All the latest articles & insight from our investment writers to inspire your own research and analysis.
The lead executives at Alfa Financial Software were paid just £29k last year to match the London Living Wage. Maynard Paton links the commendable remuneration to the run of eleven special dividends declared by this high-margin, high-ROE business. Can you imagine company directors working for £14.80 an hour? If not, then say hello to Andrew
As volatility returns, Value investing is beginning to reassert itself over Growth. Bruce Packard examines the shift, covering MWE, CLX and STX. The FTSE 100 rose +2.3% to 10,610 over the last 5 trading days. The Nasdaq100 and S&P500 were up even more strongly, +5.0% and +4.2% respectively. The Vix has fallen below 20. So
Michael Taylor explores what really matters when markets turn hostile, cutting through the noise with practical lessons from past crashes. He shows why survival – not prediction – is the key to coming out stronger on the other side. There’s a quote often misattributed to various people. My favourite is the one in The Big
38 shares have published annual reports and passed Richard’s minimum quality filter. 19 of them score less than three strikes. As he wades through these promising shares, Alfa Financial Software catches his eye. 5 Strikes Of the 38 shares to have passed my minimum quality filter, 19 score less than three strikes. The flood of
David Stevenson explores how shifting geopolitics may shape long-term markets, from gold and inflation fears to rising defence spending in Asia. He also highlights a resilient compounding investment trust and why income strategies could regain their appeal in volatile markets. In this month’s funds article, we hazard a few guesses about the long-term impact of
Bruce Packard highlights why, despite a darkening near-term outlook, investors may still have reasons to stay optimistic for the long term, as he examines developments across Burford (BUR), YouGov (YOU) and Treatt (TET). The FTSE 100 was up +2.3% in the last 5 days, and is now 10,195, helped by oil companies, miners and pharma
Michael Taylor explores the double-edged nature of share buybacks, highlighting how they can enhance shareholder returns when used well. He also warns how, in the wrong hands, they can quietly benefit executives at investors’ expense. Share buybacks are neither good nor bad. They can be both. But when used effectively, they can be a hugely
Since his last update, nine companies have passed Richard’s minimum quality filter. Most are very large businesses. He takes a peek at GlobalData, the smallest of four investment candidates to score less than two strikes. 5 Strikes Annual reports for companies with year-ends that coincided with the financial year end have swelled from a trickle
Marketing specialist Brave Bison undertook five acquisitions last year and recently purchased 28% of System1. Maynard Paton wonders if the acquisitions are creating value and whether he should join System1’s founder as a Brave Bison. Oh dear. This ShareScope report has not turned out as I first hoped. I had wondered whether Brave Bison —
AIM has fallen through key moving average support levels, suggesting it may be time to trim portfolios and cut low conviction or losing positions. Companies covered NESF, TCAP and CBG. The FTSE 100 was flat over the last 5 days, currently 10,388 – but with some significant daily swings. The peak at the end of
Michael Taylor explores some of the most dangerous phrases investors and traders can fall into, and why they often lead to costly mistakes. Drawing on past market bubbles and trading discipline, he highlights the psychological traps that continue to trip up market participants. It’s often said there are four dangerous words in investing. Traders, meanwhile,
Seven companies pass Richard’s minimum quality filter, but only two of them impress. He takes a closer look at RELX, a company that has earned an impeccable reputation selling information, data, and tools to insurers, scientists and lawyers. 5 Strikes Since my last update, at least seven companies have published annual reports and passed my
