Does this ‘SuperDividend` ETF make sense?
Exchange traded funds (ETFs) have become a major player in the investment world, with global inflows reaching $5.2tn in the first half of this decade. By the end of 2024, the ETF asset pile had grown to $14.6tn, rapidly approaching the $50tn mutual fund market. In comparison, mutual funds only pulled in $3.2tn in the […]
Could London’s revival come on the back of dual-listing structures?
A little over a year ago, a new standalone category was created on the Official List for companies with a primary listing on a non-UK market and/or those incorporated outside the UK. The ‘equity shares (international commercial companies secondary listing)’ category was established to cater to overseas businesses facing challenges in meeting certain requirements in […]
Growing tax resistance threatens Reeves’ strategy
Rachel Reeves’ Second Budget: A Deep Fiscal Challenge Ahead Rachel Reeves has set the date for her second Budget, scheduled for the end of November, more than a year after her first. This delay highlights the significant fiscal challenge she is facing. Despite assurances from the chancellor that there would be no additional tax increases […]
Why sterling and gilts are sending different signals
The headlines in September have brought us back to reality after the summer break, with UK long-term borrowing costs soaring to the highest levels since the 1990s. This has made the economy seem almost uninvestable. However, amidst this turmoil, the pound is currently sitting at $1.36 against the dollar, which is up from a year […]
Autumn brings difficult decisions – Investors’ Chronicle
Investors’ Chronicle readers have had a sense of déjà vu this summer, with economic concerns looming ahead of the autumn Budget. Despite this, the stock market has continued its upward trend, with shares in the US and UK performing particularly well. Other major equity markets have also seen solid gains in recent months. The old […]
How to win at investing by being mediocre
Investors in the UK have reason to be optimistic about the performance of both stocks and bonds in 2025. Despite a brief sell-off in April, UK stocks have shown resilience with a total return of 7.6% so far this year. This consistent performance has resulted in a three-year annualised return of 8%, making it another […]
What’s going on with UK house prices?
The current house price data is causing quite a stir, with conflicting reports from different sources. According to Rightmove, there was a slight monthly increase of 0.6 per cent in May, resulting in a 1.2 per cent rise compared to last year. However, Nationwide paints a more positive picture, reporting a 3.5 per cent annual […]
Are private equity returns misleading or superhuman?
Last month, a remarkable performance took place at a local Parkrun event that went largely unnoticed by the mainstream media. Ben White, a 90-94 category runner, clocked in with a time of 26:47 for the 5km race, placing 261 out of 569 finishers. Despite not making it to the podium, White’s time was nearly three […]
First tariffs, now taxes – the market remains complacent
After two months since ‘liberation day’, the market is now facing another economic surprise with Donald Trump’s budget bill. The bill, which passed the House of Representatives at the end of last month, aims to extend the administration’s attack on overseas investors. Section 899 of the bill is causing concern as it seeks to impose […]
Why Diploma is locked into a cycle of high pay
Evaluating Johnny Thomson’s Pay Package at Diploma When Johnny Thomson took on the role of chief executive at Diploma in February 2019, eyebrows were raised at the generous pay package he was offered. Despite joining the group halfway through the financial year, Thomson was promised a full year’s bonus and a salary of £670,000, which […]