New Year greetings and 2024 review
Christmas greetings and market movements
Record global dividends but is UK honeymoon over?
Good news that global dividends paid to investors hit a new record in the third quarter. This was $431billion according to Janus Henderson’s latest research, with 88% of companies increasing or holding their payout rates (84% in the UK, though the overall rate dropped in fact, as miners cut their special dividends from before).
Dividends...
US stocks and the Budget
Hurricane Milton wreaked havoc in Florida but nothing like the worst expected. We trust this namesake won’t be doing the same with markets! Helen was not so impressed it followed right after Hurricane Helene as well. This is a once-in-a-lifetime storm, we were told and as ever, the risk to life the biggest fear...
Are you losing money to your ‘savings’ account?
Shocking recent figures have shown that more than 250,000 adult cash savings accounts with £10,000 and above deposited in them are earning 1% or less.
This is despite a growth in savings rates and relatively high interest rates over the past two years and frankly it shouldn’t still be happening, but it is.
We typically aim...
Oil prices and energy concerns
Good afternoon. Along with Mr Felix Milton, I have just returned from an encouraging and helpful conference with ACFA – I have not been for a few years so it was a good and worthwhile event to recharge batteries.
We were reminded of the value of the advice and service which a good financial adviser...
Interest rates and investment trusts
Can you manage your own investments?
Markets, investments and taxes
Good afternoon. Well, the UK market is progressing comfortably whilst the US has slipped-back. Our clients’ 5 April reports will be landing on door mats imminently and it is pleasing to note that generally gentle progress has continued since then.
BHP makes an audacious bid for UK-quoted Anglo American, owner of DeBeers amongst other mining...