-
1 week ago | 
investorschronicle.co.uk | Julian Hofmann
A quarter of a century is a milestone that usually triggers a moment of reflection on the time gone by. There is much to reflect on. Very few investors enjoying their New Year’s Eve parties in 1999 would have foreseen how turbulent and volatile the ensuing 25 years would be. In fact, there was a prevailing sense of optimism (remember that?) at the turn of the millennium that seems almost quaintly naive now.
-
1 week ago | 
investorschronicle.co.uk | Julian Hofmann
The dynamics of global trade are currently so uncertain that exporters face a potential market discount for merely carrying on with their business. Yet this unhappy situation presents an opportunity to focus on companies that have been actively planning for this scenario for several years. If investors cannot expect perfection, they can at least opt for a combination of preparedness and operations in a market niche that is specialised enough to keep competition at bay.
-
1 week ago | 
investorschronicle.co.uk | Julian Hofmann
New CEO must tackle US marketShares were potentially over-ratedThe sacking of Novo Nordisk (DK:NOVO) chief executive Lars Fruergaard Jørgensen earlier this month came as a shock to many analysts and investors, despite the company’s share price performance registering some of the worst absolute falls on the market over the past twelve months.
-
2 weeks ago | 
investorschronicle.co.uk | Julian Hofmann
A stormy AGM season highlights how bumper pay packages are irritating investorsPublished on May 23, 2025Large companies are in the middle of their annual meeting season. These are usually sedate affairs, with director resolutions often passed without comment. However, this year the AGM season is reflecting an increasingly confrontational tone from shareholders when it comes to executive remuneration.
-
2 weeks ago | 
investorschronicle.co.uk | Julian Hofmann
Punishing litigation to come Must recalibrate its strategyBig Technologies’ (BIG) new chief executive, Ian Johnson, showcased a nice line in understatement in describing a scandal-plagued year for the electronic tagging specialist as “disappointing”, with the emphasis now on drawing a line under its legal issues.
-
2 weeks ago | 
investorschronicle.co.uk | Julian Hofmann
Performance fees rise AuM at $112bn Intermediate Capital (ICG), which will shortly change its name to ICG pending shareholder approval, seemed to benefit from a large inflow of funds primarily headed to Europe as the asset manager, which specialises in alternative assets, lending and private equity, raised $24bn (£18bn) from investors to bring its total assets under management (AuM) up to $112bn for the year.
-
2 weeks ago | 
investorschronicle.co.uk | Julian Hofmann
Lettings rise as demand returns London market seen picking upThe bullish mood among London-focused office developers continued with Helical (HLCL), after the group reversed what had been a heavy valuation loss last year in its investment estate into a net gain of £32mn, after cashing in on the forward £333mn sale of 100 New Bridge Street, EC4. There is a general sense that office valuations are finally recovering, and Helical also benefited from the trend.
-
3 weeks ago | 
investorschronicle.co.uk | Julian Hofmann
Sees potential in residential marketsIncreased exposure to marque retail Full-year results for Land Securities (LAND) seemed to confirm the general trend of rising rents and constricted space, as a generalised return to work in the premium London offices in which the Reit currently specialises powered an increase in rental income. However, a subtle change in strategy is on the cards. The rise in rental income was part of the brighter outlook.
-
3 weeks ago | 
investorschronicle.co.uk | Julian Hofmann
Interest income risesInfrastructure spend tops £1bnLuckily for Lake Windermere, United Utilities (UU.) managed to avoid spilling any more raw sewage this year into one of the country’s most famous habitats. However, the company’s full-year results, while generally acceptable because of a combination of higher interest income and relatively lower costs, still left a lot of unanswered questions over the long-term viability of water companies as privatised, publicly listed utilities.
-
3 weeks ago | 
investorschronicle.co.uk | Julian Hofmann
High cash conversionCore markets look stableOne of the attractions of Experian (EXPN) as a company is that its credit services are embedded into so many aspects of modern life. The full-year results again demonstrated that Experian’s core business, which is not particularly capital intensive, can survive even the most turbulent economic background. It was important to demonstrate that cash generation can keep the balance sheet on an even keel.
