Author: Ben Hobson

Share prices on London’s Alternative Investment Market (AIM) have come under huge pressure over the past 18 months. But dividends from AIM stocks actually hit a record high in 2022. So what do these mixed signals really mean, and where can you find the best dividends on AIM? I am going to start this article […]

In this week’s Market Moves, Ben takes a look at some of the biggest winners and sector trends over the past week, including a dramatic price surge in the US tech sector (and encouraging moves in UK tech shares) plus a look-ahead to a quieter week of financial results and updates. Semiconductor specialist Alphawave IP (now Alphawave […]

In the third part of this series about avoiding investment mistakes, Ben looks at some of the reasons why companies disappoint investors – and the red flags that can help you avoid them. When it comes to navigating your way through the stock market, there are plenty of factors that can lead you astray. Psychology […]

In this week’s Market Moves, Ben takes a look at some of the biggest winners and sector trends over the past week, including a look at the performance of gold and gold shares, plus a look ahead to another big week of financial results and updates. Despite the market drifting sideways and a sense of […]

In the second part of this series about avoiding investment mistakes, Ben looks at how influences from the outside world can ruin the best investing plans, and what you can do about it. When it comes to sensible stock selection, careful portfolio management and navigating the ups and downs of markets with aplomb, we really […]

In this week’s Market Moves, Ben takes a look at some of the biggest winners and sector trends over the past week, including significant moves in travel and leisure stocks, plus a look ahead to a bumper week of financial results and updates. Among mid and large-cap stocks, pubs group Mitchells & Butlers was the […]

In the first of a multi-part series on avoiding investment mistakes, Ben looks at how our own emotions and behaviour can lead to poor decisions, and what we can do about it. When it comes to making good decisions, psychologists have found that investing is a field where humans are surprisingly bad at doing the […]

In this week’s Market Moves, Ben takes a look at some of the biggest winners and sector trends over the past week, including consumer discretionary shares and housebuilders, plus upcoming financial results for the week ahead. Shares in the Consumer Discretionary industry have had a very mixed 18 months. As one of the most economically-sensitive business […]

Company dividends appeal to investors for a variety of reasons. Not only are they an important source of investment returns, but they can also tell you a lot about the quality of a business, especially when its payouts are growing. _______________________ High inflation and rising rates have conspired to hamper equity returns over the past […]

In this week’s Market Moves, Ben takes a look at some of the biggest winners and sector trends over the past week, as well as upcoming financial results for the week ahead. Towards the end of last week, it seemed increasingly likely that another US regional bank – this time First Republic Bank (NYSE: FRC) – […]

A major shift in the market cycle has forced investors to think more defensively over the past 18 months. But with expectations of a recovery on the horizon, where can you look for some of the early winners when markets rebound? _________________ When markets began to slide in early 2022, it was an acknowledgement that […]

With inflation proving stickier than hoped, the pressure on company profits remains. This week Ben looks at how shares in good quality defensive shares could help protect your portfolio. News this week that double-digit inflation in the UK is proving to be frustratingly sticky is a conundrum for investors. After the inflation-induced pressure on share […]

In this week’s view of the market, Ben takes a look at fund manager performance, the earnings outlook, sector momentum, one-year share winners and upcoming financial results for the week ahead. Last year was a difficult one for private investors, so in a way, it’s reassuring to hear that many professionals had a hard time […]

Does high risk really mean high reward, or can lower volatility actually generate a better return? Ben Hobson explores the low volatility anomaly. An age-old truism of stock market investing is that with great risks come great returns. You don’t have to look far to find investors putting their capital at risk in the hope of […]

Ben Hobson takes a look at market moves this week, including the highest risers, director and City dealing and upcoming results. I’ve got a bit of a soft spot for seasonal stock market anomalies. Making connections between price trends and the calendar has always been a popular pastime for some. And despite the acres of […]

Attractive dividend yields are a magnet to many investors, but they come with risks. Ben Hobson explores a strategy for finding high yields without falling into a trap. Company dividends can play a part in just about any investment strategy. Not only are they a source of cash returns for income investors, but they can […]

Technology and healthcare shares experienced very mixed returns last year. But is it time for investors to change their expectations for these sectors? Ben Hobson explores what might lie ahead.    Twelve months of turmoil made 2022 a year to forget for many investors. But one trend that deserves to live long in the memory […]