Investec sell-off helps company focus on future May 21, 2015 ANGLO-South African finance group Investec yesterday said it was in the best shape for a decade, after clearing the decks of old businesses and boosting performance at its money management arms. The company, listed in London and Johannesburg, said the reduction of its UK and Irish mortgage business and banking venture in Australia was helping [...]
Jack Hobbs can leave his Investec Derby rivals stumped June 4, 2015 THE Investec Derby (4.30pm) is the absolute pinnacle for any racehorse. The unique contours of Epsom Downs put demands on a three-year-old thoroughbred like no other course on the planet. This race has been dominated by one man in recent years, Aidan O’Brien, who is certain to go down as one of the greatest trainers [...]
Investec Comment: Two major implications of the Tory victory May 17, 2015 TO SAY that the General Election result was a surprise barely does it justice. The markets reacted positively to the news that the Conservatives had gained an overall majority, with sterling surging and the FTSE 250 reaching all-time highs. There were three reasons for this. First, stocks in sectors that would have faced tougher regulation [...]
Horse racing betting: Blue looks the perfect colour on Ladies’ Day June 15, 2016 There may only be a field of nine declared for Thursday's Tercentenary Stakes (3.05pm), but what it lacks in quantity it more than makes up for in quality. Aidan O’Brien, Sir Michael Stoute and John Gosden all run lightly-raced colts with plenty of potential, but I’m sticking with the form in the book and siding with [...]
Gleneagles and Found absence dent O’Brien Investec Derby bid June 1, 2015 DUAL 2000 Guineas winner Gleneagles and stablemate Found will both miss this week’s Investec Derby meeting at Epsom and instead be aimed at Royal Ascot later this month. It means that trainer Aidan O’Brien, who has won the Derby for three successive years, will have a trio of runners the Saturday showpiece: Hans Holbein, Giovanni [...]
What does it take to get a business to IPO? – Investec Comment May 25, 2015 What is it that drives a company founder to float their business on the stock market and do an initial public offering (IPO)? The obvious point is that they want to raise capital to fund their growth and/or provide an exit for current shareholders. By entering the public markets, a company can tap into a [...]
Investec Comment: How a retail bond can give a firm the edge May 31, 2015 THE PROFESSIONAL rugby union club Wasps launched its debut retail bond at the London Stock Exchange last week, raising £35m. I was very proud to have been involved in the transaction, and it’s fair to say that the success of the issue is the latest sign of growing investor appetite for retail bonds in the [...]
Alice to leave punters in Wonderland after 1000 Guineas April 28, 2016 Aidan O’Brien has the Midas touch when it comes to the QIPCO 2000 Guineas, but his grip around the fillies’ Classic 24 hours later has certainly been less vice-like. The master of Ballydoyle has only won the 1000 Guineas (3.40pm) twice, with Virginia Waters in 2005 and Homecoming Queen in 2012. Both of those were [...]
Racing betting: Western Hymn to answer John Gosden’s prayers again April 21, 2016 In-form trainer John Gosden picked up five winners at Newmarket’s Craven Meeting earlier this month and landed the Investec Derby Trial on Wednesday with exciting Oaks prospect So Mi Dar. On Friday he’s at Sandown for their first flat card of the season where, last year, he bagged a hat-trick. WESTERN HYMN was one of those [...]
Investec Comment: Why the future is bright for SME finance May 10, 2015 NO ONE needs to be told that it’s been a difficult few years for small businesses seeking finance, and economic recovery has done little to change this picture. The Bank of England’s latest Trends in Lending report found that the annual rate of growth in the stock of lending to small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) [...]