In recent years, some platforms have improved the ease of shareholders attending AGMs in person, with ii and AJ Bell adopting the Broadridge service, which makes it easy to request a Letter of Representation for in-person attendance. However, gaining access to AGMs electronically is often still cumbersome for all concerned. This is particularly the […] The post Streamlining Electronic AGM Access appeared first on ShareSoc ..read more

Sparkling Product, Sour Investment   Gusbourne PLC (GUS), an AIM-listed producer of English sparkling wine, is a case study in how minority shareholders in small-cap companies can be severely disadvantaged. While the product itself may garner acclaim, the company’s recent trajectory has left a bitter taste for many individual investors. Lord Ashcroft, Gusbourne’s majority shareholder […] The post GUSBOURNE Case Study appeared first on ShareSoc ..read more

  Despite a history of greenwashing and historically dubious definitions of what defined an Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) qualifying investment, sustainable investing has now shifted from an ethical to a practical financial strategy. Investors, emboldened by new, robust governance of what constitutes an ESG investment (from the International Capital Market Association (ICMA) and the […] The post Blog – Why ESG-Focused Funds might be a Strong Investment Choice appeared first on ShareSoc ..read more

  Key points  Portfolio up 11.5%.   Benchmark performance: UK (FTSE100) +9.7%, but risk adjusted global benchmark (based on my 88%/12% equity/cash allocation) +18.6%.   Relative performance reflects conservative strategy of preservation of wealth, home country bias and AIM bias.  Portfolio allocation  30% index trackers, 33% direct shares, 19% funds and Investment Trusts, 12% cash/bonds, 2% VCTs.    […] The post Blog – Portfolio Review 2024 – Cliff Weight appeared first on ShareSoc ..read more

ShareSoc member Mark Lauber dissects the inheritance tax service from Rockpool Investments Hardman has issued a research piece on the Rockpool Inheritance Tax Service. Fair play to them for outlining the various fees, charges and costs, but the more I read the more I scratched my head as to whether this is really worthwhile for […] The post Blog – Business Relief? Perhaps, but at what cost? appeared first on ShareSoc ..read more

This article reflects the opinions of its author and not necessarily those of ShareSoc. Money Maze Podcast – Kintbury Capital’s Long-Short European Equity Strategy with Chris Dale, Founder & CIO I was lucky enough to be playing golf with Chris Dale early in January and shared a beer afterwards. We talked a little bit about […] The post Learn about investing strategies appeared first on ShareSoc ..read more

This article reflects the opinions of its author and not necessarily those of ShareSoc. Introduction This is now my fifth annual comprehensive portfolio review. See my 2020 review for an explanation of my investment objectives, strategy, “asset types” and investment accounts. My 2023 review can be found here. In 2024 my portfolio’s underperformance of my […] The post Portfolio Review 2024 – Mark Bentley appeared first on ShareSoc ..read more

This article reflects the opinions of its author and not necessarily those of ShareSoc. A growing trend of flows away from active investors to passive index trackers may damage the price discovery process and efficient capital allocation. My attention was recently drawn to this article in the Financial Times. It reports that $450bn was withdrawn […] The post Will Passive ETFs be the Death of Capitalism? appeared first on ShareSoc ..read more

This article reflects the opinions of its author and not necessarily those of ShareSoc. Best financial presents money can buy For you. Buy yourself a subscription to ShareSoc and learn more about investing, or if you already know all about investing educate yourself and learn more about investing! Or if you already know all about […] The post Christmas Present Suggestions appeared first on ShareSoc ..read more

This article reflects the opinions of its author and not necessarily those of ShareSoc. Saba Capital may be able to force changes due to shareholder apathy and disenfranchisement I read this article today with interest and some concern. It describes an attack by hedge fund Saba Capital on seven investment trusts. The article names: “The […] The post Activist Intervention in Investment Trusts and Shareholder Democracy appeared first on ShareSoc ..read more