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.


2024 Macro Outlooks

New ShareSoc Investor Academy resources just for ShareSoc Full members A new resource hub for those interested in the bigger picture and how it might affect your investing strategy: includes a wide variety of downloadable Macro level financial and economic analysis, offering a wide array of perspectives and insights from leading financial entities and experts. It features a comprehensive list of links to PDFs and reports from various banks, asset managers, private equity firms and other financial institutions. Click here to access the ...

Portfolio Review 2023 – Mark Bentley

This article reflects the opinions of its author and not necessarily those of ShareSoc. Introduction This is now my fourth annual comprehensive portfolio review. See my 2020 review for an explanation of my investment objectives, strategy, "asset types" and investment accounts. My 2022 review can be found here. 2023 was again a difficult and disappointing rollercoaster year. For the second consecutive year my results underperformed my FTSE All-share total return benchmark. See "Results Breakdown" below for the gory details. At least this year my aggregate ...

Digitisation Taskforce Interim Report follow up

ShareSoc and UKSA continue to work closely on the important issue of shareholder rights. We wrote to Sir Douglas Flint stressing our concerns with the Digitisation Taskforce Interim Report and requested to meet. Representatives from UKSA and ShareSoc met Sir Douglas on 11 December. Most attendees thought it was useful and Charles Henderson has written to Sir Douglas to confirm the key points of the meeting: Dear Sir Douglas Digitisation Taskforce Interim Report follow up Thank you for your recent meeting that enabled us (UKSA and ...

SIGnet Investors Network Launches New Group in Reading 

  SIGnet is excited to announce the launch of a new in-person Investors group based in Reading. All levels of investing experience are welcome to join. The convener of the new Reading group will be Jez Dyer. Jez has been an active investor for 20 years, and a member of the SIGnet Henley Group for the past 10 years. Jez also runs a project management consultancy. You are invited to the initial online launch meeting to hear more about the group, meet other investors, ...

Woodford Campaign Update 14

Vote outcome and Court Hearing 18 Jan 2024  OUTCOME OF SCHEME MEETING  A single meeting of Scheme Creditors (the Scheme Meeting) was held on 13 December 2023. Work is ongoing to verify the votes cast at the Scheme Meeting, however, provisional numbers are set out below.   Over 54,000 Scheme Creditors attended the Scheme Meeting in person, or by proxy. Of the Scheme Creditors who voted, approximately 93.7% in number, representing approximately 96.1% in value, voted in favour of the Scheme.  Of the three voting ...

Press Release 125: Defective Legislation Thwarts Europa Oil Shareholders

ShareSoc was recently approached by one of its members for assistance in the case of Europa Oil. Dr Erika Syba and others, who collectively own more than 5% of Europa’s shares, sought to requisition a general meeting of the company. The Companies Act stipulates that members of a company collectively owning more than 5% of its shares are entitled to requisition general meetings. Unfortunately, however, Erika’s shares are held in nominee accounts, like the vast majority of individual shareholders’ shares. Indeed, shares held ...

Platform Transfers

How to transfer investments from one platform to another Suppose that you’re unhappy with the service or costs of your current investment platform. Some platforms make it very difficult and time-consuming to transfer your investments. Here is some guidance to make it easier. Research You must do some planning and fact-finding before you start. This will help you avoid the pitfalls, delays and obstacles put in your way. You should expect the platform you have spurned to be disappointed to be losing you and ...

CPG – Compass Group plc Information and Vote Guidance 2024

AGM:  8th February 2024 Proxy deadline:  6th February 2024 ShareSoc provide this added value voting information service for Full Members only, providing background information on leading companies and AGM vote guidance. Below are links to the: 1. Stockopedia summary report. 2. Minerva Vote recommendations for the 8th February AGM based on their standard template. 3. Minerva detailed research report for the AGM. Summary of voting issues at this year’s AGM  The Minerva report highlights various issues and recommends voting against two of the resolutions. Readers should make their own voting ...

Too good to be true investment returns – Another SIPP provider collapses

This article reflects the opinions of its author and not necessarily those of ShareSoc. Need for name on register further evidenced as high costs of administration seem likely I have been to Cape Verde and seen some of The Resort Group “investments”, many of which are half built following a boom. So, I was not that surprised when I read this story. The Financial Services Compensation Scheme has declared SIPP operator Rowanmoor Personal Pensions in default after receiving 1,464 claims against the firm. Rowanmoor ...

Random Thoughts from the Secret Auditor

This article reflects the opinions of its author and not necessarily those of ShareSoc. Nirvana. Investing nirvana is being as indifferent to losses as to winners. Having been investing for about 20 years I have yet to reach that nirvana, I am never indifferent if the portfolio has had a good day or a bad day, the angst of a bad day outweighs the pleasure of a good day. Which begs the question of whether I would be better off investing in a ...
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