by Nick Britton
Relations between Moscow and Washington are now worse than they were in the Cold War, according to one of Donald Trump’s latest tweets. But even before this latest escalation, Russia was hardly seen as the promised land by investors. In fact, it’s one of the few countries whose stock market offers significant value compared to historical averages.
That’s with good reason, you might argue. But Chris Colunga, portfolio manager of BlackRock Emerging Europe, would beg to differ. His investment mandate allows him to invest in any company that does business in Eastern Europe or Central Asia, but 55% of his portfolio is allocated to Russia (as at 28/2/18).
He argues that the Russian economy is in good shape: “wages are rising and consumer sentiment is positive, which suggests room for interest rates to be cut from very high levels in the past.”
Low interest rates in the UK have done much to increase the profile of the ‘dividend heroes’, investment companies which have increased their dividends for at least 20 years in a row. There are now 21 of these companies, including four companies with a record of at least 50 years. As far as we know, these records are unmatched by any other collective investments.
In addition to the dividend heroes, there are another 21 companies that have increased annual payouts to investors for at least ten (but less than 20) years in a row. This ‘next generation’ of dividend heroes includes companies that invest in sectors as diverse as Asia Pacific excluding Japan, Infrastructure and Property Specialist.
There’s still time to sign up for one of our 12 workshops that are being held around the UK in April and May. Click on the links below for more information or to book.
You might also like to know that we’ve updated our online training courses within Learning Zone. If you haven’t visited Learning Zone yet, there is four hours of structured CPD waiting for you, with courses ranging from an introduction to investment companies to more in-depth courses on discounts, gearing and private equity.
Nick Britton, Head of Training, AIC
Click on the links for more information and to book 25 April AIC workshop (Preston) Time: 14.00 - 16.15
26 April AIC workshop (Warrington) Time: 09.45 - 12.00
2 May AIC workshop (Bournemouth) Time: 14.00 - 16.15
3 May AIC workshop (Guildford) Time: 14.00 - 16.15
9 May AIC workshop (Lincoln) Time: 14.00 - 16.15
10 May AIC workshop (Leicester) Time: 09.45 - 12.00
16 May AIC workshop (Plymouth) Time: 09.45 - 12.00
16 May Frostrow London Investment Seminar Time: 08.15 (registration) – 09.00 (start) – 13.00 (lunch). The seminar will be held at The Ned, 27 Poultry, London, EC2R 8AJ and speakers include Nick Train, Ben Rogoff and James Dow. To book, email events@frostrow.com.
17 May AIC workshop (Taunton) Time: 09.00 - 11.15
17 May AIC workshop (Bristol) Time: 14.00 - 16.15
22 May AIC workshop (Hemel Hempstead) Time: 14.00 - 16.15
23 May AIC workshop (London) Time: 08.45 - 11.00
24 May AIC workshop (Norwich) Time: 14.00 - 16.15