Latest news with #Aim
Times
13-08-2025
- Politics
- Times
Camp for Muslim children cancelled over threat of protests
A camp for Muslim children run by a pro-Iranian charity has been cancelled, the leaders claiming the event has been a victim of 'Islamophobia'. Ahlulbayt Islamic Mission (Aim) was preparing to run Camp Wilayah for children as young as nine in the Hertfordshire countryside later this month. Aim said it had pulled plans for the camp, which charged £225 per child, 'in light of serious threats levelled at the safety of children' there, claiming that Reform UK had threatened to mobilise protests. The charity said: 'No evidence of wrongdoing has ever been found at Camp Wilayah, yet our children are being punished simply for their faith. 'To attack such a wholesome and positive tradition is shameful … Not only is this despicable behaviour, but it is Islamophobia in plain sight, and it should alarm every member of society.' In April The Times revealed the charity routinely shared material online from speeches by Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Iranian supreme leader, and one post called an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander assassinated by the United States a 'great hero'. Aim's Instagram account shared a message saying the 'Zionists brought this disaster on themselves' five days after Hamas's October 7 massacre on Israel, and another video said Jews were 'violent' and labelled moderate Muslims tolerant of Israel 'filth'. • Islamic radio station fined for hate accuses Ofcom of Islamophobia Lord Walney, formerly the government's anti-extremism tsar, said the camps 'risked indoctrinating' children and that it was right that it was not going ahead. Girls were to be separated from the boys for the duration of the camp, except for daily prayers, talks and a team photo. Under camp rules, they were to maintain 'physical and social hijab at all times'. 'No one should be taken in by the Ahlulbayt Islamic Mission's victim narrative,' Walney said. Lord Walney EUAN CHERRY FOR THE TIMES Fiyaz Mughal, the founder of Faith Matters and Tell Mama, said: 'Kneejerk responses of Islamophobia against legitimate concerns do not form part of an adequate explanation or defence … and simply tarnish trust in the work of actually tackling anti-Muslim prejudice when it happens.' The pro-Israel lobby group UK Lawyers for Israel had previously written to Hertfordshire council to warn 'there is compelling reason to believe that the event may be used as a platform to radicalise children, incite hatred or violence and glorify terrorist ideology'. Aim has previously claimed that it 'neither takes orders from nor represents' a foreign power.
Telegraph
25-07-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
This stock is still not expensive despite its 343pc gain
Volex's recently released annual results were extremely well received by investors. Shares in the manufacturer of power cords and cable assemblies, which is a holding in our Aim portfolio, surged 17pc higher on the day of its results last month, with double-digit sales and profit growth highlighting its improving performance versus the prior year. Revenue rose by 19pc year on year, with organic growth (which excludes the impact of acquisitions) amounting to 11.1pc. Operating profit, meanwhile, was up 18.4pc on the prior year, with the company's operating profit margin relatively unchanged at roughly 9.8pc, as it was able to successfully raise prices in order to largely offset the effects of elevated inflation. The company enjoyed strong performance from its electric vehicles and consumer electricals segments during the year, which more than compensated for a weak performance in its medical division that the company expects to only prove temporary in nature. Its operations in North America posted strong growth. Sales in the region rose by 35pc year on year, so they now account for 46pc of total sales, thereby making it the company's largest geographical region. Although the US economy contracted at an annualised rate of 0.5pc in the first quarter of the year, it is widely expected to bounce back over the coming months – and with Voltex's flexible manufacturing footprint, it appears relatively well placed to overcome a prospective rise in US tariffs. Clearly, history suggests that increased protectionism is extremely likely to have a negative impact on global economic growth. This could weigh on the company's financial performance in the short run and may lead to elevated share price volatility as investors pivot from cyclical stocks to defensives. However, a likely end to sticky inflation and the implementation of further interest rate cuts across developed economies mean the long-term outlook for the company's operating environment remains upbeat. While the company's net debt rose by 14pc to around $175m (£129.5m) in the past year, it still has a relatively modest net gearing ratio of 47pc. Net interest costs, meanwhile, were covered nearly five times by operating profits in its latest financial year. These figures suggest Volex has the financial means to not only overcome an uncertain near-term outlook for the world economy but also to engage in M&A activity. Indeed, the company stated in its results that it has an active acquisition pipeline. Trading on a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.6, Volex appears to offer good value for money on a long-term view and scope for an upward rerating. Its relatively modest market valuation is, of course, somewhat surprising given not only its recent share price rise, but also because it has produced a 341pc capital gain since being added to our Aim portfolio in August 2018. Over the same period, the FTSE Aim All-Share index has slumped by 30pc. This means the stock has outperformed the wider index by 371 percentage points in just under seven years. In Questor's view, Volex continues to offer capital growth potential and scope for further index outperformance over the coming years. While its share price could prove to be relatively volatile in the near term due to an ongoing uncertain geopolitical environment, its solid balance sheet and sound competitive position mean it is well placed to benefit from an upbeat long-term economic outlook. Questor says: buy Ticker: VLX Share price at close: 364.5 Update: Totally While Volex has posted exceptionally high returns since being added to our Aim portfolio, another of our holdings, Totally, has recently gone into administration. The healthcare services provider's shares have subsequently been cancelled from trading on Aim. Although Questor previously highlighted that it considered Totally to be at the higher end of the risk spectrum due to its relatively small size and uncertain operating environment, the news is still hugely disappointing. Moreover, it reconfirms the importance of diversification – particularly among smaller companies. In many cases, they lack the breadth of operations of larger businesses that are typically better able to withstand tough operating conditions, periods of economic difficulty and, of course, unforeseen events.
Daily Mail
11-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
The UK's stock market gems are going cheap: Gervais Williams on the INVESTING SHOW
The Aim smaller companies stock market recently celebrated its 30th anniversary and many investors feel its fortunes have been decidedly mixed. But while the index as a whole over those three decades has not delivered standout performance, Gervais Williams, of Premier Miton, argues that some of the companies on it have seen huge success. In this episode of the Investing Show, he talks us through the original purpose of Aim, what has happened over those three decades, and how it has provided a focus on smallness that can really pay off for diligent investors. Mr Williams explains how smaller companies have suffered in recent years as giant US companies have sucked the air out of markets, but that has created an opportunity to buy into high quality small caps at low prices. These offer a way for stock-pickers to find gems that others have overlooked. He discusses how he invests, what he looks for in a company – and why he believes motivation and customer service really matter for profits that last.
Telegraph
04-07-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
How the very best companies survive the toughest economic times
Questor is The Telegraph's stock-picking column, helping you decode the markets and offering insights on where to invest. Even the very best companies experience highly challenging periods. A solid balance sheet, a clear competitive advantage and a sound long-term growth strategy may define a high quality firm, but this does not shield a company from difficulties – such as a tough industry outlook or deteriorating economic conditions. However, in Questor's view, such companies are likely to come good in the long run. Ultimately, their sound finances mean they are well placed to overcome a temporarily weak operating environment, while their strong competitive position typically results in a growing bottom line. This standpoint is a key reason we have stuck with beverages company Fever-Tree, despite its hugely disappointing share price performance since being added to our Aim portfolio in October 2023. At their lowest ebb, the firm's shares traded 37pc down on our notional purchase price. Although they have subsequently risen, a paper loss of 3pc still represents a highly inadequate return – especially when the FTSE Aim All-Share index has risen by 15pc over the same period. Of course, Fever-Tree has had to contend with extremely difficult trading conditions in recent years. Elevated inflation meant that its costs surged higher, thereby squeezing profit margins. A rapid rate of price rises also put pressure on disposable incomes, which weighed on demand for discretionary products and prompted some consumers to switch to cheaper alternatives or reduce consumption. Now, though, sticky inflation is widely expected to give way to a sustained period of modest price rises over the medium term. Not only could this put less pressure on disposable incomes, it may encourage further monetary policy easing that boosts wage growth. The end result could be greater spending power among consumers that prompts higher demand for the firm's products. Fever-Tree is well placed to take advantage of improved operating conditions. Its recently released trading update confirmed it retained its dominant market position in both on-trade and off-trade in the UK. It also made market share gains across all of its key regions in the latest financial year. Alongside strong brand loyalty, this suggests it has an excellent competitive position that could provide scope for margin growth over the coming years. For the current year, the firm's trading update stated that it remains on track to post a low single digit rise in revenue and a 12pc earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda) profit margin. This latter figure represents a 170 basis point decline versus the prior year, which means the company's bottom line is due to fall by around 18pc this year. However, it is then forecast to post a 19pc surge in earnings per share next year, as well offering scope for further profit growth over the coming years, amid an improving operating environment. Clearly, risks such as an ongoing global trade war could weigh on the company's financial performance. Although the firm's trading update suggested the impact of US tariffs is set to be largely mitigated over the long run – for example, by production being relocated to the US – increasingly protectionist policies may still dampen the wider consumer outlook and lead to deteriorating investor sentiment towards cyclical stocks in particular. Given the firm has a net cash position of around £84m, it appears to be in a strong position to overcome inherent volatility in the global economy – and with the company's strategic partnership with Molson Coors still in its relative infancy, the stock's risk/reward opportunity appears to be favourable on a long-term view. Fever-Tree's market valuation is likely to be considered a red flag by some investors. It currently trades on a forward price-to-earnings ratio, using the current year's prospective decline in earnings, of 40.8. This is significantly higher than the ratings currently applied to other global consumer goods companies that offer lower levels of risk as a result of their greater diversification, size and scale. However, in Questor's view, Fever-Tree still offers investment appeal. The company has an excellent competitive position that is likely to prove highly beneficial during an upcoming period of modest inflation and interest rate cuts. Its expansion into new geographies and product segments also means it is gradually becoming a more diverse business. With a net cash position, a sound strategy and upbeat growth prospects, it remains a high-quality company that is worth sticking with for the long term. Questor says: buy Ticker: FEVR Share price at close: £9.38
Business Post
21-06-2025
- Business
- Business Post
Cathal Friel: Happy birthday Aim, the high reward market where I've IPO'd and made big returns
Business Post subscribers can read: • Why the serial entrepreneur believes in the future of small public markets • His top investments on Aim and what they paid out • How the ecosystem around London's Aim can benefit owners of small Irish firms
