Author: user

Image source: Getty Images The last year has been brilliant for both BAE Systems (LSE: BA.) and Rolls-Royce (LSE: RR) shares. But what about the next 12 months? The FTSE 100 defence and aerospace heroes are up 41% and 121% respectively over the last year. Over five years, they’ve climbed 270% and a ridiculous 1,240%. The post-pandemic recovery in civil aviation gave transformative Rolls CEO Tufan Erginbilgiç a great launchpad when he took over in January 2023. It’s easy to forget Rolls-Royce does defence too, although BAE is the specialist. Geopolitical fears have boosted the sector. Germany and others are…

Read More

Hawkins, Inc. (NASDAQ:HWKN) just released its latest first-quarter results and things are looking bullish. The company beat expectations with revenues of US$293m arriving 4.4% ahead of forecasts. Statutory earnings per share (EPS) were US$1.40, 5.2% ahead of estimates. The analysts typically update their forecasts at each earnings report, and we can judge from their estimates whether their view of the company has changed or if there are any new concerns to be aware of. We’ve gathered the most recent statutory forecasts to see whether the analysts have changed their earnings models, following these results. This technology could replace computers: discover…

Read More

Image source: Getty Images If the Diageo (LSE: DGE) share price was a cocktail, the hangover would be horrible. It’s been giving investors headaches for three years now, falling more than 50% in that time. Investors like me who’ve been waiting for the recovery have seen little respite. Shares in the FTSE 100 spirits maker are down 25% over 12 months, while the wider index has soared. Once again, Diageo’s been the party pooper. It all went wrong after a profit warning in November 2023, as sales in Latin America and the Caribbean fell. Diageo’s focus on premium drinks backfired as cash-strapped customers traded…

Read More

Municipal bonds, or “muni bonds,” comprise debt securities issued by various states, cities, counties and other governmental entities to raise money to build roads, schools and a host of other projects for the public. These municipal securities regularly pay interest payments, usually semi-annually, and the original investment or principal amount at the time of maturity. Interest paid on such bonds is generally exempt from federal taxes, making them especially attractive to people in higher income tax brackets. Thus, risk-averse investors looking to earn a regular tax-free income may consider municipal bonds mutual funds. These mutual funds are believed to provide…

Read More

Image source: Getty Images Leveraging the power of the stock market is a proven strategy for unlocking a second income stream through dividends. And while it takes time for compounding to work its magic, even investors starting out with modest sums can go on to enjoy tremendous returns. So let’s say someone’s starting small and aiming to earn an extra £5,000 each year. How much money do they need to invest in the stock market? And how long will the journey take? Crunching the numbers Let’s start by exploring an index investing strategy. The FTSE 100’s one of the most…

Read More

Markets also reacted to the latest tariff news. President Donald Trump announced tariff rates on dozens of countries and pushed back the scheduled effective date to Aug. 7, adding more uncertainty to the global trade picture. ▶ Read more about S&P 500 drop Democrats decry firing Bureau of Labor Statistics director Senate Democrats are quickly jumping on the dismissal of Erika McEntarfer, the director of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, warning that it shows Trump is acting like a dictator. In a Senate floor speech, Democratic leader Sen. Chuck Schumer said, “Donald Trump sometimes admires dictators, he admires them. Well,…

Read More

Image source: Getty Images When it comes to high dividend yields, few FTSE stocks come close to beating Ashmore Group’s (LSE:ASHM) current 9.5% payout. This yield’s largely been driven by management maintaining dividends despite its share price tumbling by more than 50% over the last five years. So if dividends are seemingly here to stay, is this secretly a lucrative opportunity for income investors? The bull case Ashmore’s share price weakness since 2020 has been driven predominantly by poor returns within emerging markets. As an investment specialist in this field, performance has suffered greatly as economically weaker countries struggled to…

Read More

Image source: Getty Images Retiring with a £1m SIPP (Self-Invested Personal Pension) is a financial goal shared by most investors. After all, who doesn’t love the idea of being a millionaire and enjoying the financial freedom it provides? The good news is, even investors from modest backgrounds can reach this milestone. But how long does it take? And how much money do you need to invest? The path to seven figures By consistently drip feeding small sums of capital each month into high-quality businesses, the wealth-building process eventually snowballs into something spectacular. And by leveraging the tax relief advantages of…

Read More

Image source: The Motley Fool Warren Buffett’s every move is analysed under a microscope — and with good reason. As the driving force behind Berkshire Hathaway, he’s created one of the most successful investment records in history.  But what does his latest trading activity reveal? And are there lessons here for UK investors? While Buffett doesn’t typically invest in UK-listed companies, many shares on the FTSE 100 have similar characteristics to those in his portfolio — global reach, pricing power, and consistent cash generation. In particular, two recent Berkshire Holdings — Johnson & Johnson and Constellation Brands — remind me…

Read More