A mix of factors

For starters, a lot of the bad news, ranging from inflation concerns to interest rate uncertainty, has already been factored in. When expectations are low, it doesn’t take much to lift markets. Even a slight cooling in inflation data or a more liberal tone from the Bank of England committee members could be enough to get investors back on the front foot.

There’s also a seasonal angle worth considering. April has historically been a relatively strong month for stocks. This can be partly attributed to investors deploying fresh capital at the start of the new ISA year. If the first day of the new quarter was anything to go by, people are in a buying mood.

That can particularly benefit domestically focused stocks in the FTSE 250. These tend to be more sensitive to UK economic sentiment. If confidence around the UK consumer and business outlook improves even marginally, these mid-cap names could bounce sharply after a period of underperformance.

Meanwhile, the FTSE 100 might find support from its global exposure. Many of its constituents generate earnings overseas, so any stabilisation in global growth can act as a benefit. Commodity prices are another factor. If energy and metals hold firm or edge higher, that could provide a boost to heavyweight sectors like oil and mining, which carry significant influence in the FTSE 100.

Spotting opportunities

In terms of specific companies that could ride this potential recovery higher, I like 4imprint Group (LSE:FOUR). The stock has taken a 12% hit so far this year, reflecting the broader concerns in the market. However, it’s well placed to bounce back if sentiment turns.

Promotional products (the core of 4imprint’s business) are basically discretionary marketing spend. When companies feel nervous, they cut it quickly. But when confidence returns, they switch it back on just as fast. The company’s chair alluded to this in the results released in March, saying they are positioned to “take advantage of opportunities that will present themselves as economic and market conditions improve”.

It’s well-placed, even with the recent economic uncertainty. The latest full-year results showed an operating profit margin of 10.8%, unchanged from the previous year, with the group well-financed with cash and bank deposits of $132.8m.

It’s worth noting that 4imprint doesn’t manufacture most of what it sells. It outsources production and focuses on marketing and distribution. That makes it asset-light and highly cash generative. So when revenues recover, a lot of that translates through to profit.

In terms of risks, tariffs are a big one. Over half of the group’s revenue is derived from products imported from China, so geopolitical tensions and supply restrictions going forward could present a headache. Even with this, I think the company is a stock for consideration right now.

The post Why April could be the start of a stock market recovery appeared first on The Motley Fool UK.

1. Legal & General Group
2. Rolls-Royce
3. Barclays
4. Taylor Wimpey
5. Aviva

But according to the pros, there could be even better under-the-radar opportunities to capitalise on.

Peel Hunt: 4imprint Group

Among the favourite stock picks from the analysts at Peel Hunt, 4imprint Group (LSE:FOUR) stands out for its fairly aggressive price target of 5,300p.

Compared to where the shares are trading today, this forecast suggests buying shares right now could generate a roughly 55% return by this time next year. And digging a little deeper, it’s not hard to see why the experts are getting excited.

Apart from having a debt-free, fortress-like balance sheet, the company was able to essentially maintain sales and profit margins throughout a tough cyclical downturn within the promotional merchandise market.

Flat revenue and earnings are obviously disappointing compared to the firm’s earlier track record of delivering double-digit growth. And it’s why 4imprint shares have subsequently suffered, falling close to 30% since the start of 2025.

However, with the challenges surrounding this business ultimately being cyclical, the door seems to be open for a powerful recovery once market conditions improve.

Of course, the exact recovery timeline remains a mystery. The outlook for 2026 remains fairly subdued courtesy of continued uncertainty within the business environment both in the UK and, critically, 4imprint’s core US market.

Nevertheless, with such a substantial discount on offer, investors may be well-served to take a closer look.

Mark Rogers: Shopify

Another top pick comes from our very own Director of Investing, Mark Rogers.

Earlier this month, he highlighted three shares to consider buying, which included Shopify (NASDAQ:SHOP) in a move to capitalise on all the recent US stock market volatility.

The e-commerce giant was hit hard during the recent tech sell-off and is down close to 22% since the start of 2026.

Yet the underlying business remains largely intact, giving investors a potentially far more attractive entry point into a business that’s still growing revenue by 31% in its latest quarterly results.

And with AI seemingly acting as a tailwind, the firm’s already impressive 30% US market share could just be the tip of the iceberg, especially as management begins executing a more aggressive international expansion strategy.

Obviously, Shopify is far from a risk-free investment.

An economic downturn will likely result in lower online spending, creating an unwanted headwind for this business. Even more so, considering most Shopify merchants are small and medium-sized enterprises that are far more sensitive to the macroeconomic landscape — a risk that investors must seriously consider.

But with a long-term-focused management team with an impressive knack for execution, Shopify could be worth mulling over. And it’s not the only company on Mark’s buy list this month…

The post Just opened an ISA? Here are the best shares to buy in March according to the pros appeared first on The Motley Fool UK.

Here are three that City analysts expect to be trading at least 41% above their current share prices by this time next year. And while such forecasts and individual dividends can’t be relied upon, these stocks do offer decent passive income potential.

4imprint

4imprint (LSE:FOUR) is a direct marketer of promotional products, helping businesses and organisations put their logo on items like T-shirts, pens, mugs, and water bottles. 

While a niche market, 4imprint is a leader in North America, which helped drive strong growth for years. However, the FTSE 250 firm has recently been hit by slowing orders due to macroeconomic challenges and tariff uncertainty.

Revenue and pre-tax profit both fell 2% last year, to $1.35bn and $151m respectively. And management has warned that margins may take a slight hit in 2026, sending the stock down nearly 10% year to date.

However, this is still a very well-run company, with a highly cash-generative business model. It ended 2025 with cash and bank deposits of $132.8m, while maintaining the dividend at the same level as 2024.

Currently, the stock offers a 5.16% dividend yield and is trading 41% below an average broker price target of 4,930p. It’s currently out of favour due to macroeconomic uncertainty, but it could snap back sharply if and when conditions improve.

Keystone Law

Keystone Law (LSE:KEYS) is a tech-enabled law firm that uses a platform model rather than a traditional partnership structure. It allows lawyers to work for themselves, and last year added 61 new senior lawyers, taking the group’s total number of fee earners to 654. 

In February, the £160m company issued a trading update for the fiscal year ending 31 January. It expects to report revenue of roughly £109m, up 11% year on year, and adjusted pre-tax profits of £14.4m (up 20%).

The biggest risk I see here is a sudden downturn in the UK economy, which remains fragile and badly exposed to a spike in global energy prices. This could see lawyer billings drop.

Longer term though, I’m bullish on Keystone Law, as it operates quite a disruptive model in the legal industry and is attracting top talent. The stock currently sports a forecast dividend yield of 4.6%, while trading 79% below analysts’ price target of 906p.

Ramsdens

Finally, Ramsdens (LSE:RFX) is a £117m high street retailer offering foreign currency exchange and pawnbroking services. The share price has performed very strongly, surging 71% higher over the past year.

This is due to the rocketing gold price, which is encouraging more people to cash in their jewellery. Elevated precious metal prices are expected to help drive pre-tax profits nearly 30% higher to £21m in the year to 30 September 2026.

Of course, it’s worth pointing out that the share price has recently been responding to the gold price, so a fall in the yellow metal is a risk. However, Ramsdens plans to open between eight and 12 new stores this year, so it’s very much in growth mode right now.

The forward yield here is 4.4%, with a 550p share price target (52% higher).

The post 3 passive income stocks tipped to soar 41% (or more) by 2027 appeared first on The Motley Fool UK.

Turning £5,000 into £8,397

On average, dividend-paying UK shares typically offer a dividend yield of around 4%. And investing £5,000 at this rate would instantly unlock an annual second income of £200. While that’s certainly nice to have, it’s not going to have a major impact on an investor’s quality of life.

Of course, by being more selective, it’s possible to target a more generous dividend yield. Yet even at 6%, that still translates to just £300. So how can investors aim to transform this into something far more substantial without investing more money?

The trick is to first focus on growing the £5,000 into a larger nest egg, and then later switch focus to dividends. For those with a long-term horizon of 30 years, that’s simple enough to do with an index fund.

After all, if the stock market continues to generate an average return of 8% a year, after three decades of compounding, £5,000 will be worth £54,679 – enough to generate a £3,281 second income at a 6% yield.

But by once again being selective and identifying the best stocks to buy and hold, the returns can be drastically improved over a much shorter time horizon. Just take a look at the jaw-dropping gains of 4imprint Group (LSE:FOUR) since 2011.

Anyone who put £5,000 to work 15 years ago and reinvested the dividends along the way is now sitting on a staggering £139,950 – enough to earn £8,397 in passive income.

Still worth considering?

4imprint’s extraordinary performance over the last decade and a half originated from consistent market share gains within a highly fragmented promotional products industry. Skip ahead to 2026, and the company’s now a global leader.

Management continues to leverage its titan status to attract new customers while simultaneously obsessing on maximising service quality to bolster its reputation for quality. And this strategy seemingly continues to be a winning formula.

Even with tougher market conditions, the business remains a highly-cash-generative enterprise, surpassing analyst expectations. Pairing all that with the fact that it’s still barely scratched the surface of the estimated $97.4bn promotional products market size, 4imprint’s upward trajectory could be far from over.

Of course, success isn’t guaranteed. Even with a strong position, the firm still has to fend off extremely fierce levels of competition.

As such, management’s pricing power flexibility is relatively limited, making it harder to pass along inflationary or tariff costs to customers while maintaining gross profit margins. Even more so during economic downturns.

So with all that in mind, can 4imprint continue to outperform? At a market-cap of £1.1bn, expecting another 2,699% return might be a bit too ambitious unless management is able to execute flawlessly.

But with the promotional products market projected to continue steadily expanding, and 4imprint’s impressive track record of outpacing its market, there nonetheless remains an interesting opportunity here.

So for investors looking to grow a portfolio to eventually generate a second income, 4imprint shares could be worth mulling over.

The post £5,000 in savings? Here’s how you can aim to turn that into a £8,397 second income appeared first on The Motley Fool UK.

Using AI search tools turns up a good few candidates. So here I’m checking out three I like the look of. And they’re very different to each other.

Housing stock

Vistry Group (LSE: VTY) is down 35% in the past five years. And the Vistry share price has had a more volatile ride than most in the sector. But the past 12 months brought a 14.5% rise. And November’s trading update said “activity levels have continued to build through the second half of the year.”

CEO Greg Fitzgerald added that “the group’s overall sales rate since 1 July is up 11% compared to the same period last year.” The company expects a year-on-year profit rise for the full year, and predicts a fall in net debt too. Analyst forecast strong earnings growth out to 2027.

As a relatively small player in the sector, Vistry could exhibit more share price weakness. But I reckon those who see long-term strength in building should seriously consider it.

Jammy future?

How about a FTSE 250 ‘jam tomorrow’ growth stock next? My eyes fall on Oxford Nanopore (LSE: ONT). The share price has plunged 77% over five years, reflecting the lack of bottom-line profit on the near horizon — thought forecasts suggest we could be very close to break-even by 2027.

And on the bright side, this year’s first half saw gross profit rise 24% to £61.4m. It was still overshadowed by a pre-tax loss of £69m, but that’s down a bit. The balance sheet, however, showed cash and equivalents of £194m. Is that enough to see the company through to first profits? It might indeed be.

The company’s DNA/RNA sequencing technology looks very promising. And with analysts hinting that profit days might not be far away, I rate this as one of the better risky growth stocks to consider.

Promo profits

Based in the UK, 4imprint (LSE: FOUR) is a major supplier of promotional goods to the American market. That meant a kicking from Donald Trump’s tariffs. And March’s 2024 full-year update already showed orders for the first two months of 2025 down a bit. Chairman Paul Moody even then spoke of “potential tariff impacts.”

We’ve had a 20% share price fall in 2025. But that still leaves 4imprint stock up 46% over five years. And to me that shows resilience in the face of international trade difficulties.

Analysts see a few years of slow earnings, so share weakness could go on for a while. But for those who share my thought that the US tariff regime has to crumble — because it’s hurting US consumers, if nothing else — this has to be an opportunity to consider a long-term investment.

The post I asked ChatGPT for 3 top value FTSE 250 stocks for 2026, and it picked… appeared first on The Motley Fool UK.

Here, I’ll look at two out-of-favour shares that I think long-term investors should check out in December.

4Imprint

First up is 4imprint (LSE:FOUR), the London business that’s actually North America’s largest promotional goods supplier. It sells logo- or brand-embossed products like pens, mugs and shirts to businesses (primarily small- and medium-sized). 

After a strong multiyear rise, the share price has now fallen 40% since May 2024. This is primarily due to a weak market backdrop and cost inflation, which are respectively putting pressure on 4imprint’s top and bottom lines. These risks continue to hang over the business.

However, the company still boasts strong customer retention rates while its asset-light, drop-ship model means it’s highly cash generative. At the end of October, it had a cash balance of $124m.

For the full year, management expects a pre-tax profit of at least $142m, which would be above the upper end of analysts’ forecast range. And despite tariff volatility, a double-digit operating profit margin was maintained over the first 10 months of 2025.

The Board is confident that the Group will continue to effectively navigate market conditions, delivering solid financial results while positioning the business to take advantage of opportunities that will present themselves as economic and market conditions improve. 4Imprint, November 2025.

The company is navigating a tricky period. But management has a strong long-term focus (the CEO has been at the firm for decades). As macroeconomic conditions improve over the next couple of years, I expect 4imprint to return to growth.

Looking further out, 4imprint has a significant opportunity to consolidate the extremely fragmented promotional products market in North America. Today, it only commands around 5% share, generating annual revenue of $1.3bn.

The stock’s trading at a reasonable valuation and offering an attractive 4.7% dividend yield. Analysts have an average price target of 4,910p — around 27% higher than the current share price.

Greggs

The second FTSE 250 stock I think looks cheap right now is Greggs (LSE:GRG). Shares of the market-leading bakery chain have plummeted 45% year to date!

Investors have turned bearish on UK retailers like Greggs due to the dire state of the economy, with its persistently low rates of growth and under-the-cosh consumers. There’s a real risk that things don’t improve over the next 12 months.

So why on earth might investors consider Greggs stock? Well, as smaller rivals go to the wall during these tough economic times, I expect the company to emerge stronger on the other side. It has an strong brand, solid balance sheet, and millions of loyal customers.

Crucially, most of the bad news now appears priced into the stock. It’s trading at just 12 times forward earnings, a massive discount to the past 10 years. Any signs of improvement will almost certainly jolt the share price higher.

Greggs is also sporting a 4.5% dividend yield. So there’s decent income on offer while investors wait for a possible turning of the tide.

Finally, it’s worth noting that analysts also think the stock’s oversold right now. Their average share price target is 28% above the current level of 1,544p.

Much like its food, Greggs’ shares seem attractively priced.

The post 2 cheap FTSE 250 stocks to consider putting under the Christmas tree appeared first on The Motley Fool UK.

Yet, compared to today, neither of these businesses was grabbing headlines back in 2020, with the conversation being dominated by Covid vaccine healthcare stocks and remote working stocks.

It just goes to show that investing in under-the-radar opportunities can yield phenomenal longer-term results. The trouble is that spotting such opportunities is far easier said than done.

Yet looking at 4imprint Group (LSE:FOUR) today, some promising tell-tale signs of a hidden winner are starting to emerge.

Going against the crowd

As a quick crash course, 4imprint’s a marketing enterprise that makes and sells branded promotional merchandise on behalf of other businesses. Think of things like clothing, bags, stationery and displays.

As expenses go, this is the sort of thing most companies tend to cut back on during times of market softness. And given the current economic climate both in the UK and the US, that’s translated into weaker order growth for this business.

This headwind has only been compounded by the added supply chain costs of US tariffs, putting pressure on margins. And subsequently, investor sentiment has turned sour in 2025, with 4imprint shares tumbling by around 25% in the last 12 months.

Obviously, that’s not a great sign. And yet investors may have overreacted. This isn’t the first time the company’s had to navigate a cyclical downturn. And its ability to execute and position itself for eventual recoveries is how management built the business into a £1bn enterprise that dominates its niche industry.

Fun fact, even with the recent sell-off, the stock has climbed just shy of 600% since 2015 – doubling the performance of the S&P 500 and more than quadrupling that of the FTSE 100 over the same period.

Yet today, with investors overly focused on short-term challenges, 4imprint shares are trading at a price-to-earnings ratio of just 12. And with pessimism controlling momentum, a long-term buying opportunity may have just emerged.

What to watch

It’s easy to understand why investors are getting nervous. New customer order volumes are down 13% year-to-date, with full-year guidance suggesting a slightly pullback in both revenue and earnings compared to 2024.

That’s obviously frustrating, yet the business is proving to be quite resilient even with the current headwinds. Its cash-generative nature hasn’t changed. And as such, the balance sheet still has a substantial $124m war chest at management’s disposal with no debt in sight.

At the same time, while tariffs are applying pressure, margins have actually improved on the back of cost-saving initiatives. And that also means when supply chain pressures normalise, profitability could climb even higher.

Obviously, there remains a big question mark over when market conditions will improve and demand for promotional materials ramps back up. But the company appears to have more than enough financial flexibility to once again weather the storm, and then proceed to climb even higher.

So for investors looking for top stocks to buy now, 4imprint Group might be worth considering. And it’s not the only UK stock I’ve got my eye on right now.

The post Looking for stocks to buy now? Here’s an under-the-radar winner that’s quietly dominating its industry appeared first on The Motley Fool UK.

1. Branded merch

First up is Peel Hunt‘s top pick of 4imprint Group (LSE:FOUR). The marketing enterprise makes and sells customised company-branded merchandise such as apparel, bags, stationery, as well as promotional displays.

While certainly not an essential expense, companies are keen to get their brands out there, especially during events like conferences, translating into some solid growth figures over the last three years. Revenue expansion has averaged 9.5% since 2022, with profits coming in hotter at 20.9%.

With management recently raising its full-year guidance for 2025, Peel Hunt has placed its share price target at 5,090p – around 26% higher than where the FTSE 250 stock trades today. However, even this bullish forecast comes with some caveats.

As previously mentioned, branded merch is ultimately a discretionary purchase. And with fears of an incoming US economic slowdown, demand might start to stumble. And this impact may be further amplified by volatility within foreign exchange rates.

Nevertheless, with a price-to-earnings ratio of just 10.7, that might be a risk worth considering for long-term investors.

2. A healthcare landlord

The second top pick comes from JP Morgan, which has Primary Health Properties (LSE:PHP) in its sights. This unique real estate investment trust (REIT) landlord owns one of the largest portfolios of properties used by private healthcare professionals as well as the NHS. Think GP surgeries, pharmacies, dental clinics, etc.

With the bulk of its leases government-backed, the company’s long since enjoyed highly stable and predictable cash flows linked to inflation. And subsequently, management’s been able to deliver dividend hikes for more than 25 consecutive years.

Like many REITs, Primary Health Properties has seen its share price come under significant pressure in recent years. After all, higher interest rates don’t exactly create an ideal environment for landlords with lots of mortgage debt.

Nevertheless, given the nature of the firm’s clientele and the perceived strength of its cash flows, the analysts at JP Morgan have put their share price target at 114p. Compared to where the stock trades today, that’s a 17% potential capital gain paired with a tasty-looking 7.3% dividend yield.

However, just like with 4imprint Group, there are still some crucial risks to consider.

Having the NHS as a primary tenant can be advantageous. But it also means that budget cuts and policy changes can be quite disruptive. It could even lead to lease agreements not being renewed. And since finding new tenants for specialised healthcare facilities isn’t easy, occupancy could come under pressure along with cash flows.

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.

The bottom line

Looking at the bull and bear cases of these two FTSE 250 stocks, I’m inclined to agree with the experts. Both businesses show promising potential at reasonably cheap valuations. That’s why I’m taking a closer look at both these businesses. But they’re not the only opportunities I’ve spotted this week.

The post 2 FTSE 250 stocks that experts are calling ‘Strong Buys’ appeared first on The Motley Fool UK.

It said: “The board expects full year group revenue of not less than $1.32bn, which is at the high end of the current analyst forecast range, and profit before tax of not less than $142m, which is above the upper end of the current analyst forecast range.”

That’s despite a 2% dip in revenue in the first 10 months of the year, against what the company describes as a “backdrop of volatile macroeconomic conditions.” Global tariffs are playing their part, but not as severely as feared. The board reported a strong gross profit margin of close to 33%.

Volatile business

Despite the falls of the last 12 months, the 4imprint share price has gained a healthy 45% over the past five years. And we’re looking at dividend yields in excess of 5% too. But what does this FTSE 250 company do to warrant a rocky share price ride?

It sells a range of branded promotional products used to raise brand awareness. That includes things like clothing, stationery, bags, mugs etc — items that can carry company logos and the like.

And it does most of its business in the USA. Ah yes, the land of tariffs. That’ll be why the share price went into freefall in April, when President Trump launched his bombshell.

Long-term outlook

But these are relatively short-term worries. There’s three years left of the current presidential term. And stock market investing really needs to be undertaken with a horizon of at least a decade, preferably longer. Also, over the past 10 years, the 4imprint share price has trebled — while the FTSE 250 is up just 33%.

Where are we in terms of valuation? We’re looking at a forecast price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of around 13-14 for the next three years. That’s about average for the mid-cap index right now, though it has had a weak spell over the past five years.

The dividend outlook appears solid right now. Analysts expect earnings dips due to global trade turmoil. But they still expect the dividends to remain well covered, and maintained at 2024’s level. That could put the 2025 yield as high as 6%, even after this latest share price spike.

Top of the game

I’m looking at 4imprint’s long-term record and at the kind of margins it can achieve — a gross 33% looks excellent for the merchandise it sells, especially this year.

The company has net cash too, which is handy in rough times. Three out of five analysts have the stock as a Buy, with no Sells. And there’s an average price target of 4,960p — 25% ahead of today.

The American trade risks are real, and I expect further volatility. But I think investors seeking value and income should consider 4imprint.

The post Why did this hot FTSE 250 share just jump 15%? appeared first on The Motley Fool UK.

So let’s say someone’s aiming for a £3,000 retirement income to combine with the British State Pension. How much do they need to invest? Let’s explore.

Breaking down the numbers

Since this is a retirement portfolio, we’re going to follow the classic 4% withdrawal rule. That means every year an investor draws down 4% of the value of their investments to live on. And if the goal is £3,000 a month, or £36,000 a year, then a pension pot will need to be worth roughly £900,000.

It goes without saying that’s a pretty large chunk of change. But thanks to the power of a SIPP, in reaching this goal just £750 each month could take slightly over 25 years – perfect timing for someone who’s just turned 40.

Let’s say someone’s paying the Basic income tax rate. That means they’re eligible for 20% tax relief on all deposits made into a SIPP. Suddenly, a £750 monthly deposit is automatically topped up to £937.50, courtesy of the British government. And investing £937.50 at an 8% annualised return for just over 25 years translates into a pension portfolio worth £900,000.

What if 25 years is too long?

Sadly, not everyone has the luxury of a long time horizon. The good news is, stock picking offers a potential solution.

Instead of relying on passive index funds, investors can opt to own individual businesses directly. There’s no denying this strategy comes with increased risk and demands far more discipline. But it’s also how investors can stumble upon big winners like 4imprint Group (LSE:FOUR).

Over the last 15 years, the marketer of promotional merchandise has delivered a massive 1,685% total return, averaging 21.2% a year. And at this rate, the journey to £900k is cut to just 13.5 years.

Still an opportunity?

With its market-cap now just over £1bn, 4imprint’s days of delivering 21% annual returns are likely behind it. But that doesn’t mean it’s not capable of surpassing the market average of 8%.

The firm has established itself as a leader within the small business community, controlling an estimated 5% of the highly fragmented promotional market. And with a highly cash generative business model and practically debt-free balance sheet, the stock continues to garner a lot of favour with institutional investors. Five out of six of them currently rate the stock as a Buy or Outperform.

However there are, of course, risks to consider. Ongoing economic pressures and supply chain disruptions make an unfavourable operating environment. And it’s why the shares have actually fallen by 38% over the last 12 months.

This volatility perfectly highlights the group’s sensitivity to the economic landscape. And should unfavourable conditions persist longer than expected, order intake’s likely to suffer, keeping the stock on its current downward trajectory.

However, with a solid track record of navigating such market conditions, I think 4imprint might still be worth a closer look for long-term SIPP investors.

The post How much do you need in a SIPP to aim for a £3,000 monthly retirement income? appeared first on The Motley Fool UK.