Blog

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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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 ...

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 ...

UK National Wealth Fund: A politically created player in Achieving Net-Zero Targets

This article reflects the opinions of its author and not necessarily those of ShareSoc. Investors are expected to supercharge the UK NWF, but will we? The UK’s National Wealth Fund (NWF) is a Labour government initiative aimed at strategically managing public assets to accelerate green investment and facilitate the transition to a low-carbon economy. With a government commitment of £7.31 billion, the NWF seeks to catalyse private investment in critical green sectors, fostering job creation and sustainable economic growth across the nation. The ...

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 ...

Net Asset Value (NAV) Write-down at DGI9

This article reflects the opinions of its author and not necessarily those of ShareSoc. Was fund manager Triple Point overpaid? As Sachin Saggar comments in this piece, it is inconceivable that the manager of Digital 9 Infrastructure (DGI9), a Jersey regulated closed-ended fund, did not know the NAV, on which basis they received fees, was materially overstated. It is time for the company to put the insurers of everyone involved on notice and for the Jersey regulator to step in and investigate Triple ...

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 ...
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