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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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Dewhurst: Another Delisting on the Cheap?

Following Gusbourne and Anexo, here is another example of exploitation of minority shareholders by controlling shareholders through delisting.   The share price of the ordinary and A shares shows the dangers of dual class structures and the divergence of their share prices, as governance issues impact differently on the classes:               Source: Stockopedia  Summary of Dewhurst's Delisting and Impact on Minority Shareholders   Dewhurst Group PLC, a global manufacturer and supplier of components for the lift, transport, and keypad industries, announced its intention to delist from AIM and ...

Woodford fines announced – but no further redress for WEIF investors.

Six years after the suspension of the Woodford Equity Income Fund (WEIF) trapped 300,000 investors, and following more than five years of investigation, on 5th August 2025 the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) finally announced its decision to fine Neil Woodford and his firm, Woodford Investment Management (WIM).   The FCA has issued fines of £5.88 million to Neil Woodford and £40 million to WIM. Both have referred the decision to the Upper Tribunal, meaning the fines have no immediate effect and may not ...

Ashtead Group plc Information and Vote Guidance 2025

AGM: 2nd September 2025 Proxy deadline: 29th August 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 2nd September 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 two of the resolutions. Readers should make their own ...

New SIGnet Groups Support Beginner and Intermediate Investors

SIGnet, a national network of individual investor groups, is excited to announce the launch of two new groups, designed specifically for those in the early stages of their investing journey. The Beginners’ Group is aimed at those who are new to investing and will cover topics such as Shares, Bonds, ISAs & SIPPs and Portfolio Diversification. No previous experience is required. The Intermediate Group is for those who are familiar with the basics, and will cover topics such as Ratios, Value & Dividend ...

Anexo – another delisting on the cheap?

Anexo Group: Analysis of the 60p Bid and Investor Reaction  Following the 22nd July 2025 announcement of a takeover offer for Anexo Group plc, this blog provides an analysis...

Press Release: Digitisation Taskforce Report

Final report is fatally flawed and could lead to shareholders losing their rights Digitisation Taskforce has failed to address its Terms of Reference City lobby’s influence outweighed shareholder interests Move to fully intermediated (nominee) shareholding system fails to protect key shareholder rights Proposed “Bill of Shareholder Rights” misses the mark Report is silent on key stewardship issues “Investor pays” access to rights will further diminish shareholder engagement Critical checks and balances are at risk   London – 22nd July 2025 ShareSoc, the UK's premier ...

The Digitisation Taskforce Final Report

Taskforce proposals miss the mark. They put shareholder activism at risk and damage corporate governance.   The Digitisation Taskforce, comprising Sir Douglas Flint, Mark Austin and, latterly Chris Horton, has at long last released its long-awaited final report. The report recommends a staged plan to completely eliminate both paper share certificates and digitised share registers, forcing all UK investors into an intermediated (nominee) system where shares are held on their behalf by financial institutions: Step 1: Eliminate paper share certificates by 2027 (via a ...

UK PLC on Sale

The Alarming Trend of Undervaluation and an Exodus from the London Stock Exchange  The recent takeover of automotive engineering firm Dowlais Group by a US competitor starkly illustrates a worrying trend plaguing the UK stock market. Yet again, a British company has been acquired for what seems to be a bargain price, underscoring a persistent failure by UK investors to recognise the value inherent in their own domestic companies.   This apathy is leaving UK PLC vulnerable to foreign takeovers and contributing to ...

Vodafone Group plc Information and Vote Guidance 2025

AGM: 29th July 2025 Proxy deadline: 25th July 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 29th July 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 voting ...

SSE plc Information and Vote Guidance 2025

AGM: 17th July 2025 Proxy deadline: 15th July 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 17th July 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 ...
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