Investors' Chronicle

In this episode, Alex and John begin with a dive into John’s largest, and most successful, holding, Treatt Plc. He delves into his history with the flavour and fragrance company and explains the appeal that led him to up his holding is for so long.This leads tidily onto a conversation on the art, and challenge, of selling, the downfalls he’s experienced and what he’s learned from his time as a DIY investor. The duo also discuss how important political environments are to investing and finally, he answers questions from listeners.This episode was recorded on 19th October. Investors' 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.

This week’s episode, like this week’s cover feature special, highlights the first part of our annual dive into the top 100 Aim companies. Having had a nightmarish 2022, companies traded on the alternative market don’t seem to have had an easier time in 2023 as the index underperformed the FTSE All-Share and the FTSE Small Cap Index. Our journalists have analysed the top 100 Aim companies and, in this episode, you can hear a handful of the team discuss some cherrypicked businesses. These firms include investment manager Tatton Asset Management, specialist franchiser Franchise Brands, insolvency expert FRP Advisory and antibody producer Bioventix.Investors' 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.

Julian Hofmann kicks off today's conversation with a discussion of Britain’s beloved pub chain JD Wetherspoon (JDW). Results showed that food sales are now a bigger driver, so does that show a change of strategy for the business? And is there still value there?It’s then on to our cover story this week, a topic that many listeners will be thinking about; how to ensure they’re saving enough for retirement. Alex Newman joins the conversation to explain the thought process behind the piece and shares questions investors should ask themselves when planning for the future.Use our Pension Calculator to track your progress towards retirement here.Last up is newly listed German shoe company Birkenstock (US:BIRK). The popularity of the sandal-maker’s footwear has boomed recently and pairs can be spotted everywhere, from Hollywood films to your morning commute. But is the company’s $9bn valuation sustainable? And given high-profile IPOs haven't done well recently, is the very fact they're happening a good sign for market confidence?As JD Wetherspoon toasts progress, have its shares bottomed out?How to save enough for retirementInvestors' 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.

With more than 30 years experience under her belt, Rosemary Banyard is no fledgling in the investment world. She developed her reputation as one of the leading UK female fund managers while at Schroders in the 1990s and has gone on to become lead manager on award-winning small and mid cap funds.She has worked at firms including Sanford DeLand, launching its Free Spirit Fund in 2016, and in 2020 she joined Downing to spearhead its Unique Opportunities Fund. Under her guidance, the former delivered an impressive 31 per cent return, marking its place in the top decile of the Investment Association’s IA UK All Companies sector.In this episode, our funds editor Dave Baxter and Banyard discuss the characteristics that she looks for in companies during periods of high rates, and the businesses benefiting from challenging times. She goes on to discuss the strengths of one of her largest holdings, Games Workshop (GAW), and shares her thoughts on companies changing their capital allocation to dividends._Listen to the first episode of the newest Investors' Chronicle podcast, Lee & the IC.Lee and the IC is a podcast from the minds of Investors' Chronicle associate editor Alex Newman and seasoned private investor Lord John Lee.Each month, the pair will meet to discuss various topics of interest to investors of all experience levels. Intertwined with conversations featuring topical issues and favourite holdings of the hour, listeners will be privy to investing wisdom gathered from Lord Lee's invaluable decades of experience as a 'do-it-yourself' investor.Investors' 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.

On today’s episode, we start with a look at the latest full-year results from underappreciated ventilation equipment group Volution, which has been under the cosh somewhat this summer. Michael Fahy, who covered the company's results for the Investors' Chronicle this week, talks about the growth drivers for the business. Is the price reaction confirmation that the shares' summer slump was unjustified? Next up is this week's cover story by Val Cipriani, on those persistent investment trust discounts – what are the drivers of this, and what can be done? Will it take specific catalysts to close these discounts, or are we just waiting for better macro conditions? And, importantly, are there bargains to be found for investors? Lastly, the big issue in markets over the past month – the renewed spike in bond yields in the US. Alex Newman discusses the catalysts, and what it all may mean for shares over the months ahead.Investors' 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.

ChatGPT has brought artificial intelligence (AI) firmly into investors’ sights in 2023. But, where are we today in terms of AI and its applications, and where are we going in the future? Cherry Reynard and Allianz Technology Trust portfolio manager Mike Seidenberg look at the implications and whether the initial euphoria from an investment perspective is warranted.There is no doubt that increasing use of data is an advantage for businesses, and those that fall behind in their use of AI risk being at a competitive disadvantage. On balance, is AI an opportunity or a threat? To see the full podcast series visit https://www.allianztechnologytrust.com/en-gb/videos-podcasts-and-reading?Topic=PodcastInvestors' 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.

Mark Robinson kicks off today’s podcast with a discussion about used-car retailer Pendragon’s (PDG) results. The company’s rating has shifted in the past year since AutoNation Inc’s (US:AN) £447mn takeover proposal, but the industry is still facing headwinds after the pandemic. In a similar motoring vein, Julian Hofmann shares his thoughts on the EV market, which is set to heat up as Germany and China gear up for a trade fight.Our economics expert, Hermione Taylor, jumps in the driving seat for the next segment, sharing her thoughts on how long it will take for the UK to get back to normal inflation figures. She draws on Bank of England data, which are infused with reasons to doubt a fall in inflation, but she says that there are some reasons to be optimistic.  Jennifer Johnson then reveals what we can expect to see in the pet care industry. The share price of CVS Group (CVSG), one of the six big players in the sector, fell after the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) announced an investigation into the sector, “exploring how well the market is working for pet owners”. As the British tend to dote on their four, or more, legged family members, pet owners will often splash out on veterinary needs, sometimes scrimping on other spending if needs be. Is this love-fuelled spending being exploited for cynical, profit-driven ends?Investors' 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.

Alex Newman is joined by Lord John Lee in the Financial Times studio, marking the first episode of a new series from the Investors’ Chronicle – Lee and the IC.With decades of experience as a ‘do-it-yourself’ investor, Lord Lee offers invaluable wisdom to investors of all experience levels.In this episode, the pair discuss the moment Lord Lee knew M&G (MNG) would be a worthwhile holding, the resilience of the City and a handful of his current favourite shares.This episode was recorded on 23 September.Investors' 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.

Simon Barnard, Investment Manager at Smithson Investment Trust, discusses the fund's strategies for acquiring successful companies and highlights lesser-known companies using selfies and AI. He also shares warning signals for selling holdings. The podcast explores topics such as evaluating acquisitions, the sale of Domino's Pizza Group, Montclair's growth in China, when to sell a company, and the differences between Smithson and other funds.

The episode begins with Jemma Slingo, who runs through the recent results from listed management consultant Elixirr. What can the interim figures tell us about future growth?It’s then on to Arthur Sants, who discusses Vodafone, a company that features in our most recent cover story on Income Majors. What could the merger with Three bring to the company? And what can we expect the new chief executive to do?Last up, Mark Robinson shares his thoughts on ‘buy and build’ specialist Judges Scientific. Can its bread-and-butter strategy still thrive in tough economic conditions? Investors' 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.