A wonderful banking sector? – Investors’ Chronicle
The holiday season is upon us, and what better way to spend a cozy afternoon than watching the classic film “It’s a Wonderful Life”? This 1946 movie tells the heartwarming story of George Bailey, a man who sacrifices his own dreams to run his family’s mutual association, the Bailey Brothers Building & Loan. While not […]
How investors are caught out by popularity
Investing in the stock market can sometimes feel like a popularity contest, where share prices reflect more than just a company’s performance. Just like how “Strictly Come Dancing” is more about entertainment than technical dance skills, the stock market can be influenced by various factors beyond just financial metrics. One example of this is the […]
Are ‘dog’ funds actually a contrarian buy?
Investment professionals in the City have a tough job, made even more stressful by the bi-annual release of the “Spot the Dog” report by Bestinvest. This report, in circulation since 1994, is known as the guide that fund managers dread, as it exposes underperforming funds in a straightforward and impactful way. For managers who find […]
New pay voting rules miss the bigger picture
The Investment Association (IA) recently updated its Principles of Remuneration, which serve as a framework for determining executive pay. The goal is to create fair and transparent pay structures that are aligned with performance, ultimately benefiting shareholders in the long term. However, finding the right balance has been challenging, with criticisms of the guidelines being […]
We can’t keeping ducking the debt issue
The recent resignation of French Prime Minister Michel Barnier after just three months in office has shed light on the western world’s struggle with high national debt. It has become evident that while there is a consensus on the need to address this issue, the sacrifices required are often deferred to a later date or […]
Bearbull Income Portfolio: What we need to sell
Portfolio management and dividends are crucial aspects of investment strategy that require thoughtful analysis and careful decision-making. In a recent column, the focus was on the daring move to invest in the unloved stock market phenomenon, Plus500. The key question at hand was how to fund this share purchase without compromising the overall portfolio integrity. […]
The private credit boom is coming at the right time
Consolidation of UK Local Government Pension Schemes In her recent Mansion House speech, the Chancellor of the Exchequer reassured City grandees about the government’s plans to consolidate local government pension schemes in the UK. The aim is to create eight “megafunds” similar to successful pension arrangements in countries like Australia and Canada. With the UK […]
We must protect our fragile business confidence
Business Confidence in the Face of Rising Costs Business confidence plays a crucial role in economic growth, affecting investment and employment rates. However, the current landscape has left business leaders feeling overwhelmed by the wave of new costs coming their way. In addition to the significant £25bn increase in National Insurance costs, there is a […]
A promising pattern leading to a share price bump
The conclusion of the US election has brought a sense of relief to the financial markets, with the UK stock market seeing a positive impact. Additionally, the surge in cryptocurrency, particularly Dogecoin, has caught the attention of many investors. Despite its status as a joke coin, Dogecoin’s value skyrocketed, leading to significant gains for those […]
Britain is shooting itself in the foot over vital science hubs
Investment Opportunities in UK Life Sciences When it comes to science, the UK has a lot going for it. Two of its universities – Cambridge and Oxford – are ranked second and third in the world for life sciences, according to the most recent Times Higher Education rankings. They are followed by Imperial College at […]