says Edmond Jackson. AIM-listed API Group is a recovery and bid play, he believes.
The EDI approach passes the test
Richard Beddard
11.08.08
Richard Beddard examines the revival of awarding body and international education company Education Development International.
Hot small caps round-up
08.08.08
Here's Friday's round-up of the key small cap movers on the London stockmarket.
Hot small caps round-up
07.08.08
Here's Thursday's round-up of the key small cap movers on the FTSE 100.
Protherics to hit back
Edmond Jackson
06.08.08
Pharma firm Protherics could be about to turn, as it needs only modest success to justify investment in creating shareholder value, says Edmond Jackson.
Hot small caps round-up
04.08.08
Here's a round-up of the key small cap movers on the London stockmarket on Monday.
Man of the moment
Edmond Jackson
04.08.08
Man Group ought to have a favourable risk/reward profile, says Edmond Jackson. It may not look as cheap as some of the banks but Man's earnings are higher quality, he says.
Hot small caps round-up
01.08.08
Here's your round-up of the key small cap movers on the London stockmarket on Friday.
Keeping track of Trafficmaster
Edmond Jackson
28.07.08
Navigation and tracking group Trafficmaster is a longer-term value play says Edmond Jackson. He's waiting with interest the first moves of its FD.
Oil and gas for the long term
Faith Glasgow
19.07.08
Quorum Oil & Gas Technology Trust is investing in technologies that help extract more oil and gas from old fields. Though the Trust has a short track record, the manager's goes way back.
European Nickel worth a dime
Edmond Jackson
18.07.08
Edmond Jackson thinks the savage de-rating of some commodity shares may be irrational. Volatility could be a boon for bolder investors in European Nickel.
Betting on recovery at Southern Cross
Edmond Jackson
14.07.08
Investors have taken flight from Southern Cross, which runs care homes, but it could be a profitable turnaround for risk-tolerant investors if management can nurse its finances back to health.
Freed from Desire?
Chris Thomas
11.07.08
The last three months have been turbulent for Desire Petroleum, but what to make of news of progress in the Falklands?
Go fishing with Raymarine
Edmond Jackson
11.07.08
Shares in Raymarine may be over-sold, says Edmond Jackson, meaning the company could already represent long-term value.
MITIE looks good in the long term
Edmond Jackson
08.07.08
A non-executive director of MITIE has recently boosted his shareholdings in the firm, and Edmond Jackson says that following suit could prove fruitful in the long term.
PartyGaming second quarter weakens
08.07.08
Online gaming company PartyGaming reported a slightly weaker than expected financial performance in the second quarter, but said it was confident about prospects for 2008.
REITs dive after housebuilder capital warning
02.07.08
Commercial property shares slumped to a four-year low on Tuesday after cash-strapped housebuilder Taylor Wimpey said it had failed to raise the extra capital it needed.
Haynes has plenty left in the tank
Richard Beddard
30.06.08
Richard Beddard takes a closer look at Haynes Publishing, a successful brand both here and in the US, yet largely ignored by the City.
Meldex shareholders are revolting
Edmond Jackson
27.06.08
Edmond Jackson gives us the inside scoop from Meldex's AGM. There's plenty of unrest to report.
BlackRock trusts in commodities
Faith Glasgow
25.06.08
A consistent performer amid economic volatility, the BlackRock World Mining fund's wealth of research and resources make it a good mining play, says Faith Glasgow.
Lang approach sees Wood for the trees
Iain Murray
24.06.08
Jeremy Lang's Liontrust First Growth fund is flying high. He tells Iain Murray how holdings such as Wood Group make it a benchmark-beater.
Tech de-rating is buying opportunity
Edmond Jackson
20.06.08
Investors may have had their fingers burned by a dramatic share price drop by technology firm XL TechGroup, but Edmond Jackson says now could be a good time to get in.
Lights still on at Volex
Edmond Jackson
16.06.08
For investors who can see beyond the cyclical downturn in wireless infrastructure and rising commodity prices, Volex may be a cheap way to buy growth in Asia and Latin America.
Darling to probe short-selling
15.06.08
Chancellor Alistair Darling will set up a new group comprising City of London bankers to examine short-selling of shares in companies undertaking rights issues.
Mood change at Meldex
Edmond Jackson
11.06.08
Is the growth story at Meldex intact? Edmond Jackson thinks so, but long-term investors are frustrated by rampant speculation. They need reassurance about funding, he says.
Coal boom boosts GCM
Edmond Jackson
06.06.08
Investors have gambled and some have lost on GCM and its start-up coal mining project in Bangladesh. But, says Edmond Jackson, the odds are improving, and so is the company.
MPI to turn the Page
Edmond Jackson
30.05.08
It may have had a bad past year, but recruitment giant Michael Page may be more resilient than investors think. Edmond Jackson believes there is plenty of upside in the stock.
Discoveries could transform Dana
Edmond Jackson
28.05.08
Edmond Jackson believes investors are underestimating Dana Petroleum even though its share price has nearly doubled in recent weeks on the back of high oil prices and new discoveries.
Small footprint, big impact
Faith Glasgow
23.05.08
Ludgate Environmental is new on the investment trust scene, but it's already made a big impact for a small trust - outperforming more established trusts with only 40% of its funds invested.
The profits pile up from public works
Heather Connon
23.05.08
Even as cost pressures increase, Mears Group has plenty of scope to grow its business, writes Heather Connon.
Chloride's got the power
Edmond Jackson
17.05.08
It's odd to find businesses in as healthy a state as Chloride. With more bids likely to follow the Emerson Electric one, it's worth keeping an eye on.
Banking on HSBC
Edmond Jackson
14.05.08
Are analysts being too cautious about HSBC? Edmond Jackson thinks they might be. The company's problems are mostly in the US but growth in Asia is helping it re-establish its earnings power.
Profiting from rising coal prices
Edmond Jackson
09.05.08
Cambrian Mining could be the ideal special situation, says Edmond Jackson. It's cheap and is morphing into a producer just as coal prices are soaring.
Are you a little overprotective?
Rob Griffin
06.05.08
Stockmarkets are no place for the fainthearted - but being too cautious can be the greatest risk of all, says Rob Griffin.
Shrewd investor buys Aberdeen
Edmond Jackson
06.05.08
Following institutional investors is not always a good idea but despite the credit crunch, Edmond Jackson believes Toscafund's interest in Aberdeen Asset Management is timely.
Murray's worth overpaying for
Faith Glasgow
30.04.08
It seems obvious not to pay more than an investment is worth, but it could be fruitful in the case of Murray International, says Faith Glasgow.
Faroe staying close to home
Edmond Jackson
29.04.08
Expanding its reach to Norway's under-explored opportunities, Faroe Petroleum is set to profit from oil acreage close to home, says Edmond Jackson.
Recovery on the cards at PartyGaming
Edmond Jackson
24.04.08
After online gaming companies were booted out of the US in 2006, the outlook was bleak. But Edmond Jackson can see the first signs of recovery in PartyGaming.
Look at Taylor's assets, not its profits
Edmond Jackson
16.04.08
Edmond Jackson goes bottom fishing among house building shares and nets Taylor Wimpey. Uncertainty about profits has pummelled the shares, he says.
Tanfield: Growth at a cheaper price
Edmond Jackson
11.04.08
Although Tanfield's share price has halved from its 204p peak, Edmond Jackson thinks the electric delivery vehicle company's growth story is intact.
Defence best form of attack at Monks
Faith Glasgow
08.04.08
By thinking globally and defensively Gerald Smith has grown Monks investment trust's NAV 12% in a troubled year for the markets.
Steeled for risk with Monterrico
Edmond Jackson
03.04.08
Investors prepared for the risks involved with mining company Monterrico could be set for long-term profits, says Edmond Jackson.
A well-kept pension savings secret
Gail Moss
01.04.08
When it comes to building your retirement pot, investment trusts can play a vital role, says Gail Moss.
Overlooked option for the long haul
Hannah Ricci
01.04.08
If time is on your side, investment trusts offer great opportunities for growth, writes Hannah Ricci.
Top performing investment trusts
Hannah Ricci
01.04.08
Hannah Ricci tracks down the investment trusts that will turn a profit, however turbulent the markets are.
Glaxo to turn the tide
Edmond Jackson
26.03.08
GlaxoSmithKline's price may have declined sharply since the turn of the year, but Edmond Jackson sees Warren Buffett's involvement as positive for investors seeking a diversified portfolio.
Nothing crude about Cairn
Edmond Jackson
19.03.08
Volatile share price, excellent liquidity and the prospect of good news from the Indian government makes Cairn an oil company worth watching, says Edmond Jackson.
Dogs of the FTSE
Money Observer
10.03.08
A large helping of undervalued financial shares in this year's portfolio should make 2008 an improvement on last year, writes Heather Connon.
Scotty to get investors beaming
Edmond Jackson
10.03.08
Long-term investors in AIM-listed Scotty may have endured misery, but Edmond Jackson says it's shaping up as a classic recovery play.
Steady growth just the job for Hays
Edmond Jackson
05.03.08
While the recruitment sector has suffered in recent months, Hays grew strongly in 2007. Edmond Jackson says a sound 2008 would revitalise the share price.
Target the long-term with TR
Faith Glasgow
05.03.08
Commercial property's future is still tough to call, says Faith Glasgow. However, buyers are returning to the market and those seeking a long-term strategy could do worse than TR.
Commercial momentum aids Bateman
Edmond Jackson
25.02.08
Since a plummet in share price, Bateman Litwin has been working hard to restore investor confidence. Its commercial momentum gives it a good chance, says Edmond Jackson.
Go Tribal for profit
Edmond Jackson
20.02.08
Investors in Tribal Group remain cautious, but Edmond Jackson says now is an opportune time to take advantage of low financial risk and 'encouraging progress' at interims.
Timing is key for Severfield
Edmond Jackson
18.02.08
Shares have plunged in Severfield-Rowen after a cautious 2008 outlook. Edmond Jackson sees a lot of promise, and the only consideration for investors is timing, rather than value.
Can Southern Cross convince?
Edmond Jackson
11.02.08
Shares in Southern Cross have recovered after a recent plunge and if it can convince the market that its trading is robust and sustainable, investors could warm to it again, says Edmond Jackson.
Putting your trust in blue chips
Faith Glasgow
06.02.08
Perpetual's Income & Growth trust has beaten the sector average over the past year and the defensive focus should deliver more good news, says Faith Glasgow.
Keep Barclays in the frame
Edmond Jackson
01.02.08
Although the difficulty remains in investing successfully in banks, now is a good time to keep Barclays in mind ahead of its prelims, says Edmond Jackson.
All the thrills, without the spills
Sarah Coles
31.01.08
Structured products claim to offer investors stockmarket returns without the risk. Sarah Coles asks whether they really can give the best of both worlds.
Chemring shows strong defence
Edmond Jackson
25.01.08
Chemring is well placed with a strong track record and product portfolio, says Edmond Jackson. It could provide a sound building block in your portfolio.
Scottish and Newcastle bid agreed
25.01.08
Carlsberg and Heineken have finally agreed a cash bid of £7.8 billion to buy and break up Scottish and Newcastle, boosting their position in Russia and western Europe.
SocGen suspend shares
24.01.08
French bank Societe Generale has disclosed one of the biggest alleged frauds in financial history, adding to a wave of gloom surrounding world markets battered by credit market losses.
Mine Altona for profit
Edmond Jackson
23.01.08
Highly capable management, good early-stage projects and a stable political environment all make Altona interesting to watch in the medium term, says Edmond Jackson.
Brief respite follows Fed cut
22.01.08
A surprise 75 basis point interest rate cut by the US Federal Reserve has failed to shift sentiment in sour global stockmarkets, providing only a temporary shot in the arm.
US recession fears hit stocks
22.01.08
Shares from Sydney to London have sunk for a second day, as investors dumped assets exposed to the risk of a global economic slowdown.
Asian angle boosts Ricardo
Edmond Jackson
18.01.08
In line with other cyclicals, the market has clobbered Ricardo. But growth in the Far East means the engineering company might be a special case, says Edmond Jackson.
How to review your portfolio
Jeff Salway
18.01.08
To get the best out of your investments you need to keep a close eye on them. Jeff Salway shows how to give your portfolio a thorough MOT.
High risk Max could reward
Edmond Jackson
11.01.08
A new chief executive may well turn things around at Max Petroleum, and reward investors who can stomach its volatile share price. Edmond Jackson reports.
L&G a solid defensive play
Edmond Jackson
04.01.08
Legal & General has been de-rated along with the rest of the financial sector, but it is a sound business with good growth prospects says Edmond Jackson.
IT to Watch - Caledonian Trust
Faith Glasgow
03.01.08
One of the UK's largest investment trusts, Caledonia Trust is self-managed and has a widening discount, making it an attractive proposition.
Five 'special situations' for 2008
Edmond Jackson
02.01.08
Five shares that look interesting on a 12-month view. Together they are a mix of 'growth' and 'recovery' stocks, with an attractive risk/reward profile.
IQE to grow through downturn
Edmond Jackson
14.12.07
IQE, the microchip manufacturer, is shaping up for a good 2008 with growth prospects that should become sharper as it distances itself from worries about the economy, says Edmond Jackson.
Be patient with Premier Foods
Edmond Jackson
11.12.07
Its share price has fallen sharply but Premier Foods could still be a contrarian buy for the patient investor, says Edmond Jackson.
Value investors step forward
Faith Glasgow
05.12.07
Contrarian investor James Henderson runs the successful Henderson Lowland Trust. However his lacklustre Opportunities Trust is the better bet, says Faith Glasgow.
Nothing wrong with FDM
Edmond Jackson
30.11.07
FDM has a unique business model which has been delivering results ahead of forecasts. So, asks Edmond Jackson, why has the share price suffered a near-50% slump?
Will the Rock sink RAB?
Edmond Jackson
28.11.07
RAB's special situations fund is now the largest shareholder in Northern Rock. But it doesn't necessarily spell trouble for the fund management firm, says Edmond Jackson.
Uncertainty shouldn't stop BAE
Edmond Jackson
27.11.07
In otherwise uncertain times for companies, BAE's commercial momentum means it is looking forward to a jump in earnings next year, says Edmond Jackson.
Virgin seek NRK investors' cash
27.11.07
Should the Richard Branson-led rescue of Northern Rock be successful, investors in the stricken mortgage lender could be asked to plough in around £780 of their money.
Technology is not going away
Faith Glasgow
16.11.07
Although the credit crunch has hit new orders and threatened technology's incipient revival, one trust that looks like it has staying power is RCM Technology. Faith Glasgow reports.
Eaglet brought down to earth
Edmond Jackson
14.11.07
Dissident investors are seeking control at Eaglet Investment Trust. Doubts about its holdings reveal insights about the wider market all investors can learn from, says Edmond Jackson.
ISG versus the slowdown
Edmond Jackson
09.11.07
Record order books and international expansion are driving growth at ISG, but elsewhere, investors are fretting over the state of the economy.
Lonrho's long comeback
Edmond Jackson
05.11.07
Lonrho is back on the acquisition trail and, despite what you might think about the conglomerate model, it can work, says Edmond Jackson.
World shares fall amid credit fears
05.11.07
World stocks fell and safe-haven bonds surged on Monday after major losses at Citigroup revived concerns about the health of financial firms hit by the credit market turmoil.
NSB: A good risk for the patient
Edmond Jackson
01.11.07
Edmond Jackson's looking at UK smaller companies doing business in the US. He says that if trading at NSB Retail Systems stays strong, investors selling out now will regret it later.
Riding stockmarket volatility
Harriet Meyer
01.11.07
Investing in the stockmarket has been a white knuckle ride recently, but those who hold their nerve stand to profit. Harriet Meyer shows why you should resist the temptation to get out.
Backing Bradford & Bingley
Edmond Jackson
26.10.07
Perhaps the greatest dilemma for contrarian investors now is whether bank shares offer value. Edmond Jackson thinks some do, but backing them means going against the City herd.
No need to bank Pacific Assets
Faith Glasgow
17.10.07
For investors eyeing long-term growth in the Far East, Pacific Assets looks attractive as it's trading at a discount to net asset value, and is the year's top performer.
Salamander's balanced oil play
Edmond Jackson
12.10.07
Interest is building again in oil, with companies valued on the assumption that oil prices are falling, when actually they're heading up. Salamander could be the next company to make it big.
Empresaria down, but not out
Edmond Jackson
08.10.07
Recruitment stocks are down on fears the credit squeeze will affect business, and jobs. But there are many reasons to be positive in the long-term, says Edmond Jackson.
Anglo Pacific on a high
Edmond Jackson
03.10.07
Tracking oil prices, coal-related shares are a more comfortable investment than consumer or financial stocks right now, says Edmond Jackson. Anglo Pacific is a case in point.
Looking to L&G for total return
Edmond Jackson
28.09.07
Edmond Jackson sees double-digit total returns from Legal & General over the year. That may be enough to tempt investors concerned about a downturn in the economy and doubtful about riskier shares.
The great bull market of 2008
Ken Fisher
26.09.07
The UK stockmarket is in for a rip-roaring 2008 as President Bush lays off legislating in the fourth year of his term. What's good for the US is good for everyone, says Ken Fisher.
Norseman is a golden opportunity
Edmond Jackson
21.09.07
When the financial system is under stress, investors often turn to gold. Edmond Jackson says if gold prices keep rising, the ideal play is a firm like Norseman Gold.
Sheltering in commodity trusts
Faith Glasgow
20.09.07
The commodity boom is still underway, says Faith Glasgow, and investors might consider two investment trusts: Close Ehanced Commodities and Merrill Lynch's World Mining Trust.
A property firm with prospects
Edmond Jackson
14.09.07
Property shares have taken a pasting in recent months, but despite an element of speculation when assessing their potential, PHP's tenants set it apart, says Edmond Jackson.
Focusing investments
Hannah Ricci
12.09.07
An 'aimless' investor asks an expert how to hone their skills in the shared dealing game.
Trading Tullow
Edmond Jackson
06.09.07
Tullow Oil is likely to enter the FTSE 100 index shortly, and it has strong commercial momentum - a combination that could set up a profitable trading opportunity, says Edmond Jackson.
Turning point at Alliance Pharma
Edmond Jackson
05.09.07
September's interims could be an inflection point for Alliance Pharma, says Edmond Jackson. Bad news and an uncertain future has beaten down the share price, but things might not be as bad as they look.
Buy MKM at 9.75p
t1ps - AIM Analyst
03.09.07
AIM-traded MKM is still rated by an unfortunate error of judgement. But the past is very much behind it and it has turned a corner, says AIM Newsletter.
Cadbury - sell bet in September
t1ps - TopSpreadBets
03.09.07
Opening a sell bet in September on Cadbury at £25 a point when the quote is standing at 564p - 568p is the latest tip from TopSpreadBets.com
Small Caps: Volume breakouts
t1ps - Zak Mir
03.09.07
Top chartist Zak Mir takes a look at Melrose Resources, Cranswick, and Morant.
Three buy recommendations
t1ps - David Linton
03.09.07
David Linton gives a TA perspective on three recent picks from Tom Winnifrith of t1ps.com.
Watching for weakness at WPP
Edmond Jackson
03.09.07
If investors in advertising giant WPP are as bullish as management, the shares will do well, says Edmond Jackson.
Where the market's going
t1ps - Bill Adlard
03.09.07
The signs that the bull market has topped out are clearer than they've ever been before, writes Bill Adlard
Prepare for an awesome autumn
Ken Fisher
29.08.07
Investors blinded by falls this summer will miss the autumn rally, says Ken Fisher.
Will Raymarine float your boat?
Edmond Jackson
24.08.07
Raymarine's share price has been all at sea recently, but does the share price of this yacht building and navigation equipment company now represent good value?
Turmoil benefits RAB investors
Edmond Jackson
17.08.07
Volatility is a boon when harnessing emotions to your advantage. RAB Capital offers plenty, says Edmond Jackson.
Is M&S' mauling over?
Edmond Jackson
10.08.07
Thanks to its spectacular recovery, shares in M&S got ahead of themselves, reports Edmond Jackson.
Second chance for GCM
Edmond Jackson
08.08.07
Asia Energy shares collapsed, but the company, now GCM, could still end up mining Phulbari, says Edmond Jackson.
Biffa to bounce back
Edmond Jackson
03.08.07
It is worth being alert for companies whose shares are taking a pounding. Edmond Jackson might have found one.
Credit scare is no crunch
Ken Fisher
02.08.07
Credit spreads are barely back to where they were in 2003, at the start of the bull market, says Ken Fisher.
Land Securities - down to earth
Edmond Jackson
27.07.07
In common with other property companies and Real Estate Investments Trusts, shares in Land Securities have fallen.
Smaller company discounts widen
Faith Glasgow
25.07.07
Discounts have risen from 11% to 14%. It's an opportunity for canny investors to switch into better-managed trusts.
Mmmm… Moneysupermarket.com
Edmond Jackson
20.07.07
Moneysupermarket's IPO shows that internet delivery has come of age, says Edmond Jackson.
Profiting from the business cycle
Edmond Jackson
13.07.07
Printing.com (PDC) is a growth company paying a high dividend. Edmond Jackson thinks it's worth watching.
No train, no gain
Edmond Jackson
11.07.07
Training company Carter & Carter, knocked by interest rate hikes, is a good barometer of market sentiment, says Edmond Jackson.
Big, unpopular Northern Rock
Edmond Jackson
05.07.07
Northern Rock is popular among mortgage holders, but Edmond Jackson thinks the market could be overreacting.
Sell journalists, buy the market
Ken Fisher
03.07.07
Just because the FTSE is breaking new highs, it doesn't mean it's set for a fall, explains Ken Fisher.
Protherics has potential to double
Edmond Jackson
29.06.07
When is a gamble on a loss-making company worth taking? When it's an intelligent one, says Edmond Jackson.
Premium RIT at a discount
27.06.07
Net asset value for RIT Capital Partners shares is almost 8%. Investment trust watchers are sensing opportunity.
Recovery at Cable & Wireless
Edmond Jackson
22.06.07
High-flying Cable & Wireless has recovered, says Edmond Jackson. Now it has to grow to justify its share price.
Online share dealing
Sam Barrett
21.06.07
To make the most of the stockmarket, why not use the online option? It's easier, cheaper and faster, says Sam Barrett.
Share dealers you can rely on
Sam Barrett
21.06.07
However big or small your trading ambitions, you'll need a share dealing service that suits your particular needs.
Profit breakthrough not just Imagination
Edmond Jackson
15.06.07
Could a chip developer that has spent 13 years in the red follow in ARM's footsteps? Edmond Jackson finds out.
Blacks, in the red
Edmond Jackson
13.06.07
Are the supermarkets squeezing out Blacks? Edmond Jackson says it's tricky to weigh risks against the potential rewards.
Don't write off Glaxo
Edmond Jackson
08.06.07
Treating human health is permanent, so a share like Glaxo makes a good core holding, says Edmond Jackson.
The Victoria Beckham buy indicator
Ken Fisher
06.06.07
Forget about inflation scares and focus on Posh and Becks. That's news you can use, says Ken Fisher.
Attractive PLUS worth watching
Edmond Jackson
31.05.07
PLUS Markets Group is a small but interesting rival to the London Stock Exchange, explains Edmond Jackson.
Buying Asia at a discount
Faith Glasgow
30.05.07
Such is the extent of the Chinese stockmarket's great leap forward, many commentators are getting jumpy.
The trend is Capita's friend
Edmond Jackson
25.05.07
If the old stockmarket adage 'the trend is your friend' is true, then it's doubly true of big companies, says Edmond Jackson.
Is Torotrak changing gear?
Edmond Jackson
17.05.07
Investors won't give up on a vehicle transmission system that's shown promise, but not profit.
Irrational exuberance on the CLE
Edmond Jackson
16.05.07
How you play the Climate Exchange rollercoaster depends on your mindset, says Edmond Jackson.
Climate policy heats up
15.05.07
Shares in green companies rose on 14-05-2007 after press reports on the urgent need for action on climate change.
Finding value in Vodafone
Edmond Jackson
11.05.07
Vodafone looks undervalued, but competitors and regulators are squeezing it. It's worth watching, says Edmond Jackson.
Ken Fisher: Buy 2007
Ken Fisher
09.05.07
The third year of the 'presidential cycle' is the best for stockmarkets with gains averaging 20%. Even better, says Ken Fisher, there is a sound economic explanation, and the effect is global.
Watermark claws its way back
Edmond Jackson
04.05.07
Can Watermark mount a comeback? Edmond Jackson thinks the airline services company is a restructuring worth watching. It's taken the first steps towards raising margins and resolving debt.
Jupiter goes greener
Faith Glasgow
02.05.07
It uses the Red Planet in its logo, but Jupiter has re-launched its green investment trust to capitalise on interest in the environment. Unlike other green trusts, 95% of its holdings are in profit.
Galloping Grid is unlikely to slow
Edmond Jackson
26.04.07
Conventional wisdom says 'elephants don't gallop', but occasional blue chip companies combine growth and reliability, all at a reasonable price. National Grid may be one of them, suggests Edmond Jackson.
Egypt deal may revive Dana Petroleum
Edmond Jackson
19.04.07
Investors have been tough on Dana over the last year. High risk/reward wells in Mauritania and Kenya didn't come through as expected, but price weakness may be an opportunity.
Confident compost manufacturer
Edmond Jackson
18.04.07
Despite its rising share price, William Sinclair's chief executive keeps on buying shares. A sign of a successful turnaround in the making?
Speculating on Sainsbury's
Edmond Jackson
13.04.07
Edmond Jackson applies his three rules for speculating on bids situations to Sainsbury's. Now private equity companies have failed to buy, he's inclined to let the shares find a new level.
Ken Fisher: America the Solvent
Ken Fisher
10.04.07
It's not true that Americans are profligate debtors and soon-to-be bankrupts, says Ken Fisher. They're just misunderstood, and so are the borrowing Brits.
Progress at BioProgress
Edmond Jackson
05.04.07
Is BioProgress about to deliver at last? Since autumn its price has been range-bound, but that could all change if it breaks into profit when results are announced in April.
Re-grading ITV
Edmond Jackson
04.04.07
It looks as though initiatives at ITV may be starting to pay-off, but the City hasn't noticed. The key area for new executive chairman, Michael Grade, is advertising.
New boss could revive NSB
Edmond Jackson
30.03.07
NSB Retail has frustrated investors for years, but Edmond Jackson expects it to recover. The catalyst might be a new CEO: the old one's stood down and there's a temp in place.
Safety and profit in high yield bonds
Faith Glasgow
28.03.07
Combine a 9.2% yield with 66% growth and you can see why investors like the Invesco Leveraged High Yield Fund. It could prove a good diversifier for this year's ISA buyers.
Trading British Energy's fortunes
Edmond Jackson
23.03.07
British Energy is a trend follower's share says Edmond Jackson. When a company is difficult to value, it's comforting to be in the company of other investors thinking alike.
What went wrong at Photo-Me
Edmond Jackson
15.03.07
There may be trading profits in Photo-Me's steady decline, but even conservative investors will find value in the story - if only from the lessons learned.
Ken Fisher: Playing the takeover boom
Ken Fisher
14.03.07
Cheap money is stoking the takeover boom. It's easy to identify new targets like Signet and Barratt Developments. Then you cash in, says Ken Fisher. Hot dog and shepherd's pie.
Banking on Ambrian
Edmond Jackson
09.03.07
Market shakeouts reveal companies with such strong stories their prices remain solid. Ambrian Capital may be one, says Edmond Jackson.
Second chance for Torotrak
Edmond Jackson
01.03.07
Torotrak, inventor of Infinitely Variable Transmission, has given investors a rollercoaster ride. But rollercoasters can be profitable too, if you know how to ride them, explains Edmond Jackson.
F&C for private equity
Faith Glasgow
22.02.07
There are few sectors hotter than private equity, but is it too late for investors? Advisers are cautious, with the best prospects in well diversified trusts of funds like F&C Private Equity.
Don't PEG your hopes on growth at ACE
Edmond Jackson
16.02.07
Edmond Jackson highlights the pitfalls of growth-company investing by looking at two replacement car operations: Accident Exchange and Helphire. They're still on his watchlist though.
Climate Exchange grips imagination
Edmond Jackson
09.02.07
When a company with no profit record quadruples in price - it's speculation, not investment, says Edmond Jackson. But if you can face the risk, you can play it right up until the 'moment of truth'.
Taking on Torex
Edmond Jackson
02.02.07
A specialist has parachuted in to turnaround suspended Torex Retail, but should investors take it on? Edmond Jackson discusses how to trade the company, if the opportunity arises.
Jack of all trades SVM is master too
Faith Glasgow
25.01.07
From private equity to Eastern Europe and property to hedge funds, SVM Global Fund investment trust does well investing in the juiciest investment cherries, says Faith Glasgow.
Big, unpopular BP
Edmond Jackson
19.01.07
Edmond Jackson puts his contrarian hat on to weigh up BP. A dip in a company's fortunes can be a buying opportunity if you have good reason to believe it's temporary.
How long will Detica be dependable?
Edmond Jackson
12.01.07
Growth company investors have been amply rewarded by Detica, but for how long can it go on ramping up profits? Long enough, says Edmond Jackson, to warrant watching.
Make or break for Kenyan oil prospect
Edmond Jackson
05.01.07
Global Petroleum and Dana are poised to profit should the Pomboo No 1 deepwater oil exploration well come good this month. Edmond Jackson looks for the right time to buy in and enjoy the ride.
What's next for Eastern Europe?
Faith Glasgow
02.01.07
The Eastern European Trust has piggybacked the oil boom in Russia and EU expansion. Now it is diversifying into consumer stocks like telecoms and Turkey, perhaps with one eye on Bulgaria and Romania.
Glaxo sell-off explained
Edmond Jackson
15.12.06
Why have GlaxoSmithKline's shares fallen despite excellent third quarter results? Even blue-chip shares are affected by short-term sentiment, says Edmond Jackson.
Regus: housing small business
Edmond Jackson
08.12.06
Regus has recovered from a post-dotcom collapse when offices were suddenly no longer in demand. Now though, explains Edmund Jackson, it is growing fast as it provides the offices that smaller businesses need.
Dividends key to Drax valuation
Edmond Jackson
01.12.06
Edmond Jackson advocates balancing a portfolio of smaller companies with carefully selected FTSE 100 companies like Drax, which offers reassurance in the form of predictable earnings, and dividends.
Environmental Impax
Faith Glasgow
24.11.06
As the Government urges investment to reduce the impact of climate change, environmental investment trusts are sitting pretty. But there are other environmental impacts investors barely appreciate.
There's value in Northgate
Edmond Jackson
17.11.06
Unexciting businesses can turn into rewarding investments if you are patient and know what to look for. Edmond Jackson thinks he's found value in commercial vehicle hire company Northgate.
Revisiting Psion, five years on
Edmond Jackson
10.11.06
A leading technology fund manager's antenna tells him the US is where technology valuations are most attractive, which leads Edmond Jackson to Psion and IQE.
The intrigue of glamour
Edmond Jackson
03.11.06
Wary though he is of glamour stocks, Imagination Technologies and Superscape are dotcom survivors whose time may have come, says Edmond Jackson.
JP Morgan looking at all-time highs
Faith Glasgow
27.10.06
For investors prepared to ride the volatility and take a long-term view on the continuing dynamism of emerging markets, JP Morgan's offering could be well worth considering, suggests Faith Glasgow.
Hoping for a turbo-charged future
Edmond Jackson
19.10.06
Deciding what younger technology companies are worth is largely a matter of working out the 'hope value' speculators attach to them. In Clearspeed, Edmond Jackson calculates there's £50 million of hope.
Young and cheeky
Edmond Jackson
13.10.06
Investors in Young & Co are enjoying cheeky tax benefit for low-risk exposure, says Edmond Jackson, since the company moved to AIM. Now investors in turnaround William Sinclair are joining the party.
An up and down story
Edmond Jackson
06.10.06
While the company seems to be doing well enough, ITM's boom and bust share price pattern is attracting the interests of hard-nosed investors. The key is not to be bewitched by its fuel cell technology.
Asia Energy: An update
Edmond Jackson
05.10.06
The resumption of trading in Asia Energy raises questions about fallen stars of the resources share boom. Are the market falls an inevitable return to fair value, considering the risks, or a buying opportunity?
A new dawn for technology
Faith Glasgow
29.09.06
It's been a grim decade so far for tech stocks, but fund managers think the cycle is turning on the back of a new version of Microsoft Windows next year. Herald Investment Trust could capitalise.
Goals keeps scoring
Edmond Jackson
22.09.06
Although it's listed in the travel & leisure sector Goals Soccer Centres is a classic 'roll-out' of a retail concept. It looks like another success story, as long as there are no own-goals on the way.
Speculating sub-sea style
Edmond Jackson
15.09.06
Burnt in Bangladesh, Edmond Jackson is looking to international waters for more stable speculations. SubSea Resources is no miner, but it may end up with a lot of copper on its hands.
A long-term view on Japan
Faith Glasgow
08.09.06
Baillie Gifford Japan is an investment trust to watch, says Faith Glasgow.
Sweeping up the retail sector
Ceri Jones
05.09.06
Supermarkets on the internet are sweeping the high street before them.
Dealing with Dignity
Edmond Jackson
01.09.06
Edmond Jackson is still searching for stocks with a strong commercial tailwind that can withstand an economic slump. There's no avoiding death, he says, so the UK's leading funerals group is on a roll.
Taking CBG to the next level
Peter Temple
29.08.06
Martin Lewis had countless insurance jobs before CBG, but that's it for now.
Erinaceous best left for traders
Edmond Jackson
21.08.06
Given a wide choice in the stockmarket it looks best for long-term investors to leave Erinaceous alone, but short to medium-term traders may find the story interesting to follow - and there are lessons for all.
Momentum behind RAB
Edmond Jackson
18.08.06
Edmond Jackson thinks he's found another reasonably priced stock.
Flying higher than expected
11.08.06
A good way into growth stocks is to pick those that announce better results than expected.
Turmoil is good for trust of trusts
Faith Glasgow
04.08.06
iimia is an investment trust that invests in the trusts other investors don't want.
Changing the format at M&B
Peter Temple
01.08.06
Tim Clarke analysed beer way before he became CEO at Mitchells & Butlers.
Three stocks to keep watching
Edmond Jackson
28.07.06
JD Weatherspoon and Tate & Lyle were timely selections, for Edmond Jackson.
Autologic down, but not out
Edmond Jackson
14.07.06
Autologic, a logistics supplier to the motor industry, is a stock worth watching.
All go at Rio Blanco
Peter Temple
11.07.06
Chris Eager, CEO of Monterrico Metals, talks about the company's copper project in Peru.
ITV not dead yet
Edmond Jackson
28.04.06
Edmond Jackson thinks there's life in the old broadcaster.
New Energy Technology
Faith Glasgow
18.04.06
Merrill Lynch's alternative energy trust is on a roll.
Extreme p/e
Richard Beddard
12.04.06
Reading University's Keith Anderson says he's discovered how to turbocharge the venerable price earnings ratio.
What's special about Dana?
Edmond Jackson
10.04.06
Dana Petroleum has has grown from an overlooked small-cap to Mid 250 status in 3 years.
Programming growth
Edmond Jackson
24.03.06
StatPro has an unusually conservative growth profile for a software company.
Maverick brain
Peter Temple
14.03.06
Jonathan Straight turned his recycling company from a one-man-band into an AIM listed plc.
Maverick brain behind Straight
Peter Temple
13.03.06
Jonathan Straight turned his recycling company from a one-man-band into an AIM listed plc.
Rating Hallin more highly
Edmond Jackson
10.03.06
Hallin is rated like a lowly cyclical share, but perhaps it deserves more.
My biggest mistake
Jenne Mannion
08.03.06
Two top fund managers reveal what they learnt from their biggest mistakes.
An April IPO to watch out for
John Mulligan
03.03.06
With good IPOs thin on the ground Worthington Nicholls is a welcome surprise.
To buy and to hold
Edmond Jackson
24.02.06
Printing.com could turn out to be a model growth company says Edmond Jackson.
Is warning an opportunity?
Edmond Jackson
17.02.06
Monterrico Metals' recent 20% fall could offer an opportunity as it looks at scoping a larger project.
Incubating tech winners
Peter Temple
14.02.06
Eurovestech's Richard Bernstein puts his success down to hard-nosed accounting.
Buying after a profit warning
Edmond Jackson
13.02.06
Is Oakdene's recent warning a sign of delayed profit or a tendency to underdeliver?
A trust for all seasons
Faith Glasgow
06.02.06
Under John Pennink, British Empire Securities has beaten the sector average five times over.
North Sea scavenger
Edmond Jackson
29.01.06
As global oil production reaches its peak, Venture is buying unwanted oil and gas fields in the North Sea.
The Asia Energy rollercoaster
Edmond Jackson
16.01.06
Asia Energy has big coal interests in Bangladesh - they just need to sort out the local politics.