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.

If you would like to be notified about new posts to our blog you can opt-in to our Weekly Wrap-Up Email service. If you are a member of ShareSoc select the “Weekly Wrap-Up Email” option here. If you are not a member select the “Information and Education Services” option here.


REL – RELX plc Information and Vote Guidance 2023

ShareSoc introduced this new added value voting information service for Full Members only in 2021, providing background information on leading companies and AGM vote guidance. Initially, we are piloting this for FTSE30 companies, plus a few others in the FTSE100. We have decided to continue the pilot in 2023 and are looking at ways to improve our services to members. Below are links to the: 1. Stockopedia summary report. 2. Minerva Vote recommendations for the 20th April 2023 AGM based on their standard template. 3. ...

HM Treasury Consultation
PRIIPs and UK Retail Disclosure

ShareSoc Response   A key element of ShareSoc’s activities is lobbying Government/regulators and campaigning for change, to improve the lot of individual investors. One way we do this is by responding to Government consultations. We recently responded to the Treasury consultation on PRIIPS and UK Retail Disclosure which closed on 3rd March 2023. We made the following key points: We are pleased that the Government is doing this consultation. We agree with the logic set out in the Minister’s foreword and in particular with the statement ...

RIO – Rio Tinto plc Information and Vote Guidance 2023

ShareSoc introduced this new added value voting information service for Full Members only in 2021, providing background information on leading companies and AGM vote guidance. Initially, we are piloting this for FTSE30 companies, plus a few others in the FTSE100. We have decided to continue the pilot in 2023 and are looking at ways to improve our services to members. Below are links to the: 1. Stockopedia Summary Report. 2. Minerva Vote recommendations for the 6th April 2023 AGM based on their standard template. 3. ...

Home REIT – A Personal Viewpoint

This article reflects the opinions of its author and not necessarily those of ShareSoc. Initial Period  Home REIT (HOME) appeared to offer rather an attractive proposition. It was intended to purchase residential properties and lease them at affordable rents to charities and public bodies (“the tenants”) providing accommodation for the homeless. The rent was supposed to be covered by housing benefits paid directly to the tenants, i.e. fully government backed. Rental income was expected to be sufficient to support a dividend of at ...

KPMG settles with Carillion liquidators over £1.3bn audit negligence claim

The views expressed in this article are those of its author and not necessarily those of ShareSoc. Another fudge. No-one is going to jail for this disaster. Examples need to be set to deter, to stop this happening again.  I am appalled at the lack of transparency on the size of the settlement. The article mentions the contingent liabilities already disclosed in the KPMG accounts. We will eventually find out the size of the settlement when KPMG publishes its accounts for 2023, but ...

Press Release 123:
Jema Arnold appointed as a Director of ShareSoc

ShareSoc, the UK member organisation for individual investors, is delighted to announce that Jema Arnold has been appointed as Non-Executive Director. Jema Arnold qualified as a Chartered Accountant at Price Waterhouse, then specialised in financial recruitment to creative and consumer-facing businesses at organisations including Robert Walters, PageGroup and Korn Ferry. She is an active investor who is passionate about financial empowerment and keen to encourage wider interest in and knowledge of investing. Jema said “ShareSoc provides essential information, networking, education and lobbying functions ...

WOODFORD UPDATE 11 – Time to Act!

Implications of Justice Trower’s GLO ruling Register your interest in Woodford Compensation Now https://www.sharesoc.org/campaigns/woodford-campaign/ for more information Justice Trower refused the Group Litigation Order application and very sadly denied the request to require Link to inform potential claimants of their opportunity to claim. Justice Trower says it is not the court’s job to “encourage potential claimants to litigate”. So, it is up to you to make your decision. ShareSoc’s role is to highlight the issues for you to consider. In para 53 onwards he explains the ...

REX/Retail Book – Retail access to share offerings

  Shareholder Rights are central to ShareSoc’s campaigning activities. Defending pre-emptive rights and the rights of minority shareholders, and ensuring access for individuals to placings on fair terms are areas where we lobby, represent and campaign for the benefit of ShareSoc members and individual investors as a whole.   Primary Bid, in collaboration with the London Stock Exchange, has made huge strides in making IPOs and fund raises more available to retail shareholders. The Treasury is finally putting various initiatives in place following the ...

BETTER FINANCE publishes ShareSoc Investing Basics Videos

BETTER FINANCE is a pan-European organisation that aims to empower consumers in the field of finance. It works towards promoting financial literacy and providing consumers with the necessary information and resources to make informed financial decisions. The organisation also advocates for fair and transparent financial practices, and campaigns for better consumer protection. BETTER FINANCE has a network of national partners and representatives, who work together to achieve its goals. Through its initiatives and programs, BETTER FINANCE aims to create a better ...

Proposals on Limiting ISAs

The views expressed in this article are those of its author and not necessarily those of ShareSoc. The Resolution Foundation has released a report looking at “the Government’s policies to encourage household saving”, it particularly focuses on ISAs and notes that capping ISAs could raise £1bn in tax for the Treasury.   https://www.resolutionfoundation.org/publications/isa-isa-baby/  The report proposes a cap on ISAs of £100k but is unclear if that’s a cap on total contributions or a cap on the total value of an ISA.  At one point ...
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