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Jonthan Ruffer’s investment review of growth and gains

January 21, 2021

Somewhere in a cupboard, I have a set of eight contract notes dated 8 January 1975, when I invested—upwards of £100 per holding!—in a range of UK equities. Reader, I called the bottom of the market—a dangerous thing for a young man to do.

FB Roundup: Hyundai, Bacardi, Associated British Foods

January 15, 2021

Chung family driving Hyundai make $2 billion on Apple tie-up reports, Bacardi raises the bar on post-Covid ‘mindful drinking’ trend, Associated British Foods stares at $1.4 billion sales loss but rules out Primark e-commerce.

Chung family driving Hyundai make $2 billion on Apple tie-up reports

The Chung family in control of Hyundai became almost $2 billion better off when South Korean media reported the automaker was in early talks of a partnership with Apple, Inc.

Share prices in Hyundai Motor Co soared by up to 25% in Seoul last week, which boosted the family fortunes of Euisun Chung (picture), 50, chairman, and his father, Mong-Koo, 82. Together they hold about 8% of stock in the group, but maintain influence through complex governance arrangements.

FB Roundup: Associated British Foods, Red Bull, JCB

December 6, 2020

Second UK lockdown cost Weston family’s Primark $579 million in sales, Red Bull energises Yoovidhya family of inventor with $257 million payout, Lord Bamford gives JCB staff an extra holiday to mark 75th anniversary.

Second lockdown costs Weston family’s Primark $579 million in sales

The Weston family-controlled food and retail giant Associated British Foods estimates it lost £430 million ($579 million) in sales while its high street fashion retailer Primark was closed during the latest coronavirus lockdown.

You can’t tax your way out of this: Chancellor Sunak will need a Plan B

October 21, 2020

The coronavirus pandemic has hit public finances like a war. Across the world governments have scrambled to offset the economic and social impact of the virus. Huge, and necessary, rises in public spending have pushed government deficits to levels not seen since the two world wars of the 20th century.

The numbers are enormous: UK government debt now tops £2 trillion (1). whilst the US owes an eye watering $26 trillion (2). The picture is similar across Europe with many other countries also seeing debt/GDP ratios rising to over 100% (3).

Family offices urged to review inheritance tax affairs during coronavirus crisis

June 8, 2020

The UK tax authority’s suspension of its Inheritance Tax investigations during the coronavirus crisis gives family offices the opportunity to get their affairs in order, family lawyers say.

The UK tax authority’s suspension of its Inheritance Tax investigations during the coronavirus crisis gives family offices the opportunity to get their affairs in order, family lawyers say.

FB Roundup: Roche, Henkel, Europa-Park

May 15, 2020

UK joins global clamour for Roche coronavirus testing kits, Henkel quarter rocked by changing consumer demands, Mack family saves the summer season with Europa-Park re-opening.

UK joins global clamour for Roche coronavirus testing kits

The Swiss fourth-generation biotech Roche Group is in demand as the United Kingdom follows the European Union and the United States in approving its coronavirus antibody testing kits for mass use.

Art as collateral during the coronavirus crisis

May 6, 2020

Richard Branson has offered his home, Necker Island, as security to the UK Government, in the hope of obtaining a £500 million loan to support Virgin Atlantic through the coronavirus crisis. Many business owners, and other individuals, around the UK will need to source funding at this time, but may be unable or unwilling to mortgage their home. They may therefore be looking at what other forms of collateral they might offer to lenders.

FB Roundup: Walmart, Barbour, Grosvenor

April 22, 2020

Walton family’s Walmart hires 200,000 furloughed staff and pauses Asda sale, Barbour family switches production from clothing to personal protection equipment, Grosvenor Estate targets help at vulnerable businesses and families.

Walton family’s Walmart hires 200,000 furloughed staff and pauses Asda sale

Walmart, the world’s biggest family business, reached its goal of hiring 150,000 new employees by the end of May in less than a month and has pledged to hire an extra 50,000 staff as part of the US retailer’s response to the coronavirus crisis.

Increases in tax burden predicted as UK tax man targets family offices

March 2, 2020

Families are being advised to get their financial affairs in order and brace for an increase in tax bills following the revelation the UK’s tax authority set up a secret unit to probe family investment companies, specifically their use by the wealthy to avoid inheritance tax.

Families mull UK capital, assets and residencies in Brexit chaos

September 5, 2019

Business families of wealth are postponing their investments, considering moving their assets overseas and may even review their residencies as Britain’s turbulent exit from the European Union looms.