Image source: Getty Images Headlines today (5 November) are clamouring over a possible AI bubble bursting. The FTSE 100 seems steady for now. But Asian and US markets are a bit rattled. The tech-heavy Nasdaq fell 2% yesterday in the midst of Q3 reporting season, even though earnings look generally pretty decent. It comes as famously bearish hedge fund manager Michael Burry — of The Big Short movie fame — revealed short positions of over $1bn on leading AI lights Nvidia and Palantir. Nvidia has fallen 5% since close on 3 November, dropping back below its $5trn market cap. Palantir…
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Private equity (PE) investments have expanded significantly across sectors such as industrials, education, logistics, and technology. As PE firms continue to optimize companies for profitable exits, strategic buyers must scrutinize deals more carefully. What looks financially healthy on paper may conceal operational vulnerabilities and sustainability risks. For investment professionals evaluating these opportunities, this is not just about valuation, it’s about vigilance. The following framework brings together lessons from finance, operations, and governance to help strategic buyers protect value and drive long-term performance after a PE exit. Why PE-Backed Deals Require Special Attention PE-backed deals often look impressive on the surface.…
Image source: Getty Images Shares in FTSE 250 industrial firm Senior (LSE:SNR) are up 300% over the last half-decade. But the firm’s about to complete what could be a really interesting transformation for investors. The company’s agreed to sell its aerostructures unit to private equity. And the remaining fluid conveyance and thermal management (FCTM) division has some attractive properties. Divestiture Senior’s aerostructures operation makes parts for aircraft. And the regulated nature of this industry means there’s a lot to like about this business. Despite this, the unit’s achieved relatively weak margins and returns on invested capital. Its flexonics division however, has…
Image source: Getty Images Building wealth inside a Stocks and Shares ISA is one of the simplest and most tax-friendly ways to invest, as every penny of growth and income is sheltered from HMRC for life. Please note that tax treatment depends on the individual circumstances of each client and may be subject to change in future. The content in this article is provided for information purposes only. It is not intended to be, neither does it constitute, any form of tax advice. Readers are responsible for carrying out their own due diligence and for obtaining professional advice before making…
Image source: Getty Images It has been a dramatic year in the stock market on both sides of the pond, with major indexes including the FTSE 100 repeatedly hitting new all-time highs. But there have been some notable bumps along the way. The tariff-related stock market volatility in April was one. So far, November has also seen some notable stock market volatility in the US. So, when the stock market wobbles, are any shares safe? No guarantees in life The short answer is no. In practice, no share is every guaranteed to hold its stock market value. (Some specifically defined…
Image source: Getty Images. Nvidia (NASDAQ:NVDA) stock isn’t far off record highs. But there was some pullback on Tuesday 4 November after the market got a little worried about valuations in the technology sector. Part of that worry can probably be attributed to Palantir’s results. They were exceptional, but it seemingly wasn’t enough to satisfy the market, which was valuing the data software company at 300 times forward earnings. These results and the resulting price action have probably sent some shockwaves through the market. Another reason for the pullback in Nvidia was the news that Michael Burry has shorted the…
Image source: Getty Images In October, the FTSE 100 hit fresh record highs. Despite the move over the course of this year, some are concerned the market might be getting ahead of itself. As a result, they feel UK shares could be in for a rocky run through to year-end. I have my own views on what will happen, and decided to check ChatGPT to see if my AI friend agrees or not! Agreeing on some things ChatGPT went as far as to say there’s “no clear sign” that UK shares will crash immediately, but caveated this view, saying that…
Image source: Getty Images Palantir (NASDAQ: PLTR) stock experienced a sharp pullback after the company posted its earnings for the third quarter of 2025 on Monday night (3 November) and UK investors have been aggressively buying the dip. Looking at data from AJ Bell, it’s the most bought stock on the platform over the last day. Now, I’ve had this artificial intelligence (AI) stock on my watchlist for ages but I’ve never actually pulled the trigger and bought it for my portfolio. Should I follow the crowd and buy it now? Let’s discuss. Unbelievable Q3 earnings Palantir’s Q3 results were…
Image source: Getty Images The Diageo (LSE: DGE) share price has fallen more than 55% since early 2022, while the FTSE 100 has climbed around 35% over the same period. For a long time, I saw the stock as a classic falling knife and stayed well away. But markets often overshoot in both directions. Taking a contrarian stance is never easy – yet with sentiment now washed out, I have finally stepped in and bought the stock. Here’s why. Premiumisation The dominant narrative is that alcohol demand is in structural decline. Younger consumers are drinking less, household budgets are stretched,…
Image source: Getty Images Analysts have been warning of a stock market crash for weeks. Is this it? Tuesday (4 November) was brutal. Headlines reported more than $500bn wiped off the value of artificial intelligence (AI) chipmakers. Michael Burry, the investor famed for betting against the sub-prime housing market, had placed heavy short positions against AI stocks Palantir and Nvidia. Bitcoin dipped below $100,000 for the first time since June, losing $45bn in value. The FTSE 100 fell around 1%, and my Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPP) took a small hit too. Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley both issued warnings of an imminent…