Investors' Chronicle

This week’s show kicks off with a look at FTSE 100 Reit Land Securities, which reported full-year figures. It is still shifting away from offices in favour of shopping centres and residential developments, but with gilt yields spiking again this week, will it remain a victim of circumstances beyond its control? Hugh Moorhead dives into the details. More updates on that here

Discussion then turns to Vodafone – its annual results were met with a mixed reaction, but its turnaround plan has found favour over the past year and continues at pace. Alex Newman and Dan Jones discuss whether doubling down on the UK and Africa makes sense. More on Vodafone here

To conclude, we delve into our Big Read , which, in the face of current geopolitical uncertainty, outlines five portfolios for five possible futures. Julian Hofmann explains why investors should consider scenario planning rather than predictions, and outlines what some of these different eventualities will mean for a range of investments.

Read more here:
Landsec struggles to convince on new strategy
Vodafone moves forward with greater clarity
Five ways to invest during turbulent times

Time stamps
00:00 Intro
01:08 Land Securities
09:41 Vodafone
21:29 How to shield your portfolio

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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.

PZ Cussons, known for brands such as Imperial Leather, Carex and Original Source, has been around for more than a century, but its shape and focus today are very different from its origins.

The FTSE 250 consumer goods giant is focusing on core brands and expanding overseas, and owns market-leading products in a host of countries around the world.

But M&A deals, both good and bad, have meant there are questions to be asked around the company’s strategy, balance sheet and future priorities, all of which Alex Newman and Lord John Lee put to CEO Jonathan Myers.

The trio discuss PZ Cussons’ expansion overseas, its share price valuation, where it can save costs, the stake owned by one of the founders’ families and much more.

Let us know your thoughts, or if you have any questions or any suggestions for future guests, by emailing [email protected]

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Timestamps
00:00 Intro
00:49 What is PZ Cussons?
02:56 Lord Lee's involvement
06:33 Strategic review
10:31 Offers for African business
13:39 Value of the brands
16:02 Is the valuation low?
19:34 Innovation and building new brands
24:32 Manufacturing efficiencies
27:02 Impact of Iran War
29:48 Shareholder register
31:15 Involvement of family owners
40:08 Confidence in future outlook

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.

As potential jet fuel shortages unnerve summer holidaymakers, airlines have been reporting shaky demand as people hold off from booking trips. But what of the hoteliers? In this week’s episode, we discuss the quarterly update from InterContinental Hotels (IHG), owner of Holiday Inn, as well as recent figures from Premier Inn owner Whitbread (WTB). Mark Robinson explains why the picture is brighter than many fear, and how long he expects that to continue.

We then talk through the latest figures from drinks giant Diageo (DGE), which has found life very hard for some time now. But with a dividend cut out the way, its CEO, former Tesco boss Sir Dave Lewis, is due to outline his new strategy this summer. Are things looking up? Or is it too soon to say for the Guinness maker – Mark has the answers. More on Diageo here

Finally, we tackle this week’s Big Read, asking the fundamental question for any investor – how to pick a fund. Val Cipriani explains our five-step guide, giving you a checklist of things to look for, mistakes to avoid, and more.

Read more here:
Our five-step guide to picking the best funds
Shares soar on (another) Taco feast
InterContinental reports rising revenues, but travel concerns linger

Timestamps
00:00 Intro
01:13 Hotels
14:09 Diageo
22:24 Fund selection

Listen to more podcasts from Investors’ Chronicle on Apple, Spotify and YouTube

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.

The F&C Investment Trust (FCIT) is as close to a household name as a fund can be. Founded in the 19th century, its global stocks “one-stop shop” nature has made it a favourite for investors for decades, and despite changing managers and fund houses, it’s remained true to its aim.

Val Cipriani sits down with current manager Paul Niven, who discusses the trust’s approach to using other fund managers, where he sees value in stock markets, the pros and cons of a concentrated portfolio and why, despite cutting back on US companies, he believes there’s still value to be found.

Timestamps
00:00 Intro
00:21 What is F&C
01:45 How the trust is structured
05:01 Use of 3rd party managers
7:31 Trying to beat the benchmark
10:02 Why F&C is so diversified
14:21 Reacting to the war in Iran
20:32 Is the market too optimistic?
22:46 Emerging markets
25:17 Trends away from the US
28:05 Magnificent seven
32:05 Nvidia
35:11 Private equity
42:15 Software exposure and AI disruption

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.

It’s the end of April, and a reopening of the Strait of Hormuz is looking further away than ever. Its closure looms large over everything else at the moment, and risk asset investors are starting to worry for the first time in several weeks. However, there are still signs of life across the market.

In this week’s episode, we look at some of those rebound stories and discuss whether recoveries can persist in the face of ongoing stress. Michael Fahy discusses the electronics sector – companies such as Renishaw, Oxford Instruments and XP Power, which are belatedly starting to benefit from supplying the semiconductor industry.

We then move to this week’s Big Read on electricity and electrification. Could the defining, if sometimes forgotten, story of the past century be the characterising feature of this century, too? Alex Newman has the answers.

Finally, Julian Hofmann talks about chemicals supplier Synthomer, whose refinancing and improved full-year figures provide the first signs of recovery. It also had some interesting comments to make about the Iran War.

Timestamps
00:00 Intro
01:13 Electronics companies
12:06 Electrification
32:37 Synthomer

Listen to more podcasts from Investors’ Chronicle on Apple, Spotify and YouTube

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.