ShareSoc News

Digital 9 Infrastructure – Catastrophic Performance Harms Shareholders

ShareSoc has considered the DGI9 case carefully and has approached the FCA.  ShareSoc member Paul de Gruchy has written previously about disturbing revelations at DGI9. Further research by Paul has revealed apparent failures by TriplePoint, the fund’s former Alternative Investment Fund Manager (AIFM) to comply with the investment policies set out in the fund’s prospectus, contributing to a collapse in DGI9’s NAV and in its share price.  The case has been considered by ShareSoc’s policy committee which decided to approach the FCA with ...

ShareSoc Evidence to Lords on FCA Enforcement

ShareSoc has submitted an evidence statement to the House of Lords Financial Services Regulation Committee regarding their consultation on the Financial Conduct Authority’s enforcement guidance proposals.  We reported here that we support the FCA’s proposals to improve the transparency of their enforcement actions.   The need for change was further underlined at a meeting between ShareSoc and the FCA on 14th November, at which we expressed concerns about a specific case.   Under the current regime, the FCA will not disclose whether it is taking, or ...

NatWest Group plc Shareholder Event 28 Nov 2024

Shareholder Engagement – NatWest is becoming a role model for other listed companies to follow  NatWest has announced a Virtual Shareholder Event at 6:00pm on Thursday 28 November 2024 for individual investors.  The event offers an opportunity for you to join Chair, Rick Haythornthwaite, and CEO, Paul Thwaite, and ask them questions.  NatWest (formerly RBS) now delivers a series of events for individual shareholders. The AGM is typically in late April/early May, preceded by a virtual shareholder event, giving investors the opportunity to ask questions ...

SIGnet Investors Network Launches New ‘One Planet’ Investing Group 

SIGnet is excited to announce the launch of a new in-person group for those interested in the opportunities created by sustainable investing.    An online meeting has been arranged to launch the group and this will take place at 6.30 pm on Monday 2nd December.  The Group will meet face-to-face in Central London every two months.   The SIGnet One Planet Group will focus on a universe of companies that are expected to prosper as the world transitions to a one planet economy. The ...

Welcome Enhancement to AJ Bell Voting Service

  ShareSoc Congratulates AJ Bell on Improving Enfranchisement of Investors We are delighted to see that AJ Bell have introduced an electronic voting service similar to that already offered by interactive investor. AJ Bell clients now receive emails advising them of general meetings at companies they hold. However, some clarification of how to vote electronically is required. The voting option is available from AJ Bell’s portfolio view, which clients can navigate to, as illustrated in Figure 1 below: Figure 1 Having navigated to portfolio view, clients ...

ShareSoc AGM Recommendations

  ShareSoc has updated its recommendations to companies and guidance for attendees of company general meetings. This is to take account of recent developments in digital and hybrid AGMs. Our recommendations are designed to facilitate good stewardship of companies by individual shareholders. These recommendations can be found in the ShareSoc Investor Academy, included in the information for investors who wish to learn more about general meetings and the role they can play.

895 attend AIC conference aimed at retail investors

  ShareSoc members interested in investing in Investment Trusts should read on. The Association of Investment Companies (AIC) held its annual Investment Company Showcase on Friday 11 October. Now in its third year, the free event, aimed at private investors, attracted 895 attendees. Online and in person attendees heard from more than 30 leading investment trust managers, covering topics ranging from UK equities to emerging markets, and high income to cutting-edge technology. In addition to the speaker sessions, in person attendees had the opportunity to meet and speak ...

ShareSoc 2024 AGM: resolutions passed

  ShareSoc (UK Individual Shareholders Society), the not-for-profit membership organisation representing the rights of individual shareholders, is pleased to announce that all resolutions proposed to members at the hybrid AGM, held on 18th September, were duly passed. The results are as follows: For Against Abstain Total Resolution 1: To receive the Report and Accounts of the Board of Directors for the year ended 31st December 2023. 43 0 2 45 Resolution 2: To re-elect as a member of the Board Mrs. Heather Virginia Benjamin (appointed 20/05/2024). 47 0 2 49 Resolution 3: To re-elect as a member of ...

The Pros and Cons of Shareholder Litigation

  A key element of ShareSoc’s mission is to ensure fair treatment for individual investors. We often campaign when investors are misled, or their funds are misappropriated. There are two principal outcomes we look for: 1. Redress for losses that should not have happened. 2. Punishment for those that mislead investors or misappropriate funds, to deter others. This article focuses on the first of these desired outcomes, although we are equally concerned about both. Wherever losses are recoverable we want to see that happen. The question we ...

SIGnet Investors Network Launches New Group for Beginners

Twelve months ago SIGnet launched two new virtual groups aimed at those interested in learning the basics of investing. These groups were structured as 10 month courses.  Feedback from participants who completed the courses was extremely positive, so we are excited to announce that SIGnet will be offering these courses again starting in October. The Beginners’ Group will cover the basics of how to select, buy and sell shares. The Conveners will be Paul Fisher and John Calvert of the Leeds Originals ...

Diageo plc Information and Vote Guidance 2024

AGM: 26th September 2024 Proxy deadline: 24th September 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 26th September 2024 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 one of the resolutions. Readers should make their own ...

Ashtead Group plc Information and Vote Guidance 2024

AGM:  4th September 2024 Proxy deadline: 2nd September 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 4th September 2024 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 three of the resolutions. Readers should make their own ...