Blog

ShareSoc Blog

This blog gives you the latest topical news plus some informal comments on them from ShareSoc’s directors and other contributors. These are the personal comments of the authors and not necessarily the considered views of ShareSoc. The writers may hold shares in the companies mentioned. You can add your own comments on the blog posts, but note that ShareSoc reserves the right to remove or edit comments where they are inappropriate or defamatory.

There is more news given in the News page of our web site and more analysis of news is provided in our monthly newsletter for members – see the Newsletters page.

If you would like to be notified about new posts to our blog you can opt-in to our Weekly Wrap-Up Email service. If you are a member of ShareSoc select the “Weekly Wrap-Up Email” option here. If you are not a member select the “Information and Education Services” option here.


Baroness Altmann Announced as Keynote Speaker for ShareSoc Woodford Webinar – 19th July

Baroness Altmann, Consumer Finance champion, Member of the House of Lords and ex-Pensions Minister to speak at ShareSoc Woodford Webinar “The Cavalry is Coming” on 19 July at 4.30pm. Law firms Leigh Day and Harcus Parker joined forces and merged their claims via a Group Litigation Order (GLO*), announced on 15 June 2022. ShareSoc’s webinar on 19 July 2022 provides updates on progress, why the GLO is a big step forward and the impending deadline for joining a legal claim.  ...

Representing Individual Investors: proposed sustainability standards webinar on Thursday 30 June, 12:30 – 14:00

One of ShareSoc's primary functions is to represent individual investors. we do this by lobbying Government and Regulators about individual investor needs, and by campaigning for change from government, regulators, financial service providers. Alongside this we network, inform and educate investors though events, company presentations, SIGnet groups, educational content, newsletter, blogs, tweets and emails. These elements combine to make the investing experience better for our members. ShareSoc has been working hard for many years to improve its relationships, networking and influence with ...

More about Skin In The Game – SEC Chair sells shares

This article reflects the personal view of Cliff Weight and does not necessarily coincide with ShareSoc Policy. Cliff Weight is a director of ShareSoc. Cliff owns shares in SEC. Nothing in this article should be viewed as advice. A chair selling into the market for no good reason on a day when the trust is buying back shares; not something you see every day. The RNS  does not explain why! What little alignment of interest there was with shareholders has been further ...

Allenby Capital reports AIM Activity through end April 2022 – Markets quiet but not shut

After AIM’s biggest year for fundraises since 2007, 2021 was always going to be a hard act to follow. 2022 has so far been quiet but the market isn’t shut with funds still being raised for attractive opportunities. £99.7m of new money was raised on AIM through to the end of April 2022 across 11 new joiners to the market, this compares to the £598m raised during the comparable period in 2021 from 21 new joiners. The secondary fundraise market has ...

Press Release 121:
Woodford compensation a step closer as legal claims merge

Applying for a Group Litigation Order (GLO) is a major step forward in seeking compensation for those who lost money investing in Woodford Equity Income Fund Up to £1billion was lost by individual investors Deadline for investors in WEIF to join a legal claim is getting closer Law firms Leigh Day and Harcus Parker have announced that they will merge their legal actions, both of which target Link Fund Solutions as Authorised Corporate Director in the failed Woodford Equity Income Fund. ...

FTSE 100 Company holds AGM in Spain. IAG tone deaf?

This is the Personal View Point of Cliff Weight and does not necessarily reflect ShareSoc Policy. Cliff Weight is a director of ShareSoc. Cliff does not own shares in IAG. A good, well run AGM is a sign of a good company with a good culture. An AGM at an inconvenient time in an inconvenient location is a red flag. IAG's 2022 shareholders’ meeting will be held on Thursday 16 June 2022 at 12 noon (CEST).  The meeting will take place in Madrid at Edificio Mutua Madrileña, Paseo de ...

Blancco Update and Campaign Closure

BLANCCO (BLTG) We have closed this campaign as at 12 May 2022. The campaign achieved one objective of a fine of the auditors KPMG. However, the derisory amount (£3,500 plus costs of £2,743) questions whether the scale of the offence was fully recognised/punished by the regulator, the ICAEW. At the December 2020 Blancco AGM, the Chairman, Rob Woodward said that: * The FCA had posed a number of questions to the Company * The Company had answered those questions * The Company was never advised that ...

Payments for Order Flow – plans for a ban in the EU

ShareSoc supports Better Finance’s proposals for the EU, which would bring the EU  into line with UK practice. On 30 May 2022 Better Finance (who represent individual investors across Europe) issued a Press Release: Last chance for Member States to support EU citizens as investors and finally ban Payment for Order Flow (PFOF) PFOF is already banned by the FCA in the UK. See https://www.fca.org.uk/publication/finalised-guidance/fg12-13.pdf There is a useful and authoritative paper on PFOF in the UK here: https://www.cfainstitute.org/en/advocacy/policy-positions/payment-for-order-flow-in-the-united-kingdom It demonstrates that retail execution ...

The Association of Investment Companies (AIC) announces the winners of its Shareholder Communication Awards 2022.

ShareSoc Directors Mark Northway and Cliff Weight recently met with the AIC (Association of Investment Companies), with whom we share many common aims. We are very supportive of the AIC's initiative to encourage Investment Trusts to communicate more actively, clearly and transparently with their shareholders and with the investor market. ShareSoc congratulates the 2022 award winners: Best Report and Accounts – Generalist Winner: The Merchants Trust The judges highlighted several aspects of The Merchants Trust’s report and accounts as outstanding. These included its innovative multi-channel approach ...

How to ask Questions at AGMs

The furore caused by a few grumpy old misogynistic men asking questions at the Aviva AGM is huge. It casts a terrible image and is totally unrepresentative of the vast majority of individual investors who are professional and courteous. ShareSoc totally disapproves of the appalling conduct of certain shareholders at the Aviva AGM. See https://www.ft.com/content/01b723f1-1a7b-4096-86be-95148eb8aca0 (subscription required)   and https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/markets/article-10806369/Aviva-boss-hit-misogyny-City-sexism-storm-AGM.html Amanda Blanc said: 'After 30-plus years in financial services, I am pretty used to sexist and derogatory comments. 'Sadly, just like many other women in ...
join ShareSoc