Insights

Is the company AGM “a frivolous waste of time” as Jamie Dimon claims? From Brooklyn to Milan, Alan Edington considers the increasingly heated debate around shareholder rights.

From robots in operating theatres to heart valve replacements, there have been many remarkable innovations in medical technology. However, such success does not come without challenges. Des Armstrong recently travelled to the US to investigate the current industry dynamics and, crucially, the companies that can and will continue to thrive.

Greggs is a British institution. Its sausage roll has become part of our national culture. Despite marked inflation in input costs, a tough environment for the UK consumer and the pressures of what is a highly competitive sector, this bakery and convenience food chain has continued to grow.

With the Japanese equity market showing considerable volatility of late, Executive Director Charlie Macquaker discusses how the Japan renaissance story has panned out, and stresses the need to focus on company fundamentals.

Is the mighty US consumer finally feeling the pinch? Amidst signs of a slowdown in spending, investment manager Ashley-Jane Kyle takes a look at how some consumer-facing companies are faring.

The promise of artificial intelligence is now becoming a reality. Investment manager Tom Miedema highlights how leading companies are exploring, embracing, and harnessing the opportunities afforded by this evolving technology.

This summer Europe will play host to the Paris Olympics, Uefa’s European football championship and the phenomenon that has become Taylor Swift’s New Eras tour, bringing tourists from around the world. Europe’s global champions across luxury goods, consumer products and travel sectors too will be on show and in sporting terms, many of these companies are well placed for podium positions.

With US equities enjoying a sustained period of dominance over their international peers, some investors have questioned the wisdom of looking beyond US shores, preferring instead to stick exclusively with the world’s dominant market. Whilst this approach is perhaps understandable, we think it risks leaving long-term opportunities on the table.

Universal Music Group (UMG) led the music industry in negotiating with streaming platforms to protect the value of its artists’ work and its own publishing catalogue. Now, in a stand-off with TikTok, it is again leading the industry in a fight against AI-generated noise. Paul Loudon considers these ongoing negotiations and the attributes that put UMG at the forefront of this exciting sector.

With the era of cheap money now firmly in the rear view mirror, Roy Leckie, Executive Director, delves into the implications of today’s higher interest rate environment and the benefits to companies of adopting a conservative approach to debt financing.