Image source: Getty Images In my view, purchasing UK dividend shares is the best way to target a long-term second income. The FTSE 100 alone is packed with exceptional dividend growers (like BAE Systems and Ashtead) and income stocks with enormous dividend yields (such as HSBC and Legal & General). The long-term forward dividend yield on Footsie shares is 3% to 4%. With some careful stock selection, I think investors can create a portfolio that delivers a large and increasing long-term second income. Here are three smart steps for you to consider to target a large passive income in retirement.…
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The average rate on a 30-year U.S. mortgage has fallen to its lowest level in four months, welcome news for prospective homebuyers who have been held back by stubbornly high home financing costs. The long-term rate fell to 6.63% from 6.72% last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday. A year ago, the rate averaged 6.47%. Borrowing costs on 15-year fixed-rate mortgages, popular with homeowners refinancing their home loans, also fell. The average rate dropped to 5.75% from 5.85% last week. A year ago, it was 5.63%, Freddie Mac said. Elevated mortgage rates have helped keep the U.S. housing market…
Image source: Getty Images The FTSE 100 has enjoyed a stellar year, so far. Up 10.7% since 1 January, it’s outperformed multiple other major blue-chip share indices including the S&P 500 (up 7.3%), Nasdaq (up 8.5%) and the Nikkei (up 3.2%). In that time, it’s touched record highs, approaching 9,200 points over the past week. And it looks poised to hit new all-time peaks given strong demand for undervalued UK shares. Or does it? Source: Google Finance Data from IG suggests that investor sentiment may actually be turning against the Footsie — it shows shorting activity involving the index rose…
Image source: Getty Images. The FTSE 250 index of mid-cap shares is up a healthy 6.2% so far in 2025. That’s pretty good considering the severe headwinds facing the UK and global economies. But not all of the indice’s members have enjoyed stellar price gains. For various reasons, the following FTSE 250 stocks have dropped a quarter in value or more in the year to date. I think this represents an attractive dip-buying opportunity that savvy investors may wish to research further. Bloomsbury: top buying opportunity? Powered by the Harry Potter franchise, Bloomsbury Publishing (LSE:BMY) shares have risen strongly over…
Image source: Getty Images Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are a rapidly growing asset class the world over. They allow individuals to target market-beating returns while, at the same time, helping them to manage risk by spreading their capital across a basket of assets. Investors can choose from thousands of funds that match their investment goals and tolerance of risk. I myself own several in my Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPP). And I’m looking for more that could deliver strong capital gains and a reliable dividend income I can reinvest for growth. Here are two on my radar today. If they continue to…
President Trump says he wants to democratize retirement by allowing 401(k)s to invest in so-called alternative investments, or strategies outside stocks and other traditional investments, such as private equity and cryptocurrencies. The executive order signed by Mr. Trump on Thursday would open the door to higher-risk investments landing in your 401(k). It could also potentially serve as a game changer for the $5 trillion private equity industry, which for years has wanted to gain access to America’s retirement plans. The move has the potential to shake up the typically staid menu of investment choices provided to workers through their employer-sponsored defined-contribution plans,…
A SIP, SWP or STP is an investment mode, not an instrument. Many still ask, “Which SIP can I invest in?”. You do not invest in a SIP. You invest via a SIP. We explain why SIP, SWP or STPs are not necessary to invest in mutual funds.1 A SIP is an automated way of buying units on the same day of each month or each quarter. Some people make the mistake of opting for a weekly or daily SIP. There is no extra benefit in doing so.A SIP will not make you disciplined. That is something you have to…
Thirty-year fixed rates fall to 6.63% as weak employment data raises expectations for Federal Reserve rate cuts in September Mortgage rates experienced their steepest decline in months this week following disappointing employment data that has renewed concerns about the strength of the American economy. The 30-year fixed mortgage rate dropped to 6.63% through Wednesday, representing a significant 9 basis point decrease from the previous week’s 6.72% rate. The sharp decline brings mortgage rates to their lowest point since April, providing welcome relief for prospective homebuyers who have struggled with affordability challenges. The 15-year fixed mortgage rate also fell substantially, decreasing…
Trump defends firing of BLS chief in tense CNBC exchangeTrump defended firing BLS commissioner Erika McEntarfer, sparking tense exchange with CNBC’s Joe Kernen on “Squawk Box” over jobs data integrity.President Donald Trump’s abrupt dismissal of the U.S. Commissioner of Labor Statistics after a disappointing employment report has raised concerns about the future accuracy and integrity of the nation’s vital jobs numbers.Some economists and former government officials are responding to the mounting worries with a simple message: Chill out.These experts cite three reasons Trump administration officials are not likely to manipulate the statistics for political reasons: There’s too much data underlying…
As investment products expand in scope and variety, asset classes like gold, real estate investment trusts (REITs), and alternative investment funds (AIFs) are often discussed for their contrasting characteristics. While each comes with its own structure, risk-return profile, and role in portfolio construction, understanding their features is key to evaluating them appropriately.GoldGold is widely recognised as a traditional asset that offers a hedge against inflation and currency fluctuations. It has historically played a stabilising role during volatile or uncertain periods.According to Abhishek Khudania, Senior Executive Director – Wealth at Client Associates, gold continues to serve as a reliable hedge, particularly…