Alec Pratt

Global commodity prices are in an upswing, and we think they have passed the trough for the cycle. Demand appears to be lifting and the supply-side is ‘super-squeezed’. So, what’s next? HSBC’s Paul Bloxham and Jamie Culling explore. To find out, read our free to view report here 👉 https://grp.hsbc/6048evV0O #HSBCResearch #Research #Commodities #ThoughtLeadership

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Excellent use of AI to create value for customers.

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A step in the right direction, but c'mon...how difficult do they need to make this? The lemmings of the #UK institutional investment sector want a more globally competitive domestic market but insist on tying the hands of the boards, preventing them from competing globally. It's not that hard - The Investment Association should simply instruct these boards to find the best and most experienced talent available and provide competitive, well-aligned pay packages across both executive directors and non-executive directors. If you don't compete, you can't win. #investing #stocks #corporategovernance #shareholderactivism

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Thanks to Paul Clarke Financial News for running an article featuring Continuum Advisory Partners' vision and growth journey. Since our founding less than two years ago, we've grown to a team of close to 40, with ambitious plans to expand across London, Europe and the USA. Our focus remains clear: delivering independent, relationship-driven advice in the financial services sector, including insurance, wealth management, financial technology and professional services. We're taking a different approach from traditional boutiques. Our model, inspired by the classic merchant banks, emphasises long-term relationships and trust over transactional dealings. Sometimes the best advice is to not do a deal at all. As I say in the article, "We're going back to the future" with our culture centred on teamwork and trust. We're proud that 21 of our current team members have worked together for over a decade across multiple organisations. We're growing thoughtfully, focusing on individuals who share our values and vision for client service. We're excited about our future as we continue building our unique financial services mid-market advisory firm. #InvestmentBanking #FinancialServices #MandA #Growth #Leadership Find the link to the article in the first comment below.

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In the News | Fairtree acquires minority share in MidSquare Capital We are delighted to share that Fairtree Capital, our holding company, has acquired a minority equity stake in MidSquare Capital, a boutique asset manager specialising in cryptocurrency and decentralised finance. Kobus Nel, Fairtree Group CEO, commented: “Although Fairtree Capital is only acquiring a minority stake in MidSquare, we are excited to invest in this highly respected team of investment professionals. Their extensive experience, industry-leading expertise in asset management, and conviction in the investment potential of digital assets are invaluable in navigating the complexities of the constantly evolving digital asset space. The partnership is founded on shared values, including our commitment to investment excellence. We look forward to travelling this journey with MidSquare.” Read the full press release> https://lnkd.in/e49tEDPn #Fairtree #ValuesDrivenInvesting #InvestmentExcellence

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Good to see our comments picked up regarding the confirmed cash bid for Keywords Studios today by EQT for £24.50 per share or just under 16x trailing Adjusted EBITDA; a large premium to the May 17th closing. This is a major deal that could kick start significant follow-on M&A activity and drive the KWS market leadership position through selective M&A and technology investment. The Bidco comprises EQT (51%) and is also flanked by heavy hitters including CPP Investments (24.5%) and Rosa Investments, subsidiary of Singaporean based Temasek who collectively manage north of $1 trillion in assets globally. “We see clear angles to create a services powerhouse of scale over the next five years and drive global integration around the service lines, in particular engineering, to make KWS the go-to shop for services globally,” Goodbody analyst Patrick O’Donnell wrote in a note. "There is also a clear angle on M&A with companies like Virtuos, an engineering/Art AAA service company in which EQT has a minority position,” he added. #videogaming #Consolidation #growth #gameservices

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Thinking of securing investment, an exit or MBO involving private equity? Tom Whittard, partner at Westbridge, gave three tips in an article in Corporate Financier magazine. We discuss them in this blog - https://lnkd.in/eWKEQ5dZ How we can help: We offer comprehensive support for management teams, going beyond just the deal to help them plan, complete the transaction with a good investor and provide ongoing advisory support to deliver growth plans. Get in touch with us. #investors #privateequity #corporatefinance

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Thinking of securing investment, an exit or MBO involving private equity? Tom Whittard, partner at Westbridge, gave three tips in an article in Corporate Financier magazine. We discuss them in this blog - https://lnkd.in/eExrrATC How we can help: We offer comprehensive support for management teams, going beyond just the deal to help them plan, complete the transaction with a good investor and provide ongoing advisory support to deliver growth plans. Get in touch with us. #investors #privateequity #corporatefinance

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Reduce waiting lists. These three words are certain to appear in multiple election manifestos – however, often the detail is lacking in terms of how we can make it happen. I believe the key to reducing the strain and burden on our NHS is tech. Digital solutions enable us to: 1. Prevent disease to reduce demand. Tech can empower people to make changes to live happier, healthier lives, and enables early diagnosis (increasing through AI). 2. Be more efficient when demand is present. Tech is central to this, and solutions are most effective when devolved to local decision-making, where the needs of the community are more closely understood. I’d be interested to hear other people’s thoughts on what the detail behind the promises from our prospective governments needs to be.

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We use mostly passive building blocks in portfolios, but incorporate active funds, where there is strong evidence of value. Teviot Partners LLP is one such fund manager we use, for their exceptional UK Smaller companies fund. It's been in a our portfolios since launch and delivered through the full spectrum of environments we have seen in the last five years. The fund is currently in our Core range and Smaller Companies Satellite portfolio. I think the blanket ban on all things active in investment management these days, has gone too far. Small cap, EM and selective areas of fixed income are key areas where we think active fund management can bring real value. Thanks for all the great work Teviot Partners LLP. **views are my own; not advice**

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Join the Premier Miton webinar with CIO and lead manager of the Premier Miton Diversified Fund range, Neil Birrell, who will share his views on markets, including why he is now viewing #UKequities in a more negative light, the funds' strategic asset allocation and where the investment team are finding opportunities for growth. For Investment Professionals only. Capital at Risk. #investmentwebinar #diversifiedfunds #multiasset

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💂‍♂️ 💂‍♀️ #UKEQUITIES - some numbers. 🛎 At #investec, looking at the FTSE 350 index - take out the investment trusts and we have 264 London listed firms in that index. In the last 6 months, on total return, 10 of those 264 firms lost a holder >21.0%... contrast that with 107! of the 264 firms making you >21.0%. Those 107 >21% return firms/big winners had real breadth - Aerospace, Builders, Cap Goods, Distributors, Energy, Financials... the sector winner list goes on. After that 6m index rally (total rtn) of 16.04%, the Bloomberg multiple is 12x after tax profits on the underlying. It #feelsdifferent in London. #Privatefirms looking to list - please get in touch / meet the team. #Investors that have not looked at London for a while - please get in touch. #Londonlisted firms that want to get more out of their listing - we're here. #investec is in good shape and our door is very much open for business. Call me - 00 44 207 597 5577 Email me - [email protected] Data c/o #Bloomberg. Absolutely not investment advice.

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“Infrastructure is real, and less volatile. It’s fundamental to the operations of society and the people in that society and fundamental to economic activity. We can make a direct correlation between efficient infrastructure and GDP growth, and the evolution of a society,” says Danny Latham, Partner, Head of Igneo Infrastructure Partners ANZ speaking to The Australian Financial Review on new opportunities in private markets.    Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gxZbb3n6   *Any advice is general advice for institutional investors in Australia and New Zealand only and does not account for your objectives, financial situation or needs. Seek financial advice before acting on any recommendations. Igneo Infrastructure Partners is not available to retail investors. 

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Private equity firms in the UK are confident about an increase in dealmaking for 2025, a notable shift in sentiment from last year’s outlook. In particular, public-to-private deals look to be the main pipeline focus. Though the debt financing environment and potential regulatory changes are still factors that our colleagues across the pond monitor with caution, I think we'll see a considerable uptick in UK deals news. Read more at Reuters: https://lnkd.in/eHQGyJPp Andrés González Estebarán #PrivateEquity #Dealmaking #MergersandAcquisitions

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🎤 I look forward to discussing this topic - and the role risk capital can play supporting these deals - with Sanjay Gupta, Mike Reid and Geoff Burgess at the British Private Equity & Venture Capital Association (BVCA) Summit in London this week 👇 Aon #PrivateCapital #ValueCreation

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Thank you to The Times and Richard Fletcher for publishing my thoughts today on the Global Investment Summit which Keir Starmer and Rt Hon Rachel Reeves Reeves will host next month. I believe the Summit represents a golden opportunity not only to attract investment but to reset the UK's relationship with investing and (sensible) risk taking. About two thirds of US adults have made equity investments whilst, in the U.K., less than a quarter say they have done so. By introducing measures which have been tabled by the financial industry - such as scrapping stamp duty on shares, launching a "British ISA" or bringing in tax breaks for pension assets - the Government can make a real statement of intent and encourage a healthier investment culture which should benefit households, the economy and U.K. plc in the long term. Having committed to being the party of growth and wealth creation, they must decide whether they want the flagship event to be a feel-good PR exercise or a catalyst for genuine progress. https://lnkd.in/eBusTAn6

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