2019 was worst year on record for UK property funds January 7, 2020 UK property funds endured the largest and most sustained withdrawals on record in 2019, with total outflows of £2.2bn, as the industry was dented by weakening sentiment over Brexit and the fallout from the M&G real estate fund suspension. The figures, which are equivalent to £1 in every £15 under management in property funds being [...]
Neil Woodford and partner bagged £13.8m in year before empire collapsed January 7, 2020 Neil Woodford and his partner Craig Newman were paid almost £14m in dividends in the year leading up to the fund crisis that ultimately brought down their company. For the year ending 31 March 2019, Woodford Investment Management’s profit more than halved, falling from £33.7m to £16.3m, according to accounts submitted to Companies House. Read [...]
What do the financial markets hold in store for 2020? January 7, 2020 After the festive break, everyone in the City is slowly settling back into work. The opening week of 2020 has been hectic already, with oil and gold prices rising and stocks falling in reaction to tension in the Middle East. But what else are the financial experts and asset managers keeping an eye on for [...]
Why more and more fund managers are turning to shareholder activism January 6, 2020 According to Greta Thunberg, “the danger is when politicians and CEOs are making it look like real action is happening, when in fact almost nothing is being done.” She may find some unlikely bedfellows in the Square Mile. Active fund managers have endured a torrid time of late. The Woodford saga and M&G’s decision to [...]
What is an asset class? January 2, 2020 | City Talk Today, diversification and alternative returns are our top portfolio concerns. Why? Because low interest rates may have driven valuations of stocks, bonds, and other asset classes to unsustainable heights, so we’re forever on the lookout for uncorrelated assets to incorporate into our portfolios. And of course, product providers are all too happy to accommodate us, [...]
Why investors may need to dig a little deeper in 2020 December 23, 2019 | City Talk Summing up the outlook for 2020, Schroders’ CIO thinks that superficially, overall market valuations look uninteresting. But dig a little deeper and there may be reasons for active investors to be enthusiastic about 2020. As we move into a new decade, we don’t think it’s time to party like it’s 1999, but it’s not a [...]
Aberdeen Standard Investments to take control of Woodford Income Focus fund December 20, 2019 Aberdeen Standard Investments (ASI) will take over Neil Woodford’s sole remaining fund it has been revealed today. Fund administrator Link Fund Solutions confirmed to investors this morning that the management of the £267m fund would be handed to ASI. Read more: Windup date for flagship Neil Woodford fund confirmed by administrators The management of the [...]
Farmland-focused investment trust eyes $300m UK float December 19, 2019 An investment trust focused on farmland has set out plans to float in London, aiming to be the UK’s first listed trust offering investors direct access to the asset. The Global Sustainable Farmland Income Trust is seeking to raise $300m from investors to purchase “a diverse portfolio” of farmland around the world. Read more: RBS [...]
Sun Life to buy Infrared Capital for £300m December 18, 2019 Canadian insurance giant Sun Life has announced it will buy a majority stake in London-based infrastructure and real estate investment manager Infrared Capital. Sun Life will buy an 80 per cent stake in Infrared Capital for £300m, with Infrared’s owners retaining the option to sell their remaining stakes to Sun Life four years after the [...]
Chief executive of digital wealth manager Nutmeg to quit December 18, 2019 Martin Stead, chief executive of Nutmeg, is stepping down early next year, the digital wealth manager has announced. Stead, who joined Nutmeg in 2015 and took over as chief executive a year later, is leaving the company to move overseas. He will be replaced by chief financial and operating officer Neil Alexander. Read more: Nutmeg [...]