By Marc Jones LONDON (Reuters) – Most investors knew things could turn turbulent this year given U.S. President Donald Trump’s return to power in the world’s biggest economy and financial market, but few predicted the kind of a rodeo ride it has been so far. Scan the surface and world stocks are almost where they started the year, while volatility gauges like the VIX are nowhere near the peaks they scaled during the pandemic or financial crash. But look closer and the scale of what has been happening jumps out. Gold, the ultimate safe port in a storm, has had…
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Thailand is taking significant steps to position itself as a hub for carbon trading by revising its cryptocurrency regulations. The proposed changes aim to enable the tokenization of carbon credits, carbon allowances, and renewable energy certificates using blockchain technology. This initiative is expected to attract digital asset managers, brokerage firms, and traders, aligning with the country’s vision of becoming a leader in sustainable finance. Regulatory Adjustments to Boost Carbon Markets In August last year, the Thai Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) updated its utility token framework, excluding consumer utility tokens from regulatory oversight. This decision inadvertently restricted digital asset managers…
Image source: Getty Images With the new tax year approaching, investors may be looking for opportunities in UK shares to optimise their Stocks and Shares ISA. By getting the most out of the £20k annual allowance, investors can aim to maximise their tax-free returns each year. Please note that tax treatment depends on the individual circumstances of each client and may be subject to change in future. The content in this article is provided for information purposes only. It is not intended to be, neither does it constitute, any form of tax advice. Readers are responsible for carrying out their…
Thai rescue workers arrive on scene at a construction building collapse in the Chatuchak area following an earthquake on March 28, 2025 in Bangkok, Thailand. Lauren Decicca | Getty Images News | Getty ImagesForeign rescue teams and supplies arrived in Myanmar on Sunday to help the impoverished country cope with an earthquake that killed over 1,600 and left many near the epicentre scrambling for help without proper equipment.The 7.7-magnitude quake, one of Myanmar’s strongest in a century, jolted the Southeast Asian nation on Friday, leaving 1,644 people dead, 3,408 injured and 139 missing, the military government said.India, China and Thailand are…
Image source: Getty Images There isn’t too much news from FTSE 100 companies coming our way in April. But two key events from a couple I’m watching could make it a good month to consider them. Retail rebound? On Wednesday 9 April, JD Sports Fashion (LSE: JD.) is due to bring us a fourth-quarter update for the year to February 2025. The share price has taken a bit of a bashing in the past few years. And it’s down 47% in just the past 12 months. The company’s US expansion looks like it maybe couldn’t have come at a worse…
(Bloomberg) — Four of China’s largest state banks plan a total of up to $72 billion in private placements to boost core tier-1 capital, after Beijing pushed for stronger buffers for lenders to better support the economy. Most Read from Bloomberg Bank of Communications Co. will sell up to 120 billion yuan ($16.5 billion) of A shares in a private placement to investors including the Ministry of Finance, according to a Sunday filing. Bank of China Ltd., Postal Savings Bank of China Ltd. and China Construction Bank Corp. plan placements of 165 billion yuan, 130 billion yuan and 105 billion…
Image source: Getty Images I’m struggling to get my head around the Diageo (LSE: DGE) share price. I can scarcely believe it’s fallen 45% over the last two years, and 30% in the last 12 months. Isn’t this supposed to be one of the most solid UK blue chips? A defensive stock that holds firm in tough times and thrives in the good? Don’t people like a drink anymore? Well, to a degree, they don’t. Or at least, they can’t afford the premium brands that Diageo sells. Many consumers have traded down to the rough stuff as the cost-of-living crisis…
MANILA, PHILIPPINES – MARCH 28: U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth (L), with Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines General Romeo Brawner Jr., inspect honor guards during his visit at Camp Aguinaldo on March 28, 2025 in Quezon city, Metro Manila, Philippines. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is in the Philippines, focusing on strengthening security cooperation and addressing concerns in the South China Sea. (Photo by Ezra Acayan/Getty Images)Ezra Acayan | Getty Images News | Getty ImagesU.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth described Japan on Sunday as indispensable for tackling Chinese aggression and said implementing of a plan…
Image source: Getty Images When I started my first job I was invited to join a penny share investment group. When I asked why they only went for penny shares, the answer was that they obviously have far greater potential than shares that have already risen. I didn’t join. Myth 1: biggest gains It might seem like intuitive sense that a share priced at a few pennies has a lot more profit potential than one priced in pounds. But a bit of thought can show that’s nonsense. I see a good example in Aston Martin Lagonda (LSE: AML). It’s not…
Image source: Getty Images Investors looking to generate passive income from FTSE 100 shares might wonder how much capital they need to hit their target. So let’s crunch the numbers. Generating a second income of £777 a month would add up to £9,324 a year. That’s would give the State Pension a handy boost. The amount of capital required to produce that income depends on the yield of the investor’s portfolio. I believe it’s reasonable to aim for an average yield of 6% from a diversified mix of UK dividend stocks. Under this assumption, an investor would need a total…