Aviva Sticks With Outlook After Profit Jump
The British insurer and asset manager on Thursday reported a 22% increase in operating profit for the six months ended June 30 to 1.07 billion pounds ($1.45 billion), beating the 972 million pound estimate taken from a company-compiled consensus, on growth in premiums and higher net flows in its wealth division.
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2 top AI-related stocks for investors to consider buying!
Companies linked to artificial intelligence (AI) have become highly coveted stocks to buy. We're mainly talking about US tech shares like Nvidia, whose semiconductors power advanced AI models, and businesses like Microsoft, Meta, and Alphabet that are integrating AI into their existing operations. Many investors worry that these AI shares now command sky-high valuations. They fear this leaves them at risk of price corrections if the stocks' momentum slows. But investors don't need to buy these pricey US stocks to target large returns from the AI boom. Here are two UK shares to consider for the new tech revolution. Riding the data centre boom Sophisticated AI models require thousands of chips working in tandem, meaning small server rooms just don't cut it anymore. This is driving demand for industrial-sized data centres with sophisticated cooling systems and robust power infrastructure. This provides an enormous opportunity for warehouse operators like Tritax Big Box (LSE:BBOX). Accordingly, the FTSE 250 real estate investment trust (or REIT) — which chiefly rents it large-scale spaces out to delivery companies, retailers, and fast-moving consumer goods (FCMG) companies — is pushing aggressively into data centres. The company acquired its first data hub site in January, which it predicts will be 'one of the largest data centres in the UK'. And it followed this with a second shortly afterwards. The sites — which have a combined potential capacity of 272 MW — are in well-connected locations in London and have scope for long-term expansion. With a pipeline of another 1 GW, Tritax is positioning itself as a major player in the digital infrastructure boom. The UK currently has 477 data centres in operation. And construction firm Barbor ABI believes almost another 100 new sites will be needed between now and 2030 to meet demand. This provides a wonderful growth opportunity for the likes of Tritax. Be mindful, though, that data centre development carries risks. Like its logistics and storage hubs, returns are at the mercy of rising build costs and interest rates. 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. Another top AI-related stock Cable maker Volex (LSE:VLX) is another great data centre play to consider. The high-speed cables it manufactures are essential tools in ensuring a reliable and fast-moving data connection. More specifically, the company is a pioneer in the direct attach cables (DACs) segment. These are especially critical for AI applications, as they facilitate high bandwidth with minimal latency. And they are helping to drive business with both new and existing customers. Volex sells its cables across the world, leaving it exposed to trade tariff-related pressures. But these troubles haven't yet derailed its ability to deliver strong revenues growth — organic sales leapt 10.4% at constant currencies between April and June. The business said its latest sales numbers reflect 'continued momentum in the Electric Vehicles and Complex Industrial Technology end-markets, notably among Data Centre customers'. As well as data centres, Volex has exposure to multiple other growth areas like electric cars, renewable energy, healthcare, and automation. This provides added profit-making opportunities, while simultaneously broadening its sales base and reducing reliance on any single market to drive earnings. I think it's a great all-rounder to consider for the booming digital economy. The post 2 top AI-related stocks for investors to consider buying! appeared first on The Motley Fool UK. More reading 5 Stocks For Trying To Build Wealth After 50 One Top Growth Stock from the Motley Fool Royston Wild has no position in any of the shares mentioned. The Motley Fool UK has recommended Alphabet, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, Nvidia, and Tritax Big Box REIT Plc. Views expressed on the companies mentioned in this article are those of the writer and therefore may differ from the official recommendations we make in our subscription services such as Share Advisor, Hidden Winners and Pro. Here at The Motley Fool we believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. Motley Fool UK 2025 Sign in to access your portfolio
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Why Coherent Stock Tanked by Nearly 20% on Thursday
Key Points The company's top- and bottom-line growth was robust in its fiscal fourth quarter of 2025. The two metrics also topped the consensus analyst estimate; however, investors found certain developments worrying. 10 stocks we like better than Coherent › Photonics company Coherent (NYSE: COHR) wasn't a bright light on the stock exchange Thursday. Despite delivering a second quarter that (slightly) beat analyst estimates, factors such as growth deceleration in a key business segment raised some concern. With that, more than a few market players assertively sold out of the stock to leave it with a loss of almost 20% on the day. That compared quite unfavorably to the more or less flat trajectory of the S&P 500 index. A double beat wasn't good enough For its fiscal Q4 of 2025, Coherent's revenue was $1.53 billion, notching a new record for the company. That figure was also 16% higher year over year. The company's non-GAAP (adjusted) net income grew more modestly, advancing by nearly 9% to $192 million or an even $1.00 per share. Both headline figures came in slightly higher than the consensus analyst estimates of $1.51 billion for revenue and $0.92 for adjusted earnings per share (EPS). Coherent attributed the improvements to the liveliness of certain revenue drivers, such as artificial intelligence (AI) data centers. However, in a new research note on the company, analyst Vivek Arya from Bank of America Securities pointed out that the company's revenue growth in the data center space was slowing. According to reports he wrote, this was 24% in Q4, but 39%, 46%, and 58% in the three preceding frames. This was one of the factors that inspired Arya to downgrade his recommendation on the stock to neutral from his previous buy. Modeling a better first quarter Coherent management proffered guidance for its current (first) quarter. It believes revenue will fall between $1.46 billion and $1.6 billion, and adjusted EPS will come in at $0.93 to $1.13. Both ranges start well above Q4 of fiscal 2024's $1.31 billion on the top line and adjusted EPS of $0.61. The average analyst estimates of, respectively, $1.55 billion and $1.03 per share for the present quarter are within the two guidance ranges. Should you buy stock in Coherent right now? Before you buy stock in Coherent, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the for investors to buy now… and Coherent wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $649,544!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $1,113,059!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor's total average return is 1,062% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 185% for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor. See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of August 13, 2025 Bank of America is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Eric Volkman has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Coherent. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Why Coherent Stock Tanked by Nearly 20% on Thursday was originally published by The Motley Fool Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
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40 years of The Dropped Stitch
A three-generation family yarn shop is in Victoria Road, Portslade, is celebrating its 40th anniversary. The Dropped Stitch was founded by Hilary and Peter Bath in 1985, and is now run with their son Anthony and his wife – and their 11-year-old daughter helps out too, by selling her own tie-dye creations. "It's huge," Anthony says of the milestone. "When we got to 35 years we didn't know if we would reach 40, because Covid hit us hard at first." But after Wendy and Robin went into administration during the first lockdown, panic-buying of their yarns boosted the shop and gave it a new impetus. As well as selling knitting yarns and haberdashery, The Dropped Stitch has stained-glass art by Hilary, hair accessories handmade by Sue and clothes and accessories tie-dyed by their 11-year-old daughter, who has been an important part of the family business since she was just nine. It also runs a logo embroidery service. The family will be marking the event throughout September with celebrations including a raffle, yarn sales, giveaways and more. It will also join a nationwide celebration of independent yarn shops, UK Hand Knitting's Yarnstravaganza, from September 27 to October 4.
