Member Info for Alas_Smith

I've trickled a little more into this today - have no real concerns on this trust.

First, this refers to something that hapenned 5 or more years ago, second markets are pretty flat accross Europe in advance of the jobless figures due to be released in USA. Third, a 1.5% change in share price is not out of the ordinary or unusual. Really not sure what point you are trying to make.

If you listened to the State of the Union address, you would have heard Mr Biden comment on the importance of NATO. I am not convinced that Mr Biden will be returned and investors need to be prepared for the return of Mr Trump. In the event of Trump re-elected, NATO is in a very perilous place. The UK has a big problem now with numbers of trained forces at worrying level, ships that are being mothballed and a defence budget that needs to be boosted substantially.

Realistic levels of funding for NATO currently should be in the region of 2% GDP. If US is removed, then this will have to increase to at least 2.4%. This level of funding maintains things as they are and does not address the decline in combat readiness. Increase the spend to 2.7% and it begins to nibble back to have a defence that is more appropriate to todays geopolitical climate and at 2.8% it will start to provide some future proofing.

Seems to me very sensible to strengthen portfolio holdings that are doing well adding when there are down days.

I've added another tranche of shares to a SIPP today. Time will determine the wisdom or folly.

Consultation on the ISA has started. This is quite a good run down for the professional pick

https://citywire.com/investment-trust-insider/news/how-the-world-s-best-fund-managers-would-invest-a-british-isa/a2437727

AgentB, the Daily Mail has a reputation of whipping up emotion for those whose political opinion seems to be slightly right of Attila with its sniping comments that have some truth but conveniently omit facts that provide a complete picture. Modern warfare as we have seen in every battle and war since the end of WW2 has been with conventional weaponry.

During this time there has been much standardisation, particularly where callibres are concerned. NATO has the supply chain that is not reliant on one manufacturer or country but accross many countries and defence suppliers. Whether we like it or not, NATO is not completely dependent on the USA nor is it completely capable of providing defence without USA. Rheinmetal, BAE Systems, Babc0ck, Thales, Lockheed, Qinetiq, Boeing and many others spring to mind.

Canada, Italy, UK, Australia, Finland, Sweden, Norway and the Netherlands supply the US with some of their defence needs - there is a global reliance on each other, and that has helped preserve peaceful times for the vast majority of the developed world for decades.

The consultation document can be accessed here

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/65e734d62f2b3bd5107cd8c5/UK_ISA_Consultation.pdf

And a few more today. Will need to have a look down the back of the sofa

More information will be released in time. A consultation is expected to begin this afternoon

In common with you, oldbutnowisa, LGEN features in the ISA for my wife and has been so since 2008. I've chucked a few shares into a SIPP for elder son as it is a business that is unlikely to go bust and is a reliable dividend generator.

While the UK market is performing poorly, those in America are going great guns. Thus far in 2024 the S & P is up 7% whereas the FTSE is still in negative territory.

The real test today will be the City reaction to Mr Hunt. FWIW, I believe that the UK are ready to kick this Government out - I am sure that the market will have a very positive reaction to Rachel Reeves in a new Government

Good to note that gold is at an all time high today.

Shareholders seem to be in a bit of a "Goldilocks" situation where the share price is rising steadily and without any staccato movement. For me, this is just the way I like things, but at some point things will probably flatten off. We know that the company cannot fall into foreign hands from the Government's golden share and we also know that the primary role of Government is sovereign security.

My reading of the prospects for BAE are to see the shares continue to climb in reflection of the support that is being provided to Ukraine through the replacement of arms used and the requirement for sufficient munitions should the UK need to defend our territories or assist NATO members.

I am also mindful that should Mr Trump return to office, NATO will need to step up spending on defence not just on weapons and infrastructure but more importantly in basic combat trained personnel. Broker opinion seems locked on having BAE on their buy lists where most analyst target price seems to have been reached already.

The share chart for the last 5 years seem to betray that momentum is with us and 1400p is not out of the question over the next few months to align with the research from JP Morgan Cazanove. I cannot pretend for a moment to have a target price that will induce me to sell and I remain happy to buy at current prices.

Does not appear to be a rival bidder but at least the managers are ready to sell

An interesting read from a Solicitor, presumably with a connection to IP rights.

FWIW, I have no problem if Graphcore were spun out on the Nasdaq. Aside from attracting possibly a better price, might have additional benefit from a regulatory perspective

They read well to me. Hopefully Mr Market will respond favourably.

Sadly, I find your post disturbing in that it is somewhat incendiary, certainly political and lacking in humanity.

NATO these days is reactionary and has a supportive role. That has been so for about 40 years.

Ukraine is the focus where European supplies are badly needed for Sovereign protection. It allplies to ALL European defences that are providing aid to that country. Palestine, Gaza, Israel conflict has potential for expansion which South Yemeni rebels are exploiting.

Having lived in Aden and attending school there during the troubles from 1964-66, subject to curfew and armed guard, the current footage of towns and environs show that little has changed physically. Rebels then only differ these days in the technology and weaponry. Mountains provide myriad of opportunity for isolated units.

Peace is always fragile wherever there is extreme wealth and extreme poverty.

A paper profit is meaningless until banked. FWIW, I continue to add to my holding and average up as circumstance permits.

My hunch was correct. It seems that India IS the developed country with the fastest growing economy. Yet to translate to the SP in this trust but early yet.

Couple of chunky bargains today in quick succession

It seems that an apology is due from me. Transpires that a purchase of 610 shares was made by me yesterday in a SIPP - part of a regular order for IHT purpose that transfers value to an IHT400 form when I eventually peg out to save the executors of my estate some paperwork. After the horror of 12 family funerals in 2022, good record keeping is of great help with succession planning.

As an aside, there is no expiry date in my birth certificate - perhaps I am immortal?

Well, there is updated news in anticipation of the budget that DOES suggest that the budget will not be increased. There does seem to me to be a complete misjudgement by politicians for the last 40 years on the role of the Armed Forces. The real threat that USA might reduce its exposure to NATO either directly with Trump at the helm or with his puppets controlling the purse strings if Biden is returned. IMO, it is vital that European security is beefed up not just with supply to Ukraine but also replenishment of depleted stock.

Mr Hunt might try and save Tory skin with tax cuts, but I feel that the mood in the UK is to kick the current presiding government out.