The recent collapse in the share price of Carillion took many investors by surprise, but should it have? I don't think so. Yes, on the surface things looked fine. Carillion was a highly successful company, with a very long track record of … [Read more...] about Important lessons from the collapse of Carillion’s share price
FTSE 100 valuation and forecast to mid-2018
We’re halfway through the year so that can only mean one thing: It’s time to re-calculate fair value for the FTSE 100 and dip a toe into the mystic world of stock market forecasts. FTSE 100 valuation: Almost at fair value After an incredibly long … [Read more...] about FTSE 100 valuation and forecast to mid-2018
Defensive value portfolio update: 2017 Q2
This is just a quick update on recent events in the UK Value Investor model portfolio, including buys, sells and performance relative to a FTSE All-Share tracker. Before I get into the nitty-gritty, here’s a recap on the model portfolio’s … [Read more...] about Defensive value portfolio update: 2017 Q2
Was Woodford right to sell Glaxo?
Neil Woodford strides across the equity income landscape like a colossus, gazing down upon his competitors as they scurry about like ants in the dust. Okay, perhaps that's taking it a bit too far, but Neil Woodford is without doubt the UK's best … [Read more...] about Was Woodford right to sell Glaxo?
Why I’ve finally decided to sell Morrisons
Like banks, supermarkets were once seen as super-defensive investments, capable of delivering steady growth regardless of the economic environment. That was still the mainstream viewpoint when Morrisons joined my model portfolio in 2013, and even … [Read more...] about Why I’ve finally decided to sell Morrisons
How to Pick Quality Shares: A book review
Phil Oakley’s new book, How to Pick Quality Shares, details a three-step process for selecting profitable stocks. It’s the kind of investment book I like because it’s mostly focused on numbers and ratios, and it approaches the topic of investing … [Read more...] about How to Pick Quality Shares: A book review
Who is the heavyweight dividend champion?
One argument against investing in mega-cap dividend stocks is that elephants don’t gallop, and it's true; they don’t. However, as a dividend-focused investor I’m not necessarily looking for companies that can grow at ten or twenty percent each … [Read more...] about Who is the heavyweight dividend champion?
My journey to a million pound portfolio
One million pounds is a lot of money. It’s more than enough for most people to retire on, and becoming a millionaire remains a long-term dream for many. That’s why I’ve chosen one million pounds as the new long-term goal for my defensive value … [Read more...] about My journey to a million pound portfolio
Is Diageo still an attractive dividend growth stock?
In recent years, Diageo's dividend growth and capital gains have been outstanding. But Diageo's share price has already gained more than 200% since the financial crisis, so is it too late to jump on board? In this blog post I try to decide if … [Read more...] about Is Diageo still an attractive dividend growth stock?
Can KCOM Group maintain its 6% dividend or is it a yield trap?
KCOM Group's dividend yield is currently more than 6%. That makes it attractive, but it also puts it squarely in yield trap territory. For a high yield stock, KCOM is interesting because it's a company of two halves. The first half can trace … [Read more...] about Can KCOM Group maintain its 6% dividend or is it a yield trap?