Image source: Getty Images Prudential’s (LSE: PRU) share price has dipped 7% in the past three weeks following a strong bullish run since January. I think part of this came from profit-taking after the spirited run-up in price. Another part resulted from US President Donald Trump’s 10 October announcement of a further 100% in tariffs on China. Since the 2021 demerger of its US business, Prudential has focused on Asia and Africa. That said, as with Trump’s previous tariff announcements, this one could be subject to change, following negotiation. Consequently, Prudential may currently be a short-term risk/long-term reward play. The…
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Image source: Getty Images 2025’s been a fantastic year for the Lloyds share price. The banking giant’s seen its market-cap rise almost 55%, pushing the shares to their highest point since the 2008 financial crisis. By comparison, the FTSE 100‘s only up around 14% over the same period. In large part, this market outperformance stems from higher interest rates. With lending margins widening significantly, the bank’s earnings have surged, resulting in superior investor sentiment and analyst outlook. And yet, there’s another UK bank stock that’s doing even better. Until recently, Close Brothers (LSE:CBG) has been a bit of a disaster.…
Image source: Getty Images The share price of FTSE 100 military contractor Babcock International Group (LSE:BAB) has had a terrible few weeks. On nine of the 12 trading days to 16 October, it’s fallen. And at the time of writing (mid-morning 17 October), the stock’s having another bad day. The group’s now worth nearly 15% less than it was at the start of the month. What’s caused this drop? Well, I think it’s more than a coincidence that — on 30 September — President Trump announced that Israel and Hamas “have signed off on the first phase” of a 20-point…
Image source: Getty Images The Nvidia share price has dominated in recent years, surging by over 1,200% since October 2020. But with so much growth now under its belt, this explosive performance has started to moderate. In 2025, the semiconductor shares are only up by around 30%. That’s still impressive, but it’s a far cry from its historical performance. Luckily for UK growth investors, there are countless other opportunities left to explore. And one business that’s been grabbing a lot of attention lately is Carclo (LSE:CAR). Since January, the penny stocks surged 180% – transforming a £1,000 initial investment into…
Image source: Getty Images At the moment (17 October), to get into the FTSE 250, a company needs to have a stock market valuation of at least £413m. One company that hopes to get there soon is Saga (LSE:SAGA), the over-50s travel and insurance specialist. If it could lift its share price by around 7%, a return to the UK’s second-tier of listed companies might be on the cards. A long story But the group’s share price has been volatile. Aside from the pandemic — when its cruise ship business was badly hit — a look back over the past…
As cities around the world struggle with the immense challenges of the 21st century, it is vital we have leaders in place willing and able to break through the noise, anger and mistrust, and facilitate social structures to ensure even the most under-represented in cities have an opportunity to thrive. The mindset of the 20th century – to forge ahead with little consideration for how many people may be forgotten in the name of progress and innovation — was a failed experiment, apparent as we see every corner of the planet grappling with a new and uncertain future.The cities of…
Image source: National Grid plc There’s growing chatter in stock market circles about when the Bank of England (BoE) might finally resume cutting interest rates. Despite edging closer to target levels, inflation remains higher than expected after a few rises, prompting tougher action to reduce it. The BoE has hinted that further rate reductions could occur next year if inflation is under control. However, policymakers remain cautious, wary of cutting too quickly and risking another inflation flare-up. Wage growth and global oil prices are two key factors that could delay the decision. On the other hand, if the economy weakens…
Image source: Getty Images Artificial intelligence (AI) and renewable energy are driving some of the most exciting investment stories of the decade. While large-cap firms like Nvidia and GE Vernova dominate the headlines, a quieter revolution is unfolding among UK penny stocks. A handful of tiny British companies are trying to carve out niches in battery metals and clean technology — and some could offer intriguing opportunities for investors. That is, if they’re willing to stomach the risk. Here are two exciting micro-cap shares that visionary and risk-aware investors may want to consider before they take off. Atlantic Lithium Atlantic…
Image source: Getty Images. With shares in Nvidia and Palantir looking expensive, I’ve been looking at some less obvious artificial intelligence (AI) names for my Stocks and Shares ISA. And a few look quite interesting. The chorus of investors voicing concerns over an AI bubble seems to be growing. But I think there could still be opportunities in what looks like an industry that is likely to have huge long-term growth ahead. Cooling The fact that AI data centres have high electricity requirements is well-documented. The need for cooling has, by comparison, gone largely under the radar – but this…
Image source: Getty Images Shareholders of the UK’s so-called ‘sin stocks’ face an anxious few weeks. Although the precise figure isn’t yet known, economists appear to agree that the government will need to either raise taxes or cut spending (or do both) by tens of billions to plug a hole in the nation’s finances. Business as usual It’s common for tobacco duties to be raised in budgets, often above the rate of inflation. According to the Office for Budget Responsibility, these will generate revenue of £8.1bn (£280 per household) in the current financial year. Indeed, the industry appears to be…