24 May 2026
Do you own Microsoft? Discover the opposing views of two managersIt is not unusual for fund managers to have different views on stocks, but when two high profile managers make opposing bets, it certainly grabs the attention.
Regulatory filings show TCI (The Children’s Fund) founder Chris Hohn sold virtually all its $8 billion stake in US software giant Microsoft and subsequently increased its stake in Alphabet...
23 May 2026
How the UK’s stock and bond markets welcome mid-term prime ministersWhile British political history suggests voters do not necessarily warm to political parties or governments which change leaders mid-parliament, financial markets tend to take a more detached view of proceedings.
This is primarily because their focus remains on pounds and pence, in the shape of corporate profits, cash flows and dividends, rather...
22 May 2026
Martin Gamble on US markets: Nvidia fails to inspire despite upgradesUS markets crept higher despite relative softness in the Nasdaq Composite after a muted response to Nvidia’s earnings, with the smaller companies Russell 2000 index leading the way with a gain of nearly 2%.
Minutes from April’s FOMC meeting showed most policy makers were concerned by rising inflation from the war in Iran and believed a rate hike...
22 May 2026
Daily market update: FTSE 100 ticks higher, oil and bond yieldsThe market, having been burned before, is not getting too carried away on speculation about a US-Iran peace deal but the reports did lead to a higher open on Friday.
Brent crude oil prices remain choppy amid claims and counterclaims between Washington and Tehran. Any deal will not restore a pre-war situation overnight, as fully reopening the Strait...
21 May 2026
Daily market update: Markets pull back, Nvidia, EasyJet, BT Mitchells & ButlersMarkets pulled back across Europe as the waiting game to end the Iran war rumbled on.
A lacklustre response to Nvidia’s results goes to show investor euphoria around AI is fading, and other issues are weighing on their minds such as inflation and interest rates.
Utilities were the only bright spot on the FTSE 100, suggesting investors were in a...
21 May 2026
Why UK stocks are being targeted for takeoversThe UK stock market takeover boom is gathering pace in 2026, with companies including Tate & Lyle, Intertek and Legal & General linked to bids or takeover speculation.
In this video, AJ Bell investment director Russ Mould explains why takeover activity across the FTSE 100 and FTSE 250 is accelerating — and what it could mean for UK investors.
The...
21 May 2026
The market crash plan you'd wish you'd made (before it's too late)In the past 10 years, global stocks have dropped from peaks by over 10% four times before reaching new highs again. But that doesn't prevent inevitable nerves as we wonder if this time, the drop will be different and leave us out of pocket on the hard-earned cash we’ve invested for a prolonged period.
Sometimes, this can make people pull their...
20 May 2026
Daily market update: FTSE 100 dips, Marks & Spencer, Experian, Severn TrentThe FTSE 100 dipped on Wednesday as a lasting solution to the Iran crisis remained elusive.
The latest ultimatum to Tehran from President Trump has done little to quell investor nervousness and oil prices remain above the $110 per barrel mark.
US stocks fell on Tuesday as investors reacted to rising government bond yields which reflect growing...
20 May 2026
Which sectors outperformed when interest rates roseThe yield on 10-year UK government bonds recently pushed through the key 5% mark to reach their highest levels since the late 1990s while 30-year yields are approaching 6%.
While this kind of environment is not typically helpful for stocks, some parts of the market have historically done better than others when rates are rising.
The UK is not alone...
19 May 2026
Daily market update: FTSE up, Currys, Dr Martens, C&CTrump’s hot/cold demeanour around the Iran war continues to cause volatility on the markets.
With the US president having yesterday called off a new military attack on Iran, investors are showing relief that tensions haven’t escalated. That’s helped oil prices to ease back slightly and equity markets to move higher in Europe and Asia.
However...
18 May 2026
Daily market update: FTSE 100, government bond yields and oil prices elevated, RyanairAfter finishing the previous week with heavy losses, the FTSE 100 made an uncertain start on Monday as the list of market worries continues to build.
Hopes that a resolution between the US and Iran might be in sight continue to ebb away and that’s reflected in oil prices ticking higher. Meanwhile movements in government bonds imply a lasting and...
18 May 2026
The AI stocks experts say are undervaluedWhile AI companies have been a winning investment strategy in recent years, the narrative for many people has now shifted towards apprehension.
Investors worry the companies won’t to live up to their lofty valuations as stocks like Nvidia have increased in price by 1,441% in the past five years. That’s more than the S&P 500 has increased in the...
15 May 2026
Martin Gamble on US markets: Nvidia closes on $6 trillion valuationUS markets marched to new highs this week led by the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite. It was buoyed by the blockbuster IPO of semiconductor firm Cerebras, whose shares doubled on their debut, giving the company a market value of around $100 billion.
The interest rate sensitive small company Russell 2000 index lagged as bond yields moved higher. This...
15 May 2026
The S&P 500 at new all-time highs and eyes are on NVIDIANVIDIA earnings are once again in focus as investors look for confirmation that the AI-driven rally in US stocks can continue.
In this video, Russ Mould examines the latest results from the Magnificent Seven — including NVIDIA, Amazon, Alphabet, Apple, Meta, Microsoft, and Tesla — and explains why investors remain enthusiastic despite mounting...
15 May 2026
Daily market update: gilts, Andy Burnham, Centrica, BP, ShellThe FTSE 100 fell as emerging evidence of inflationary pressures and domestic political uncertainty combined to put investors on edge.
The decision of a Labour MP to stand down and pave the way for Andy Burnham to return to parliament – likely as a precursor to a leadership challenge – has seen gilt yields move yet higher.
While there’s no...
15 May 2026
The neat trick which could help turn £1,000 into £20,000This article shows how the power of reinvesting dividends can really growth wealth over the long run. While this is purely an illustrative example and nothing in investing is guaranteed it helps show the difference this investment approach can make.
While we use the example of a single company for simplicity, it is crucial that investors hold a...
14 May 2026
Markets are reaching new highs: why are investors nervous?Markets are back to enjoying record highs after faltering in March. The MSCI World has reached new peaks in May and rewarded investors with a return of 26% over the past year, as of 12 May. Looking at the numbers, it looks to be business as usual, and good business at that. So why do so many of us feel uneasy?
It’s healthy to have some level of...
14 May 2026
Daily market update: FTSE 100 flat, Burberry, ITV talks with Sky ongoingThe FTSE 100 was flat in early trading on Thursday as investors sat on their hands and awaited the latest developments in politics and geopolitics at home and abroad.
Gilt yields were steady as a potential challenge to Keir Starmer’s premiership continued to bubble away in the background, while domestic-facing stocks regained some of the losses...
13 May 2026
Daily market update: FTSE 100 lifted by miners, Vistry, UK takeovers back in focusThe FTSE 100 bounced back on Wednesday despite continuing tensions in the Middle East and as the political situation in the UK remained fraught.
Keir Starmer is set to meet with one of his mooted leadership rivals, health secretary Wes Streeting, ahead of the King’s Speech when the embattled prime minister is expected to announce a raft of...
13 May 2026
Why Japanese equities are weathering the stormIf the past few years have taught investors anything, it’s that geography doesn’t insulate you from global shocks. Japan, like Europe and the UK, is highly exposed to the ongoing energy crisis, relying heavily on imports to keep its economy moving.
With over 90% of its oil sourced from the Middle East, Japan sits squarely in the line of fire if...
12 May 2026
Why reduced buybacks and surging IPOs could test US marketsUS markets could be losing a tailwind this year as companies slow their share buybacks in favour of capital expenditure.
Share buybacks reduce the number of shares in issue and mathematically provide a boost to earnings per share.
Let’s say you own an equal share in a business with three friends and one of them wants out. After agreeing on a price...
12 May 2026
Big moves on the bond market - why they matterGilt yields have remained at elevated levels after Labour setbacks in local elections. The results fuelling speculation that Keir Starmer might struggle to cling on as prime minister.
The 30-year gilt yield is often a better measure of political sentiment than the usual 10-year benchmark rate, as the government typically issues long-term debt. The...
12 May 2026
Daily market update: FTSE 100 slumps, gilt yields rise, Greggs, WickesDrama and turmoil on both sides of the Atlantic helped put the FTSE 100 firmly on the back foot on Tuesday.
Comments from Donald Trump that the Iran-US ceasefire was ‘on life support’ saw investors wobble in Asia and Europe – with the sell-off in the UK market exacerbated by domestic political events.
The 30-year gilt yield, which is sensitive to...
11 May 2026
Daily market update: Gilt yields jump ahead of Starmer speech, Compass, M&SGilt yields jumped after a weekend of speculation around Keir Starmer’s position as prime minister says.
The 30-year gilt yield edged up to 5.649%, indicating that bond investors are uneasy about the political backdrop. Starmer’s big speech could be make or break for his position at the top, and the bond market’s negative reaction implies a sense...
8 May 2026
Martin Gamble on US Markets: Disney dazzles, McDonalds' cost hitUS markets continued to make new highs this week despite the fragile Middle East ceasefire driven by technology stocks and positive earnings upgrades.
With the earnings season in full swing the data shows that roughly four fifths of companies have beaten profit estimates and the average positive surprise has been 11%.
The S&P 500 is on track for...
