This week's articles: 2 August 2013

SEVEN DAYS:

■ All you need to know about investing in the past seven days: what's rising, what's falling and what's making the headlines.

NEWS:

■ Barclays' shares sink on rights issue.

■ Invensys offer agreed.

■ Centrica powers ahead.

■ Retail bond market attracts investors.

■ 15 oil companies flush with cash.

ECONOMIC OUTLOOK:

■ Guidance: some doubts - The Bank of England might not be able to boost economic activity much by committing itself to keeping interest rates low, says Chris Dillow.

■ Next week's economics - The Bank of England will set out its thinking on monetary policy next week, just as evidence suggests the case for stimulus is receding.

COMMENT:

Our columnists offer in-depth analysis and investment ideas:

■ The Editor: The grass isn't always greener - Britain isn't quite the basket case of popular opinion, and negative sentiment towards it still makes it a great investment destination.

■ Mr Bearbull: Sweden to Zimbabwe - There are interesting opportunities out there. But how many are compelling?

■ Simon Thompson: Small-cap wonders - Our companies editor has made hay in the small-cap segment of the market and updates more of his highly profitable plays this week. Simon has also written the following online exclusives:

- Deep value plays: Our companies editor sees share price upside in three deep value small-cap special situations.

- Small-cap trading buys: Our companies editor reviews no fewer than four small-cap shares which should offer short-term upside potential over the coming months.

- Indigovision shares slump on warning: Our companies editor is shocked by the profit warning at a small-cap technology hardware company.

- Capitalising on capital returns: Our companies editor sees potential in an investment firm trading on a discount to book value and offering scope for cash returns to shareholders.

- Undervalued and unloved: Our companies editor revisits the investment case of a small-cap Pan-European development capital fund and sees significant potential for upside for long-term investors.

- Running profits: Our companies editor reviews some of his profitable asset-backed trades and decides whether to bank some hefty gains.

■ Chris Dillow: The market's uses - The stock market has long ceased to be a major way of financing companies, and might even hold back investment. Even so, it still has its uses. Read more articles by Chris Dillow on his comment page.

■ Property: Landlords' image problem - A BBC docudrama suggests landlordbashing is back. The solution is to make renting more pleasant.

■ The Trader: Summertime stalemate.

The Trader, Dominic Picarda, publishes his outlook for ten major equity, currency and commodity markets on a daily basis. You can view his articles on his comment page, or sign up to The Trader's market outlook emails.

■ Chronic Investor: IPO feast follows famine - After years of inaction London's junior market is open for business again.

YOUR MONEY:

Financial planning, tax and investment wisdom:

■ Reader portfolio: Don't ignore currency risk when retiring abroad.

■ Financial planning Will you sacrifice your lifestyle to fund your children's?

SHARE TIPS OF THE WEEK:

■ Here's a car manufacturer motoring along nicely: it's countering the slump in European car sales with growth elsewhere, while its stake in a partner group is worth almost as much as the current share price.

■ This retailer's turnaround plan is still at the toddler stage, which means there's still time for investors to capture a potentially lucrative wave of recovery.

■ Ignite your portfolio with this energy company as it capitalises on the looming UK energy supply crunch and the boom in shale gas exploration.

■ Take a gamble on this controversial gaming company. It's got plenty of cash and a deal with another bookmaker that could generate healthy profits in future.

FUND TIP OF THE WEEK:

■ Following the arrival of a new chief executive a few years ago, performance at this investment trust has been transformed - but the shares can still be picked up at a discount.

SHARE TIP UPDATES:

■ Clinigen

■ ITV

■ Marston's

■ Vertu Motors

■ West African Minerals

FUNDS:

■ Fund news: Small-caps make the income grade.

■ Shares I love: Entertainment network RTL is in a good position due to the market strength it retains in Germany.

■ The big theme: Renewables ITs target attractive yields.

■ For those who dare: Aim shares for your Isa.

SHARES:

■ Stock screen: Cheap, quality small-caps.

■ Sector focus: The trouble with emerging pharma.

■ Dividend of the week: Buy this insurer for income.

■ Results:

■ 4Imprint

■ African Barrick Gold

■ Anglo American

■ BG Group

■ Bodycote

■ BP

■ Brammer

■ British American Tobacco

■ BSkyB

■ Capita

■ Capital & Counties

■ Colt

■ CSR

■ Devro

■ Diageo

■ Domino's Pizza

■ Drax

■ Elementis

■ Fidessa

■ Games Workshop

■ Genel Energy

■ GKN

■ Hammerson

■ Hiscox

■ Howden Joinery

■ Hutchison China Meditech

■ Informa

■ International Personal Finance

■ Intertek

■ Jardine Lloyd Thompson

■ Keller

■ Lancashire Holdings

■ MoneySupermarket

■ Nichols

■ Pace

■ Pearson

■ Reckitt Benckiser

■ Reed Elsevier

■ Rightmove

■ Rolls-Royce

■ Segro

■ Senior

■ Shire Pharmaceuticals

■ Spectris

■ StatPro

■ Synectics

■ Tarsus

■ Taylor Wimpey

■ Telecity

■ Travis Perkins

■ Tullett Prebon

■ Tullow Oil

■ Unilever

■ Weir

■ Wolfson Microelectronics

■ Xchanging

■ XP Power

■ Directors' dealings: Notable transactions at Chemring, plus a table of all boardroom share trades.

■ Week ahead: A summary of key company announcements expected in the coming week.

TAKEOVERS:

■ Download this week's takeover tables as a PDF.