[ad_1] “Let us have faith that right makes might.” — Abraham Lincoln, Cooper Union Address1 Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States, forged his leadership during a period of profound national upheaval and rapid technological change. Just as the telegraph, railroad, and printing press transformed the 19th century, artificial intelligence (AI), digital networks, machine learning, and automated decision-making systems are reshaping modern life. The values Lincoln emphasized in the 1860s, responsibility, transparency, and moral restraint, offer a timely framework for guiding AI development with ethical guardrails that ensure technology serves humanity, not the reverse. While we can only…
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[ad_1] Image source: Getty Images After climbing more than 50% in 2025, the Vodafone (LSE: VOD) share price is already up another 5.8% so far in 2026 — and we’re not even out of January yet. But what’s in line for the rest of the year? Brokers are pretty mixed about the outlook for Vodafone shares. The most enthusiastic of them has a target price of 149p on the stock. That’s a 43% increase on the price at the time of writing Monday (26 January). But at the other end of the range, there’s a low target of just 64p.…
[ad_1] Image source: Getty Images Investing in shares and earning extra cash from dividends isn’t just for the ultra-rich. The stock market allows anyone to become an owner of some of the world’s best companies. Being a business owner isn’t for everyone and it takes a certain temperament to cope with the ups and downs of investing. But while the risks are real, the potential opportunities are enormous. Savings According to a recent study from mutual insurer The Exeter, around 20% of UK citizens aged 45-54 have no savings. That puts them in a precarious position, but there is good…
[ad_1] Image source: BT Group plc The BT Group (LSE: BT.A) share price might have cooled a bit since its peaks of late summer last year. But we’re still looking at a 34% rise in the past 12 months. And since mid-December it’s been picking up a bit again. Eyes will be on a third-quarter trading update due 5 February. So what can we expect, and where might BT shares go next? We’ve had a few recent upgrades for BT share price targets, with Bank of America upping its take to 212p. That’s 13% ahead of the price at the…
[ad_1] Image source: Getty Images The month – and year – began with millions of people making resolutions. From giving up smoking to reading a book a week, for many January has been pregnant with good intentions! But have they happened? Have the people who decided to start investing in shares seized the opportunity? Whether they have done so or not, the good news is that although January has marched onwards it is not over yet. There is still time for someone who wants to start investing this month to do so. Getting ready to invest this month The practicalities…
[ad_1] Image source: Getty Images Tracking the most-bought shares and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) on platforms like AJ Bell can be a useful starting point. It can highlight emerging trends and sometimes lead to interesting new ideas to explore further. With that in mind, let’s take a look at the five most popular ETFs among customers on AJ Bell over the past month. One major theme Perhaps unsurprisingly, the dominant theme has been precious metals, with the top two both linked to silver and gold. These were the iShares Physical Gold ETC and iShares Physical Silver ETC, respectively. Eagle-eyed readers will…
[ad_1] Image source: Getty Images It’s been a rip-roaring couple of years for FTSE 100 bank stocks, particularly Lloyds (LSE:LLOY) shares. Since February 2024, they’ve climbed nearly 150% while pumping out above-inflation dividend growth. Indeed, Lloyds stock finally broke through the £1 psychological barrier this month — the first time in 17 years! It’s currently just under 103p. After selling British American Tobacco last year, there’s space in my portfolio for another dividend stock. Is Lloyds the one to fill it? Hedging risk FTSE 100 banks have emerged from their decade-long spell in the wilderness following the financial crisis in…
[ad_1] Image source: Getty Images I bought Legal & General (LSE: LGEN) shares inside my SIPP in 2023 and, so far, they’ve been pretty underwhelming. The FTSE 100 asset manager and insurer’s stock did rise almost 10% last year, but it’s still trading at roughly the same level as a decade ago. Granted, it’s been a bumpy 10 years for the global economy and geopolitics. But its big sector rival Aviva has nonetheless made hay. Its shares are up 20% in the past year and 86% over five. Yet instead of chasing Aviva, which I don’t own, I’m actually considering…
[ad_1] Image source: Getty Images While the broader FTSE 250 rose 8% in 2025, Greggs (LSE:GRG) shares slumped a whopping 40% in value. They crumbled as weaker consumer demand hit lower sales, denting its long-held reputation as a mighty growth share. But is the battered baker now worth serious consideration as a recovery stock? Here are some of the key things investors must consider. 1. Tough conditions Greggs has an excellent track record of outperforming the market. People love its sweet and savoury treats, and especially at its low price points. The trouble is, very few retailers have thrived as…
[ad_1] Image source: Getty Images After an unsettling start to 2026 on the geopolitical front, I wouldn’t blame investors for gravitating towards dividend stocks. Seeing a lovely lump of cash hit their accounts every so often might be enough to calm the nerves and stay the course. Today, I’ll pick out three examples for investors to consider snapping up. Huge dividends! Insurance giant Aviva (LSE: AV) looks a solid pick to kick things off. Under the stewardship of CEO Amanda Blanc, the FTSE 100 member has become a far leaner entity. The market’s lapped this up: since her appointment in…