ChatGPT, a language model developed by OpenAI, has become incredibly popular over the past year due to its ability to generate human-like responses in a wide range of circumstances. So, how smart is ChatGPT? As usual, courtesy of Visual Capitalist.

I wrote earlier this year that I was going to buy some shares in the Carex, Childs Farm, Cussons Baby, Imperial Leather, Morning Fresh, Original Source, Premier, Sanctuary Spa and St. Tropez producer PZ Cussons (PZC). Judging by its third quarter update and the conference call I listened to on Thursday, it feels to me as if the FTSE 250 consumer company is making good progress.

I guess it depends how old you are whether brands such as Harpic, Vanish, Dettol and Finish have a lot more relevance for you than Durex or baby food ones, but at least the FTSE 100’s Reckitt (RKT) has a bunch of interesting global brands. I last loved the stock up just over four months ago and since then it has gone almost perfectly sideways. What are the group’s prospects like for 2023 (and beyond)?

Hello Share Smashers. One way of prizing out a bit more protection against disaster in these dodgy times is to put some of your dough into a trust which you respect. It’s rather like getting a second opinion. One of my favourite such businesses is City of London Investment Group (CLIG), which specialises in emerging markets.

I guess I have been a professional analyst and investor for the last twenty-six years, but obviously as a buy side and not a sell side operator. As I may have said before, I learnt early on that the more I could ignore brokers and do my own research, the better I would do. And that still remains my thought today as I still think, a bit like the academic world, the biggest risk is that you end up knowing more and more about less and less. And that brings us to today’s Q3 update from Reckitt Benckiser (RKT).

Did anything happen in UK politics over the weekend? Personally, I was not too surprised that “BoJo” decided not to play given everything that has happened in the last year or two, plus his upcoming Commons Privileges Committee investigation. Of course, he still fancies himself as a returning future prime minister later in the 2020s. My view about what is much more likely over the rest of this decade involves more debt, more tax and slower economic growth in an ageing population world but onto other matters.

Perhaps you are really smart with your investment choices and do your trades from the beach or a luxury yacht. By contrast, I am mostly sat in my study working and thinking. Still, it is less than ten years to go before I can access my pension fund and one stock choice that has helped out over the last week is Reckitt Benckiser (RKT), which I last loved-up a bit over six months ago HERE. So why has a CEO change been announced today?

Hello, Share Splashers. I think you might consider whether to buy shares in City of London Investment Group (CLIG). Why might this be a good idea?

Back in April I called the Imperial Leather, Cussons Baby, Cussons Kids, Carex, Original Source, Sanctuary Spa and St. Tropez seller PZ Cussons (PZC) a “bad day buy” below a 200 pence share price. I think we might have had a few of those year-to-date. But if you have bought some shares - like me - then you certainly have not made a fortune (yet) as the shares are basically 200p this morning. Still, it could be a lot worse…

Hello Share Takers. One of the safer ways to buy shares is to make a choice that depends on the success of a wide range of companies. And if you’re worried about the longer term effects of Covid on the British market, then there’s a case for buying into an investment group that invests in far-flung places. But you need to choose a venture that really moves with the times.

The 1980s was a great decade in many ways with the best music, best prime minister, massive new excitement about capitalism and much, much more. It was a great decade to be a teenager and learn about shares through reading the Daily Mail.

Hello Share Shufflers. There aren’t many investment outfits I entrust my dough to, but regular readers will know I’ve time for City of London Investment Group (CLIG). A big reason to support it is a very generous dividend policy, and now comes news of a special pay-out on top.

Have you ever had a can of Vimto? I do now and again and you can find it in most supermarkets here. Anyhow, the company behind the soft drink is Nichols (NICL), which itself was formed back in 1908 in the Scottish town of Shortridge (although now it is based in Newton-le-Willows, Merseyside). Today, sales are around 80% in the UK with the balance in the Middle East and (growing) in Africa. It is interesting to read today that full year 2021 profits are expected to be ahead of current market expectations, which is not too shabby given that, whilst UK sales were up 4.5%, elsewhere in the world growth was up over 36%.

I don’t suppose that anyone reading this is one of the 30,000 people who are apparently going to Glasgow at the start of next month for COP26. Naturally, I will be following many of the comments and trying to work out some of the implications – over time – for the investment world. And that brings me back to the ESG world.

Hello, Share Tremblers. Did you know that some graphs show that electricity and gas here costs about five times what they do in some European countries? That is in peak periods, although we normally pay twice as much. And there’s no doubt that British share values are being held back by the energy and fuel crises we’ve been going through. Thankfully though, there are some British share trusts which specialise in foreign companies.

I have been criticised before for using the phrase ‘emerging markets’ with the observation “so what are they emerging from then?”. And there was I thinking that a bit of ESG utilisation would have made everything okay… Anyhow, I came across an interesting graphic the other day, which hopefully the internal technical genius (i.e. Darren) can upload.

Back in late April I observed that the multinational consumer goods company Reckitt (RKT) saw ‘raised hygiene habits’ and hence had ‘confidence in long term growth’. This helped keep me positive about the share with a seventy-five quid share price target, equivalent to a fifteen percent share price appreciation potential even before you factor in a solid dividend yield. So what to make of today’s announcement that the company is to ‘sell its infant formula business in China for US$2.2 billion’?

Hello, Share Cats. Probably like yourself, I prefer to pick my own shares. But once in a while, an asset management group appeals to me. I’ve already recently brought a progress report on one of my two funds, BlackRock Greater Europe (BRGE). That has busted through another all-time high. My other such investment is the City of London Investment Group (CLIG). So how’s this one doing?…

Hello, Share Diggers. Recently, I suggested three shares which I thought might stand a better chance than most. One of the golden trio was City of London Investment Group (CLIG). Its latest half-year results are out, and are encouraging. The shares are up a bit as I write, but I’m not sure the penny’s still dropped yet...

Hello Share Twiners. It’s part of my service to you to update any of my selections which have broken through their last high points. And City of London Investment Group (CLIG) is one – as I write the share is up on a poor day. The old high was 460p and the new price is 7p better than that. Though the PE I have is still only 13...

I read somewhere in the last few days that the 2020s is going to be the 'decade of Asia' and you do not need an advanced degree in financial forecasting to work out why. Emerging markets investment is a common preference in the start of year strategic calls but, as I talked about here back in September, 'you buy (fund manager) Ashmore (ASHM) when emerging markets are out of favour...or you just buy emerging market assets for the very long haul'. Today's trading update from the company looks rather good…

Merry Christmas Share Smirkers, but I’m not really overjoyed at the prospects of the massive household goods supplier Unilever (ULVR). The company is truly huge and should withstand any big shocks, but sales are not rocketing...

Hello, Share Magnates. Given my general wariness of banks - even though I own quite a bit of High Street bank stock - I have not lately featured Standard Chartered (STAN). But, unlike the big four British banks, Standard Chartered has released some encouraging figures for the third quarter of this year...

The world’s financial system is more stretched, unstable, and dangerous than it was on the eve of the Lehman crisis, says the IMF...

Hello, Share Scramblers. As most share values slide at the moment, one of my commendations has happily hit a new high. City of London Investment Group (CLIG) does not concentrate in London but on the Far East. So I suppose it’s protected against growing uncertainties about Brexit...

There are only two ways to play the emerging markets: you are either in them for the longer haul or you trade them. I think a bit of both is appropriate, a sort of core and satellite approach. Ultimately there are lots of supportive big theme mega-trends (urbanisation, population, rise of a higher consumption middle class) but also lots of potential issues around dodgy governments, corruption and the natural volatility from anything that is 'emerging'…

Westminster Group (WSG) has announced results for the first half of 2019 emphasising “a significant move forward” and “we look forward to a strong full year performance significantly ahead of 2018”. The shares have not really responded though – currently remaining sub 10p…

A month or so ago, I noted that Reckitt Benckiser (RB.) was a 'lower £60s buy in anticipation of a share price beginning with a '7' plus some solid dividend wrap-around...and a call option on that full split potential'. The rationale for this was not just the company's range of top products (Vanish, Nurofen, Dettol, Durex, etc.) nor even just potential upcoming split or a recently announced management evolution which I think is overdue. It was also centred on the likely resolution of the company's legacy problems with its ex pharmaceutical unit Indivior (INDV)...

Hello, Share Twisters. It’s a good wheeze, methinks, to keep up reminders of a successful company if it continues to show potential. Even more so when general economic circumstances are in such a shaky state. So allow me to return to an old favourite: City of London Investment Group (CLIG)...

Hello, Share Tumblers. Allow me to return to an old favourite which seems to me to offer some degree of reassurance in a changing world. It’s a group which specialises in the fortunes of emerging markets and developing countries. We hear a lot about how such regions are on the up and investment in this outfit seems an easy way of getting in on it...

Hello, Share Rascals. For a change, let me steer away from my topical suggestions on which shares to buy and sell in the run-up to Christmas. Because there are still big companies which are not really affected by any Yule rush to buy. One of them is Unilever (ULVR).

In part one yesterday, I talked about some of the complexities around the FTSE 100 today...but finished the piece by promising some stock picks. Before I get into these I have to highlight Nigel's piece yesterday, which absolutely nails the opportunities around names such as BT Group (BT.A), Centrica (CNA) and ITV (ITV).

It is no huge surprise that today's set of numbers from PZ Cussons (PZC) are not the finest ever seen because it told us so forty days ago as I wrote up at the time HERE. Of course the actual publication of a set of full year numbers always provides further insights and information...but it is hard to sugar coat a 15% odd fall in profits, a nudging down of overall revenues, debt pushing out a bit and the c. 4% dividend yield only held.

Back in the dim and distant past, when the issue of the prevailing weather and the stock market came up the stock that would be uppermost in the minds of institutional fund managers was that consumer behemoth Unilever (ULVR) and its significant - and volatile - ice cream division. Unilever still does ice creams (Carte D'Or, Cornetto, Magnum, Solero, Twister, Choc Ice, Super Split, Fat Frog, Feast, Brunch, Viennetta...take your pick) and no doubt it is coining it in today on the hottest day of the year so far, but that is not as influential as it used to be.

Hello, Share Breakers. In recent times, I’ve suggested you might research a possible dabble in emerging markets. This is only easy to do - and safest - if you snaffle shares in companies which buy shares, bonds or both on your behalf.

Another busy week of UK corporate reporting. I could write about Ashtead (AHT) again but frankly I called it a take profits a quarter ago at twenty quid a share and in early trading today it is below this level again...and the CFO has decided to exit. The latter event all looks very orderly but the as good as it gets feeling lingers. I could also write about my old mucker DS Smith (SMDS).

Hello Share Scoopers. There's quite a bit of interest these days by we armchair tycoons in mining tiddlers. This is rather surprising, as many of us are still smarting from the beating this sector had over the last five years. Even gold has failed to become much more valuable, even at a time when the world economy has been - and still is - shaky.

Hello, Share Pilers. Even though you must be making dollops of money from shares, given the perky Footsie, some of you are still scrimping a few quid a month, by avoiding a life-saving subscription to this magnificent website. That makes no sense, as it will help you avoid making slips which could put you back to square one again.

Hello Share Totters. Every time I type Vodafone (VOD) my computer turns it into Voodo, which seems a bit unfair. Vodafone is not cursed and, in fact, is doing a bit better than the market expected.

Hello Share Troggers. A share I’ve oft commended to you on this legendary website, and occasionally disparaged, has published a trading report for its year ended in June. And it tempts me to buy a few more shares.

Hello Share Swiggers. As I write this, the share I love is once again putting on more value. However, City of London Investment Group (CLIG) can sometimes be in the opposite camp.

This morning saw me reflecting on what may turn out to have been a lost opportunity with Argo (ARGO), an apparent value opportunity which I turned down some months ago. The shares up 25% today after the publication of interim results!

Ashmore’s (ASHM) final results were announced this morning. They look pretty good to me, so I'm staying bullish!

One of the dirty little secrets in the investment world is that fund management companies – and the very occasional spread betting company – can turn out to be fabulous investments. Investors can often do a lot better by buying shares in these companies than by using their products. In that spirit, let’s have a brief look at Ashmore (ASHM), which is set to release full-year earnings on Tuesday.

You would have thought I had learnt my lesson on the temporary power market following the disastrous APR Energy ‘excitements’ of a year plus ago. Perhaps I feel emboldened because the ultimate takeover of the company by a do-gooding consortium bailed me out on the name and added a touch of profit to boot. Alternatively I feel a touch of unfinished business on Aggreko (AGK) after calling the stock interesting when it exited the FTSE-100 fifteen months ago and it has quietly been one of the stars of my portfolio year-to-date. At least until today.

Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Corporation (CCH) is one of the least-watched FTSE-100 components going (despite the valiant efforts of Chris Bailey on this website). But if it is anything like its parent, it is the sort of stock which long-term retirement portfolios are made of. Yesterday’s trading update gives us no reason to doubt that this is one to keep on the watchlist.

Hello Share Thrashers. I know a few of you did your research after I brought the City of London Investment Group (CLIG) to your notice. And I know one or two of you dipped your toes in the water.

Hello Share Pushers. Let's return to the City of London Investment Group (CLIG). Since I last brought this dynamic company to your attention the shares have been putting on steady value, given the odd minor glitch along the way.

Hello Share Polishers: The City of London Investment Group (CLIG) handles investment funds not just in the capital of the Britain, but in various 'emerging' parts of the world.

Hello Share Twiddlers: Let's have another look at the City of London Investment Group (CLIG). I've brought them to your attention before, but they've rocketed ahead quite nicely since then. Despite their name, they are not concerned with buying up London properties to make capital gains or rent out homes, offices and shops. This is a pity, as they would, given the present price boom in the capital, be doing even better than they are now.