We start with Smiths Group’s (SMIN) results. The engineering giant’s figures missed expectations, but could new acquisitions and an updated cost-saving plan bring things back? Michael Fahy reports.  Our Big Read this week is on pensions. We all know what they are, but there’s much more that could be done for savers and perhaps for the wider economy – Alex Hamer, author of the cover feature, gives a rundown of the reforms mentioned in the piece that could boost pots, and breathe new life into...

Jemma Slingo is up first to discuss the fate of NatWest (NWG). Jemma and Dan unpack how well hedged the business is against falling interest rates, its share buyback plans and more. It’s then on to one company from our Income Majors special report: British American Tobacco (BATS). Like most tobacco stocks, BAT is in the firing line from the Labour government and other leaders around the world. Michael Fahy and Dan explore what potential smoking bans would mean for investors.  We finish with...

We begin with Trustpilot (TRST), whose shares shot up 10 per cent in the past five days. Its software as a service (SaaS) is AI-enabled but should it be seen as a marketing or tech business? Jennifer Johnson runs through the long-term prospects inventors need to consider. Dave Baxter joins to chat about the 2024 edition of the IC’s Top 50 Funds list. He unpacks how it is constructed, why it’s tilted more towards investment trusts this year, and profiles some of the names that make the...

Lee and the IC is back after its summer hiatus with the latest updates to Lord Lee’s portfolio.  Armed with the proceeds of a takeover, Lord Lee has spent the last few months topping up some existing holdings and running the slide rule over several British value opportunities, including a media conglomerate and a global shipping firm. John and Alex continue their discussion on the role of non-executive directors (NEDs) as share ambassadors, as well as what lies ahead for private investors in...

Alex Hamer unpacks the results from Australian mining giant BHP (BHP). It reported higher earnings in the 12 months to June thanks to record copper prices and a relatively stable iron ore market, its biggest market. Alex shares what investors should expect going forward.  Alex Newman, the author of this week’s cover feature on insurance stocks, joins the show. DIY investors love insurers – note our Lee and the IC podcast co-host, Lord John Lee – but the industry is a complex beast. Alex...

We begin with construction firm Costain (COST), which recently announced a £10mn buyback. Mark Robinson weighs in on its latest results and more. It’s then on to Hargreaves Lansdown (HL). Val Cipriani covers the proposed takeover and what it means for those who use the platform. Julian Hofmann also unpacks the company’s results and the impact on shareholders. Last up, Alex Hamer covers Ithaca Energy’s (ITH) results, what impact Labour’s windfall tax will have and the latest events affecting...

Who holds the power: the government or the market? In this episode of the ‘A Value View’ Podcast, portfolio manager Simon Gergel discusses the aftermath of the recent UK election, marked by a significant Labour victory. He explores the UK stock market response and highlights where opportunities are being found today. Listen in now to find out more about the market reaction and what it means for investors.  For more in-depth discussions and insights, visit our website for additional podcast...

We begin with life insurer Just Group which raised its profit outlook after corporate pension deals boomed. Julian Hofmann unpacks the recent results and discusses whether the shares offer value and how the business might expand. Another insurer's results, Aviva (AV), follows. Mark Robinson and Julian talk about what the business is doing right and how it’s benefitting from diversification. Arthur Sants joins from New York to discuss his cover feature on Google’s parent company Alphabet...

Dave Baxter is joined by one of the managers of Migo Opportunities Investment Trust, an unusual fund which exploits valuation anomalies and discounts in other investment trusts. Dave and Charlotte discuss where she looks for opportunities, interesting asset classes and the reason that share buybacks turn the trust’s head more than dividend increases. Listen to this and more. Timestamps  00:34 Sectors of interest 6:34 Geopolitical risk 8:14 Worthy investments in private equity  10:38 M&A...

We begin the episode with commodity trading and mining company Glencore (GLEN). Alex Hamer unpacks a busy week, including everything from the cancellation of the coal demerger to the company’s copper prospects in an environmentally conscious world. Val Cipriani discusses our cover feature on the often much-desired topic: retiring early. It doesn’t always seem realistic but Val covers how investors can set themselves on the right track, with simple and effective strategies including how to...

We’re in the thick of results season but that doesn't stop our hardworking journalists from providing a deep dive into the top stories of the week. We begin with St James’s Place (STJ), which recently released results. The financial advice company announced an ambitious £500m cost-saving programme, a figure that turned many heads in the City. Julian Hofmann covers all. Then Mark Robinson discusses the cover feature on making rapid returns with short-term trades. Mark explains the thinking...

In this IC Interviews podcast, Val Cipriani is joined by James Cook, manager of JPMorgan Global Growth & Income. As the only global and global equity income investment trust trading at a premium, it is keeping investors happy with its approach. Val and James discuss how this has happened, the future of semiconductor stocks, how AI will change the market, Microsoft’s recent outage and much more. Timestamps 1:01 Strategy of growth 3:35 Payout policy 7:41 Paying dividend out of capital  9:09...

We begin with Mark Robinson who covers pest control business Rentokil (RTO) which saw a double digit surge in its share price after rumours of private-equity takeovers began swirling. It’s then on to this week’s cover story by James Norrington on the investing greats and how investors can apply their wisdom to their own portfolios.  Jennifer Johnson then joins the conversation with an update on leader of the FTSE 100, AstraZeneca (AZN). Why are shares down despite its guidance being upgraded?...

This week, the IC team touch on everything from everything from water company share prices to the state of play in the sports brands industry, and Baillie Gifford’s investment trusts. Alex Hamer unpacks Ofwat’s regulatory crackdown and what reforms mentioned in the King’s Speech will mean for companies such as Pennon (PNN), United Utilities (UU) and Severn Trent (SVT). It’s been a busy few weeks for sporting events but there’s plenty more to come as this week’s cover feature analyses sports...

In the latest episode of IC Interviews, Dave Baxter sits down with Chris Tennant of Fidelity’s Emerging Markets Trust. The pair cover everything from stocks Taiwan Semiconductor (TSMC) and Nasper (JSE: NPN) to the opportunities for shorting in China and areas believed to be the home of future emerging markets. Timestamps  1:00 Stocks in portfolio & TSMC 6:04 Nasper  8:23 Buybacks in EM 11:15 General take on China  16:08 Shorting  19:10 India 22:48 Concentrating elsewhere  24:34 Other EM...

The episode begins with Alex discussing the housebuilding sector. He and Dan unpack Barratt’s (BDEV) recent trading update, whether investors should expect more M&A, and planning proposals from the new government. Julian follows up by analysing student accommodation provider Unite’s (UTG) seemingly positive trading update. He explores the investment case given the weakening relationship between international students and universities’ finances, and how planning changes could affect the...

We begin the show with Jemma Slingo who covers results at Baltic Classifieds (BCG), the largest internet services provider for the Baltics. The business has a dominant position in the housing and car listings market, making it a similar company to the UK’s Rightmove and Auto Trader. Dan and Jemma unpack its expansion plans, risks and valuation.  Next, Mark Robinson joins to discuss the ‘decision intelligence’ company ActiveOps (AOM) which is gaining attention for high customer retention rates...

Dave Baxter hosts Alastair Laing of Capital Gearing Trust, a vehicle which aims to grow but also protect investments over long periods. Often known for its bearish stance, the team at the trust use a combination of bonds, equities and property to position themselves and investors' cash securely in case of rocky market periods.  In the episode, Dave and Alastair discuss how the trust has offset missing out on the US tech wave, inflation-linked bonds, the smaller positions they hold, and much...

The Companies and Markets Show returns with a look at the prospects for three very different businesses. Retailer Watches of Switzerland (WOSG) had a disastrous start to the year but has shown signs of improvement since. Chris Akers asks if it can weather the luxury goods downturn. Then Jemma Slingo joins the show to examine Aim-listed cable and components maker Volex (VLX). Less glamorous it may be, but the latest figures demonstrate that the company has proved adept at diversifying its...

The latest IC Companies and Markets podcast kicks off with a look at two pubcos hoping to benefit from an upturn in the weather and a summer of sport. Christopher Akers joins the show to examine recent results from Young’s (YNGN) and Fuller, Smith & Turner (FSTA) and asks what the future has in store. Jennifer Johnson then discusses this week’s IC cover story, on company spin-offs and the wider trend (or non-trend) of conglomerates breaking up. She runs the rule over companies in the...

Guy Anderson, fund manager of Mercantile Trust, joins Val Cipriani on the latest IC Interviews podcast. The trust is run by JP Morgan and is built on a bottom-up approach, focusing on quality UK mid-caps with strong cash flows that will accumulate dividends over time.  In this episode, the two discuss the drivers behind the trust’s success and investment process, opportunities in the UK stock market, M&A activity and more. Timestamps 00:58 UK mid-caps 4:28 The UK stock market 8:13 Red...

This week’s podcast begins with Alex Hamer discussing our latest cover feature on the rise of gold and to a lesser extent copper prices. Alex outlines the drivers of these price moves and highlights a variety of companies seeking to take advantage of these trends. Then, in a week when the biggest UK political parties all published their general election manifestos, Hermione Taylor asks what these pledges might mean for both the national and household finances. We conclude with a look at...

Jennifer Johnson begins this week’s podcast by discussing Hollywood Bowl’s (BOWL) results. Jennifer, Dan and Julian weigh in on the company’s successes and growth prospects, the factors underpinning its dividend prospects, and its current valuation case. National Grid (NG.) is next on the roster. Alex Hamer shares how the electricity giant surprised the market by securing the largest equity raise the London market has seen in almost a decade at £7bn. Alex and Dan discuss the rights issue’s...

Known for her ‘active ETF’s’ enormous returns during the pandemic, thanks to big bets on the likes of Zoom and Tesla, Cathie Wood is synonymous with bold investing.  But, while she has many accolades, her style and bold takes have not gone without criticism. The fund’s performance has been mixed, witnessing huge swings up and down since its inception, which some critics blame on her heavy reliance on instincts and poorly timed exits.  In this episode, Dave Baxter and Cathie discuss those...