BlackRock Health Sciences Trust (BME)
NYSE NYSE Primary 
XFRA 
3 Closed-End Fund Buys In October 2025
The broader equity indexes continue to look strong, led by mega-cap tech, which has helped push the markets to all-time highs. With hitting new all-time highs, I continue to allow my cash pile to build up instead of putting it all to work at what looks like elevated levels. That said, I make some purchases every month to help grow cash flow over time and to capitalize on pockets of opportunity.
B&M profits slump splits analysts
Analysts struck a cautious but mildly constructive tone on B&M European Value Retail SA (LSE:BME) following its interim results, which confirmed a sharp year-on-year drop in profit but few surprises after two earlier pre-releases. The discount retailer posted first-half EBITDA of £191 million, down 30% year on year, on sales of £2.75 billion, up 4%.
B&M faces 'credibility crisis' after second profit warning, but some analysts see 'one off' error
B&M European Value Retail's (LSE:BME) second profit warning in as many weeks "erodes trust further", said analysts, with some saying it demands more questions than it answers. Deutsche Bank said the discounter is "facing a credibility crisis", after Monday's guidance downgrade came less than two weeks after a new 'Back to Basics' strategy was published.
B&M warns on profits and launches turnaround plan as sales struggle worsens
B&M European Value Retail SA (LSE:BME) warned that first-half profits are likely to fall compared to last year after sales contracted in the second quarter. Total revenue for the 26 weeks to 27 September is expected to come to £2.75 billion, up 4.0% on the prior year.
2 Call Writing Funds Providing Monthly Distributions For Passive Income
Call writing closed-end funds can offer attractive monthly distributions, along with the opportunity to trade at discounts to their historical net asset values. That discount can create an opportunity for investors to enter at attractive prices while getting the underlying portfolio on 'sale.' Today, we are looking at two CEFs that provide monthly distributions and are presenting relatively attractive discounts.
BME: The Resilient Income Investment Of The Healthcare Industry
The healthcare sector is attractive due to essential nature, AI, genomics, and chronic disease management, supporting long-term growth despite regulatory and cost headwinds. BlackRock Health Sciences Trust offers a resilient 8.63% dividend yield, low expense ratio, and conservative, low-risk positioning ideal for income-focused investors. BME's option strategy caps upside but provides steady income and volatility protection; the fund trades at a 7.84% NAV discount, offering potential capital appreciation.
B&M plunges to all-time lows as sales growth disappoints
B&M European Value Retail SA (LSE:BME) shares fell 11.4% to 228.3p, around all time lows, after a trading update for its first quarter showed . A 4.4% rise in revenue was reported for the 13 weeks to 28 June, though average selling price deflation impacted trading margins.
2 Healthcare Picks For Distributions And Attractive Valuations
Healthcare CEFs are under pressure from regulatory shifts, but sector defensiveness and discounted valuations can create long-term opportunities. Within the CEF structure, we also have the added benefit that comes with the discount/premium dynamic inherent in the structure. We are looking at two names today that present investors with attractive distributions and that are looking like decently discounted opportunities.
B&M shares rise 4% on improved outlook and broker backing
B&M European Value Retail SA (LSE:BME) shares climbed 4% on Tuesday after RBC highlighted the discount retailer as one of its top picks in the sector, citing an expected turnaround in sales and potential shareholder returns. In a note following its European retail conference, RBC said B&M's like-for-like sales should start to recover from the first quarter, supported by improved weather, easier comparables, and better merchandising.
Is the B&M recovery underway?
B&M European Value Retail SA (LSE:BME) is showing signs of a sales rebound, with early first-quarter figures pointing to a return to positive like-for-like growth, according to Citi. The latest till roll data suggest that UK total sales, including new space, are up around 9% year on year for the first 11 weeks of the current quarter, which ends on 28 June.
B&M shares climb as new CEO gets some 'skin in the game'
Shares in B&M European Value Retail SA (LSE:BME) were one of the top risers on Tuesday morning after the discounter's new chief executive Tjeerd Jegen snapped up £0.5 million worth of shares. In a statement, the FTSE 250-listed retailer said its newly appointed boss bought five chunks at prices between £2.60 and £2.70.
B&M: Still value in the value retailer, says leading bank
B&M European Value Retail SA's (LSE:BME) shares took another hit last week, falling 15% after its latest full-year update disappointed already wary investors. The drop comes despite the company having issued a trading update just weeks earlier, prompting some to question whether the value retailer can regain its momentum without a convincing rebound in sales at existing stores.
