This article reflects the opinions of its author and not necessarily those of ShareSoc. £300 or £3,400 of fees (i.e. costs) you pay each year? £300 or £3,400 of costs/advice fees is the choice that an investor with a £170,000 portfolio would face if he/she invested in a Vanguard passive fund with interactive investor or […] The post Wealth Management Advice versus DIY investing appeared first on ShareSoc ..read more

This article reflects the opinions of its author and not necessarily those of ShareSoc. Why boards can’t leave everything to the market. Or to the manager. Every morning I take the dog on a long walk, and usually listen to a podcast or two. One of my regulars is the Money Makers podcast, which is […] The post Investment trusts: time for boards to earn their corn appeared first on ShareSoc ..read more

I was very interested in ShareSoc’s proposals for the Labour Party concerning the review of financial services. My particular focus was the section headed “Consumer Protection”. I have been a tax adviser since 1985 and a financial planner since 1991. I have always considered the client’s understanding of the pros and cons of an investment […] The post Consumer Protection appeared first on ShareSoc ..read more

This article reflects the opinions of its author and not necessarily those of ShareSoc.  Cliff Weight originally highlighted the Wellesley Investors Action Group, in this article.  I still encourage those affected to join Neil Taylor’s group, but I’ve had some requests for an update from affected investors. Neil has kindly provided the following update:  To […] The post January 2024 Update from the Wellesley Investors Action Group appeared first on ShareSoc ..read more

This article reflects the opinions of its author, Cliff Weight, and not necessarily those of ShareSoc.  ShareSoc member Barry Gamble’s letter to the FT  Black Box thinking and bad boards is a theme I return to again and again and which I first highlighted in a blog in March 2018 https://www.sharesoc.org/blog/corporate-governance/black-box-governance-thinking/ .  Woodford and Link […] The post How Boards Should Operate appeared first on ShareSoc ..read more

This article reflects the opinions of its author and not necessarily those of ShareSoc. Introduction This is now my fourth annual comprehensive portfolio review. See my 2020 review for an explanation of my investment objectives, strategy, “asset types” and investment accounts. My 2022 review can be found here. 2023 was again a difficult and disappointing […] The post Portfolio Review 2023 – Mark Bentley appeared first on ShareSoc ..read more

This article reflects the opinions of its author and not necessarily those of ShareSoc. Need for name on register further evidenced as high costs of administration seem likely I have been to Cape Verde and seen some of The Resort Group “investments”, many of which are half built following a boom. So, I was not […] The post Too good to be true investment returns – Another SIPP provider collapses appeared first on ShareSoc ..read more

This article reflects the opinions of its author and not necessarily those of ShareSoc. Nirvana. Investing nirvana is being as indifferent to losses as to winners. Having been investing for about 20 years I have yet to reach that nirvana, I am never indifferent if the portfolio has had a good day or a bad […] The post Random Thoughts from the Secret Auditor appeared first on ShareSoc ..read more

This article reflects the opinions of its author and not necessarily those of ShareSoc. Opaque Accounts of Alternative Asset Trusts Traditionally, investment trusts invested in highly liquid, listed, operating businesses. The accounts for such trusts are straightforward. The balance sheet simply reflects the market value of the trust’s investments and profit/loss is determined by the […] The post When is an Investment Trust not an Investment Trust? appeared first on ShareSoc ..read more

This article reflects the opinions of its author and not necessarily those of ShareSoc. FTX prosecution vs that of Patisserie Valerie FTX, a cryptocurrency exchange which became one of the largest in the world with billions in deposits, declared bankruptcy on 12 November 2022.  The trial of Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF) commenced in the US at […] The post Bitcoin vs Cream Cakes appeared first on ShareSoc ..read more