Image source: Getty Images Shares in Rentokil Initial (LSE:RTO) are up 11% in the last two weeks. The FTSE 100 company’s been going through a tough couple of years, but things seem to be looking up for investors. The firm’s set to report earnings in less than a week and it’s fair to say there’s a lot at stake. But could the recent rise be the start of an epic comeback for the stock? Mistakes On the face of it, Rentokil’s a pretty straightforward business. Pests show up fairly regularly – even more so as global temperatures rise – and…
Author: user
Image source: Vodafone Group plc Since 25 June, the Vodafone (LSE:VOD) share price has been the 12th-best performer on the FTSE 100, rising by just over 12%. “So what?”, I hear investors in JD Sports Fashion cry. After all, shares in the British ‘trainers and tracksuits’ retailer have increased by more than 21% over the same period. But Vodafone’s shareholders (like me) have suffered for a long time. It was during the first half of 2023 when the group’s shares were last regularly changing hands for more than 80p. I’m particularly excited by the recent rally because I’m close to…
The White House’s recent criticism of the Federal Reserve’s headquarters renovation project has highlighted the central bank’s sources of funding. Unlike federal departments that receive taxpayer dollars via appropriations from Congress, the Fed is self-funded, largely via interest income from government securities it holds. The Federal Reserve’s funding has come under scrutiny as the White House attacks the $2.5 billion headquarters renovation for cost overruns. That controversy was underscored on Thursday, when President Donald Trump and Fed Chairman Jerome Powell disagreed over the cost during a visit to the central bank. Trump’s allies have suggested the project could be grounds…
Image source: Getty Images The Lloyds (LSE: LLOY) share price has been bombing along lately. It’s up 30% over the last year, and 166% over five years. With an average yield of around 4% or 5% over that period, long-term investors are finally reaping the rewards. Lloyds and the rest of the FTSE 100 banks have finally shaken off the ghosts of the financial crisis, even if it did take more than 15 years. Profits are rising, revenues are healthy, and shareholders are being rewarded with regular dividends and share buybacks. That pattern continued last Thursday (24 July), when Lloyds Banking Group posted strong…
Image source: Getty Images Global stock markets have had an incredible run since their April lows. Major indexes such as the S&P 500 and the FTSE 100 have flown to new all-time highs while some stocks like Palantir and Joby Aviation have risen more than 100%. This level of enthusiasm for stocks has surprised a lot of people given that economic uncertainty remains high. And it begs the question – is it now only a matter of time until we see a stock market crash? The truth about stock market crashes Volatility in the stock market’s very common. But it’s…
Starting with £10,000 and adding £300 each month, an investor can steadily build a substantial portfolio over time, reaching the point where it provides a passive income of £2,000 a month. This process leans on the power of compounding. This is when our returns start generating more returns. The S&P 500 has delivered an average annual return of 10.33% since 1957. While the UK’s FTSE 100 average is lower, a stronger growth rate is possible when investors make good decisions. A 10% return would mean impressive expansion. In the first year, a £10,000 starting amount plus £3,600 in contributions grows with…
Image source: Getty Images Shares in Admiral (LSE:ADM) are up 92% in the last three years. There’s still a 4.35% dividend yield for income investors who buy now, but I think those who wait might get a chance to buy a world-class FTSE 100 company at a really great price. In my view, this is a stock that all investors should have on their watchlists. There’s a lot to like about the business and attractive buying opportunities do present themselves from time to time. Car insurance One of the nice things about car insurance from an investment perspective is that…
Image source: Getty Images £1,000 in passive income a month would be nice, wouldn’t it? Imagine the financial flexibility that kind of cash flow could provide. Interested in building an ISA that churns out this level of income every month? Here’s a four-step blueprint to get started. Choosing the right ISA You can create a passive income machine with either a Cash ISA or a Stocks and Shares ISA. But It’s far easier with the latter. With a Cash ISA, you’re restricted to earning bank interest (and a slave to UK interest rates). With a Stocks and Shares ISA, however,…
Image source: Getty Images When it comes to investing for retirement, few investment vehicles come close to the power of a Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPP). Not only does it eliminate the tax burden of capital gains and dividends, but the vehicle also provides tax relief that can supercharge the wealth-building process. So let’s say someone’s aiming for a £3,000 retirement income to combine with the British State Pension. How much do they need to invest? Let’s explore. Breaking down the numbers Since this is a retirement portfolio, we’re going to follow the classic 4% withdrawal rule. That means every year…
Image source: Getty Images Like most investors, I have a watchlist of shares that I’m keeping an eye on. These might be high-quality growth stocks that are overpriced, and I’m waiting for them to come back down to earth (Palantir, for example). Or smaller firms where I’m still learning more about them. Here, I want to revisit two shares on my watchlist that have trodden very different paths this year. One has lost half its value, while the other has surged by over 80%. Which one looks more attractive to me right now? Let’s find out. Robotic kitchens Let’s start…