Global stock market indices are widely used benchmarks and also form the core of a huge and growing range of exchange-traded funds. But what are the differences between these various indices? Taking that idea of global equities in one fund, Wisdom Tree has just issued what I think is a cracking one-fund solution, an ETF
A look at whether rising Natural Gas prices might threaten the market rally, and whether renewables might help offset the pain. Companies mentioned NESF, TAM, TRU and MTEC. The FTSE 100 was up +2.3% last week to 8,294, helped by a weak pound. The pound has fallen -6% from 1.34 against the dollar to 1.26
You’ve probably seen Jaguar’s new rebrand, which looks similar to a cosmetic or a fashion ad, without any mention of cars, and some vague slogans which mean little to anyone. Marketers worldwide have crowed about how “Jaguar has destroyed its brand” and that this is financial suicide. Maybe. But they missed the point. Jaguar barely
Only two companies pass Richard’s minimum quality filter. Luckily Associated British Foods and Softcat both pass the 5 Strikes test. It’s been a thin fortnight for my 5 Strikes system since I last updated you. Only two of the 16 companies that published annual reports passed my minimum quality filter, which is a pretty low
There are two approaches to trading: discretionary and systematic. The former relies on the trader’s judgement to make decisions, whilst systematic follows a set of predefined rules. Both of these have merits and drawbacks, and it’s not untypical for traders to look down upon the other group as inferior. Which, given we’ve had the budget
Phil looks at the state of the US stock market following the presidential election and the reasons why it might continue to boom and why it might not. Even if you don’t invest in US shares, what happens on Wall Street has a big say in how UK shares will perform. A high-flying US stock
A look at how different asset classes have responded to the US election result, and whether there might be some inconsistent thinking therein. Companies covered: ZTF, TCAP and SFOR, plus a brief look at the AQX bid approach. The FTSE 100 was down around -0.5% last week to 8,125. In the US, the Nasdaq100
Wynnstay has paid an increased dividend every year since 2004 yet its shares trade nearly 40% below net tangible assets. Maynard Paton weighs up whether the agricultural supplier is a value bargain or a value trap. I am back again looking for ‘value bargains’ and revisiting a screen that identifies companies trading at less than
Richard presents the latest companies to make it through his 5 Strikes process. Volution, a manufacturer of extractor fans and more sophisticated ventilation systems achieved only one strike, making it a prime candidate for research. Since my last update, five companies have published annual reports and passed my minimum quality filter. Having briefly scrutinised their
In this month’s Funds Focus, David Stevenson looks at a recent report on the consolidation of investment trusts which has some quite revealing headline numbers. Plus he casts his eye over CLO & Charteris Funds and Equal Weight ETFs. We also ask whether it’s time to switch out of Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) that track
After rival house builder Bellway decided not to buy Crest Nicholson, Phil asks whether the shares have been treated too harshly by the market or if investors should stay clear of them. Source: Crest Nicholson It’s been a rough few years for house-building companies. COVID-19 badly disrupted their businesses while government subsidies and low borrowing
A look at the movements at the long end of the government bond yield curve, and the implications for equity investors. Companies covered GBG, CER and PCIP. The FTSE 100 was down -1% last week to 8,223. The Nasdaq100 was flat, while the S&P500 was down -1%. The price of palladium was up +9% last
