Investors Chronicle

Technology businesses are at the heart of the UK economy and are playing an important role in driving growth across the country, from financial services and high-value manufacturing to retail and agriculture. According to digital secretary Jeremy Wright, the UK is “Europe’s undisputed tech hub”. There was a slowdown in growth at the end of 2019 due to political uncertainty but Bernard Brown, the vice chair of KMPG UK, says “buoyant staff hiring and capital expenditure plans are still in place for 2019. This confidence is reflected in the statistic that almost 50% of UK tech firms intend to add jobs over the next year, whilst many traditional manufacturers are considering moving jobs offshore. This demonstrates the strength and resilience of the UK tech sector in the new digital economy.”Inspired? Find your next opportunity at IG.com  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this week's show David Smith, manager of Henderson High Income Trust, explains how investing in both bonds and equities helps its returns and where the best opportunities UK equity income opportunities are. Zayani Bhatt, meanwhile, sets out some ways to save for your children and grandchildren.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Uncertainty over the future of the country led to a 13.6% fall in the FTSE All-Share Financial index last year, underperforming both the FTSE All-Share and MSCI World, which lost 9.5% and 3% respectively. We have seen strength come back into bank shares since the start of the year, and a number of the key metrics have improved, including the Returns on Capital, the Net Interest Margins, the level of impairments and the cost/income ratios. But the cost of the regulatory burden remains and until the Brexit impasse is resolved rates are unlikely to move much higher.Inspired? Find your next opportunity at IG.com  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

On this week's show Iain Niblock, chief executive officer of Orca Money, explains what peer-to-peer lending is, and what risks and returns investors can expect. Deputy personal finance editor Taha Lokhandwala updates on Jupiter Asian Income Fund's performance and asset allocation, and profiles some stocks which are helping it deliver an attractive yield and return.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

On this week's Companies and Markets Show editor John Hughman talks with Harriet Clarfelt about the early signs from the US technology reporting season, and whether regulation and competition could see the FAANGs lose their bite.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The FTSE 250 has experienced gains so far in 2019, but prior to that it endured a tough 2018. Investors still appear to be cautious about the outlook for the FTSE 250, since the majority of its income is generated from within the UK. This means that it is more exposed to the UK economy than the FTSE 100, and may have greater risk attached to it depending on how the Brexit process turns out. For example, over the last decade, the FTSE 100 has recorded a total annualised return of around 11%. While that’s an impressive rate of growth during what has been a bull market, the FTSE 250 has delivered an annualised total return of around 15% during the same time period.Inspired? Find your next opportunity at IG.com.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this week's IC Companies and Markets Show editor John Hughman talks to engineering correspondent Alex Janiaud about the possible effects of Boeing's recent problems on the UK aero industry supply chain, and catches up with Phil Oakley about the companies that have caught his eye this week, including JD Sports and Galliford Try.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this week's show Chris Ralph, chief investment officer at St James's Place, considers whether Asian equities are on good valuations and what areas of this region offer the best opportunities.Deputy personal finance editor Taha Lokhandwala looks at why investors have been piling into passive bond funds, and they discuss the merits of passive funds at this point in the market cycle.Personal finance writer Zayani Bhatt, meanwhile, highlights some ways to save for retirement if you are self employed.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Many funds put their assets directly into securities like shares or bonds, but some invest in other funds, such as Miton Global Opportunities (MIGO). The trust's managers, Nick Greenwood and Charlotte Cuthbertson, explain how to put together a portfolio of investment trusts and how they find the best opportunities. They also profile some recent additions they made to Miton Global Opportunities and highlight some areas where investment trusts could offer good opportunities.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The cannabis sector is a nascent industry, where changes are happening quickly around regulations, laws, medical and production innovation. Some forecasts suggest that the world is witnessing the birth of an industry which could be worth from $500bn to $1tn. As of the beginning of 2018, there were already a dozen cannabis companies with a stock market value of more than $1bn and London-based firm Prohibition Partners says the European cannabis market will be worth €123bn (£106bn) by 2028. The leaders in Europe, for now, though, appear to be Aurora, Canopy, and Tilray.  Inspired? Find your next opportunity at IG.com. Search ‘IG podcast’ to learn more.IG.com  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this week's show Taha Lokhandwala explains what you should consider when a manager leaves a fund and profiles a recent departure that could be a problem for investors. He also looks at how Jupiter India Fund has been performing and why its manager thinks this month's election isn't a key concern. And Toby Vaughan, chief investment officer at Brown Shipley, considers the case for Asian equities, and highlights two developed markets that could be worth attention.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

On this week's Companies & Markets Show editor John Hughman is joined by Harriet Russell, who's signing off after five and a half eventful years covering pharma and retail with a week of big stories from both sectors – including good news for GSK and Tesco, and predictably bad news for Indivior and Debenhams.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

On this week's show Jason Hollands, managing director at Tilney, considers whether you should consider to invest in LF Woodford Equity Income Fund following a period of underperformance. Taha Lokhandwala looks at who will replace Alex Darwall as manager of Jupiter European Fund. And Jason sets out some strategies for getting the most out of your Isa.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

John Hughman and Phil Oakley discuss the mixed fortunes of five companies in the travel industry.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Mobius Capital Partners' Carlos von Hardenberg and Taha Lokhandwala discuss the the pros and cons of emerging market equity investing, why the trust is shifting down the market cap scale to focus on smaller companies, and whether 'friendly' shareholder activism can produce superior returns. They also tackle topics such as how much macro economics determines which emerging markets perform, and whether the storm facing equities in the region will die down in 2019.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this week's show Rory McPherson, head of investment strategy at  Psigma Investment Management, joins the IC team to discuss the merits of bond exchange traded funds (ETFs), recent movements in government bonds and the likelihood of a US recession. Deputy personal finance editor Taha Lokhandwala considers the effect of a manager departure at Newton Real Return fund, and Rory highlights some funds and strategies to help prepare your portfolio for difficult markets.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Editor John Hughman talks to Phil Oakley about why the high margin businesses so prized by investors could be storing up trouble.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ruffer Investment Company (RICA) aims to preserve wealth and tries not to lose money over any 12 month period - rather than beat an index. Duncan MacInnes, co-manager of the investment trust, explains how they seek to mitigate downside and how they are protecting against the downside risks they are most concerned about at the moment. He also explains why in 2018 the trust made a negative return - a rare occurrence in its 15 year history - but how despite this blip they are clawing back performance with a positive return so far this year.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

On this week's show Udit Garg, head of wealth management at Sun Global Investments, explains why Asia has become a better area for equity income, and which countries and sectors offer some of the most attractive dividends. Taha Lokhandwala sets out the arguments for exposure to renewables infrastructure, and they consider if the high income on offer is worth the risks. Taha also highlights out some of the financial planning scenarios in which Isas and pensions can be very beneficial.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

On this week's Companies and Markets Show editor John Hughman talks to Phil Oakley about how the growth taps are running dry at JD Wetherspoon, while Tom Dines explains why shareholders have been left high and dry in the latest outsourcing collapse.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.