Brexit panic is good news for bargain hunters

published 15 February 2019

A professional investor tells us where he'd put his money. This week: William Meadon of the JP Morgan Claverhouse Investment Trust picks three favourites.

There is a great deal of uncertainty surrounding the British economy and stockmarket. But despite all the doom and gloom, the economy is in better shape than many realise. Indeed, in stark contrast to the horror stories and negative headlines, what we're seeing on the ground, at the company level, are a number of bright spots. It's easy to miss these opportunities if you don't tune out the Brexit-related noise.

JPMorgan Claverhouse aims to provide both capital and income growth for its shareholders by investing in a portfolio of 60 to 80 quoted British equities: reasonably valued quality companies with improving prospects. The fund has just announced its 46th consecutive annual dividend increase, the longest of any UK-only investment trust quoted on the London Stock Exchange.

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The housing gloom has gone too far

What's more, the Help-to-Buy programme is making house purchases more accessible and, if the scheme finishes as planned in 2023, there should be an increasing number of people taking advantage of it in the coming years. We particularly like Barratt Developments (LSE:BDEV) thanks to its strategy of focusing on areas outside London, where there is less concentrated Brexit risk and, consequently, lower house-price volatility. Barratt's management are experienced, astute operators and although the 8% dividend yield on the shares includes some special payments, even in the absence of these the shares looks attractive.

New managers will boost Glaxo

GlaxoSmithKline (LSE:GSK)

However, a change in management should gradually improve the reputation of the company. In the meantime, investors are being paid generously to wait through the quarterly payment of a dividend currently worth more than 5% of the share price. Furthermore, the recent joint venture with Pfizer's consumer health business highlights the strategic choices available to the company and the management's ability to exploit them.