Julian Hofmann

England

Writer at Investors Chronicle Magazine

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Articles

Want to find the best pharma stocks? Look at R&D

1 week ago | investorschronicle.co.uk | Julian Hofmann

We study research efficiency to pick out the sector’s winnersPublished on June 17, 2025Obesity companies lead the research packAI could have huge long-term impact Pharmaceutical brands are unique in that once the exclusivity of a patent expires, the brand largely disappears as a significant earner for its inventors as generic competition erodes sales. This is a problem that soap manufacturers or aircraft makers don’t really have.
Halma’s strong growth continues

2 weeks ago | investorschronicle.co.uk | Julian Hofmann

Record organic revenue growthDividend growth continuesStrength through diversity seems to be the secret to success for Halma (HLMA), the maker of specialist sensor-based equipment, after a well-received set of full-year results displayed the merits of its federalised business model.
This pharma giant has been oversold

2 weeks ago | investorschronicle.co.uk | Julian Hofmann

Fears about the erosion of future revenues as patents expire have weighed on Merck’s valuationPublished on June 12, 2025Investment Risk: MediumInvestment Style: ValueInvestment Timescale: Long termPharmaceutical companies are valued by investors for the stable and predictable dividends their portfolio of products provide. Although somewhat reliant on government healthcare spending, returns generally remain stable and predictable during both good and bad times.
Hire company VP’s shares offer value and 6.8% yield

2 weeks ago | investorschronicle.co.uk | Julian Hofmann

A drop in impairments helped the specialist hire company, but the outlook is finely balancedPublished on June 11, 2025Weak UK market hits profitsIncreased presence in IrelandVP (VP.) transitioned away from being a simple tool hire company some time ago, and its broad, but specialist, ability to service industries such as pharmaceuticals and large-scale infrastructure projects has given it a profitable edge. That continued to be evident in its full-year results.
Tatton defies sector gloom with £3.7bn of inflows

2 weeks ago | investorschronicle.co.uk | Julian Hofmann

The model portfolio provider enjoys another year of inflows against a shaky economic backdrop Published on June 10, 2025 AUM surges by 24 per cent Looks for £30bn AUM by 2029 Tatton Asset Management (TAM) has proved itself to be almost uniquely resilient in the asset management world, with its combination of white-label portfolio services and tight relationships with independent financial advisers providing a steady flow of net funds to its platform at a time when the industry generally has...
CMC Markets stumbles but raises dividend by 37%

3 weeks ago | investorschronicle.co.uk | Julian Hofmann

The market took a dim view of the trading platform’s results, but making predictions for CMC has always been trickyPublished on June 5, 2025Second half disappointsBrokers reduce forecastsThe almost zero-visibility conditions under which trading platforms operate was evident in CMC Markets’ (CMCX) full-year results, as the company reported a highly variable performance, with a promising opening to the year giving way to a lacklustre second half.
Investing lessons from the past 25 years

4 weeks 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.
This smart manufacturer is insulated from the trade war

4 weeks 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.
Can Novo Nordisk turn it around?

1 month 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.
Investors revolt against bumper pay packets

1 month 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.