ShareSoc Blog
The ShareSoc blog provides news and informal commentary from directors, members and other contributors. Entries reflect the personal views of the authors, which do not necessarily reflect ShareSoc’s formal position. Contributors may hold shares in the companies mentioned. Nothing in this blog should be viewed as financial advice. You may submit comments on blog posts, but ShareSoc reserves the right to remove or edit inappropriate or defamatory submissions.
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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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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
Link Scheme Voting Considerations
URGENT: ACTION REQUIRED: VOTE NOW
THE “SCHEME” – WOODFORD EQUITY INCOME FUND COMPENSATION
The FCA has agreed a compensation approach using a Scheme of Arrangement which must now be voted on and approved by Creditors (relevant investors in Woodford Equity Income Fund). If approved, the Scheme must then be sanctioned by the High Court. The Scheme has been devised as a mechanism for Link to reach a final settlement with ALL WEIF Investors, regardless of whether they are involved in ...
This article reflects the opinions of its author and not necessarily those of ShareSoc.
Opaque Accounts of Alternative Asset Trusts
Traditionally, investment trusts invested in highly liquid, listed, operating businesses. The accounts for such trusts are straightforward. The balance sheet simply reflects the market value of the trust’s investments and profit/loss is determined by the change in valuation of assets and liabilities plus any income generated by the investments.
In recent years, however (and some not so recently), a number of “alternative” investment trusts ...
This article reflects the opinions of its author and not necessarily those of ShareSoc.
FTX prosecution vs that of Patisserie Valerie
FTX, a cryptocurrency exchange which became one of the largest in the world with billions in deposits, declared bankruptcy on 12 November 2022. The trial of Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF) commenced in the US at the Manhattan federal court on 3 October, 2023. SBF faced seven counts of fraud and conspiracy. Three FTX executives agreed to plea deals, hence they became witnesses for the ...
This article reflects the opinions of its author and not necessarily those of ShareSoc.
Is it time to buy bonds?
I have personally been a huge sceptic of bonds and hence a sceptic of the 60/40 model of equities to bonds put forward by many financial advisers as a model for many investors with medium risk appetite.
Bonds have had a 40-year bull market, but all that came to an end when interest rates went up from 0.25% to around 5% as QE was ...
SIGnet is excited to announce the launch of a new in-person group based in Worcestershire. Investors of all levels of experience are welcome to join.
The Convener for the Group will be Mike Kearney. Mike is a qualified and experienced Chartered Surveyor. After 25 years spent exclusively in property, he and his wife set up a consultancy in the Health/Social Care sector which they sold to a private-equity-backed concern 10 years later. For several years Mike has managed both a small family ...
The second podcast for Lee and the IC is now live - "You can’t get selling right every time."
ShareSoc Patron Lord Lee has teamed up with the Investors Chronicle to produce a monthly podcast - "Lee and the IC". The first episode, in September, focused upon dividends - particularly M&G, Aviva, Legal & General etc., and also touched on a number of Small Caps including Concurrent Technologies and Goodwin.
As always, John Lee is a pleasure to listen to and he explains more about investing in ...
