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.


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 ...

Diageo plc Information and Vote Guidance 2024

AGM: 26th September 2024 Proxy deadline: 24th September 2024 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 26th September 2024 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 ...

Risk, Returns and Optimising Performance

There are various straightforward steps that self-directed investors can take to evaluate their portfolio and ensure it is balanced, appropriate to their needs and producing optimal returns. This is my personal checklist.  First, understand your own attitude to investment risk. When you measure risks and returns, please remember they are affected by a number of factors, including equity and bond returns, currency movements, interest rates, inflation and taxes. Consider your risk profile in the range of 0 to 100, where 100 = all ...

What really drove August’s market sell-off?

In the first week of August, global stock markets sold off sharply - but what was driving that correction? Ram Sachdev highlights the pivotal role played by the ‘yen carry trade’ The recent market correction (defined as a decline of more than 10%) has raised questions among investors as to what underpinned the sell-off. One key factor was the role played by the yen carry trade at that time.  What is a carry trade?   A carry trade is a financial strategy in which an ...
join ShareSoc