The Brexit negotiations have entered a critical phase. Decisions made by both sides in the next three months will have long-term consequences. In a state of conflict, all sides become extreme. A modern English Civil War The classic schoolboy pseudo-history 1066 And All That asserted that, during the English Civil War, the Cavaliers were “Wrong…
It’s been an uncertain decade for the defence industry. Disappointing economic performance across the developed world has prompted a period of cutbacks to military budgets. This has created a headwind for many defence-related businesses, which has caused disappointing financial performance and falling share prices in many cases. Today, though, the prospects for the industry seem…
Master Investor is partnering with SyndicateRoom to bring you The Future of Fintech, an evening talk for fellow private investors delivered by the inimitable Nick Ogden. Practically defining Fintech before the word was coined, he now on his third billion-pound Fintech start-up. He’s most famous for founder of Worldpay, which merged with Vantiv for £9.1…
The film industry is glamorous, award-winning and lucrative. Investment opportunities are available for those who want to be a part of the industry; but recent events and press stories of those with negative experiences, or illegal tax avoidance schemes, are overshadowing the huge positives and (perfectly legal) financial gains one can enjoy by investing in…
Spend one day at Master Investor Show and benefit your investment strategy for the next 364 days Countering the notion that investing is a dull affair, Master Investor Show gets thousands of ordinary private investors to head to Islington, London on a Saturday morning. Now in its 16th year, the event initially began with a…
As it happens I have decided to ease back on MPAC (LON:MPAC) since Family Cawkwell has got quite enough – several hundred thousand at, now, 182p. Although there is no dividend, today’s results are really very encouraging. Not highlighted was the fact that the pension fund surplus has increased from negligible to something of the…
RIT Capital Partners (LON:RCP) delivered a solid NAV total return of 8.2% last year and remains defensively positioned. It is chaired by Lord Rothschild and aims to deliver long-term capital growth, whilst preserving shareholders’ capital. Since it was launched in 1988 the fund has achieved the impressive feat of participating in 75% of market upside,…
The mini collapse in shares earlier in February must surely presage something more serious. In my excessively long experience of markets, the first shudder is rarely the last. Emollient words from inexperienced market commentators should be roundly ignored. This bull market is approaching the shadows of its duration and investors should make use of the…
The index of stock market volatility (the VIX) has gone from almost nothing to quite something. Market experts are donning their Hi-Viz safety apparel. Should we be worried? What are stock markets for? A nineteenth century economist would have answered the question by saying that they are a means of providing essential equity finance to…
The housebuilding sector has enjoyed a period of stunning growth since the financial crisis. It has been supported by demand-side policies from the government, as well as a continued lack of supply. This has meant that profitability and cash flow across the sector has soared. It has also allowed dividend payments to increase, with the…
