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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.

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RBS Shareholder Campaign and AGM voting recommendations – Update 18, 17 April 2020

 RBS could do better! It would be wrong to lambast RBS in the eye of the COVID-19 storm, but we note the following issues: 2020 AGM solution requires voting before discussion Directors’ shareholdings are too small – no alignment with shareholders No information on potential loan impairments from COVID-19 pandemic Market cap of £12bn is too small versus £723bn total assets The RBS Board has in this time of crisis, reverted to type – communication flows and quality of ...

Communicating with Shareholders in Covid times

The FRC have prepared this infographic about communicating Covid-19 impacts to shareholders (click to view larger image). Online Q&A forums and live streaming of AGMs are good ideas. However, individual investors are an important constituency in this, but not properly considered in the new guidance on AGMs. Shareholders will want to question directors about the impact of coronavirus and its implications on the company liquidity and solvency and will want reassurance about these and the ongoing business model. Never has the importance of ...

Long Serving Directors and Kings Arms Yard VCT

I have commented in the past on my objections to long-serving directors on public company boards. That included comments on the directors of Baronsmead Venture Trust (BVT) only a few weeks ago – see my AGM report: https://www.sharesoc.org/agm-reports/baronsmead-venture-trust-bvt-agm-2020/ – particularly the Chairman Peter Lawrence. The UK Corporate Governance Code contains specific provisions that indicate that directors who serve for more than 9 years cannot be considered independent. Therefore companies should provide good explanations as to why they wish to ignore this provision. ...

Market Manipulation? The Burford Case

In this article from October last year, ShareSoc director Paul de Gruchy sets out the allegations Burford has made about manipulation of its shares, during a "shorting attack". Many ShareSoc members are concerned that the FCA is not adequately enforcing the market abuse regime, which is intended to deter market manipulation (whether long or short). Burford's case has now reached a critical juncture. Burford have asked the court for a "Norwich Pharmacal Order", to compel the LSE to disclose the identity of traders ...

Taking Cash From ISAs and IHT Reclaims

If like me you have been selling shares in your ISA during the market crash, you may now have a lot of cash sitting idle in your ISA. Most brokers pay no interest to you on it but prefer to collect it themselves. But now we are into the new tax year, there is a solution to this. Take the cash out and put it on deposit into a high interest current account. You will get over 1% interest. You can put ...

Fund Raises – Why and How Retail Shareholders Should be Included.

We remain absolutely focused on making sure retail investors have fair access to fund raisings. This is important, now more than ever, as many companies plan to return to the equity markets to shore up balance sheets and reposition for the future. I would not like to see the current circumstances become an excuse for extracting value from minority and small shareholders. Marcus Stuttard, Head of UK Primary Markets, London Stock Exchange is very clear: “Retail or individual investor participation, is really ...

LeaderBT’s CEO Sets a Good Example

The BBC is reporting that BT's CEO will donate half his annual salary to charity and has promised not to lay off staff. Setting a good example that other CEOs on generous packages should follow at this time when individuals and H.M. Treasury are making big sacrifices to protect the nation's health and economy. It should be noted, however, "half his annual salary" appears to refer to his BASE salary, as reported in more depth, here: https://www.cityam.com/bt-gives-staff-pay-rise-as-chief-executive-donates-salary/ His MAXIMUM salary, including potential cash and ...

Elroy Dimson: Coronavirus and the markets

Live Webinar – Tuesday April 7th, 2020 at 11:00 AM In this live webinar Professor Elroy Dimson, world-renowned financial historian, will be sharing his views on the coronavirus crisis...

Coronavirus Considerations

The COVID-19 pandemic has curtailed ShareSoc’s events programme for now, but we have been busy in other areas and are very pleased to present a major website upgrade, the...

Leaders Need to Set an Example Over Pay

The Daily Mail ran an excellent story on bankers pay and dividends, see https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/markets/article-8177511/Now-bonuses-bankers-told-Industry-fire-pay.html They rang me about it and ShareSoc got a name check - Cliff Weight, director of shareholder organisation Sharesoc, said: 'The regulator is not being strong enough here. A lot of bonuses are now paid out in shares and the regulator has said nothing about that.' None of Britain's major banks has yet confirmed how they will ensure executive pay appropriately reflects the pressures the industry is under. Many ...
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