Image source: Getty Images The FTSE 100 recently surged to an all-time high above 9,150 points, riding the wave of a global stock market rally. Investors seem more enthusiastic about stocks as optimism grows around central bank rate cuts, particularly in Europe. The seven-day rally has since taken a breather but not before pushing the Footsie to record territory. But that doesn’t mean every UK stock has benefited equally. In fact, some have stumbled. Centrica and SSE both declined amid pressure on energy prices, along with several FTSE 100 firms with US exposure. JD Sports Fashion, AstraZeneca and GSK have…
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By Kevin Buckland TOKYO (Reuters) -Japan’s bond market faces stern tests this week, from domestic political ructions and a possible hawkish shift at the central bank to global risks stemming from the Federal Reserve. Japan’s long-dated government bond (JGB) yields remain near record peaks after the ruling coalition lost its majority in upper house elections. Opposition parties advocating debt-funded tax cuts have strengthened, adding pressure on fiscally conservative Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba to step aside. Meanwhile, short-dated JGB yields rose to multi-month highs following a trade deal with the United States, which removes an obstacle for the Bank of Japan…
Image source: Getty Images In April, a few days after President Trump unveiled his tariff plans, the JD Sports Fashion (LSE:JD.) share price fell to a 52-week low. Since then, the stock’s risen more than 50% and currently (28 July) changes hands for around 91p. But the ‘King of Trainers’ share price remains shy of 100p. The last time it was above three figures was at the start of trading on 21 November 2024. By close of business that day — after announcing that earnings for the 52 weeks ended 1 February 2025 (FY25) would be at the lower end…
Image source: Getty Images Barclays (LSE: BARC) shares have dipped slightly this morning even though the FTSE 100 bank beat expectations with a £1bn jump in first-half profits and cheered shareholders with another bumper round of capital returns. I expected better as today’s (29 July) numbers look strong across the board. So did investors expect even more after its recent stellar run? Looks like it. The group’s profit before tax rose 28% to £5.2bn, with earnings per share up 41%, reflecting profit growth and the impact of share buybacks. Return on tangible equity hit 13.2%, beating the board’s 2026 target of…
Image source: Getty Images The best way I have found to generate passive income (money made with minimal effort) is share dividends. The only real effort is choosing the shares in the first place and periodically monitoring their performance thereafter. That said, I select my passive income stocks very carefully. After all, I want them to generate sufficient income for me to be able to live off them entirely at some point. There are three key elements I look for in all of them. These include a high dividend yield, undervalued share price, and strong earnings growth prospects. Consequently, FTSE…
Image source: Getty Images Vodafone’s (LSE: VOD) share price is trading close to two-year highs following the release of its Q1 fiscal-year 2026 results. These looked solid to me, with total revenue increasing 3.9% year on year to €9.4bn (£8.21bn) while service revenue rose 5.3% to €7.9bn. Revenue is the total income received by the firm, including from the sale of phones and other devices. Service revenue relates specifically to income from the telecommunications services it provides to its customers. The firm also stated that new entity VodafoneThree started operating on 1 June. This is the product of the December…
Image source: Getty Images A second income sounds like a luxury few can afford, but building one from scratch is more achievable than many people think. At 30, an investors has plenty of time to do it, but older people can manage it too. The goal here is passive income, cash that rolls in without having to clock in, and it’s possible to generate it completely tax-free inside a Stocks and Shares ISA. Thanks to the £20,000 annual ISA allowance, investors can take their income free of both dividend tax and income tax for life, with capital gains shielded as…
By Chuck Mikolajczak NEW YORK (Reuters) -The S&P 500 edged higher to eke out a record high close for a sixth straight session on Monday, while the Nasdaq also advanced to a closing record in choppy trade as investors gauged the U.S.-EU trade pact and prepared for a week of major market catalysts. U.S. President Donald Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen unveiled a trade framework on Sunday, slashing EU import tariffs to 15% – half the previously threatened rate that was scheduled to take effect on August 1. Still, France denounced the deal as a “submission.”…
Image source: Getty Images All eyes are on Rolls-Royce shares right now. That’s because they’ve delivered monster returns over the last three years. Looking ahead, however, other shares could potentially deliver higher returns. Here’s a look at a £2 UK stock that City analysts believe will trounce Rolls-Rolls over the next year or so. A hidden gem? The UK stock market is full of under-the-radar companies that not many people have heard of. Boku (LSE: BOKU) is a great example. Listed on the UK’s Alternative Investment Market (AIM), it’s a technology company that specialises in mobile payment solutions. It currently…
Image source: Getty Images Income stock investing is often about patience, discipline and being willing to buy when a dividend looks sustainable and the entry point attractive. A super-high dividend yield doesn’t hurt either, which brings me to Phoenix Group Holdings (LSE: PHNX). It’s a FTSE 100 insurer with a solid business with a stellar trailing yield of 8.35%. Until recently, the yield was nudging double digits. The only reason that’s dropped is because the share price has climbed. Over the last 12 months, Phoenix is up 22%. Factor in that income and the total return comes in at just over 30%. I’ve held…