Mark Watson-Mitchell – 30.01.2026   It was on Friday 19 th  December last year, that the Strix Group (LON:KETL)  announced the proposed disposal of its Billi business for £110.0m on a cash-free, debt-free basis, representing a significant return on its initial £38.0m investment. That strategic move is aimed at addressing the macroeconomic headwinds impacting the Controls division and strengthen the £108m-capitalised group's financial position, with an estimated net debt of £6

Mark Watson-Mitchell – 29.01.2026    Engineering services group James Fisher and Sons (LON:FSJ)  has this morning declared a bullish Trading Update that should help to push its shares much higher than the current 388p. The average of analyst views suggests 513p a share as the Target Price. The Business James Fisher and Sons is a leading provider of unique marine solutions in Energy, Defence and Maritime Transport. The Group pioneers safe, innovative solutions that solve compl

Mark Watson-Mitchell – 29.01.2026   In todays’ Q4 2025 Trading and Business Update from ASA International (LON:ASAI) it has noted that its Management anticipates its full-year 2025 net profit will double to approximately $57m, up from $28.5m in 2024, driven by strong loan portfolio growth to $628.4m as at end-December, a 13% increase from the previous quarter and a 37% rise year-over-year, with client numbers growing by nearly 100,000 in the fourth quarter. The company also

Mark Watson-Mitchell - 28.01.2026 Ahead of today's AGM, Marston's (LON:MARS) , the brewery group, issued a First Quarter Trading Update for the 17-week period to Saturday, 24th January. For that period, the Group made a few major points: • Strong trading performance over the festive period where like-for-like sales increased by 4.0%, with growth of 5.6% across the five key festive dates, reinforcing the strength of Marston’s community-based estate during peak trading occasio

Mark Watson-Mitchell – 28.01.2026 The business of Gulf Marine Services (LON:GMS) keeps expanding. The leading provider of self-propelled, self-elevating support vessels to the offshore energy industry, has this morning announced that it has received a variation order from a major National Oil Company (NOC) in the Middle East for extension to an existing contract for two of its vessels, to provide for up to an additional six years of contract duration across the two vessels,

This morning Time Finance (LON:TIME) has reported strong interim results for the six months to end-November 2025, with own-book new business origination up 48% to £62.6m and a record gross lending book of £235.3m. Revenue increased by 4% to £18.8m, and profit before tax rose 10% to £4.3m, with a PBT margin of 23%. Earnings per share grew 7% to 3.47p, and net assets increased by 9% to £75.0m. The company also saw a reduction in net deals in arrears to 4.5% and net bad debt wri

Mark Watson-Mitchell - 27.01.2026 This morning the £731m-capitalised Dr. Martens (LON:DOCS) has reported a Q3 Group revenue decrease of 2.7% on a constant currency basis to £253m, with year-to-date revenue down 0.7% to £580m, primarily due to a disciplined approach to promotions and reduced clearance activity impacting Direct to Consumer revenue, which fell 6.5% in Q3. However, wholesale revenue showed strength, increasing 9.5% in Q3 and 4.2% year-to-date on a constant curre

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