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[ad_1] Image source: Getty Images The FTSE 100 has been brushing up against record highs this year, a sign that global confidence is flowing back into equities. It’s an encouraging backdrop, but it also makes the hunt for cheap UK shares more difficult. With valuations stretched in some parts of the market, I think it’s wise to check out companies trading at discounts to their intrinsic value. The domestic economy still feels sluggish. Inflation remains sticky, and with consumers continuing to feel the effects of the cost-of-living crisis, there’s always the risk of a downturn. That’s why I’ve been weighing…

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[ad_1] Image source: Getty Images. When I look at the US stock market today, I see a market priced almost for perfection. According to most measures of market valuation, the US S&P 500 index is trading in the top 1% or 2% of its historical range. In other words, American stocks have been cheaper at least 98% of the time. Currently, the S&P 500 trades on 25.3 times trailing earnings and offers a dividend yield below 1.2% a year. To me, these are not the fundamentals of an undervalued market — quite the opposite, in fact. Meanwhile, the tech-heavy Nasdaq…

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[ad_1] Image source: Getty Images What might an investment in Lloyds Banking Group (LSE: LLOY) shares be worth by the end of 2027? Bank valuations are tricky. But there are a few ways we might come up with some rough-and-ready predictions. Broker targets One is to check the current broker price target on the shares. Right now, there’s a high target of 103p — a nice 25% ahead of today. At the other end, someone has a 53p price on the stock, for a 35% fall. But seeing as no broker has Lloyds as a Sell, I suspect that’s just…

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[ad_1] Image source: Getty Images A second income that we don’t have to work for — isn’t that a nice dream? On top of other income we might have in retirement, £1,000 per month could make a very nice addition. I’m building a diversified collection of UK stocks in my Stocks and Shares ISA myself. However successful I am, I won’t have to pay tax when I withdraw money. If I make a million, there won’t be a single penny to pay to the inland revenue. If I pick a few lemons along the way and don’t do so well?…

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[ad_1] Image source: Getty Images One great thing about investing for passive income is that it can become very low maintenance. Once the initial research is done and the dividend stocks are tucked away in a portfolio, the only real upkeep is reading the company reports a couple of times a year. Here, I’ll spotlight two dividend-paying investment trusts that I think are worth checking out for income. 136 years old Established in 1889, Merchants Trust (LSE:MRCH) is one of the UK’s oldest investment trusts. It’s listed in the FTSE 250 and aims to provide above-average income growth, as well…

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[ad_1] Investors in Star Bulk Carriers Corp (Symbol: SBLK) saw new options begin trading this week, for the May 2026 expiration. One of the key data points that goes into the price an option buyer is willing to pay, is the time value, so with 235 days until expiration the newly trading contracts represent a potential opportunity for sellers of puts or calls to achieve a higher premium than would be available for the contracts with a closer expiration. At Stock Options Channel, our YieldBoost formula has looked up and down the SBLK options chain for the new May 2026…

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