Investors' Chronicle

Foll currently works as a portfolio manager on the Global Equity Income Team at the Janus Henderson Investors fund, where she has held the position for 10 years.In the episode, the pair discuss where the team tends to focus when stocks don’t pay dividends, the compelling opportunities in the UK market, some of the specific stocks the fund currently holds and one of the fund's largest holdings, Rolls-Royce.This episode was recorded on 27 February.Timestamps00:59 How does the trust differ from its peers2:58 Interesting opportunities outside of conventional income investing 6:08 What the fund looks for in a recovery play 8:05 Rolls-Royce9:29 How the fund treats a well-performing stock 12:19 Dividend prospects for Rolls-Royce 13:42 Are we shifting away from a focus on dividends?16:27 Interesting sectors that are powering dividends 19:21 Warning signs in income stocks 23:55 Areas of hope for UK equity investors 27:59 The mix of UK and overseas stocks and the different appeal 30:23 How prominent are smaller companies in the portfolio?33:56 Monitoring all the stocks Janus Henderson holds34:56 Foll’s take on M&A Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week’s podcast we begin with our cover feature on companies with brand power. We unpack why consumer staples are under pressure, the competitiveness of consumer health and share the story of how Sensodyne toothpaste became a staple product.As company results season is in full swing, we pivot only slightly to two consumer brands that have reported results this week, Haleon and Reckitt Benckiser. We discuss what has gone well for the companies as well as the concerns ahead.Last but not least, we cover the recently rejected bids for Direct Line and Currys. Could these rejections be a sign that boards are growing more optimistic, or just that they think shares are massively undervalued?Dan Jones is joined by Jennifer Johnson, Mark Robinson and Julian Hofmann Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the sixth episode of Lee and the IC, Alex and Lord Lee are joined by Miles Adcock, chief executive of computing product manufacturer Concurrent Technologies. The trio discuss the background of Concurrent, a favoured holding in Lord Lee’s portfolio, when Lord Lee began investing in it, how both he and Adcock view the company’s prospects amid current geopolitical tensions, how to navigate the unknowns of a complex stock as a private investor, and much more.This episode was recorded on 23 February. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We begin with Julian Hoffman who delves into the details of recently published banking results. He explains what was hidden inside Barclays’ results and whether it can afford its £10bn payout to shareholders. Julian and Dan also discuss HSBC’s impairments and NatWest’s dividend.Val Cipriani has written this week’s cover feature on taking advantage of the growing need for data centres. She and Dan discuss the background to the piece, the operators and the headwinds they face, and she explains how investors can capitalise on this real estate-cum-infrastructure industry.Last but certainly not least, Michael Fahy talks about Rolls Royce, whose profit more than doubled to £1.6bn. He discusses what investors can learn from this growth and whether or not the momentum will continue. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the latest episode of the IC Interviews podcast, Daniel Peris, a senior portfolio manager at Federated Hermes, discusses his new book, The Ownership Dividend, with IC associate editor Alex Newman.The two discuss:The backstory of The Ownership Dividend (what happens when interest rates go down for 40 years and what happens to investors when that stops?)The fleeting/ephemeral nature of corporate dividends Dividends in the USMetaShell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We begin this week’s episode with Jemma Slingo who covers top-10 FTSE data and analytics company Relx (REL). Jemma walks listeners through the company’s growth, its latest buyback news, and the issues it has faced with universities.Knowing when to sell their shares is a common question investors ask and this week, Alpha editor James Norrington lays bare the answers in our cover feature ‘How to know when to sell shares’. He reveals biases investors should avoid when selling either a struggling stock or a winner that may run out of steam, the importance of rebalancing and the models investors can apply to master selling.Last on the roster, Mark Robinson and Julian Hoffman cover the latest from the motor finance industry, which some are donning a new PPI-like scandal. The two unpack the knock-on effects on lenders S&U (SUS) and Close Brothers (CBG) and explain the possible outcomes of the regulator’s inquiry. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We start this week’s show with property writer Mitchell Labiak, who delves into the details of the big takeover story of the week – the £2.5bn Barratt (BDEV) and Redrow (RDW) deal. The team weighs in on how sensible the move is, the two companies’ recent results and whether this could be the beginning of a swathe of housebuilder M&A activity.It’s then on to healthcare company PZ Cussons (PZC) whose shares slumped after weaker-than-expected results. Christopher Akers examines the company’s decision to cut its dividend and rein in its profit forecasts, and what can be done to resolve issues in Nigeria. Chris also reports on British American Tobacco (BATS), assessing the headwinds facing the company, the announcement it may cut its stake in India’s ITC, and the prospect of share buybacks.Last but not least, Mark Robinson and Julian Hofmann discuss Virgin Money’s recent trading update. The pair explore what the figures can tell us about the business, its view of the wider UK economy, and the credit provisions the company has been taking.Barratt reports plunge in profits – but Redrow deal could make it strongerRedrow – earnings down as Barratt comes calling PZ Cussons shares dive after dividend cutBritish American Tobacco ponders ITC divestment Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the latest episode of the IC Interviews, funds editor Dave Baxter sits down with the head of equities at Premier Miton Group and Diverse Income trust manager, Gervais Williams. In the conversation, Gervais shares why he is upbeat about capital-intensive industries and reveals why customer service is a key criteria he considers before adding a company to the portfolio. The two also discuss why the fund tries to avoid share buyback situations, the case for optimism for supermarkets and insurers, and why BT could make a name for itself in the copper industry in years to come. This episode was recorded on 11 January. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jennifer Johnson talks about the recently published GSK results, which showed strong growth, but the ongoing Zantac litigation is hanging over the shares. The team also touch on the prospects of rival pharma companies AstraZeneca and Indivior.Our US-based journalist Arthur Sants joins from New York to unpack the growth, capex and future returns worries investors may have about the Magnificent Seven.It’s then on to food producers AG Barr and Premier Foods with Mark Robinson, who shares news of trading updates, a new CEO sourced from an unlikely sector, and the prospects for growth.Last on the agenda, Mark shares the thinking behind his latest feature on regulation and how investors can get involved with the companies using it to their advantage.Dan Jones is joined by Jennifer Johnson, Alex Newman, Arthur Sants and Mark Robinson.Timestamps1:34 GSK and pharmaceutical firms15:20 US Tech stocks 28:58 AG Barr and Premier Foods36:22 RegulationMentioned in this episodeSemiconductor industry split between AI and the restGSK's RSV vaccine success makes its shares look cheapIrn Bru maker AG Barr buoyed by new subsidiariesThree companies benefitting from more regulationFTSE 350 Review: The drinks brands likely to grow in a struggling marketFTSE 350 Review: Will GSK replace Astra as the investor favourite?FTSE 350 Review: Software companies scramble to find AI uses Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This month’s episode begins with an examination of one of Lord Lee’s holdings: Secure Trust Bank. The pair discuss its unique position in the market, its performance since its 2011 IPO, and how it fits in with his view of the broader UK economy.The landscape for investors has changed significantly since Lord Lee began his journey six decades ago. Alex takes the opportunity to ask what he makes of the rise of index tracker funds and fall in popularity of private investing, and the differences he has noticed during his time picking stocks. The episode rounds off with the pair checking in on several companies in his portfolio, including Treatt, M&G, Aviva and Concurrent Technologies. This episode was recorded on 18 January. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.