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The Crown Estate appoints Welsh entrepreneur to its board

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Michael Plaut has been appointed a commissioner

Michael Plaut

The Crown Estate has appointed Welsh entrepreneur Michael Plaut as a new commissioner to its board.

The Crown Estate, whose assets include the seabed, agricultural holdings and commercial property, has increased its number of commissioners from eight to 12 following the Crown Estate Act 2025 to reflect modern corporate governance.

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The legislation also gives the body, which is owned by the monarch, the ability to borrow against its asset base.

Mr Plaut started his career as an investment banker in London before returning to Wales to head up family business Northmace. He is also currently a non-executive director and member for Wales on the BBC board, as well as chairing the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama.

As a board member the former CBI Wales chair, will also be responsible for providing advice about the conditions, priorities and opportunities in Wales, including on existing and emerging policies relevant to the Crown Estate’s activities.

Ric Lewis, chair of the Crown Estate, said: “It’s fantastic to be welcoming Michael to the Crown Estate board. Michael’s depth of experience across business, public service and cultural institutions, combined with his deep connection to and understanding of Wales, will be a valuable addition to the board as we take forward our strategy in the years ahead.

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“Following the Crown Estate Act 2025, this appointment strengthens the board’s collective insight and ensures we continue to take full account of Welsh interests and conditions as we invest for long‑term value for the nation.”

Mr Plaut, who lives in Cardiff, said: “It’s a real privilege to join the Crown Estate board, and I’m excited by the opportunity ahead. I am particularly looking forward to bringing a strong understanding and insight of Wales into Board discussions, helping to make sure that Welsh interests, conditions and opportunities continue to be fully reflected as we take decisions for the long term.”

The recruitment of Mr Plaut, for a four-year term, was made in accordance with the code of practice published by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. Commissioners are appointed by the King following the recommendation of the Chancellor and the Prime Minister. Commissioners have an annual remuneration of £30,000 a year with a separate £5,000 fee for additional responsibilities.

Devolving the Crown Estate to Wales

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The new Plaid Cymru Welsh Government is calling for the Crown Estate to be devolved to Wales, as is the case in Scotland.

Since it was devolved to Scotland in 2017, aggregate profits generated by Crown Estate Scotland has provided a boost to the Scottish Government’s budget. In its last financial 2024/25 financial year Crown Estate Scotland posted its highest ever net profit of £130m which was distributed to the Scottish Government’s consolidation fund.

However, the UK Treasury is ramping up what it nets off the Scottish Government’s block grant to account for increasing profits it receives from Crown Estate Scotland. This amounts to £15m in the current financial year, but will reach £40m by 2028-29, after which it will remain flat and unindexed.

Any devolving of Crown Estate assets in Wales, which would require UK Government approval, would likely come with the same netting off mechanism.

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There are currently no figures for revenue and profits generated from the Crown Estate in Wales. They are consolidated into the overall accounts for the Crown Estate. However, some financial data is expected to be released later this year.

Crown Estate assets in Wales include renewable energy licences and development rights for offshore wind and tidal projects. It also leases seabed space for oil and gas pipelines, marine aggregates (used in construction) and the subsea cables and interconnectors that help manage electricity supply and carry intercontinental data traffic. It manages around 65% of the foreshore and tidal riverbed. On land it has around 50,000 acres of common land that is primarily rough pasture, used for grazing.

The Crown Estate (covering Wales, England and Northern Ireland) manages a diverse £16bn portfolio.

Last year’s legislation gave the Crown Estate the ability, subject to Treasury approval, to borrow against its asset base. The Scottish Government currently has no plans to seek powers for Crown Estate Scotland to borrow against assets. In its last financial year it had net assets of £809m. Crown Estate has net assets of £15bn at the end of its 2024/25 financial year.

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How much the Crown Estate will be able to borrow against assets, which would be used to support investment like helping to de-risk and fast track clean energy infrastructure, has yet to be determined. The legislation doesn’t specify an amount or fixed statutory percentage of the asset base. It is currently working with the Treasury to finalise a detailed framework that will govern how it would borrow in practice, including the relevant controls, approval process and financial parameters.

If the Crown Estate was devolved to Wales it would be prudent for the Welsh Government to also try and negotiate the ability to borrow against assets.

However, on a per capita basis, would the proceeds from borrowing against the Welsh Crown Estate assets be more beneficial for Wales? The Crown Estate’s lucrative property assets in the centre of London, which include Regent Street & St James’, have been valued at £7.1bn alone.

While not a reason to seek a devolving of the Crown Estate to Wales, on a per capita basis it could receive less for investment purposes from the proceeds of any borrowing against Welsh assets, than under the current England and Wales arrangement.

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That of course assumes that the distribution of any borrowing against assets by the Crown Estate is at least equitable to Wales – unlike the current under funding, going back decades, on non devolved rail enhancement investment.

As it stands the Welsh Government would be powerless to prevent an unfair allocation to Wales from Crown Estate borrowings against assets.

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Dow Jones| Nasdaq | US Stock Market Today | Live: S&P 500, Nasdaq futures edge higher as chip stocks regain footing

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Dow Jones| Nasdaq | US Stock Market Today | Live: S&P 500, Nasdaq futures edge higher as chip stocks regain footing
Marvell Technology shares climbed more than 7% in premarket trading on ​Monday after the chipmaker was ​set to join the benchmark S&P 500 at ​the end of June, in the latest boost to a stock that has surged recently.

Its shares have gained about 59% since May 27 after the company forecast its ‌custom-chip business ⁠would surpass $10 billion ⁠in revenue in fiscal 2029 and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang called Marvell the ​next “trillion-dollar company.”

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FIIs cut stakes in 16 largecap stocks over two quarters; shares fall up to 40% – Fund Outflow

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FIIs cut stakes in 16 largecap stocks over two quarters; shares fall up to 40% - Fund Outflow

Investors closely monitor FII activity, as foreign institutional investors typically enter markets only after extensive research. While it is important to observe where FIIs are increasing their exposure, their selling trends can be equally insightful. Among the BSE large-cap pack, FIIs have steadily reduced their stakes in about 106 large-cap companies over the past two quarters, December 2025 (October to December) and March 2026 (January to March).
Looking at stock performance over the last six months, the majority of these companies delivered negative returns. Notably, around 13 large-cap stocks fell between 25% and 40% during this period. On the other hand, three stocks still managed to rally over 40% despite continuous FII selling. (Data source: ACE Equity)

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Realty Income: As AI Euphoria Cools, Income May Shine Again

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REIT symbol. Real Estate Investment Trust, Real Estate Investment Trusts with miniature houses Investment concept. copy space, business background

Realty Income: As AI Euphoria Cools, Income May Shine Again

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General Mills sees household penetration improving for first time in three years

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General Mills sees household penetration improving for first time in three years

Investments in innovation, value starting to pay, COO says.

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PMGC Holdings rises on drone tech license deal

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PMGC Holdings rises on drone tech license deal

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Historic Swindon law firm moves from town centre offices

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Bevirs Law has had a presence in the town since 1910

L-R: Claire Webb, Peter Shah and Rececca Scammell of Bevirs Law

L-R: Claire Webb, Peter Shah and Rececca Scammell of Bevirs Law(Image: Bevirs Law)

One of Swindon’s oldest law firms is relocating from its town centre offices, it has announced. Bevirs Law, which has had a presence in the town since around 1910, has moved from Regent Circus to Newbridge Square.

The firm says the move will mean it has the capacity to expand its team and accommodate future growth.

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“The move provides the firm with a more suitable, modern environment designed around a layout aimed at fostering closer team collaboration and improved communication across the firm’s legal departments,” the company said.

Newbridge Square is based by the new bus boulevard interchange and the train station.

“Moving from Regent Circus to Newbridge Square marks an exciting new chapter,” said Bevirs Law partner Claire Webb, who led the relocation project.

“The new layout is already making a noticeable difference to how our team interact and collaborate on a daily basis. Just as importantly, this new space gives us the room to expand.”

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Bevirs Law was founded almost 150 years ago and is headquartered in Royal Wootton Bassett, with an office in Calne as well as Swindon.

There are 14 team staff based in the Swindon office across three departments: family care, private client and litigation. The firm is currently recruiting for its private client team, conveyancing team and commercial property team.

“Being situated right next to the new bus boulevard interchange and closer to the train station also means we are now in a highly accessible, central location that makes travelling to us much easier for our clients and staff alike,” added Ms Webb.

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Momentum Group Limited (MMTHF) Analyst/Investor Day Transcript

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OneWater Marine Inc. (ONEW) Q1 2026 Earnings Call Transcript

Rowan Burger

Good morning, everyone, and a very warm welcome to the Momentum Group Capital Markets Day 2026. My name is Rowan Burger. I’m Head of Strategic Finance, together with Mulalo Liphosa and [indiscernible], who are part of our Investor Relations team. And for those of you joining us online virtually, I’m very pleased to have you with us.

Please do participate online in the question session. Do not feel that you are not part of the occasion. And also, I’d like to extend a special welcome, not quite see all of them right now, but to our Africa chair people and the CEOs, they’re here to spend an Africa Chairperson’s Day with Jeanette tomorrow. So it’s nice for you to sort of spend some time with our investors and get to know a little bit more about the group.

Today, we have a very full program running from 9:00 this morning, a little bit after that until half past 4:00. We’ve designed this because we like you to interact with our executives. So with that in mind, we’ve tried to

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Radhika Gupta reveals India’s next 3 wealth creation themes & why SIFs are the investment product of the decade

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Radhika Gupta reveals India's next 3 wealth creation themes & why SIFs are the investment product of the decade
Radhika Gupta, MD and CEO of Edelweiss Mutual Fund, used her platform at the ET Alpha Summit to lay out a bold, long-term case for India, and to make a powerful argument for a new category of investment product that most retail investors are still waking up to. Talking to Kshitij Anand at the sidelines of the summit, Gupta talked about how financialisation of savings, defence and energy, and premium consumption are the structural trends that will define Indian wealth creation over the next 10 years.

Why Radhika Gupta is India’s biggest SIF bull

Specialised Investment Funds (SIFs) are designed to sit between mutual funds and portfolio management services, and Gupta, whose firm is currently the largest SIF manager in India, believes they solve a problem that no other product currently addresses well.
Her framework is simple. Every financial product succeeds only if it meets a genuine need. SIFs, she argues, deliver on three fronts: lower dependence on market beta, higher potential for alpha, and superior tax efficiency, a structure deliberately enabled by SEBI.

The real-world proof is in Edelweiss’s own launch. Their first SIF under the Altiva brand, designed to generate 9–10% pre-tax returns with capital gains efficiency over an 18 to 24-month horizon, is on track to become the fastest fund in the firm’s history to hit ₹5,000 crore in AUM.

“If you meet a need correctly, there is demand for it,” Gupta said. She added that she personally invested in the SIF for her own portfolio when she needed a two-year, low-equity-risk allocation, the strongest possible endorsement from a fund house CEO.

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India’s economic case remains intact

On the broader economy, Gupta is measured but constructive. India is a 6–8% real growth economy, translating to 10–12% nominal growth, still among the fastest-growing major economies globally, even accounting for geopolitical headwinds, oil price volatility, and tariff-related uncertainty.
Her long-term bull case rests on four pillars: favourable demographics, continued economic reforms, deepening financialisation of household savings, and Indian entrepreneurship. She cited research showing that replacing American CEOs of S&P 500 companies with Indian CEOs would statistically generate alpha, a proxy for the quality of Indian management talent globally.

The 3 sectors to watch over the next decade

Gupta named three structural themes she believes will drive wealth creation in India through the 2030s.

Financialisation of savings: India’s asset management, wealth management, and capital markets ecosystem is still in its early stages. Mutual fund penetration remains low relative to GDP, and the runway for growth is significant.

Defence and energy: India’s defence indigenisation push and rising power consumption are long-duration structural trends with decades of investment ahead.

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Premium and discretionary consumption: India has just 0.2 hotel rooms per thousand people against 15 in the US. Hospital beds stand at 0.4–0.5 per thousand, compared to 3–5 in developed markets. The gap between India’s aspiration and its infrastructure in tourism, healthcare, and experiential spending is enormous, and closing it will generate substantial wealth for investors positioned early.

A ₹600 crore revenue event from a single Coldplay concert in Ahmedabad, she noted, is a signal of where young India is heading.

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Starmer tells Apple and Google to ban nude images on children's phones

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Starmer tells Apple and Google to ban nude images on children's phones

Firms will be expected to activate built-in features to stop children accessing sexually explicit images.

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Buy or Sell the AI Semiconductor Test Giant?

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Teradyne TER Stock 2026 Outlook: Buy or Sell the AI

NEW YORK — Teradyne Inc. (NASDAQ: TER) has emerged as a key beneficiary of the artificial intelligence boom in 2026, with strong demand for its semiconductor test equipment driving revenue growth and positioning the company as a critical player in the advanced chip supply chain.

As of early June 2026, shares trade around $148 after a solid year-to-date performance. The stock has benefited from rising AI infrastructure spending and broader semiconductor recovery, though it has experienced volatility typical of the technology hardware sector amid shifting investor sentiment.

Teradyne reported robust first-quarter 2026 results, with revenue increasing significantly year-over-year, led by its Systems Test Group and Semiconductor Test divisions. The company highlighted strong orders for high-performance computing and AI-related test solutions, reflecting robust demand from major chipmakers expanding production of advanced processors.

Analysts maintain a generally positive outlook. Consensus ratings lean toward Moderate Buy, with average 12-month price targets suggesting modest upside from current levels. Some firms have raised targets citing Teradyne’s leadership in testing high-bandwidth memory and complex system-on-chip designs essential for AI applications. Optimistic forecasts point to continued growth as data center buildouts accelerate.

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The bullish case centers on secular tailwinds. Teradyne’s equipment is vital for ensuring quality and reliability in cutting-edge semiconductors used in AI training, autonomous vehicles and 5G infrastructure. As chip complexity increases, the need for sophisticated testing solutions grows, providing Teradyne with pricing power and sustained demand. The company’s diversification into robotics and industrial automation further supports long-term stability.

Management has expressed confidence in the outlook, emphasizing investments in next-generation test platforms and strategic acquisitions that enhance its technology portfolio. Strong free cash flow generation supports ongoing R&D, shareholder returns through dividends and potential share repurchases.

However, risks remain significant for potential buyers. The semiconductor industry is inherently cyclical, and any slowdown in AI spending or broader technology capex could pressure results. Competition from established players and emerging challengers adds execution risk. Valuation has expanded with recent gains, leaving limited margin for error if growth moderates.

For sellers or those on the sidelines, near-term uncertainty around global economic conditions and potential inventory corrections in the supply chain warrants caution. While fundamentals appear solid, elevated multiples reflect high expectations that could lead to volatility on any disappointing updates.

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Investment decisions in 2026 hinge on several factors. Sustained AI investment by hyperscalers and semiconductor foundries supports a constructive view. Teradyne’s exposure to automotive electronics and industrial markets provides additional diversification beyond pure AI plays. Strong balance sheet and operational discipline further bolster resilience.

Broader market context includes ongoing technology sector rotation and macroeconomic influences. Interest rate trajectories and geopolitical developments affecting supply chains remain key variables. Teradyne’s performance has shown positive correlation with AI-related names but with lower volatility than pure memory or processor manufacturers.

Analyst sentiment has improved with recent earnings beats and upward revisions to forecasts. Institutional ownership remains healthy, reflecting confidence among professional investors. The company’s ability to deliver on guidance and maintain market share in critical test segments will be closely monitored.

For growth-oriented investors comfortable with technology cyclicality, selective buying on weakness may appeal. Conservative portfolios might prefer smaller positions or waiting for clearer confirmation of sustained AI demand. Diversification across semiconductor subsectors or technology hardware can help manage company-specific risks.

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Teradyne’s long history of innovation in test and measurement positions it well for evolving industry needs. From traditional chip testing to advanced system-level solutions for AI and high-performance computing, the company continues adapting to technological shifts while maintaining strong profitability metrics.

As the year progresses, upcoming quarterly results and industry conferences will provide further insight into demand trends and competitive dynamics. Teradyne’s management team has a track record of prudent capital allocation and strategic foresight that supports long-term value creation.

Investors should weigh the compelling growth narrative against valuation and cyclical risks. Patient capital betting on continued AI expansion and semiconductor complexity may find current levels attractive, while others monitor for more favorable entry points during periods of market volatility.

Teradyne represents a high-quality play on the semiconductor ecosystem with particular strength in testing solutions essential for next-generation chips. Its diversified end-market exposure and technological leadership provide a solid foundation for navigating industry cycles while capitalizing on structural growth drivers.

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The coming quarters will test the company’s ability to convert strong demand into consistent execution while managing supply chain and competitive pressures. For those aligned with its thesis, Teradyne offers meaningful participation in the AI infrastructure buildout and broader technology advancement. Prudent risk management and ongoing fundamental analysis remain essential for any investment decision.

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