Investors' Chronicle

Hugh Moorhead, a banking analyst, explores the UK banking sector's outlook, focusing on provisions for motor finance and regulatory impacts. He highlights Barclays’ significant private credit exposure. Valeria Martinez, a financial journalist, analyzes Next 15’s recent struggles, including a major client loss and management shake-up, and discusses its restructuring efforts to regain market confidence. They also look into Kitwave's resilient growth despite a recent profit warning and how it's navigating domestic challenges.

In this insightful discussion, Dr. Ylva Baeckström, a Senior lecturer in finance at King's Business School, explores the crucial intersection of psychology and investing. She highlights how emotions can cloud financial judgment, especially during market downturns, and discusses gender differences in investment behavior. Dr. Baeckström advocates for better financial education and representation of women in finance, pointing out that women often have more successful portfolios despite facing systemic biases. She also offers practical tips to empower all investors.

Gold’s recent super rally has left investors wondering what’s coming next. Alex Hamer breaks down what is driving the surge, and the recent sell-off, whether volatility is now the norm, and what analysts’ outlook is for the yellow metal. It’s then on to the credit scoring business Experian (EXPN). The US credit scoring market has come under scrutiny recently, and Valeria Martinez unpacks how exposed the company is and what it's doing in response.Continuing in the US, concerns persist over the world's largest economy and its reliance on tech stocks. Mark Robinson looks at what point AI needs to start delivering actual productivity gains before a correction occurs, and compares the AI boom to the dotcom era. Timestamps 1:16 Gold 12:34 Experian21:13 US bubbleHow to spot the gold price topWhy a US credit score overhaul actually helps ExperianInvestors' 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.

The FCA’s long-awaited motor finance redress scheme landed with a lower overall compensation figure than expected. Mark Robinson explores how Lloyds (LLOY) and Close Brothers (CBG) have responded, why both plan to challenge the proposals, and whether the scheme risks turning into another PPI-style saga.Our Big Read is next. The future of cities is shifting as travel and office attendance continue to climb back slowly. Michael Fahy, author of the feature, looks at the steady uptick in London office occupancy, trends between the UK and US markets, and how Reits are reshaping portfolios.Last up, Whitbread (WTB) reported results slightly ahead of estimates, yet shares fell amid rising costs and lease charges. Erin Withey analyses how the Premier Inn owner continues to gain UK market share in a slower economy, and how its accelerated growth plan could unlock long-term value.Timestamps 1:15 Motor finance12:15 The future of cities23:08 WhitbredRead the stories mentioned in the show:Banking shares rise on lower-than-expected motor finance costsMega-cities need to grow – here’s how investors can take advantageWhitbread hit by planned UK restaurant closures and softer demandInvestors' 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.

RIT Capital Partners is one of the UK’s largest investment trusts with over £4bn in assets under management. Maggie Fanari joined its investment manager, J. Rothschild Capital Management, as CEO in 2024. Her goal is to compound growth for investors without the risk that equity markets carry. In the episode, Dan Jones and Fanari discuss the structure of the trust, which is split between private assets, listed equities and ‘uncorrelated’ assets, and the trust’s thus-far unsuccessful attempts to narrow the discount on which it trades. Fanari also shares the qualities she looks for when seeking out private assets (one recent addition being Elon Musk’s SpaceX) as well as the recent changes to the trust’s portfolio and her take on the AI market.  Timestamps 00:45 The structure of the trust 02:53 The discount 10:23 RIT’s dividend11:26 Private assets18:19 Recent asset allocation changes 22:22 Discerene 25:42 US tech32:42 European markets34:11 Asia34:52 UK equities 35:41 AI37:38 Overall investment picture 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.

British business Volution (FAN) provides ventilation and air systems, and its shares have increased by a fifth thanks to the acquisition of an Australian business Fantech. Michael Fahy unpacks how investors reacted to the latest results, what is driving demand, and its broad geographical spread. The CMA investigation into the veterinary market is still ongoing, and CVS (CVS) has paused its UK acquisition programme while it ticks on. Julian Hofmann examines the company’s results, its strategies for maintaining business growth, and its current valuation. Last up, Alex Newman delves into the world of bitcoin, the topic of this week’s Big Read. From the FCA’s reversal on DIY investors buying and selling crypto exchange traded notes (ETNs), to the eligibility in Isas and Sipps, listen to find out everything you need to know about bitcoin buying.Timestamps  01:14 Volution07:17 CVS15:49 BitcoinCVS pivots to Australia as UK expansion stalls amid CMA probeThere’s a new way to buy bitcoin – but is it safe?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, a seasoned pharmaceuticals expert, shares insights on AstraZeneca's potential blockbuster breast cancer drug, Enhertu, and the company’s strategic shifts. Val Cipriani, a business journalist, discusses the 'Great Wealth Transfer' and offers advice on gifting and inheritance tax, emphasizing planning for family wealth. Finally, Mark Robinson analyzes Ceres Power's disappointing interim results, Bosch’s exit, and the company's pivot toward growing tech markets, specifically data centers. Tune in for valuable insights!

We begin with Trustpilot’s (TRST) results. Mark Robinson and Dan delve into what has gone right and wrong for the company, its durability in an age of AI, and our take on its use of buybacks.Alex Hamer then covers the North Sea Energy Profits Levy. From the effect current policies are having on production to the companies that see opportunity in the region, Alex covers all that investors need to know.Last up, Goodwin (GDWN), the 140-year-old Stoke-based engineering and manufacturing company. Alex Newman touches on the history of the business, its most recent trading update and if its years of investment are finally paying off.Timestamps 1:31 Trustpilot13:34 North Sea27:21 GoodwinRead the stories mentioned in the show: Trustpilot grows revenue as AI boosts its subscription modelNorth Sea oil stocks bet on government U-turnGoodwin: A 143-year-old firm flying under the radarMeeting M&G’s CEO: Lee and the ICInvestors' 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.

Reuniting after the summer, Lord Lee and Alex Newman sit down in the M&G offices with Andrea Rossi, CEO since 2022. In the episode, the trio unpack what drew Rossi to take on the role, the challenges of balancing £350bn of assets, and how the affiliate deal with the Japanese life insurer Dai Ichi could transform the company, and more. Alex and Lord Lee wrap up in usual fashion with an update on Lord Lee’s portfolio, including a relatively unknown family-run Plc that’s crucial to the UK’s submarine programme.If you have any questions or any suggestions for future guests, email alex.newman@ft.comTimestamps 1:09 Rossi’s impression of the business prior to joining2:18 Why Rossi did not want to break up the group4:13 What Rossi sees in private markets 7:58 The challenge of valuing a business such as M&G14:36 Would private ownership be a better fit?16:02 The Dai Ichi deal17:43 Managing £350bn of assets20:38 Replicating deals elsewhere in the world21:22 Working in the Gulf23:17 How Rossi allocates capital26:12 Will M&G move into the ETF world 27:32 How optimistic is Rossi on M&G29:31 Lord Lee’s portfolioInvestors' 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 last week’s Big Read, our annual Top 50 Funds. Dave Baxter shares his thoughts on compiling the list, its structure and the changes made to this year's edition. GSK (GSK), a company featured in our latest Special Report this week, Income Majors, is next. Its dividend level is not as high as it has been, but it is expected to tick up. Julian Hofmann unpacks its valuation, the possible buybacks on the table, what it's doing to boost sales and more.Last up, it’s Mondi (MNDI), the packaging and paper company, which has had a tough year. Valeria Martinez covers the reasons, what it's doing during the slump it's experiencing and when investors can expect a recovery.Timestamps 1:30 Top 50 Funds14:13 GSK26:17 MondiRead stories mentioned in the show:IC Top 50 Funds: the best ones to buyIncome Majors 2025: How the UK’s biggest dividend payers are faringInvestors' 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.