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 - 06.01.2026 Last night the FTSE100, the UK Equity Market's official barometer of performance, closed at 10,004.57, up 53.43 points on the day. It had broken up to 10,046.30 on Intra Day dealings last Friday, but the close last night is considered the most important marker. Jason Hollands, Managing Director of online investment platform Bestinvest by Evelyn Partners, stated that: “The UK’s FTSE 100 index of blue-chip companies today closed above 10,000 p

Mark Watson-Mitchell - 05.01.2026 On Thursday 29th January, Alfa Financial Software Holdings (LON:ALFA) will report its Q4 Trading Update to its shareholders. We have already had indications that the message carried will be positive. The market rates highly the value of the shares of the £618.4m-capitalised group, while investment professionals have the view that there is still more in store. The shares, now 208p, are reviewed as Buys by two brokers, who have set Target Pric

Mark Watson-Mitchell - 02.02.2026 This morning, the FTSE100 Index broke convincingly through the 'magical' 10,000 level, rising to 10,046.25, before easing back to the current 9,980.76 on the back of some profit-taking. The FTSE's rise has shown that the performance of the Dow Jones Index has been somewhat laggardly, with suggestions that US players are confused over Trump's recent international moves. Undoubtedly, our market has the 'taste' currently and expectations are tha

Mark Watson-Mitchell - 30.12.2025 As the current year draws to a close, it is more than encouraging to see that the FTSE100 Index, the UK market's official barometer, is edging ever closer to breaking the 'magical' 10,000 goal. Just 95 points in it now, with the FTSE100 standing at 9,905 as I write. It has been up to 9,907.81 at its best this morning, which was 41 points better on the day. It may well slip back from the current level, but it could well be encouraged by a more

Mark Watson-Mitchell - 26.12.2025 I thought that you might like a moment of light relief, as I recall a story told to me some years ago by an amusing old broker friend of mine. Never short of a drink or two while standing at the bar, supporting it, of course, he recalled a tale from his distant past. Financial Planning explained by a very enterprising Irishman. Paddy bought a donkey from a farmer for £100. The farmer agreed to deliver the donkey the next day. In the morning,

Mark Watson-Mitchell - 17.12.2025 The much better than expected fall in the CPI has this morning created quite an impetus in its wake. With the very strong chance of the Base Rate falling down to 3.75% tomorrow, London's equity market barometer - the FTSE100 Index - has risen a convincing 165 points to almost 9850. That reduces the gap to the 'magic' 10,000 Index level to a mere 150 points. While that move could well spur a greater push by the Dow Jones Index, after yesterday

Mark Watson-Mitchell - 17.12.2025 The economic news this morning is that the rate of inflation fell far more quickly than expected last month, that now leads the way for another cut in interest rates tomorrow. Prices rose by just 3.2% in the month, the lowest level since March, and down from 3.6% in October. That now marks the third consecutive month of falling inflation. The expectations of City economists were for a much more modest fall in the CPI, the headline measure of

This morning the UK's FTSE100 Index is just 208 odd points short of reaching a new High, now at 9722.26, while the highest reached to date has been 9930.10. Over in the States, the Dow Jones Index closed at 48,704.01 against its highest of 48,756.34. There is certain to be a push towards the FTSE hitting 10,000, while the 50,000 level for the DJI looks an easier target for achievement. The number of bids happening in the last few weeks is a sure signal of growing corporate co

Mark Watson-Mitchell – 12.12.2025 For ‘penny share punters’ prepared to take an early view on the development of an interesting little group with proven management – just take a look at Bob Holt’s new vehicle, EARNZ (LON:EARN) . Actually, it is not so new because he acquired control of the old Verditek operation early in 2024. And Just Who Is Bob Holt? Bob Holt is a highly accomplished executive with over 37 years' experience in senior leadership roles across various sectors,

Mark Watson-Mitchell   The Interim Results to end-October from the £688m-capitalised greetings group Moonpig (LON:MOON)  are due to be announced next Tuesday, 9 th  December, the accompanying statement could well indicate that the business is still on the growth track. The Business The group is a leading online greeting cards and gifting platform, comprising the Moonpig, Red Letter Days and Buyagift brands in the UK and the Greetz brand in the Netherlands. The group's leading

Mark Watson-Mitchell - 02.12.2025 This coming Thursday, 4th December, will see The Watches of Switzerland Group (LON:WOSG) announce its Interim Results covering the 26 weeks to 26th October. The group, which is the UK's largest retailer for Rolex, OMEGA, Cartier, TAG Heuer and Breitling watches, despite retail sector challenges, enjoyed a strong first half. Following the group’s early November Trading Update and ahead of this week’s announcement broker’s analysts have shown a

Mark Watson-Mitchell - 02.12.2025 Saxo, one of the leaders in online trading and investment, announced its annual Outrageous Predictions for 2026 today. The future almost never arrives in straight lines. Whether it’s technology, culture, or politics, changes and evolution often come slowly from year to year. But then, suddenly, there is a lurch. Saxo’s outrageous predictions live in those lurches. They are not a house view or a forecast; they are low-probability, high-impact

Mark Watson-Mitchell - 01.12.2025 Early tomorrow morning, Tuesday 2nd December, will see a very interesting prediction being made - don't miss it.

Mark Watson-Mitchell - 26.11.2025 Taking a bullish stance to get the markets swinging upwards again What a load of fuss and hot air - now we know (not guess) what Rachel has in store for us. The drama in the lead-up to today's announcement became almost hysteric. It is now visible and the country, the market and industry now just have to get on with the job again and cast aside the false rumours that were swirling around ahead of the Chancellor's statement and its content. An

This morning a new report has been published that reveals confusion and misinformation are the biggest barriers to retail investor participation   Mark Watson-Mitchell - 13.11.2025 Britons are being held back from investing by a lack of financial education, according to new research by high-growth retail trading platform, Capital.com .  The research, titled Fear or Fortune? , found that eight in 10 adults feel too nervous to invest, with confusion and misinformation emerging

Mark Watson-Mitchell - 12.11.2025 I am grateful to Aaron Morby at Construction Enquirer for the latest bit of news about Costain (LON:COST) , my favourite infrastructure group. It could well explain why the group's shares have been moving forward over the last week or so, now up to 156p, making a near 47% advance in price over the year to date. Morby noted that Costain had joined the £800m Eastern Highways Alliance framework, stepping in to replace Morgan Sindall on the refr

Mark Watson-Mitchell - 11.11.2025   Next Monday, 17 th November, James Cropper (LON:CRPR) , the advanced materials and paper and packaging manufacturer, will be announcing its Interim Results for the six months to end-September. On looking at what is happening within the 180-year-old group, I would suggest that the shares at 300p offer a very attractive upside over the next couple of years. New CEO And Strategy In February this year, the Kendal, Cumbria-based group appointed

Mark Watson-Mitchell – 10.11.2025   Perhaps it was the suggestion by Donald Trump that he was thinking about giving everyone in the States the sum of $2,000 as extra spending money. Perhaps it was something else that suddenly charged up the markets today. Whatever it may have been – the effect has been electrifying. The FTSE-100, as I write is up over 98 points on the day, after topping 103.90 points, a very healthy one-day gain in such nervous markets. That peak was at 9786.

Mark Watson-Mitchell – 06.11.2025   The results for the year to end May 2025, reported by EnSilica (LON:ENSI)  on Tuesday of this week, were disappointing and could well stymie any significant rise in the group’s share price for quite a while. After having peaked at 53.60p a month ago, following a questionable valuation ‘puff’, they have since slipped back to 40p. There is no doubt that the group is attempting to win more business within the ‘space sector’ and will add to its