Investors' Chronicle

The ceasefire, Africa and Senior: Companies and Markets Show

Investors' Chronicle

Show Notes

In this week’s show we discuss the temporary ceasefire in the Middle East – if it is really appropriate to call it that – and consider whether the announcement has done anything to lighten a global economic outlook that has looked increasingly gloomy for the past few weeks.

Investors have certainly priced in a fair amount of relief. We discuss if they are right to do so, and what happens next. Julian Hofmann has the details.

Our big read this week, meanwhile, is about a continent that could be particularly affected by the energy shock – Africa – albeit, as Chris Akers explains, it’s far from a monolithic bloc and there’s the potential for both winners and losers. Chris tells us about the UK companies that have set up in Africa and why the investment opportunities take in everything from resources to telecoms.

To finish, we delve into specialist engineer Senior, which feeds into many of the hot sectors of the moment, but it’s had a topsy turvy time of it in recent months. That has now culminated in a takeover approach – Mark Robinson discusses whether that represents good value for holders and whether a rival approach could emerge.

Read more here Ceasefire updates, Shell & Close Brothers: Markets live How investors can make the most of the Africa opportunity Senior backs £1.3bn private equity buyout

Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 01:15 US/Iran ceasefire 12:46 Africa 26:20 Senior

Listen to more podcasts from Investors’ Chronicle on Apple, Spotify and YouTube or by clicking here

Investors' Chronicle has supported private investors in the UK for over 160 years by highlighting rewarding investment opportunities.

Investors' Chronicle is a service by the Financial Times. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

More from Investors' Chronicle

Oct 23, 2026

This week, we return to our ultimate guide to Britain’s junior market, as we mark the release of Part Two of our Aim 100 Special Report.

Oct 16, 2026

Third-quarter earnings season (Q3) is under way and it’s taking place amid some renewed wobbles for AI and chip stocks.

Oct 9, 2026

This week’s episode marks the publication of the first half of our annual Aim 100 special report – our review of the biggest companies trading on London’s junior market.

Oct 2, 2026

This week’s episode begins by looking into Labour’s new ‘Your First Home’ scheme, a replacement for the controversial Help to Buy programme. Announced by Prime Minister Andy Burnham, it is designed to give more people a chance of buying their first property. But what does it actually entail? And will it succeed, or will it just prop up the housing market and housebuilders like its predecessor? Hugh Moorhead discusses the potential beneficiaries.

Sep 29, 2026

Lord John Lee and Alex Newman are back on the mics to get into the nitty-gritty of small-cap stocks, looking at software provider Pebble Beach Systems (PEB).

See all episodes →