Investors' Chronicle

Provident Financial enjoyed years of share price growth driven by its credit card subsidiary subsidiary Vanquis Bank. But its stock finished lower in 2016 as bookings fell and domestic economic concerns weighed. CEO Peter Crook talks with companies editor Ian Smith about a stronger start to 2017, and operational changes in the group's doorstep lending business.Provident's shares trade at a fairly hefty premium to their historic price-to-earnings ratio. Given the costs of growth, concerns about the UK economy and the potential disruption of its restructure - not to mention a regulatory review - should investors be nervous about its prospects?

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.

In this week's personal finance podcast the team highlight some of the risks facing UK equity income, and the merits of overseas equity income. They also update on Baillie Gifford Japan Trust and highlight some of the risks of taking advantage of pensions freedoms.

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.

Companies editor Ian Smith and guests discuss the latest ructions for energy companies alongside our review of Aim's top stocks including a look at BooHoo vs Asos and some of Aim's favourite oil stocks

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.

Drug pricing always comes with political noise, particularly when US elections are concerned. Over the last year, the share prices of pharmaceutical and biotech companies on both sides of the Atlantic have continually swung on the tweets and proclamations of politicians.In this special podcast, IC companies writer Megan Boxall speaks with industry insiders and tries to cut through the controversy and policy rumblings, to assess whether there are still good reasons to view pharma and biotech companies as worthwhile investments. Produced by Alex Newman and Dominic Toms, with music from Blue Dot Sessions. News clips courtesy of Fox.

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.

UBM started life as a newspaper company, and spent most of the last century building up its media and PR operations. But diversification is no longer the watchword. Three years ago, the company chose to concentrate on its global events business.The share price, and the special returns, show investors have benefited from that decision, but where does the investment case stand now? An acquisition-led growth model has lifted sales but also balance sheet leverage, while comparable sales have been slow in some geographies.UBM chief executive Tim Cobbold fields questions on the group's strategy from IC companies editor Ian Smith. Produced by Dominic Toms and Alex Newman.

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.

On this week's Personal Finance Show the team is joined by Rachel Winter, investment manager at Killik & Co. They ask whether you should go for the new three-year NS&I Investment Guaranteed Growth Bond. Its interest rate of 2.2 per cent trumps everything on the high street but it is already lagging the rate of inflation. Should you invest anyway?The team also talks inflation-beating asset allocation and high yields from frontier and emerging markets. Deputy personal finance editor Kate Beioley explores the income potential and potential hazards of frontier market investing.Finally Emma Agyemang looks at specialist trust Impax Environmental Markets' (IEM). The trust has been shooting the lights out this year but is there a Trump-shaped cloud on the horizon for this green energy flavoured trust?

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.

IC editor John Hughman is joined by small companies guru Simon Thompson and companies editor Ian Smith to discuss why the Aim market remains a stockpicker's paradise, and why news of snap election could spell trouble for the FTSE 100.

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.

Graphene and the hype surrounding atomic chicken wireMark Robinson talks to Gareth Jones (CFO) and Jon Mabbitt (CEO) of Applied Graphene Materials about the realistic options open to investors a decade down the line after the development of the so-called wonder material.

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 North Sea, recruiters, Libor, but no mention of Brexit…Deputy companies editor Mark Robinson steps in for John Hughman in this week's look at the latest news and signals in equity markets. With news editor Emma Powell and natural resources writer Alex Newman.

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.

Bringing doctor surgeries into the 21st century, with modern facilities and a wide range of services is going to coast billions of pounds. Ironically, it will save money because a hospital visit costs the NHS far more than a visit to a doctor’s surgery. Without further investment, the situation is likely to get worse because more and more people are living longer, and this is the age group that is more likely to need greater medical attention. One of the companies at the forefront of providing more modern medical centres is Primary Health Properties (PHP). In the latest edition of our Boardroom Talk series Jonas Crosland spoke to chief executive of Primary Health Properties Harry Hyman, to discuss what needs to be done to help take the burden away from hard pressed hospitals by providing dedicated medical centres to replace old GP surgeries that are not fit for purpose.

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.