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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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Socially Useful Frenkel Topping (FEN): Another Opportunistic Takeover and Delisting

Another week, another blatant example of the chronic undervaluation of UK small-cap companies, leading to a lowball takeover, that forces long-term individual shareholders out at a lowball valuation.  The AIM market, it seems, is becoming a hunting ground for opportunistic private equity firms to snatch up good businesses on the cheap.  I’ve written about this pattern before with Gusbourne, Dewhurst, and the particularly egregious case of Anexo. The latest name to add to this sorry list is Frenkel Topping (AIM: FEN). I think this one is particularly cynical. Many ShareSoc members will ...

2026 FRC Stewardship Code – A significant improvement

The UK Stewardship code, which sets out the core principles of effective stewardship and transparency for asset owners and asset managers, has just had a major overhaul. The revisions follow on from a consultation in early 2026, to which ShareSoc responded The 2026 Code, which takes effect in January 2026, introduces three key changes: First, the purpose of stewardship has been clarified. The new definition is simply: "The responsible allocation, management and oversight of capital to create long-term sustainable value for clients and beneficiaries."   Reference to delivering benefits for the wider economy, environment, and society has ...

ShareSoc AGM – 13th November 2025

The ShareSoc 2025 AGM will be held in-person and online (via Zoom), at 3:30pm on Thursday 13th November. The AGM is open to Full Members and SIGnet Members and their proxies. Members and their proxies may submit questions to the meeting and may vote on the Resolutions. Members submitting a valid registration to attend will receive instructions on how to participate. Registration and online voting closes at 5pm on 11th November.

The Proposed British ISA: A Flawed Plan that Penalises the Prudent Saver

The recent FT Article  (https://www.ft.com/content/99b91223-aced-4262-b7ff-356cee84a185)   entitled “Reeves looks to include minimum UK shareholding in ISA overhaul. Evolution of abandoned Conservative ‘Brit Isa’ plan also includes stamp duty tax break”, suggests Stocks and Shares ISA investors should be required to hold 50% of their portfolio in UK shares and has, quite rightly, caused a stir.   While the main goal of these proposed changes to stimulate the British economy by encouraging investment in UK companies is a noble one, this particular plan is deeply ...

Lead Plaintiff Opportunity in Lawsuit against Snap, Inc.

Pomerantz, the oldest law firm in the US representing investors, is seeking a lead UK plaintiff for a class action lawsuit on behalf of investors in SNAP Inc. The deadline for application is 20th October 2025. What Does a Lead Plaintiff do? • A lead plaintiff represents the entire class and acts as the decision maker for affected parties, working in conjunction with the lead counsel. • The lead plaintiff assumes an important leadership role and will possibly receive an additional award for the time ...

Diageo plc Information and Vote Guidance 2025

AGM: 6th November 2025 Proxy deadline: 4th November 2025 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 6th November 2025 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 ...

SIGnet Launches New Options Focused Group in London

SIGnet, a national network of individual investor groups, is excited to announce the launch of a new in-person group based in London, for those who are interested in trading Options. Investors of all levels of experience are welcome to join.   SIGnet groups meet on a regular basis, typically monthly or every 6 weeks, to give individual investors the opportunity to socialise, discuss, and learn from each other. The main goal is to improve members' knowledge and investment decision-making processes through free discussion ...

SIGnet: The Future of Investment Clubs

Investment clubs in the UK have a rich and evolving history, shaped by social trends, market cycles, and technological change.  The traditional investment club model, a form of self-directed collective retail investing, mirrors the broader democratisation of the stock market. Its changing purpose — from economic necessity to education and peer-to-peer learning — mirrors the key trends shaping the modern investment landscape.   We explore the original rationale of the investment club and the potential for its renaissance based on a renewed focus on ...

Investment Clubs Under Threat

ShareSoc and SIGnet are here to help  For quite some time it has become increasingly difficult to open dealing accounts for investment clubs, with ever fewer platforms offering the service. Matters have now come to a head, with interactive investor withdrawing its service and requiring its investment club clients to either close their accounts or transfer to another provider.  ShareSoc and SIGnet have been asked for help by members who participate in investment clubs.  Possible platform solution  We have been in contact with a major ...

SIGnet Launches New London Based US Group

SIGnet, a national network of individual investor groups, is excited to announce the launch of a new group for those who are interested in the US market and able to meet in central London. Investors of all levels of experience are welcome to join.   SIGnet groups meet on a regular basis, typically monthly, to give individual investors the opportunity to socialise, discuss, and learn from each other. The main goal is to improve members' knowledge and investment decision-making processes through free discussion ...
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