Our annual Investment Trust Special Report covers everything you need to know about researching, finding and buying the right funds for your portfolio. Val Cipriani and Holly McKechnie delve into topics featured, from discounts in the space, the impact of the Saba saga, increased M&A activity and more. 

It’s then onto Rightmove (RMV). The company recently announced its plans to invest in AI, which was met with unusual concern from the market. Hugh Moorhead explains why this occurred, how large a threat ChatGPT is to its plans, and more.

Timestamps 

1:34 Investment Trust special 

29:18 Rightmove

How to pick the right investment trusts

Should investors put Rightmove up for sale?

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We kick off this week looking at power provider SSE (SSE), which announced a £2bn equity raise to help fund a £33bn upgrade to the UK’s electricity infrastructure. Valeria Martinez and Alex Newman discuss what the proposal means for the company, why it’s been so well received by investors and the wider implications.

Next, we turn to the second part of our Aim 100 Special Report, where we look at the 50 largest stocks trading on London’s junior market. Dan and Michael Fahy look at cords and cable maker Volex (VLX), which reported interim results this week.

Dan and Mark Robinson then turn to auditor MHA (MHA), which listed in April and has been on a tear. Mark gives his thoughts on the company and whether or not it’s too late for investors to jump in.

Listen to more podcasts from Investors’ Chronicle on Apple, Spotify and YouTube

Timestamps:

1:01 SSE

16:36 Volex

25:24 MHA

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From a disappointing run with Treatt (TET) to his belief Goodwin’s (GDWN) is Britain’s most exciting engineering company outside of Rolls Royce (RR.), and STV’s (STV) profit warning to a floor coverings business benefitting from expanding infrastructure projects; this episode covers considerable ground for all DIY investors. 

It concludes with reader questions, and listeners get to hear Lord Lee’s take on what may lie ahead as the Autumn Budget approaches.

Timestamps 

1:21 Reflections on M&G episode 

4:27 Treatt

9:24 Goodwin

18:05 STV

19:55 Venture Life

22:47 James Halstead 

25:00 Primary Health Properties 

27:20 Workspace

29:21 MS International

32:57 Reader questions

38:45 The Budget

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M&S’s (MKS) results kick off this week’s podcast. The beloved British retailer is delivering decent performance, but the April cyber attack has left some scars. Mark Robinson explains all investors need to know.

Next, this week’s Big Read is on quantum stocks. Author James Norrington runs through the recent developments in the sector, the consequences on wider markets, the benefits to AI and more. 

Last up, the latest from three healthcare trusts. Val Cipriani outlines performance from Worldwide Healthcare Trust (WWH), Polar Capital Global Healthcare (PCGH) and Bellevue Healthcare (BBH), and the creative strategy one is taking to attract new investors.

Marks and Spencer reveals cyber attack cost

Is quantum computing reaching its AI moment?

Crunch time for healthcare trusts

1:24 M&S

11:22 Quantum computing stocks 

27:18 Global healthcare trusts

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Hugh Moorhead takes stock of the UK banking sector, examining how provisions for motor finance, along with exposure to private credit, are shaping the outlook, and how regulatory changes have helped the key players.

Erin Withey joins and turns attention to the first of two companies from our Aim 100 Special Report, Kitwave (KITW). The UK food wholesaler is navigating the next phase of its growth story, and despite a recent profit warning, its long-term prospects appear strong. 

Lastly, Valeria Martinez reviews Next 15 (NFG), the AIM-listed consultancy undergoing a major restructuring after a turbulent 2024. Valeria looks at how the business is trying to recoup sentiment, its other near-term challenges and what analysts think of the company. 

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Women and Wealth returns, this month looking at the psychology of better investing with Dr Ylva Baeckström. Understanding behavioural finance is crucial, as emotions can influence investment decisions and in this discussion between Investors' Chronicle's Val Cipriani and Madi Apthorpe, we find out the psychological barriers women face and the risks of market downturns. Madi and Val discuss active and passive investing strategies and cognitive biases.

Madi then speaks with King's Business School lecturer Dr Ylva Baeckström about gender differences in investment approaches, advocating for improved financial education and open money discussions to create a more inclusive investment environment.

Women and Wealth is the monthly podcast series from Investors' Chronicle. You can listen and watch the episodes, alongside our other podcasts, on Apple, Spotify and YouTube.

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Gold’s recent super rally has left investors wondering what’s coming next. Alex Hamer breaks down what is driving the surge, and the recent sell-off, whether volatility is now the norm, and what analysts’ outlook is for the yellow metal. 

It’s then on to the credit scoring business Experian (EXPN). The US credit scoring market has come under scrutiny recently, and Valeria Martinez unpacks how exposed the company is and what it's doing in response.

Continuing in the US, concerns persist over the world's largest economy and its reliance on tech stocks. Mark Robinson looks at what point AI needs to start delivering actual productivity gains before a correction occurs, and compares the AI boom to the dotcom era. 

Timestamps 

1:16 Gold 

12:34 Experian

21:13 US bubble

How to spot the gold price top

Why a US credit score overhaul actually helps Experian

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The FCA’s long-awaited motor finance redress scheme landed with a lower overall compensation figure than expected. Mark Robinson explores how Lloyds (LLOY) and Close Brothers (CBG) have responded, why both plan to challenge the proposals, and whether the scheme risks turning into another PPI-style saga.

Our Big Read is next. The future of cities is shifting as travel and office attendance continue to climb back slowly. Michael Fahy, author of the feature, looks at the steady uptick in London office occupancy, trends between the UK and US markets, and how Reits are reshaping portfolios.

Last up, Whitbread (WTB) reported results slightly ahead of estimates, yet shares fell amid rising costs and lease charges. Erin Withey analyses how the Premier Inn owner continues to gain UK market share in a slower economy, and how its accelerated growth plan could unlock long-term value.

Timestamps 

1:15 Motor finance

12:15 The future of cities

23:08 Whitbred

Read the stories mentioned in the show:

Banking shares rise on lower-than-expected motor finance costs

Mega-cities need to grow – here’s how investors can take advantage

Whitbread hit by planned UK restaurant closures and softer demand

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RIT Capital Partners is one of the UK’s largest investment trusts with over £4bn in assets under management. Maggie Fanari joined its investment manager, J. Rothschild Capital Management, as CEO in 2024. Her goal is to compound growth for investors without the risk that equity markets carry. 

In the episode, Dan Jones and Fanari discuss the structure of the trust, which is split between private assets, listed equities and ‘uncorrelated’ assets, and the trust’s thus-far unsuccessful attempts to narrow the discount on which it trades. Fanari also shares the qualities she looks for when seeking out private assets (one recent addition being Elon Musk’s SpaceX) as well as the recent changes to the trust’s portfolio and her take on the AI market. 

Timestamps 

00:45 The structure of the trust 

02:53 The discount 

10:23 RIT’s dividend

11:26 Private assets

18:19 Recent asset allocation changes 

22:22 Discerene 

25:42 US tech

32:42 European markets

34:11 Asia

34:52 UK equities 

35:41 AI

37:38 Overall investment picture

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British business Volution (FAN) provides ventilation and air systems, and its shares have increased by a fifth thanks to the acquisition of an Australian business Fantech. Michael Fahy unpacks how investors reacted to the latest results, what is driving demand, and its broad geographical spread. 

The CMA investigation into the veterinary market is still ongoing, and CVS (CVS) has paused its UK acquisition programme while it ticks on. Julian Hofmann examines the company’s results, its strategies for maintaining business growth, and its current valuation. 

Last up, Alex Newman delves into the world of bitcoin, the topic of this week’s Big Read. From the FCA’s reversal on DIY investors buying and selling crypto exchange traded notes (ETNs), to the eligibility in Isas and Sipps, listen to find out everything you need to know about bitcoin buying.

Timestamps  

01:14 Volution

07:17 CVS

15:49 Bitcoin

CVS pivots to Australia as UK expansion stalls amid CMA probe

There’s a new way to buy bitcoin – but is it safe?

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