Investors' Chronicle

Holly McKechnie, pensions expert, outlines annuity basics and practical choices for retirees. Alex Newman, markets commentator, analyses Goodwin plc’s trading shock and investor communications. Alex Hamer, energy analyst, explores Strait of Hormuz risks and effects on oil, gas, fertiliser and related markets. The conversation covers market reaction, supply-chain pressures and retirement trade-offs.

A clear tour of the UK student loan system, covering Plan 1, Plan 2 and Plan 5 and why Plan 2 can be especially harsh. Discussion of frozen repayment thresholds and how interest rules can make balances grow. Examination of why women often carry a heavier loan burden. Practical talk on when overpaying or investing instead might matter for your long term finances.

Hugh Moorhead, financial writer who breaks down trading mechanics and real estate trends. Valeria Martinez, financial journalist who analyses industrials like Diploma and Essentra. They discuss Diploma’s growth drivers and US strength. They examine Essentra’s turnaround and valuation gap. Hugh explains how retail trade execution works and why platforms charge fees. They end with the real estate outlook amid geopolitical and rate pressures.

Dr Edward Ziff, chairman and chief executive of Town Centre Securities, a long‑running UK property investor. He talks about the firm’s Leeds‑and‑Manchester asset mix, how local knowledge drives value, its debt and loan‑to‑value approach, the shift away from REIT status, a £400m+ development pipeline, and succession plans for the family‑run business.

Julian Hofmann, market analyst on sector reactions and retail investor behaviour. Michael Fahy, maritime commentator on rerouting, insurance and LNG risks. Valeria Martinez, shipping journalist on Clarkson results and outlook. They discuss shipping disruptions and rerouting, insurance and security limits, LNG and fertilizer risks, and immediate moves in energy and market positioning.

Holly McKechnie, personal finance editor explaining upcoming ISA reforms and practical saver steps. Julian Hofmann, healthcare analyst on a potential sector revival and earnings-led rotation. Mike Fahy, energy and defence commentator on how Middle East tensions ripple through energy prices, shipping costs and defence spending. They discuss ISA rule changes, healthcare momentum and geopolitical market effects in short, punchy segments.

Sean Peche, fund manager of Ranmore Global Equity, explains his value-driven stock selection and why he avoids meeting CEOs. He argues against buy-and-hold forever, prefers rotation when valuations change, and shares where he finds overlooked opportunities across the US, Europe and Asia. Short takes include Qualcomm, Alphabet, Greggs, Diageo and EasyJet.

Company results season is under way. We have a mass of companies reporting over the next couple of weeks, and we will dig in to one of the highest profile businesses on the FTSE 100 later in the show.To start, though, we are looking at a lesser-known stock, albeit one whose shares have been surging higher for several years now: Lion Finance (BGEO), itself not far from FTSE 100 promotion, and which reported another set of well-received figures of its own earlier this week. Alex Newman asks whether the run can last.Then, our big read this week is all about the existential question of the day: is AI working? With investors hopes and indeed fears now seemingly pinned on the technology, Valeria Martinez is here to discuss how companies outside the tech sector are applying AI in practice, and how effectively or otherwise they are being.In our third segment we’ll look at a noted AI loser of recent months, albeit one that nonetheless put out a fairly superlative set of results this morning: London Stock Exchange (LSEG). Hugh Moorhead will take us through the risks and opportunities facing the business, and consider whether the sell-off has been overdone.Read more:Can investors ignore the FTSE 100’s next big bank?Lion Finance’s profits exceed expectationsNext-generation AI stocks worth buying nowTimestamps:00:00 Intro01:12 Lion Finance17:10 AI winners33:56 London Stock Exchange GroupInvestors' Chronicle has supported private investors in the UK for over 160 years by highlighting rewarding investment opportunities. Investors' Chronicle is a service by the Financial Times. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We start with copper miner Antofagasta (ANTO), whose shares have soared over the past year on the back of big gains for the red metal. It released full-year figures earlier this week, and Alex Hamer discusses its prospects, as well as Rio Tinto and Glencore now the mega-merger is off. Alex also explains some of the equity raises that have taken place lower down the cap scale in recent weeks.Erin Withey then joins us to discuss caterer Compass (CPG), which has been struggling of late. That’s led to calls for a slight rethink of its strategic priorities. Lastly, we look at one of the UK’s newest listings, albeit in the form of a business that sits outside the FTSE 350. The Magnum Ice Cream Company (MICC) spun off from Unilever in December and has just reported its 2025 results. Mark Robinson examines the outlook for frozen sweet treats.Read more:Antofagasta doubles dividend as profits hit new recordCheaper Compass shares put buybacks on the menuMagnum Ice Cream fails to impress in maiden resultsTimestamps:00:00 Intro01:24 Copper mining15:09 Compass Group23:25 Magnum ice creamInvestors' Chronicle has supported private investors in the UK for over 160 years by highlighting rewarding investment opportunities. Investors' Chronicle is a service by the Financial Times. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Christie Group has a lot going for it. Growing in several countries and an employer to around 650 people, the brokerage business is a well-respected name in multiple niche sectors. Last year sales exceeded £70mn, and management reckons operating profits of £10mn are possible. The kicker, following the disposal of several subsidiaries, is that its balance sheet is full of cash.Lord Lee of Trafford clearly agrees. In more than 80 transactions since 2002, he has amassed a 6 per cent holding across both his personal investment account and the charitable trusts he oversees.So why is the business valued at just £35mn? We put this question and many more to chief executive Dan Prickett, who has been at the company for 17 years - including the last two and a half in the top role.Listen to more podcasts from Investors’ Chronicle on Apple, Spotify and YouTubeTimestamps00:00 Intro00:30 Recap of last episode01:44 Introducing Dan Prickett02:21 What is Christie's05:10 John's history with the business09:37 Institutional shareholders12:10 Dan's stake in the business15:08 Trading statement23:40 Why is the stock price low?30:18 Expansion in Europe35:49 Setting targets37:08 John's portfolio round up39:25 PZ CussonsInvestors' Chronicle has supported private investors in the UK for over 160 years by highlighting rewarding investment opportunities. Investors' Chronicle is a service by the Financial Times. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.