Mark Watson-Mitchell - 27.01.2026 This coming Friday, 30 th January, will see Avon Technologies (LON:AVON) , the personal protection equipment specialists, issue a Trading Update ahead of holding its AGM that day. Based in Melksham, Wiltshire, the £594m-capitalised group, is a world leader in mission-critical protection equipment. Even though the group’s shares have risen over 60% since my April 2025 feature, before easing back to being just 38% up, this week’s statement

Mark Watson-Mitchell - 26.01.2026 Gulf Marine Services (LON:GMS), which is a leading provider of self-propelled, self-elevating support vessels to the offshore energy industry, this morning announced that it has acquired a new mid-class vessel, expected to join its fleet within two weeks, to capitalise on strong market demand and support its strategic goal of doubling 2024 adjusted EBITDA by 2030. The acquisition was partially financed by a $37.4m 90-day interim loan, with t

Mark Watson-Mitchell - 26.01.2026 "Given the strong market environment, substantial contract wins, the continued expansion of existing framework contracts and high levels of bidding activity, the Group remains confident of further progress in FY 26 and a step change in performance in FY 27 and beyond." This morning's Trading Update from infrastructure specialists, the Costain Group (LON:COST) was far more positive than market expectations. Its shares are now sure to rise far

Mark Watson-Mitchell – 22.01.2026 This morning, the mobile payments and messaging provider Fonix (LON:FNX) issued a Trading Update showing a strong first half for the period to end-December, with gross profit increasing by 7.1% to £10.5m and adjusted EBITDA growing by 6.4% to £8.3m, demonstrating growth across both UK and international operations. The company successfully launched commercial services in Portugal and established connectivity in a third European market, with

Mark Watson-Mitchell – 22.01.2026 This morning Kite UK Bidco Limited has announced a recommended cash acquisition of Kitwave Group (LON:KITW) for 295p per share, valuing the company at approximately £251m. This offer represents a premium of 33.5% to the closing price on the last practicable date and 38.8% to the three-month volume-weighted average price. The acquisition, to be implemented via a scheme of arrangement, is supported by the Kitwave Directors, who intend to rec

Mark Watson-Mitchell - 21.01.2026 Yesterday’s confident Trading Update from the Kier Group (LON:KIE) could well prove to be a positive pointer for another infrastructure business. Next Monday morning, 26 th January, will see the Costain Group (LON:COST) issue a Trading Update for the year to end-December 2025. The Business Costain has been improving the lives of people for more than 160 years, by creating connected, sustainable infrastructure that enables people and the p

Mark Watson-Mitchell - 21.01.2026 This morning Currys (LON:CURY) has announced another increase in its profits guidance. Certainly good enough to get the shares moving higher again. Last night they closed at 125.40p, towards the end of last October they hit 146.27p - that is a level at which I believe they will be trading at again very soon. The electrical retailer reported strong trading for the 10 weeks ended 10th January 2026, with group like-for-like revenue growth accel

Today the Kier Group (LON:KIE) , which is a leading UK infrastructure services, construction and property group , reported strong trading for the first half of the fiscal year, with full-year expectations remaining unchanged and a significant milestone achieved in its cash position. The company's order book stands at a record c.£11.6bn as of 31st December, with 94% of FY26 revenue secured. Recent contract wins include work with British Airways, Southern Water worth £44m, an

Mark Watson-Mitchell – 19.01.2026 On Friday of this week, 23 rd January, I am looking forward to the £1.51bn-capitalised SSP Group (LON:SSPG) issuing a positive Trading Update, ahead of holding its AGM that day. This group’s vision is to be the world’s best travel food and beverage company. “Our purpose is to be the best part of the journey, and our focus is on making every journey taste better - bringing great food and welcoming hospitality to travellers across the glo

Mark Watson-Mitchell – 19.01.2026 The shares of the Christie Group (LON:CTG) look ready for an upward climb from Friday’s closing price of 120p. This morning the agency outfit has announced its Full Year Trading Update for the year to end-December 2025. The group anticipates a full-year 2025 performance significantly exceeding upgraded expectations, with revenues from continuing operations projected to surpass £70.0m, up from £59.2m in 2024, and operating profit from conti

Mark Watson-Mitchell - 18.01.2026 The shares of Filtronic (LON:FTC) , which were down to 72p in April last year, hit 197p at one stage last week. They closed at 190p on Friday night, valuing the Sedgefield-based RF components and systems group at a significant £416m. I say significant because its valuation makes a lot of analysts and investors smart in reaction. That is because it is expected to show only £54.0m in its sales for the year to end-May 2026. Furthermore, estimate

Mark Watson-Mitchell – 18.01.2026 Last Friday morning, 16th January, the FitzWalter Capital investment group announced that it has increased its possible offer for Auction Technology Group (LON:ATG) to 400p per share, valuing the company at £491m, a 48% premium to the undisturbed share price on Friday 2nd January. FitzWalter Capital It is a global private investment firm headquartered in London, with offices in New York and Hamburg. Founded in 2020, the firm manages $2.4bn o

Mark Watson-Mitchell - 15.01.2026 The 2025 Full Year Trading Statement issued by Hunting (LON:HTG) , the £600m-capitalised global precision engineering group, covered the period to end-December last. Last July, I stated that the group’s shares were undervalued at 339p, since when they have risen over 20%. I believe that the group has the potential for significant growth in its main operating divisions, and that its shares, now at 401p, are an attractive investment. The Update

Mark Watson-Mitchell - 15.01.2026 This morning's Trading Update from one of my old favourites, the Mpac Group (LON:MPAC), has declared that the FY25 trading performance was in line with market expectations, with improving operating margins and a stabilised order book. The group, which is a global leader in high-speed packaging and automation solutions, expects to report revenues of approximately £170m for the full year 2025, a significant increase from £122.4m in 2024, with

Mark Watson-Mitchell - 14.01.2026 An excellent set of results were announced this morning by Ramsdens Holdings (LON:RFX) , the financial services group. It reported a record year for the twelve months to end-September 2025, with profit before tax increasing by 43% to £16.2m on revenue of £116.8m, up 22% from the previous year. This strong performance was driven by growth across all four key income streams, particularly the purchase of precious metals segment which saw a 52% i

Mark Watson-Mitchell - 13.01.2026 Tomorrow morning, Wednesday, 14th January, will see Ramsdens Holdings (LON:RFX) releasing its Annual Results, covering the year to end-September last. Yesterday the group’s shares put on a healthy 4.40% gain, to close 17.50p up at 415p, which is more than double my feature price of 201p three years ago and is now at an All-Time-High, perhaps the precursor to good news. In early October 2025, the financial services business issued its Pre-Clos

Mark Watson-Mitchell - 13.01.2026 This morning SRT Marine Systems (LON:SRT) , the global provider of intelligent maritime surveillance systems for sovereigns and maritime navigation safety systems, has reported a strong first half for FY26, with unaudited group revenues reaching £51.1m, which is a significant 95% increase from £26.2m in the prior year's comparable period, while its profit before tax rose by 47% to £3.1m. The company's gross cash balance also grew substantial

Mark Watson-Mitchell - 13.01.2026 The Gym Group (LON;GYM) has this morning stated that it anticipates full-year results for 2025 to exceed analyst forecasts, driven by an 8% revenue increase to £244.9m and a 3% like-for-like revenue growth. The group declared that the numberr of members rose 4% to 945,000, with average revenue per member per month increasing to £21.60. Last year, the company opened 16 new sites, taking the total up to 260. It also reported that its net debt

Mark Watson-Mitchell – 12.01.2026 I now realise what Donald Trump is doing on the international stage – he is creating tensions across the globe, so that he can then be lauded for ‘settling’ the various wars and conflicts that are created by his manoeuvres. And then claim the Nobel Peace Prize for his valiant efforts. Grabbing Out For Greenland He is currently ‘bullying’ his way into the annexation of Greenland – such an intention of which I totally abhor. It is the world’s

Mark Watson-Mitchell - 12.01.2026 Tomorrow morning, Tuesday 13 th January, will see the issue by the Gym Group (LON:GYM) of its Trading Update for year to end-December 2025. Its shares at 159p look ready for a strong uplift. In a Leisure Sector Digest report published early last month by brokers Panmure Liberum its analyst Anna Barnfather stated that: “We expect Gyms to continue to perform well in 2026, underpinned by rising participation rates and sustained membership gr