[ad_1] Image source: Getty Images UK shares have outperformed the S&P 500 so far this year. Sadly, that’s not quite as impressive as it should be. The US index has slumped around 12% in 2025, as Donald Trump’s tariffs have spooked investors. All the FTSE 100 has done, meanwhile, is tread water. But given the market turmoil elsewhere, that’s pretty impressive. Despite all that, UK shares still appear attractively priced to me. The FTSE 100 trades on a price-to-earnings ratio of around 16, almost bang in line with its long-term average. That’s roughly half the valuation of the S&P 500,…
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[ad_1] Image source: Getty Images Top banks and other research firms regularly have analysts put out their stock forecasts for companies in the FTSE 100. Even though these shouldn’t be taken as gospel, they can provide a good barometer for what the experts are thinking. So when I saw an updated forecast for the Barclays (LSE:BARC) share price, it caught my eye. A strong view from Wall Street Goldman Sachs analyst Chris Hallam issued the buy recommendation. He has set a target price for the coming year of 340p. For comparison, the share price is currently 277p. This means Hallam…
[ad_1] President Donald Trump said Tuesday he has no intention of firing Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, despite wishing the Fed would cut interest rates.Trump, who has feuded with Powell for years, told reporters at the White House: “I have no intention of firing him. I would like to see him be a little more active in terms of his idea to lower interest rates.””This is a perfect time to lower interest rates. If he doesn’t, is it the end? No, it’s not. But it would be good timing,” he said, adding that Powell could have lowered rates even earlier.White…
[ad_1] Image source: Getty Images The share price of sustainable investment firm Impax Asset Management (LSE: IPX) has taken a big hit recently. As a result, the stock now sports a dividend yield of around 20%. Is this an amazing opportunity for income hunters? Or are we looking at a classic ‘yield trap’? Let’s discuss. Ex-super stock A few years ago, I was quite bullish on Impax shares. At the time, interest in sustainable investment strategies was booming and this niche asset manager was having a lot of success. Its share price was flying too. Back in late 2021, the…
[ad_1] Image source: Getty Images £10,000 invested in the FTSE 100’s British American Tobacco (LSE: BATS) a year ago would be worth much more today. That amount would have bought an investor 423 shares in the firm at the 23 April 2024 opening price of £23.60. At today’s opening price of £31.99, these are valued at £13,531 – a profit of £3,531 on the share price alone. However, the stock has also been one of the most reliable dividend payers in the top-tier index for several years. From 23 April 2024 to today, it has handed an additional 236p per…
[ad_1] Image source: Getty Images Investors with £20,000 in a Stocks and Shares ISA have many ways to build a second income. Here’s one imagined ISA portfolio to consider that could deliver a large and lasting passive income. 7 high-yield heroes Dividend shareSectorDividend yieldHSBC (LSE:HSBA)Banking6.5%Legal & GeneralFinancial services8.8%VodafoneTelecommunications6.2%Bluefield Solar Income FundRenewable energy9.3%M&GFinancial services10.5%Pennon GroupUtilities5.9%Taylor WimpeyConstruction8.5% The portfolio is loaded with high-yield shares that — if broker forecasts prove correct — could provide an above-average second income. And with diversification across both defensive and cyclical sectors, it can provide stability during economic downturns and the potential for dividend growth over the…
[ad_1] Image source: Getty Images Thanks to a more recent price jump, someone who bought NatWest (LSE:NWG) shares 10 years ago would now finally be sitting on some capital gains. A strong rise over the past 12 months means the shares now trade at 458.7p, up from 310.5p a decade ago. This means someone who invested £10,000 in the FTSE 100 bank in late April 2015 would have seen the value of their investment grow to £14,770. The returns are even better when factoring in dividends. With cash rewards totalling 93.8p per share in that time, the high street bank…
[ad_1] Image source: Getty Images The FTSE 100 achieved its strongest run in over two years this week, posting its seventh consecutive day of gains on Tuesday. This momentum recovered losses from earlier in the month, bringing the index up 1% year-to-date (YTD). The move suggests renewed investor confidence after a long period of cautious sentiment. What’s driving the rally? A key factor behind the FTSE’s recovery has been the easing of global trade tensions. Markets were rattled earlier this month by the announcement of US trade tariffs on the UK — but recent statements from Washington suggest a softer…
[ad_1] Image source: Getty Images Ferrexpo (LSE: FXPO), the FTSE 250 iron ore producer, has seen its share price collapse by over 53% so far in 2024. An ongoing suspension of VAT refunds in Ukraine — it’s key operating region — has threatened its liquidity. Subsequently, it’s been forced to reduce its production by 25%. The share price tumbled in March after it announced a surprise loss in its final results for 2024. Yet despite the steep fall, the company’s underlying performance has not been as dire as the market reaction might suggest. The question for investors now is whether…
[ad_1] As a value/dividend investor, I have a particular passion for passive income. Who doesn’t like unearned income rolling in with little effort, right? However, accruing enough assets to generate sizeable passive income can take decades. I began investing in 1986-87; my wife started in 1989. Back then, I had a mane of hair and no financial assets. Nowadays, my head resembles an egg, but I have more wealth. Building wealth After nearly four decades of investing, I have many financial lessons to share. Here are five key points: 1. Start early — the earlier one starts saving and investing,…