By Marcus Devlin
Two decades covering equity markets. Writes on single stocks, sectors, valuations and the trades behind the tape.
KKR and ECP Sweeten DCC Bid With Contingent Nexora Payout
Private equity firms KKR and Energy Capital Partners have increased their bid for DCC to £5.81 billion. The new offer keeps £65.25 per share
European Stocks Stall as AI Optimism Clashes with Oil Price Jitters
European stocks stalled as AI optimism from TSMC's record profit was offset by oil price jitters with Brent near $85. Selective M&A, includi
TSMC Signals Bigger Capital Spending to Ease AI Chip Bottlenecks
TSMC says its capital spending over the next three years will be 'more significantly higher' than the last three, as it works to relieve a c
FTSE 100 Dips 0.6% as Retail Gains Clash with Housing and Deal News
The FTSE 100 slipped 0.6% on Thursday as retail strength from Premier Foods and Dunelm was offset by cautious outlooks from DFS Furniture, C
Crest Nicholson Posts £11.9M Loss, Slashes Land Buying to Preserve Cash
Crest Nicholson posted £197.6M in H1 revenue and an £11.9M adjusted operating loss. The homebuilder is cutting land purchases to protect cas
South Africa's Rand Holds Near 16.35 as Brent Crude Rises to $85 on US-Iran Tensions
Brent crude oil extended its rally to a fourth day, reaching around $85 a barrel amid rising US-Iran tensions. The move kept South Africa's
Frasers Group Freezes 2027 Outlook Amid Hugo Boss and Accent Group Bids
Frasers Group froze its fiscal 2027 outlook after reporting a 4% drop in adjusted profit, missing analyst forecasts. The company says its li
Sodexo Bets on US Turnaround, Raises 2027 Revenue Growth Target
Sodexo is betting on a US comeback, raising its 2027 organic revenue growth target to 2%-3%. New CEO Thierry Delaporte is making North Ameri
TSMC Posts Record 77% Profit Surge as AI Chip Dominance Drives Growth
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co reported a record 77% profit jump for April-June, driven by surging AI chip demand. All eyes are now o
ABB's $5.5 Billion Cash Bid for Rotork Wins Board Backing, Closing Expected by Mid-2027
Swiss industrial automation giant ABB has made a $5.5 billion cash offer for Rotork, a UK manufacturer of industrial valves and actuators. R
Publicis Raises 2026 Growth Target as AI Marketing Demand Drives Q2 Revenue Surge
Publicis lifted its 2026 growth target after a strong Q2, with organic net revenue up 4.8%. Marketing services, powered by AI demand, offset
Rupee Slips to 96.30 as NDF Settlement Demand Pressures Onshore Market
India's rupee dropped to 96.30 per US dollar on Thursday, driven by dollar demand from maturing non-deliverable forwards during the RBI's fi