Following the onset of the banking crisis, several areas of the global financial markets have ceased to function properly. This is damaging to enterprise, commerce and our economies.
Our aim at Blackthorn Focus is to identify the origins of these malfunctions and suggest remedies.
David O'Hara, Founder of Blackthorn Focus, has opened a government e-petition, demanding an end to the ban on private investors holding AIM-listed shares in Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs).
Mr O'Hara said:
"For too long the Treasury has not allowed private investors to shelter their AIM stocks from taxation. This creates additional complication to the ISA rules and denies investors the opportunity to invest in some of the UK's best growth businesses without running into the tax man.
The ban is obtuse, absurd and an anachronism. Following the abolition of taper-relief I see no reason for this ban to remain. The ban undermines liquidity in the UK smallcap arena, effectively holding back the value of some of Britain's best small and medium enterprises. The ban does no favours to anybody, it is time it went."
The government e-petition can be signed here:
http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/16111
signatories' identification details are kept private by the government and their names are not visible to anyone but the government e-petitions staff.
aimZine, the online magazine for the AIM community, today features an article by Blackthorn Focus' Founder, David O'Hara.
This feature contained a summary of the performance of the two Blackthorn Focus AIM indices GROWTHfocus and INCOMEfocus.
"When I first constructed these indices one year ago I never imagined just how significantly they would go on to outperform the AIM market as a whole" said Mr O'Hara. "This demonstrates something I have long believed to be the case — there are a considerable number of high quality companies on AIM that can deliver enhanced returns with lower volatility."
David O'Hara, Founder of Blackthorn Focus, appears in the most recent episode of The Wise Monkeys, the popular internet webcast sponsored by Selftrade.
In a wide-ranging 15 minute video covering equity investment opportunities, Mr O'Hara discusses the dynamics of commodity investment and the performance of the Blackthorn Focus AIM indices: GROWTHfocus and INCOMEfocus.
"I'm very grateful to David Stevenson for his invitation to join the panel of The Wise Monkeys" said Mr O'Hara. "This was a great opportunity to not only highlight the success of GROWTHfocus and INCOMEfocus but also some of the most successful companies on the Alternative Investment Market. I look forward to collaborating with The Wise Monkeys in the future."
The webcast, episode 87 of the series, can be viewed here.
finnCap, the independent corporate broker, are partnering with Blackthorn Focus and BDO at NEDucation 2011, the one-day conference for non-executive directors of UK-listed companies.
NEDucation 2011 takes place on October 14th at BDO's Baker Street offices and is a full day of presentations and informative discussions for non-executive directors of UK-listed companies.
David O'Hara, Founder of Blackthorn Focus said:
"Since its formation, finnCap's development has been one of the most notable stories in the corporate advice arena. I look forward to hearing from finnCap CEO Sam Smith and her team at NEDucation 2011. The quality of advice and support finnCap deliver has proved immensely popular with finnCap's client base, NEDucation delegates will no doubt place a high value on hearing their insights."
In addition, Jon Moulton, Chairman of Better Capital and Non-Executive Chairman of finnCap will be making the keynote speech at NEDucation 2011.
"Jon's reputation and standing in the market are exemplary" said Mr O'Hara. "His perspective and experience are most welcome and I thank him for joining the NEDucation 2011 programme."
BDO, the world's fifth largest accountancy organisation, will be hosting the Blackthorn Focus event NEDucation 2011 at their Baker Street offices on October 14th.
NEDucation is a one-day training event for non-executive directors of UK-listed companies. This will be the second time Blackthorn Focus has produced NEDucation, following 2010's June event.
"It is vital that today's non-executive directors understand developments in legislation, regulation and market practice" said David O'Hara, Founder of Blackthorn Focus. "BDO's support for this event is very welcome. I look forward to announcing further partnerships ahead of October 14th."
aimZine, the online magazine for the AIM community, today published an article by David O'Hara, Founder of Blackthorn Focus.
The article featured contributions from the leading women in the UK's smallcap arena.
"There are a number of women at the very top in and around AIM", said Mr O'Hara. "This was a great opportunity to hear from them and better understand what draws professionals to London's dynamic junior market".
aimZine, the online magazine for the AIM community, this month features an article by David O'Hara, Founder of Blackthorn Focus.
The article covers the performance of the Blackthorn Focus AIM indices GROWTHfocus and INCOMEfocus.
The quarterly reconstitution of the indices sees First Derivatives and H&T Group join INCOMEfocus, while Eros International, Hutchison China MediTech, Nichols, Brooks Macdonald and Advanced Medical Solutions join GROWTHfocus.
"The performance of these two indices since their incorporation has been remarkable" said Mr O'Hara. "There are a large number of high quality AIM companies out there and the returns reported in aimZine demonstrate how well investors can do by backing them."
GROWTHfocus and INCOMEfocus, the indices of AIM companies that have been growing sales and dividends respectively, have undergone their latest quarterly reconstitution.
"This quarterly rebalancing again demonstrates the appeal of growing AIM companies." said David O'Hara, Founder of Blackthorn Focus. "One company, Toluna, leaves the GROWTHfocus index following a buyout, while at another, Education Development International, a takeover is imminent. The popularity of the companies in these indices is reflected in the index performance. Both GROWTHfocus and INCOMEfocus have materially outperformed the AIM All-Share index in the nine months since inception."
David O'Hara, Founder of Blackthorn Focus, appears in this month's edition of aimZine, the online magazine for the AIM community.
"Recent experiences have highlighted the fragmentation of trade reporting on AIM" says Mr O'Hara. "This has made it more difficult for the investment community to properly assess the liquidity of AIM securities. I look forward to seeing how this develops as AIM continues to mature."
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