Capital Goods U.K. Community

Rolls-Royce looks like a very different business than it was a few years ago: it’s making solid profits again, cleaning up its finances, and returning cash to shareholders. The big question is whether steady income from servicing jet engines and growing demand from data centres can outweigh the risk that recent profit levels cool off.Read more

A lesser-known battery maker is betting that the world’s power grids will need storage that lasts longer and avoids the safety worries tied to common lithium batteries. It’s cutting costs and lining up partners and policy tailwinds, but its biggest challenge may be securing the key material it relies on.Read more

Update as of 13 May: Amidst the tariff chaos and thus increased uncertainty about underlying growth trends, and after Balfour's recent quarterly report, I lowered exp. revenue growth to 12 per cent p.a., increased profit margins just a notch to 3.5 per cent and reduced the discount rate slightly to 9 per cent, still resulting in a fair value close to 600p.Read more

A big UK building supplies seller is trying to regain momentum after a rocky systems change, with smoother day‑to‑day operations and better online ordering starting to show through. The upside relies on a steadier construction market and a shift toward greener building, but intense discounting, weak demand, and growing customer credit stress could spoil the recovery.Read more

Babcock’s strong contract delivery and improving cash flow could unlock more work on long-term defense programmes and give it room to expand through new global partnerships. But the business can still be hit by stop-start ordering, project timing surprises, and cost pressure that may squeeze results if big contracts don’t run smoothly.Read more

Volex is leaning into fast-growing areas like electric vehicles and medical devices, helped by new factories and a growing list of customers, including a major EV partner. The upside depends on smooth integration of recent deals and how well it navigates shifting costs, politics, and demand in key end markets.Read more

Bunzl is trying to fix a misfiring North American operation by giving local teams more control, while leaning on new in-house product lines and bolt-on deals to lift results. The upside comes from steady demand for everyday health, hygiene, and safety supplies, but the story hinges on whether margins can recover without relying too heavily on acquisitions.Read more

Speedy Hire bets on smarter tech and cleaner equipment to win more work from big building and infrastructure projects as customers and regulators push for lower-carbon sites. The upside comes from new specialist services and steadier revenue streams, but the story could break if construction methods change, rivals outspend on tech, or the UK building cycle turns down.Read more

Norcros is pushing new bathroom and kitchen ranges and a stronger eco-friendly line, aiming to win customers as tastes shift toward greener products. At the same time, it is simplifying how it moves and sources goods, but its exposure to South Africa and reliance on overseas suppliers could still trip up the story.Read more