Stephen Hampson

Understanding Stock Market Updates and Doubling Your Money Current Market Performance NASDAQ up 13% year-to-date S&P up 12% UK markets up 10% Dow 30 up 3% Market Trends and Investment Strategies Market fluctuations: delirium, despair, recovery Importance of setting stop-loss to avoid losses Diversification and avoiding market traps Doubling Your Money Time to double money based on rate of return Challenges faced by IFAs and fund managers in achieving this Strategies of successful investors like Warren Buffet Investment Insights Evaluating stock valuations and factors affecting stock prices Importance of considering revenue, profitability, and growth Market Sectors and Company Selection Overview of sectors performing well Criteria for selecting companies: value, growth, income Impact of factors like momentum, market cap on stock selection Investment Strategies and Market Performance Leveraged ETFs and factors influencing investment decisions Market performance over the past year Comparison of market performance across different indices https://lnkd.in/euyAvA-M

6

1 Comment

Join us at the #ScaleUp Britain Roadshow in the North West on Tuesday, 10 September 2024.   Home to two of the UK’s biggest and most culturally influential cities - Manchester and Liverpool - the wider North West region accounts for over 10% of the UK’s GDP (UK government 2022 data).   Boasting a rich heritage in textiles, shipping and sport, the North West continues to be a natural home for innovation and some of the United Kingdom’s fastest growing scaleups.   From Liverpool’s port, which remains a pivotal international maritime hub, to the region’s globally renowned football clubs, innovation and business continues to thrive - pumping millions into the local economy every year. The region’s history with textiles has also fuelled some of the fastest growing scaleups - propelling apparel companies like Pretty Little Thing, Flannels and boohoo.com into household names in a few years.   Supported by globally leading universities, devolution settlements and Levelling Up initiatives, the North West really is a brilliant place to grow and scale your business. And here at the London Stock Exchange we are here to support you.   Register today to discuss more with our team Bod Buckby, Marcus Stuttard, Florence K. and Luke Robert Black: https://lseg.group/4ea8AG7   #ScaleUpBritain #ScaleUp #StartUp #RaisingPrivateCapital #PrivateMarkets #ScaleUpInstitute

2

How can place-based investment strategies help SMEs across the UK access the finance they need to innovate and grow? Watch Anthony Charrie, CFA speak to Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, about what needs to happen at the local level to facilitate real change, from devolution, to planning reform, to skills programmes. To learn more about SMEs' access to finance across the UK, and to view our policy recommendations, read the full report > https://owy.mn/432GGqY #SME #regionalgrowth #LevellingUp Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

11

🚀 New BVCA Data: VC funding can drive innovation – but more domestic funding is needed...   As highlighted this morning in City AM, UK #venturecapital is not attracting enough funding from domestic investors compared with the likes of our European competitors. https://lnkd.in/eyDRbu89 The BVCA’s new report, Venture Capital in the UK shows that the fundraising environment remains challenging. Over the long-term average, only around 40% of capital raised by UK venture funds typically comes from domestic sources, compared to over 70% in France and Germany and over 80% in Spain and Italy.   This is despite VC backed companies delivering an internal rate of return of 11.2% per annum since 2002, outperforming key market indices like the FTSE All-Share Index and MSCI Europe Index.   However, the report also found that an increasing share of VC investment is going to businesses located in the UK’s nations and regions - almost half (49%) of businesses backed by VC in 2023 were located outside the Capital.   The UK should be the best place to both start and scale a business, and this new report contains some exciting information about the state of the UK’s venture capital market.   The report shows: 🏢Almost half (49%) of businesses backed by venture capital in 2023 were located outside of London. 💷VC-backed companies attracted £8 billion of investment in 2023 📈 Venture capital-backed businesses added £20 billion in GDP to the UK economy in 2023   There is much more to discover in this report so why not have a read for yourself https://lnkd.in/eBrB5S8a.

28

A change in government and the upcoming budget got me thinking about how tax policy could be utilised to stimulate growth in the industries that matter for the UK. At the moment DeepTech companies carrying out R&D intensive activities can benefit from enhancements to EIS tax relief* by utilising Knowledge Intensive (KI) status. Broadly it has two main effects that can be framed as company or investor benefits; Company Side: You can raise an increased amount per annum £10m versus £7m for non-KI EIS and more in the lifetime of your business £20m versus £12m for non-KI EIS. Investor Side: You can invest an additional £1m (total £2m per annum) and claim EIS relief (non-KI EIS is a £1m cap). However, I think the new The Labour Party government could really catalyse investment at pre-seed and seed with the following ideas. The following would naturally align with the Knowledge Intensive classification; I have split them into company and investor benefits respectively; Company Side: Raise up to £500k in SEIS subscriptions in KI qualifying businesses - this is an increase on the current £250k to reflect the higher cash requirements to start KI business e.g. £1.2m is the average pre-seed round size for a biotech therapeutic company versus £240k for a software business in the UK. Investor Side: Individuals can invest up to £300k via SEIS in KI businesses per annum. This is an increase from £200k limit under current SEIS rules, to encourage more private capital into perceived higher risk sectors. Aligned with £500k limit above. Increase upfront income tax relief for investors in KI qualifying businesses. For example SEIS could give you 55% income tax relief up from 50% and EIS could give you 35% income tax relief up from 30%, encourage private capital into DeepTech. As someone who invests exclusively in Knowledge-Intensive businesses at Empirical Ventures we would love to talk to anyone who can influence how government policy could further enhance KI reliefs and help the UK stay at the forefront of innovation, building companies that will drive our future GDP growth. Please tag people below who may be able to help? Peter Kyle Enterprise Investment Scheme Association (EISA), Department for Business and Trade, George Freeman FRSA MP, Alexander Fink, Keith Lipman, Dr Ben Miles, Ph.D. *Tax Subject to individual circumstances. Subject to change.

14

4 Comments

Pension funds enjoy a very material tax exemption privilege. I wonder if some element of that privilege should be linked to commitment to the sector, increased over time to stop a wall of money, where for example a vehicle like Adam proposes and/or direct investment would qualify. Pension funds free not to participate, might have a size threshold, but if they do not they pay some tax. Link that to whatever regulatory tweaks needed to ensure funds are not penalized for investing a portion in growth - rationally 4% has to be a perverse allocation, someone has got the rules wrong. It feels like it is not in their investors' interests, aside from the societal point of the need to support growth, the no.1 claimed objective of the incoming government.

7

1 Comment

37% of Pembroke VCT’s portfolio companies have a female founder. 🔥🔥 Great to see them shouting about this with ME+EM Ltd coming in at No 12 on J.P. Morgan Private Bank’s Top 200 Women Powered Business Report. I have followed this report since it launched in 2021 alongside the ScaleUp Institute’s female founders Index which highlights female founders that are scaling and have reached £10m + revenue. The Top 200 Women Powered Business report is a great tracker of progress and after an extremely busy week I have just managed to read it! So a quick summary below…… There are currently 14,555 women powered british businesses in the UK right now. These are women powered businesses that have hit £5m min revenue, have min 10 employees and hit one of 9 growth metrics as defined by Beauhurst 💪14,555 - Women Powered Businesses. This represents 29.7% of high growth businesses that are female led/owned or managed. Up from 18.3% of overall growth businesses last year. So definite progress with a 47% increase in the % share over the last 3 years. Just to put that in context - if we increase by 47% again we will represent 43% of all high growth businesses. That would be a brilliant aim! Something that The SuperScalers is all about. So a good measure of the percentage of funds raised going to women powered businesses would be approx 30% and rising. Just to be clear there is no pipeline problem!! 13.5% of these businesses received investment from venture capital firms. We would love to see other VCTs and Venture capital firms publish the % of funds going to women powered businesses. What gets measured gets done after all. 7,565 of the total of 14,555 have female founders. That is who The SuperScalers is aimed at - If you are one of those 7,565 please do join our community at https://lnkd.in/eBUSvz5Y. Congrats to all the Top 200 Women - all amazing businesses and great role models that absolutely should be celebrated. Top 10- 1. Starling Bank Starling Bank 2. Beauty Pie Beauty Pie 3. Oxford International Education Group Oxford International Education Group 4. BAP Pharma BAP Pharma 5. Quantexa Quantexa 6. Panaseer Panaseer 7. The Ralph The Ralph (Veterinary Referral Centre) 8. McQueen Diaries MCQUEEN DAIRY LIMITED 9. MPB MPB 10. Speechmatics Speechmatics Thanks Samantha Saperstein for sponsoring this. I am delighted to say The SuperScalers will be sponsoring the Female Founders Index from the brilliant Irene Graham OBE and team ScaleUp Institute - out shortly….🎉🎉 #femalefounders #growth #inclusion #entrepreneurs #scaleup #superscale

61

4 Comments

💼 Top 10 UK Venture Capital Firms by Deal Count - Plus the Power of NEDs 💼 The UK's venture capital firms are leading the charge in backing high-growth companies, but think abut this..... if each deal also added a non-executive director (and they invariably do) to bring experienced governance and strategy into play, let’s look at the numbers: Let's start with the top 10 most active VCs in the UK in 2024, and the potential impact: 1. SFC Capital - 99 deals   2. Access EIS - 65 deals   3. Octopus Ventures - 54 deals   4. BGF Growth Capital - 47 deals   5. Ascension - 34 deals   6. Fuel Ventures 🚀 Ventures - 31 deals   7. Seedcamp - 28 deals   8. LocalGlobe - 26 deals   9. Par Equity - 25 deals   10. Amadeus Capital Partners - 24 deals If each deal added a NED, and each fund paid an average recruitment fee of £25,000 per hire, the total cost across these deals would be: 😳 SFC Capital: £2.475m   😳 Access EIS: £1.625m   😳 Octopus Ventures: £1.35m   😳 BGF Growth Capital: £1.175m   😳 Ascension: £850k   😳 Fuel Ventures: £775k   😳 Seedcamp: £700k   😳 LocalGlobe: £650k   😳 Par Equity: £625k   😳 Amadeus Capital Partners: £600k  👉 Total cost: £10.825 million 💸 Ps. Many recruitment fees are in excess of double the "average" fee of £25k. At Virtualnonexecs.com, we work with VCs to flatten the cost of recruitment across their portfolios. The VNXD Operator Network is available on a flat annual subscription - for less than the cost of a single hire. You get access to 22,000 non-executive directors, supported by internal headhunters and there's no "per hire" fee. This means ongoing access to the best talent with no extra costs for every deal. If you are interested in accessing this level of support, let’s discuss. You can book a demo with me here: https://lnkd.in/d3na7CEC or simply drop me a DM. 👉 #VentureCapital #Startups #NEDs #Leadership #BusinessGrowth #Investment #UKTech

11

IGL (Inverse Group LTD) is actively searching for businesses to match with our vetted UK-based investors and acquirers. We currently have active mandates across various investment and acquisition opportunities: 💚 £250,000 investment: Ideal for revenue-generating companies with 1 to 2 years of accounts, profitable or small losses, and a need for marketing and growth support. This is sector-agnostic. 3-5 year return on investment. Max valuation £1m, with no future funding required. 💚 £500,000 investment: Targeting revenue-generating businesses that are either in a turnaround phase or showing small profits. This is perfect for older business owners preparing for exit or good businesses that failed to raise funding. Sector agnostic. 18-month return on investment. 💚 £2,000,000 investment: Seeking companies with over £2M in revenue and profitable EBITDA, particularly those serving the real-world economy with a focus on fast, repeatable retail. 5 year + return on investment. On the acquisition front, we’re interested in businesses with a revenue range between £1M - £5M, located in the UK or EU, with a preference for London or those adaptable to remote management. We are particularly interested in sectors such as Health & Beauty, Entertainment, Consumer Goods (Apparel, Drinks, Pet Food), E-commerce, and Clean Tech. If you own or know of a business that fits these profiles and is considering investment or acquisition, please reach out to us. #Fundraising #Founder #Investment #AngelInvestor #VentureCapital

51

5 Comments

7 of the most active seed stage funds in the UK. 💸💸💸 These are the funds that have been the most recommended to me for the B2B software space. SFC Capital - An SEIS fund that typically invests at Pre-Seed, Seed and Series A. From what I could see funding is usually between £100k and £300k at pre-seed. Octopus Ventures - Typically invests up to £1m for Seed funding rounds. Ascension - Typically invests between £500K and £5m. Fuel Ventures 🚀 - Check size of £1-3M at Seed stage LocalGlobe - Seed and Series A fund. Mercia Asset Management PLC - Mercia manages a number of different funds and can invest from Pre-Seed through to Series A with ticket sizes of up to £10m. Haatch - Invests between £300 - 800K at Seed stage. If there's any other seed stage funds you'd recommend please let me know in the comments 

21

5 Comments

🌟 Enhance your expertise in impact investing with CFA UK's Level 4 Certificate! 🌟 In today's evolving financial landscape, impact investing is becoming increasingly crucial. The CFA UK Level 4 Certificate is meticulously designed to empower investment professionals with the essential knowledge and skills to integrate impact considerations throughout the entire investment chain. 💼 Why Enroll? Deepen Your Knowledge: Gain a comprehensive understanding of impact investing principles. Practical Skills: Learn how to effectively integrate impact into your investment strategies. Industry Recognition: Stand out in the competitive market with a prestigious qualification from CFA UK. Whether you're looking to enhance your career or drive positive environmental and social outcomes, this certificate is your pathway to making a meaningful difference. 👉 Learn more and enroll today! Register here: https://lnkd.in/edj8ASiT #impactinvesting #skillbuilding #certificate

11

Chancellors come; chancellors go. Pension consolidation ‘consultations’ and ‘visions’ outlast them all. Action please! LGPS: Superpool 100% - and follow the lead we set a decade ago at London Pension Fund Authority: invest into private markets and equities. Funding doubled in 7 years. TPR/DWP: sort out the Pension SuperFund framework to give certainty. And ‘pensions not pots’ with Pension SuperHaven

23

5 Comments

Today’s budget announcements reveal a challenging landscape for UK entrepreneurs and SMEs, as Chancellor Rt Hon Rachel Reeves’ first budget underscores a range of new tax measures set to impact business owners across the country. With a community of over 30,000+ SMEs, E2E Enterprise has been a vocal advocate for the needs and growth of small and medium-sized enterprises, yet today’s budget highlights a concerning shift in government support for the business sector.   The proposed increase in Capital Gains Tax (CGT), along with the hike in employers’ National Insurance (NI) contributions to 15% starting April 2025, directly affects larger SMEs, who are the backbone of economic growth and job creation. Additionally, changes to Business Asset Disposal Relief, and the capping of Business Property Relief at £1 million (with a 50% discount on the remainder), could challenge the sustainability of family-owned businesses, further straining SME cash flow and growth prospects.   Moreover, the 20% Inheritance Tax (IHT) now chargeable on most AIM shares, previously a 40% benefit, threatens to reduce market liquidity and limit funding options for SMEs reliant on AIM investments. Combined with the end of Non-Dom Status, VAT charges on private schools, and increased stamp duty, these policies may deter foreign entrepreneurs from considering the UK as a viable location for new ventures.   These changes have sparked significant concern within the E2E Enterprise community, with many members expressing frustration and even reconsidering the UK as their primary base of operations. The sentiment from our network is clear: the government’s stance may lead to a decline in new business formations and a potential exodus of high-growth SMEs to more business-friendly regions.   E2E Enterprise stands committed to advocating for a business environment where entrepreneurship can thrive, calling for policies that recognise and support the essential role of SMEs in driving economic growth, innovation, and employment across the UK. #E2E #AutumnBudget #TheBudget #CGT #SME

475

93 Comments

Really excited to share the news of closing our GBP 4 million seed round #fundraise and welcoming Main Set, as our latest investor, alongside Barclays. Our modular middle and back office operating system is fully live in the UK — drop me a 📨 to learn how we can support your wealth management products and services! #fintech #wealthtech #capitalraise #investment #UKfintech #SaaS

31

2 Comments

📢 Equity Funders Survey Results 📢 We surveyed investors from 20 of the UK's top equity funding firms. Through this survey, we identified the major challenges that equity investors faced over the last 12 months, what key strategies they are employing this year and what criteria they highly value in potential investment opportunities. Additionally, we also gained some insight into the challenges and opportunities these investors believe are facing their portfolio companies. https://lnkd.in/eXqhJmST

5

🚀 Big News for UK #Startups: EIS & VCT Extended to 2035! In a huge win for entrepreneurs and investors, the UK government has extended the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) and Venture Capital Trust (VCT) scheme until April 2035! These tax-relief schemes have fueled £41 billion in investment over the last 30 years and are now set to provide another decade of support for early-stage businesses. 🙌 With 30% upfront income tax relief and capital gains exemptions, these schemes encourage investment in high-risk, high-reward #startups, driving #innovation, job creation, and economic growth across the UK. #Startups and investors alike now have long-term stability to continue scaling new ventures. 📈✨ Industry leaders are applauding this move. Michael Moore from the British Private Equity & Venture Capital Association (BVCA) called it "a vital step" to maintaining the UK’s competitive edge as the third largest #venturecapital market in the world. Extending these schemes ensures that more capital flows into the UK’s most exciting early-stage companies. This is a major boost for the UK’s startup ecosystem and a clear signal that the government is backing #innovation and #entrepreneurship for the long haul. 🌍💡 ETA Technologies is celebrating the good news and is dedicated to leveraging our cutting-edge technology to assist investors in identifying the most promising founding teams for investment. In the early stages, it is truer than ever: investors invest in people... What impact do you think this will have on the UK’s startup landscape? Source: https://lnkd.in/dUaFND_p

19

1 Comment

Schroder BSC Social Impact Trust* yesterday published its annual report, describing how the portfolio manager, Better Society Capital, provides incremental capital to support high-impact organisations that are delivering critical services to address social needs across the UK, while providing shareholders with a financial return. The fund's structure as an investment trust listed on the London Stock Exchange provides daily liquidity for this portfolio of illiquid investments, and at any transaction size. My favourite part of the report is the updated impact map. Highlighted below is SPRING, a successful social prescribing programme in Northamptonshire that helps people with long-term health conditions make lifestyle changes and improve their self-care habits. This improves their health outcomes and saves money for the NHS. The investment in SPRING is delivered through Bridges Outcomes Partnerships in the form of a social outcomes contract. Your capital is at risk, and most people should consult with their #financialadviser before investing. *I am a director and shareholder of the Trust. https://lnkd.in/eDFtGe99 #impactinvesting #socialimpact #socialprescribing #wealthmanagement Schroders James Lowe, CFA Hermina Popa, CFA Jeremy Rogers Katherine Dockreay Susannah Nicklin, CFA Alice Chapple Mike Balfour Ranjan Ramparia Lisa Ferris Emma Jones Cazenove Capital

103

3 Comments

This #FinancialFriday we look into the #ISA - Click play to see now. Quant Capital Markets | Your Trusted Partner | https://lnkd.in/d5UK84h | 020 3950 7343 | [email protected] #AlternativeInvestments #AlternativeInvesting #Investing #Investing101 #FinancialGoals #FinancialSuccess #FinancialFreedom #FinancialFuture #FinancialKnowledge #FinancialLiteracy #FinancialEducation #IFISA #QuantCapitalMarkets

7