UK 03:35 Saturday, 26 September 2026
Breaking news and expert analysis on fast-moving AIM and LSE listed shares
Hello Share Sippers. This old punter was sent a car insurance renewal that’s 50% up on last year. Ouch! Of course, I delved into a comparison site and got it a lot cheaper somewhere else. But it’s a sign that motor insurance is much costlier than it was. I was told that one reason is the increasing cost of repairs, especially paint. But I also wonder if it’s because insurance companies are after more profit. That would make the insurance game more attractive to investors.
Hello Share Eaters. This happy old punter has high hopes of most financial companies. But if I held shares in any insurance companies I would consider dumping them. Here’s why.
Hello, Share Shapers. It’s likely that in times of trouble, insurance companies are as safe a bet as any big company. That’s because when people become nervous of the future, they insure their lives and property more energetically. And you cannot get more uncertain than the on/off menace of Covid-19.
Hello Share Shiners. You may have gleaned from past writings that I’m a fan of most insurance companies. There’s no doubting that this is a time of all sorts of increasing risks. From Covid effects to storms and floods caused by climate change. In such unhappy environments, more people turn to the protection of the big insurers. And although I’ve not invested yet, Admiral Group (ADM) seems to me one of the better bets.
Too many years ago to remember my most influential old boss gave me the nugget of investment advice that 'there is nothing more complex than an insurance company'. Broadly I have shared such sympathies over the resulting time period and it has probably saved me more times than it has hindered me. However in the light of this week's esure (ESUR) takeover by Bain Capital, I thought I would have a quick look at Admiral (ADM), which reported first half numbers today.
Hello Share Tusslers. For some time now, I’ve been commending insurance companies to your further examination. Legal & General (LGEN) and the RSA (RSA) have both improved since then.
Hello Share Twizzlers. When the chance of quick gains from shares in Footsie giants becomes less likely, the smarter investor starts to eye up companies which pay reliable dividends.
Despite the above average gambling aspect of its unusual business model and payout policy, my instinct is to add the shares to my 'shares for buying list', on the limited ground (not too hasty I trust) of first quarter trading; the explicit confirmation of continuing financial strength and an estimated ‘super normal’ prospective dividend yield of 6.9%.
There is something of the Sound of Music about the Admiral Group (ADM) dividend yield; pleasing but too good to be true?
