In this latest Sharesify podcast special, James and Ian welcome Nicola Takada Wood, managing director of the AVI Japan Opportunity Trust (AJOT). This fund aims to capitalise on Japan’s increased focus on corporate governance, balance sheet efficiency and shareholder returns.

Nicola explains how ‘AJOT’ invests in undervalued, cash-rich companies and uses constructive engagement to unlock value. She also explains why the corporate reform story in Japan has still got legs under the country’s new PM.

Takada Wood talks us through the benefits of AJOT’s combination with Fidelity Japan Trust. This has created a larger trust with increased capability to take influential positions in companies where there are opportunities to unlock value.

Our special guest also enthuses over AJOT’s successful investment in Kurabo Industries (3106), a conglomerate that announced the restructuring of its unprofitable textile business.

How to get involved

If you are a company, a fund or investment trust and you’d like to come on the podcast, tell your story and expand your retail investor base, here’s your chance. Just email us at [email protected] and we’ll do the rest.

For those tuning in via YouTube, please remember to click the Like and Subscribe buttons on our channel.

You can also follow us on X, Bluesky, Facebook or LinkedIn.

Disclaimer: This content is for information only and is not investment advice. Always do your own research before investing. Click here to see full disclaimer.

Disclaimer: This content is for information only and is not investment advice. Always do your own research before investing. Click here to see full disclaimer.

In the latest edition of the Sharesify Podcast, Ian and James discuss why markets remain difficult for investors to navigate due to the ‘tape bombs’ emanating from the White House. While the FTSE 100 has resurfaced above the 10,000 level, the FTSE 250 has been slower to recover.

On the earnings front, James addresses the Middle East challenges facing protein powders-to-supplements firm Applied Nutrition (APN) and highlights this week’s fresh £300 million buyback from DIY retailer Kingfisher (KGF). The FTSE 100 retailer’s B&Q and Screwfix chains are on solid foundations but the French market remains a drag.

Ian shines the spotlight on insurance-to-workplace benefits business Personal Group (PGH:AIM), which smashed it in 2025 and is sticking to its 2030 targets. Heading in the oppositive direction was Goodwin (GDWN), the family-controlled engineer which plunged on fears it may have to suspend production. Ian reckons many retail holders have moved on and marched their money into fantasy miniatures maker Games Workshop (GAW) instead.

Finally, James looks forward to our upcoming Podcast specials with investment trusts AVI Japan Opportunity (AJOT), MIGO Opportunities (MIGO) and Law Debenture (LWDB).

How you can get involved

If you’d like us to discuss a particular topic, feel free to email us your thoughts and suggestions at [email protected]. For those tuning in via YouTube, please remember to click the Like and Subscribe buttons on our channel.

You can also follow us on X, Bluesky, Facebook or LinkedIn.

And if you are a company, a fund or investment trust and you’d like to join us on the podcast, tell your story and expand your retail investor base, here’s your chance. Just email us at [email protected] and we’ll do the rest.

Disclaimer: This content is for information only and is not investment advice. Always do your own research before investing. Click here to see full disclaimer.

Disclaimer: This content is for information only and is not investment advice. Always do your own research before investing. Click here to see full disclaimer.

In this latest Sharesify podcast special, the team welcomes Anthony Lynch, co-manager of JPMorgan Claverhouse Investment Trust (JCH), to discuss the trust’s process and its remarkable 53-year record of rising dividends. Anthony also manages Mercantile Investment Trust (MCH) and two open-ended equity income funds, and brings a wealth of experience.

JPMorgan Claverhouse gives investors access to the long-term growth and income potential of the UK stock market. The managers look for attractively valued, high-quality UK companies with the ability to deliver consistent and growing dividends.

Anthony explains what differentiates the trust from other equity income vehicles, and which factors have driven performance this year. As inflation resurfaces as a risk, he also reveals how the trust expects to continue its formidable dividend-raising record.

With the trust set to report its FY25 results next week, this is an ideal opportunity to understand how the managers approach investing.

How to get involved

If you are a company, a fund or investment trust and you’d like to come on the podcast, tell your story and expand your retail investor base, here’s your chance. Just email us at [email protected] and we’ll do the rest.

For those tuning in via YouTube, please remember to click the Like and Subscribe buttons on our channel.

You can also follow us on X, Bluesky, Facebook or LinkedIn.

Disclaimer: This content is for information only and is not investment advice. Always do your own research before investing. Click here to see full disclaimer.

Ian previews tonight’s Fed meeting and says there is ‘no suspicion’ that the US central bank will cut interest rates with West Texas Intermediate north of $90. Also, James discusses Liontrust’s (LIO) acquisition of River Global’s (RVRG) asset management arm. This deal beefs up the fund manager’s investment talent and expands its range of investment trusts.

Two trust talking points

He also highlights why investors should look past a rare performance blip at the world’s oldest investment trust, F&C (FCIT) which has announced a 55th consecutive dividend increase.

Steve explains why global growth trust Scottish Mortgage (SMT) wants a little bit more flexibility to invest in private companies.

In terms of winners, Steve discusses ‘knockout results’ from Trustpilot (TRST) and why he likes the online reviews site’s long-term gameplan. Ian explains why industrial parts distributor and quality compounder Diploma (DPLM) is dull ‘in a good way’. Additionally, he explains why lender Close Brothers (CBG) has been in the eye of the storm. Finally, James questions whether sofa seller DFS (DFS) can deliver another profit upgrade.

How to get involved

If you want us to discuss other topics, feel free to email us your thoughts and suggestions at [email protected]. For those tuning in via YouTube, please remember to click the Like and Subscribe buttons on our channel.

You can also follow us on X, Bluesky, Facebook or LinkedIn.

And if you are a company, a fund or investment trust and you’d like to come on the podcast, tell your story and expand your retail investor base, here’s your chance. Just email us at [email protected] and we’ll do the rest.

In today’s podcast, the Sharesify team talk markets, technicals, and the week’s winners and losers. While the FTSE 100 is still clinging above 10,000, the S&P 500 is nearing a key market support level. Ian explains what it is and why so many market-watchers are keeping an eye on it.

Companies in focus

First up, Steve flags results from US software behemoths Adobe (ADBE) and Oracle (ORCL). In Adobe’s case, strong Q1 revenue growth and increasing AI adoption have been overshadowed by the CEO’s surprise departure. Oracle shares on the other hand have enjoyed a strong rally on current growth and the look ahead.

In terms of winners, Ian singles out private equity and credit group Bridgepoint (BPT). While the shares have been out of favour, the latest results speak for themselves. In addition, the firm got this year off to good start with the largest realisation in the PE sector.

Ticketing firm Trainline (TRN) posted steady if unspectacular results for FY25 but it wasn’t enough to allay investor fears. Concerns over the long-term impact of UK rail nationalisation and the looming departure of the CEO sent the stock lower.

Another travel-related loser this week is On The Beach (OTB), which pulled its earnings guidance, as James explains. The firm has seen a sharp slowdown in bookings this month, meaning the war in the Middle East is already impacting demand and profitability.

Looking ahead to next week, James flags Wickes (WIX), the home improvement retailer which reports earnings on Tuesday 17 March. Given its net cash balance sheet, James surmises the group might announce a fresh share buyback alongside its results.

How to get involved

If you want us to discuss other topics, feel free to email us your thoughts and suggestions at [email protected]. For those tuning in via YouTube, please remember to click the Like and Subscribe buttons on our channel.

You can also follow us on X, Bluesky, Facebook or LinkedIn.

And if you are a company, a fund or investment trust and you’d like to come on the podcast, tell your story and expand your retail investor base, here’s your chance. Just email us at [email protected] and we’ll do the rest.

In our latest podcast, Sharesify’s Steven Frazer and James Crux welcome Winterflood‘s head of investment trusts research, Emma Bird. They discuss the trusts landscape, structure, historically high discounts, Saba activism and lots more.   

To begin with, they talk through Smithson’s (SSON) controversial switch from investment trust to OEIC status and what the advantages of the trust structure is even for funds largely invested in liquid listed.

The team then move on to historically wide NAV discounts, a frustration for all shareholders. In light of the 12%-14% average gap, is activist Saba doing all investors a service?

Why trusts are joining forces

The discussion turns to trust mergers, why they are happening and if more are likely, before asking where Emma and her team feel there is the largest scope for re-ratings across the trusts space, plus, what it might take to re-energise new trust IPOs?

James and Steve wrap up by asking Emma if share buybacks are a poor use of capital for investment trusts, and gauge her thoughts of trust portfolio size, if there is an optimal number of holdings, and the issues of portfolio construction.

If you want to get involved, email us your thoughts, suggestions and questions at [email protected]. For those tuning in via YouTube directly, please remember to click the like and subscribe buttons on our channel.

You can also follow us on X, Bluesky, Facebook or LinkedIn.

And if you’re a company, fund or investment trust, and you’d like to get your voice heard on the podcast, tell your story and expand your retail investor base, here’s your chance. Just email us at [email protected] and we’ll do the rest.

In our latest podcast, Sharesify’s Steven Frazer, James Crux and Ian Conway talk markets, mining and the shock walk out of an investment trusts management team. FTSE 100 is still clinging above 10,000, Ian explains. Meanwhile, there is a surprise reverse for defence stocks as Trump talks up an end to conflict in the Middle East.

Edinburgh Worldwide (EWI) plans a cash return to shareholders after crumbling in the face of Saba activism, James explains. In addition, the AIC is slamming Saba as its war of words becomes increasingly heated.

Elsewhere, massive AI infrastructure capex has been embraced, spurned and embraced again by investors left unsure about returns timelines. However, Steve explains the surprising risk-off optionality that may be available to investors via gold-plated corporate bonds. These have been offered by Alphabet (GOOG), Oracle (ORCL), and now Amazon (AMZN). In particular, Amazon is pushing $50 billion worth of dollar/euro notes.

Less bad than feared

James discusses Domino’s (DOM) ‘less bad than feared’ figures, before taking a well-earned swig of Vimto-maker Nichols (NICL). The company has scored some interesting licensing deals of late.

Ian walks us through infrastructure and the UK’s £700 billion spend commitment over the next decade. Meanwhile, Steve wraps up with Oracle’s (ORCL) knockout Q3 earnings and how growth and guidance stole the show. Before finishing, he flags our chat with Winterflood‘s head of investment trust research Emma Bird, which will go ‘live’ on Thursday (12 Mar).

If you want to get involved, email us your thoughts, suggestions and questions at [email protected]. For those tuning in via YouTube directly, please remember to click the like and subscribe buttons on our channel.

You can also follow us on X, Bluesky, Facebook or LinkedIn.

And if you’re a company, fund or investment trust, and you’d like to get your voice heard on the podcast, tell your story and expand your retail investor base, here’s your chance. Just email us at [email protected] and we’ll do the rest.

In our latest podcast, Sharesify’s James Crux, Ian Conway and Steven Frazer talk markets, explaining a surprisingly robust US, a big sell-off across Asia and why an oil spike is to blame.

Investment trusts are never far from the chaps’ thoughts and Alliance Witan (ALW) comes under the microscope, as does the surprise stakebuild by activist Saba in Allianz Technology Trust (ATT), one of the sector’s superstar performers of the past decade.

Ian flags recovery at Rentokil (RTO) to ‘buzzkill’ at Vistry (VTY), whose stock dropped 25% to its lowest since 2012. There’s knockout results from ASICs play Broadcom (AVGO), before turning to what will grab the guys’ attention next week – Clarkson (CKN), Legal & General (LGEN), plenty of US retail, UK infrastructure and another UK housebuilder.

And a date for your diaries, Steve reminds us, with Winterflood‘s Emma Bird making a guest podcast appearance next Wednesday (11 March). On that episode, the chaps will be talking through the investment trust landscape.

If you want to get involved, email us your thoughts, suggestions and questions at [email protected]. For those tuning in via YouTube directly, please remember to click like and subscribe to our channel buttons.

You can also follow us on X, Bluesky, Facebook or LinkedIn.

And if you’re a company, fund or investment trust, and you’d like to get your voice heard on the podcast, here’s your chance. Just email us at [email protected] and we’ll do the rest.

In our latest podcast, Sharesify’s James Crux, Ian Conway and a croaky Steven Frazer spin through a busy and bumpy market so far this week. Ian puts us in the loop with UK market falls. He tells us which is Europe’s big loser so far. But it’s Asia that is really hurting. In fact, South Korea’s Kospi Index crashed to its biggest one-day fall.

Steve puts some meat on the bones as the Straits of Hormuz close. He explains where else oil jitters are getting investors antsy. Meanwhile, central banks are also on the spot. They are facing big rate calls over the coming weeks and months. That’s because they must balance inflationary pressures from oil spikes against potential economic slowdowns.

‘Peak’ Greggs

James then draws us into ‘peak’ Greggs (GRG) following solid results from the bakery chain. The FTSE 100’s most shorted stock turns to defensives (‘vegan sausgae roll’ index anyone?).

There’s FTSE 100 changes, where real estate investment trust, or Reit, Tritax Big Box (BBOX) becomes a record 7th trust in the blue-chip index. Ian explains why its focus on core infrastructure assets (automated warehouses, data centres etc) set it aside from other Reits.

The talk takes a gloomy turn as housebuilder Vistry (VTY) gets pummelled amid a buyback pause. Ian sees little reason to expect a sector upturn anytime soon. Additionally, he has recently written a feature on the wider topic of buybacks and if they add value.

Broadcom debt

There’s also a quick spin through big reports this week on both sides of the pond – Adidas (ADS), Target (TGT), Kroger (KR), Gap (GAP), plus AI growth machine Broadcom (AVGO) afer the bell this evening (9.30pm UK time approx). Steve flags why gearing (net debt to assets) will be worth watching beyond growth and guidance.

And a date for your diaries, Steve reminds us, with Winterflood making aguest podcast appearance next Wednesday (11 March). At that time, the chaps will be talking through the investment trust landscape.

If you want to get involved, email us your thoughts, suggestions and questions at [email protected]. For those tuning in via YouTube directly, please remember to click Like and subscribe to our channel.

You can also follow us on X, Bluesky, Facebook or LinkedIn.

And if you’re a company, fund or investment trust, and you’d like to get your voice heard on the podcast, here’s your chance. Just email us at [email protected] and we’ll do the rest.

Disclaimer: This content is for information only and is not investment advice. Always do your own research before investing. Click here to see full disclaimer.

In our latest podcast, Sharesify’s James Crux, Steven Frazer and Ian Conway talk blowout earnings from Nvidia (NVDA) and hiked guidance, but a puzzling big fat meh! from the markets. James gives us a quick wrap of what the markets have been doing, and the chaps chat through results highlights, and lowlights and what to watch out for next week.

Ian talks through figures from London Stock Exchange (LSEG), and flags former ads giant WPP (WPP), firmly in turnaround mode (again!) after hitting 29-year lows, but now with a CEO who seems to have a proper plan in place.

Steve runs through Broadcom (AVGO) and Dell (DELL), and how memory chip pricing is something to watch.

Another week, another investment trust under the cosh as Impax Environmental (IEM) faces an existential crisis as activist Saba throws the trust under the bus. It appears to be a real blow, argues Ian, given Impax’s great track record. Staying with trusts, the hugely popular JPMorgan Global Growth & Income (JGGI) is set to report next week, as will the lesser-know Law Debenture (LWDB), a trust with a genuine twist.

Greggs (GRG) is also incoming next week, a surprise leader of the UK’s most shorted stocks (read Ian’s feature here), while across the pond eyes will be fixed on cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike (CRWD) in the wake of Palo Alto’s (PANW) soft guidance read last week.

There’s lots more than chaps chew through too. So if you want to get involved, email us your thoughts, suggestions and questions at [email protected]. For those tuning in via YouTube directly, please remember to click Like and subscribe to our channel.

You can also follow us on X, Bluesky, Facebook or LinkedIn.

And if you’re a company, fund or investment trust, and you’d like to get your voice heard on the podcast, here’s your chance. Just email us at [email protected] and we’ll do the rest.

Disclaimer: This content is for information only and is not investment advice. Always do your own research before investing. Click here to see full disclaimer.