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[ad_1] Image source: Getty Images The NatWest (LSE:NWG) share price stood out in 2024 as it shot up by a whopping 82%. This came as large stock buybacks, lower impairments, and rebounding margins led to healthy multiple expansion. But given the monumental rise, the question begs as to whether it can match returns of such calibre in 2025. A buyback machine It may come as a surprise that the NatWest share price rose by so much in 2024. After all, both its revenue and profits actually declined on the back of lower interest rates. So what caused the shares to…

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[ad_1] Image source: Getty Images For those looking to invest in dividend stocks, Aviva (LSE:AV) shares might be one of the best in the FTSE 100. Its dividend yield of 6.8% puts it among the highest-yielding stocks in the index. So let’s see how much annual passive income an investor could make if they put £20,000 into its shares. So how much? Aviva shares are currently trading at £5.07. Therefore, with £20,000, an investor could buy 3,947 of its shares. Now in the last year, the company’s paid out dividends of 34.2p per share. If we assume the dividend won’t…

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[ad_1] Bond prices have been volatile in recent years as the Federal Reserve hiked interest rates to combat high inflation, but with rate cuts underway, investors may still be able to take advantage of attractive yields in short-term bonds.Here’s what you should know about short-term bond funds and some of the best ones to consider for your portfolio.What are short-term bond funds?Short-term bond funds are mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that typically invest in government and corporate bonds with maturities of less than five years. Bonds with shorter times to maturity are less sensitive to changes in interest rates…

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[ad_1] Image source: Getty Images Demand for cheap UK shares is heating up as investors seek refuge from volatile US tech stocks and tension over President Trump’s tariff plans. Since 1 January, the FTSE All-Share Index has risen 4.4% as investors have rotated into undervalued London Stock Exchange companies. The FTSE 100, meanwhile, has sprinted to new record highs near 8,680 points. Price drivers Predicting the near-term direction of stock markets is extremely challenging. Share prices are influenced by a wide range of interconnected economic factors. As we saw during the Covid-19 pandemic, crises can also appear out the blue…

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[ad_1] First responders work the scene after what witnesses say was a plane crash in Philadelphia, Friday, Jan. 31, 2025.Matt Rourke | APAn air ambulance carrying six people crashed near a mall in northeast Philadelphia on Friday evening, the company that operates the aircraft said.Jet Rescue Air Ambulance said it could not confirm any survivors among those on board its plane, which included four crew members, a pediatric patient and the patient’s escort, according to a statement.”Our immediate concern is for the patient’s family, our personnel, their families and other victims that may have been hurt on the ground,” the…

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[ad_1] Image source: Getty Images The FTSE 100 leading index of stocks has enjoyed a strong start in 2025, extending the impressive gains it enjoyed last year and reaching fresh peaks around 8,600 points. I think bullish investors seeking Footsie momentum stocks should consider these blue-chip bargains. Persimmon Housebuilder Persimmon (LSE:PSN) has risen thanks to a raft of impressive market reports. The latest of these, from Zoopla on Thursday (30 January), showed house price growth at three-year highs at the start of 2025. January’s data is a very good omen for London’s listed homebuilders. According to Zoopla, “the first few…

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[ad_1] Image source: Getty Images Hopes of recovery have driven BT Group (LSE:BT.A) shares sharply higher in the past year. Up 28% on a 12-month basis, the telecoms giant’s risen, in part on expectations that interest rate cuts will prompt a turnaround. However, the release of latest financials on Thursday (30 January) has reminded investors of the severe challenges it continues to face. Following the trading statement, it was the FTSE 100‘s third-worst-performing share on the day. Is this just a blip in BT’s recent share price recovery though? And should investors consider buying BT shares for their portfolios? Recovery…

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[ad_1] Federal Bureau of Investigation seal is seen on J. Edgar Hoover FBI Building in Washington D.C., United States of America on July 12th, 2024. Beata Zawrzel | Nurphoto | Getty ImagesTrump administration officials have forced out all six of the FBI’s most senior executives and multiple heads of FBI field offices across the country, current and former FBI officials told NBC News.They included the high-profile leader of the Washington, D.C., field office, which was involved in the prosecutions of President Donald Trump, and federal prosecutors who investigated Jan. 6 rioters. A congressional aide said the number of prosecutors impacted is…

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[ad_1] kate_sept2004 / Getty ImagesA fixed annuity is a long-term investment that provides a predictable income stream. Offered by insurance companies, banks and other financial institutions, it guarantees a fixed interest rate and steady payouts. This predictability makes fixed annuities a popular choice for individuals seeking a stable and secure income source in retirement.Learn More: 6 Genius Things All Wealthy People Do With Their MoneyTrending Now: Suze Orman’s Secret to a Wealthy Retirement–Have You Made This Money Move?How Fixed Annuities WorkHere’s a breakdown of how fixed annuities work.Basics of Fixed AnnuitiesThink of a fixed annuity as a contract between you…

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