Expert views
Commentary submitted by Russ Mould in their own words.
Back to profileShell upgrades gas production outlook and says refining profit margins to grow
This positive news has helped Shell become one of the top 10 best performing UK blue-chip shares so far in 2026.
Landsec to buy Metrocentre in £516 million deal
Metrocentre looks like an ideal fit for Land Securities’ portfolio.
Irn-Bru maker AG Barr says supply chain issues lost firm £10m in sales
AG Barr’s first-half results were lacking in fizz and left the shares flat.
Sales grow at Card Factory despite ‘pressure on UK consumers’
Card Factory’s latest numbers were greeted warmly by long-suffering shareholders as they showed a crucial improvement in cash flow.
AstraZeneca invests £1.5bn into US firm Summit for cancer drug tie-up
AstraZeneca is constantly looking for ways to develop its pipeline of new drugs and to bring more effective treatments to market.
Government borrowing hits second-highest August on record in setback for Healey
Higher than expected government borrowing in August alongside rising gilt yields and higher inflation have caught Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Chancellor John Healey in a spider’s web.
Kingfisher delivers profit upgrade despite flagging B&Q sales
The big driver of performance was the Screwfix chain, which derives most of its sales from trade customers.
JD Sports targets 140 shops in Mexico through franchise deal
Using a franchise partner who already knows the territory inside out is a lower risk way for a brand like JD to dip its toes in the water.
JD Sports targets 140 shops in Mexico through franchise deal
JD Sports is to expand into Mexico via a franchise agreement.
Next warns against growth-‘stifling’ tax rises in Budget
With a slight upgrade to future guidance accompanying the first-half numbers, investors felt able to reward Next with a healthy share price increase despite the stock being within touching distance of all-time highs.
Debenhams reveals earnings jump as turnaround gathers pace
After some decent gains in recent months, the market will be keen to see further evidence it is delivering on the recovery plan.
Next warns against growth-‘stifling’ tax rises in Budget
If Next has any more rabbits left to pull out of its hat it must be a hat made to fit Goliath. The company’s ability to manage expectations is unrivalled and once again it has delivered results materially ahead of previous expectations.