All the latest articles & insight from our investment writers to inspire your own research and analysis.
Bruce Packard reviews a year where gold has outshone global equity markets, with a muted Santa Rally doing little to close the gap. He examines the forces behind the surge and assesses a mix of consumer, mining and leisure stocks. Companies covered WINE, JLP, BOWL, XPF. The FTSE 100 was up +2% to 9,879 with
Richard is screening for companies that have grown under their own steam. He explains the filter he uses to pick candidates for long term investment and the financial statistics that underpin it. Since this is my last article before Christmas, I wish you a happy one. ShareScope is my main tool for discovering shares. 5
A screen for high insider ownership identifies GlobalData boss Michael Danson and his £500m shareholding. Maynard Paton delves into Mr Danson’s impeccable track record of creating, buying and selling data businesses. I can’t be the only investor who likes to see directors aligned with ordinary shareholders by owning lots of stock. Hence this revisit to
As the year draws to a close, Michael Taylor reflects on the importance of using the Christmas break to review trading performance, habits and discipline. He then shows how careful analysis and effective use of auctions can create opportunities when markets react to unexpected news. Another year has passed and we move into the second
A look at how an Annual Review could help improve your investment process (for instance, avoid catching falling knives!) Companies covered TRST, PEEL and APN. The “Santa Rally” has not yet appeared, with the FTSE 100 down -0.6% to 9,642 over the last 5 trading days. The Nasdaq100 and the S&P500 were up +1% and
In this month’s funds column, David Stevenson weighs up whether US equities are truly in an AI bubble and highlights funds and asset classes that can diversify away from concentrated US tech. He also questions the proposed HICL/TRIG merger, favours INPP, and explores the fast-emerging opportunity in defence-focused SpaceTech. Are US equity markets in an
A fresh batch of companies has cleared Richard Beddard’s 5 Strikes filter, with Tristel and Bioventix standing out for their unusual strengths and resilience. Netcall also makes the cut and could be one to watch. 5 Strikes Since my last update, five shares have passed my minimum quality filter. Primarily, this weeds out companies that
The opening and closing auctions hide far more complexity than most realise. In this piece, Michael Taylor breaks down how they work and why knowing the mechanics can make all the difference to your trading. I sometimes get asked why I don’t trade US stocks, as the volatility can be higher and liquidity far superior.
Bruce takes a look at how liquidity trends in international government bond markets might be spilling over to equities markets. Companies covered: JMAT, CML, SAA and SFOR The FTSE 100 ended flat over the last 5 trading days, and is now up +17% YTD. The Nasdaq100 and S&P500 also recovered strongly at the start of
Softcat and Dotdigital are the only shares to pass Richard’s 5 Strikes filter. He explains why we shouldn’t worry about Softcat’s volatile turnover, but we should keep an eye on Dotdigital’s increasing capital employed. 5 Strikes Just three shares have published annual reports and passed my minimum quality filter since my last update. Name TIDM
Earlier this year, Science Group bagged a 74% gain within five months following an acrimonious activist campaign. Maynard Paton studies the consultancy group’s low-profile boss, who is refreshingly prepared to instigate changes at underperforming investments. I love activists. The investors who roll up their sleeves and: Buy large stakes in underperforming companies; Engage with boardrooms
Bruce Packard reviews how past Mello London presenters have performed, revealing funds outpacing most small-cap companies. He also analyses updates from Diageo (DGE), Ceres Power (CWR) and Solid State (SOLI) – exploring what their latest moves say about the wider market mood. The FTSE 100 was up +1.6% to 9,870 over the last 5 trading
