Ian Conway

Yet another UK small-cap takeover in the offing - paper maker Accrol (#ACRL) gets a 38p/share offer from Portugese co Navigator. Last price 34p = 11.8% premium. https://t.co/Gk4ZWJhxOn https://t.co/wrIiLqRG02

FTSE 250 building materials firm Marshalls (#MSLH) posts >40% frop in FY23 earnings and warns FY will be no better. https://t.co/Oe5bbdVJLz https://t.co/bvehtEFYQl

Interesting, multi-manager trust Witan (#WTAN) has decided to review its investment mgmt approach. Shares have gone nowhere for three years while Alliance Trust (#ATST) keeps hitting new highs. https://t.co/pTgNKoJvzt https://t.co/CNJaz9amne

Investment trust Scottish Mortgage (#SMT) says it will make 'at least' £1bn available for share buybacks over the next two years, ie more than 10% of its current market cap. If that doesn't get the shares going, what will? https://t.co/Ufjwcii4my https://t.co/08XtUDxqGr

Insurer Conduit Holdings (#CRE) posts outstanding FY23 underwriting results: https://t.co/5NqLLb8a93 Shares up 5%, close to breaking out. One of our 2024 tips: https://t.co/0DgzgK5P1d https://t.co/n4QM98tFTZ

Travel operator On The Beach (#OTB) posts strong AGM trading update. After its best-ever summer, sales in the peak booking period (now) are up 27% by value. https://t.co/1t8p40XIjJ https://t.co/KcakwvYB7u

DIY retailer Wickes (#WIX) sees FY pre-tax profit at upper end of forecasts after solid Q4 trading. One to watch if the shares break out above 150p 🍿 https://t.co/LBQusge2Si https://t.co/y2tYOUfaoB

Aquaculture firm Benchmark Holdings (#BMK) puts itself up for sale after strategic review. Says the current share price 'materially undervalues' the co and its prospects. Share price says it all. https://t.co/3UWPjBEPkT https://t.co/WQ8rx2559s

Second bidder emerges for Smartspace Solutions (#SMRT:AIM). PE firm PSG Equity makes an indicative offer of 95p/shr vs Friday's close of 65p and Skedda's offer of 82p. https://t.co/ChAH4tqAKs https://t.co/IRYmIeRsTs

More property M&A, Custodian (#CREI) acquiring Aberdeen Income (#API) at near enough a 30% premium through an all-share deal and creating a £1bn portfolio. When insiders are buying you know there's value to be had. https://t.co/CUUxu3hOuZ https://t.co/zM4GTQVmx5

Another outstanding performance from Just Group (#JUST), surely one of the most underrated UK companies. https://t.co/MlUYBSn4bq Read why it's one of our top tips for 2024: https://t.co/bCMt8ueZ0B

Electricals retailer Currys (#CURY) *raises its profit forecast after a strong peak trading period including Christmas. https://t.co/gGMkAmkh4o Read our exclusive interview with boss Alex Baldock: https://t.co/mIzYZwlAnl

Rolex-seller Watches of Switzerland (#WOSG) cuts its sales forecast for the FY to March 2024 after 'volatile' (ie weak) trading up to and over Xmas. Surely no great surprise given the need to spend on essentials over baubles. https://t.co/EPnYXLD89n https://t.co/IhhGghKwMY

More M&A in UK real estate, TPFG (#TPFG) 'merging' with Belvoir (#BLV) in an all-share deal which sees TPFG mgmt come out on top. Sml upside for BLV holders, implied take-out price 277p vs cls 256p. https://t.co/c1bgFg5H76 https://t.co/o1JSCdAP96

Another sub-scale investment trust throws in the towel. Downing Strategic Micro-Cap (#DSM), market cap just £27m, has begun a 'managed wind-down' of its portfolio and expects to return ~50% of its value in cash in 1H24. https://t.co/nZepxJNsfD https://t.co/mKeoZpoyWV

Watch energy services co Petrofac (#PFC), the most-shorted stock in the FTSE 350. Today's FY trading update refers to 'exceptional new order intake' and a 'robust business outlook'. Shares popped 8% yesterday but shorts are well in the money - for now. https://t.co/U22WEcEQWU https://t.co/bQsiH8x5Mv

Fashion retailer Superdry (#SDRY) warns FY profit will be 'impacted' by weak consumer spending with trading 'significantly below' expectations. Hard to believe the shares once traded at 50x today's level. https://t.co/OxmDEJbbqc https://t.co/e9LqorOK9O