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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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Nvidia might be the biggest name in AI right now, but here’s why you should know about ASML

This article reflects the opinions of its author and not necessarily those of ShareSoc. If you are a technology investor or simply tech-curious, you have likely heard of Nvidia. The US giant has become synonymous with Artificial Intelligence (AI) innovation, but there is another key player worth knowing: ASML, the Dutch company quietly revolutionising the technology landscape. Who is ASML? ASML Holding N.V. is a Dutch company founded in 1984. It is headquartered in Veldhoven, Netherlands, and is publicly traded on the Euronext Amsterdam ...

SIGnet Investors Network Launches New Farnham Group in Surrey

SIGnet is excited to announce the launch of a new in-person group based in Farnham, Surrey. Investors of all levels of experience are welcome to join. The Convener of the Group will be David Stredder, who will be known to many of you as the founder of Mello, organiser of in person investment conferences and virtual Mello Mondays. David is also a director at ShareSoc and has been investing in quoted shares since the 1980s, with a focus on UK small caps. ...

Woodford Campaign Update 17 – ShareSoc Endorses the RGL Woodford Group Litigation

  ShareSoc believes that the potential benefits of the RGL Woodford Group Litigation against Hargreaves Lansdown outweigh the identified risks for the vast majority of claimants, and that it is in the interest of affected investors to participate. On this basis, ShareSoc has chosen to endorse the claim. The RGL Woodford Group’s legal team has commenced proceedings against Hargreaves Lansdown, alleging that HL continued to recommend the Woodford Equity Income Fund (WEIF) despite apparently being aware of its liquidity issues from November 2017. ...

Hartley – the story so far

ShareSoc director Mark Bentley has been working hard behind the scenes to support Hartley pension clients.  In July 2022, Hartley entered administration. In February 2023, as part of our ongoing work to represent individual shareholder rights, ShareSoc director Mark Bentley joined an informal client committee to help represent the interests of Hartley clients.   Despite significant obstacles, we assisted in obtaining the agreement of the FSCS in early 2024 to cover the costs of the administration process. This was a huge win.  ShareSoc also formed ...

Funds should not be judge and jury of their benchmarks

This article reflects the opinions of its author and not necessarily those of ShareSoc. Royal London marketing email re profit sharing prompts Cliff Weight to investigate the real investor costs and compare/contrast them to actual performance Vs. standard benchmarks (always key). As Royal London is a mutual, without the need to make large profits and pay dividends to shareholders, one might be tempted to think they might have lower fees and, net of fees, might outperform other fund managers. When I received ...

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 ...

The Future of Smaller Company Capital Markets in the UK

This article reflects the opinions of its author and not necessarily those of ShareSoc. New Financial Report Launched On 17th October, I attended the launch of New Financial’s excellent report, which was held at the London Stock Exchange. I recommend reading the detailed version (c 35 pages), which I regard as required reading for all serious investors. Full report Summary of the report My key takeaways: Swedes are 5 times as likely to invest in shares than Brits. (Around 40% of Swedish adults have a simple and ...
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