Neil Woodford blasts “appallingly bad” funding for UK startups September 19, 2016 The UK's most famous investor has said the UK's funding system is "appallingly bad" at helping startups reach their full potential. Neil Woodford, who heads up Woodford Investment Management, told the BBC: "We have been appallingly bad at giving those minnows the long-term capital they need". Woodford is a vociferous advocate of taking a long-term approach [...]
Premier listing: Fund manager plots London Stock Exchange flotation September 18, 2016 Fund management company Premier Asset Management is considering a float on the London Stock Exchange this year. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods and Numis are advising the firm on the possible initial public offering (IPO). The flotation discussions come nine years after Guildford-based Premier was taken private by Electra Partners. Read more: Another London Stock Exchange strike: Hollywood [...]
Five things we learned about Mark Carney when schoolchildren grilled him on live TV September 16, 2016 Bank of England governor Mark Carney is used to being grilled by journalists, but today he faced questions from schoolchildren and they didn't pull their punches. The children were putting the Canadian on the spot as part of a Q&A session hosted on the BBC. Jay, 13, went straight for the jugular, asking Carney: "Who is easier to work [...]
Are fears about the UK commercial property market overblown? September 14, 2016 As Columbia Threadneedle Investments prepares to join Aberdeen Asset Management and Canada Life in re-opening its £1.4bn property fund, doubts persist over the future of the UK’s commercial property market. The Brexit vote brought three years of double-digit returns from UK property investments to a juddering halt. By early July, panicked investors clamouring to withdraw their [...]
As the monetary policies of the US, the UK and the Eurozone diverge, what should investors make of this fork in the road? September 13, 2016 Since the end of last week, speculation has been mounting that the US Federal Reserve will raise interest rates again this year. The probability of a September rate raise looks slimmer after the Fed’s most dovish official, Lael Brainard, struck a cautionary tone in a speech yesterday. But there is a strong chance that the next [...]
Buyers beware: Is the central bank credibility crunch point approaching? September 12, 2016 Market contrarians continue to close out their short positions on stocks, bonds and risk currencies as buying supports market levels, record low bond yields and emerging market assets. But can central banks continue to win the confidence game and herd investors into riskier trades, or will the credibility of Draghi, Kuroda, Carney and Yellen ultimately be [...]
Football film starring Martine McCutcheon and Alan Davies crowdfunds to find back of the net September 12, 2016 The maker of an independent British film starring Alan Davies and Martine McCutcheon has turned to the crowd as it seeks funding for the production. ItchyFishFilm is aiming to raise £640,000 to support production of the film and has already secured £305,000 from a lead investor group fronted by Bolton Wanderers Football Club chairman Ken Anderson. Read [...]
HgCapital investment trust’s share price soars on rising revenue and earnings September 12, 2016 HgCapital Trust’s share price jumped five per cent today after reporting revenue and earnings growth. The figures The company, which gives investors exposure to private equity firm HgCapital's portfolio, reported revenue growth of 12 per cent in the first six months of the year. Earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda), meanwhile, were up 22 [...]
13 years of returns: history’s lesson for investors September 12, 2016 | City Talk There is no guaranteed route to success when it comes to investing, but the data below illustrates why it is important not to hold all your eggs in one basket. 13 years of asset class performances A widely-held belief is that shares deliver the best returns over the very long term, at least among [...]
Aberdeen Asset Management told to boost its minimum capital requirements September 12, 2016 Aberdeen Asset Management said today that it had been asked to up the minimum level of capital it holds for regulatory purposes by Britain's financial watchdog. The Financial Conducted Authority now wants the asset manager to increase its minimum financial cushion to about £475m, up from £435m previously. Analysts said this will not affect its capital adequacy "which [...]