420 Day: Is it worth investing in cannabis? The financial experts at Saxo say ‘positive vibes’ have returned amid global changes – but stocks remain ‘expensive’; here, they offer up their advice on investing in the cannabis sector   The date of 20th April (420) has become an established day around the world for people to celebrate the use of cannabis, although its legal status does vary across the globe. The cannabis industry has continued to be considered as an attractive option for investors due to the potential that many believe it has for rapid growth over the next few ye ..read more

  With the gold market reaching new heights, speculation is rife about whether gold prices will soon fall   The experts at The Gold Bullion Company share their tips on signs that gold pieces may be about to drop. Spotting warning signs that gold prices may be about to drop involves analysing various factors that influence the price of gold, however, here are some key indicators to watch out for: Interest Rates: Changes in interest rates, especially those set by the Bank of England, can impact the price of gold. Higher interest rates tend to make non-interest-bearing a ..read more

  How investment trusts can provide investors with access to the high-growth commodities sector…by Jo Groves   Put simply, commodities make the world go round. The first commodities were traded as far back as 4500 B.C. and continue to underpin global trade today, with Statista forecasting that more than $130 trillion of commodities will change hands this year. From the gas that heats our homes, the agricultural products that feed us and the 60-odd minerals that power our computers, commodities are indispensable in everyday life. In addition, commodities will be critical to the decar ..read more

  We take a look back at the final week of Kepler’s ISA event…by David Kimberley   This week marked the close of our ISA season event and we heard from three managers operating across very different sectors. Commensurately, they touched on a various topics, including the potential for rate cuts and smaller companies to bounce back, income opportunities, and UK energy prices.   Bellevue Healthcare   To kick things off we had a presentation from Bellevue Healthcare (BBH) manager Paul Major. Paul, who manages the trust alongside Brett Darke, highlighted the main dri ..read more

  My name is Nick French and I am a collector. And, yes, it can become an addiction. I used to shop because I enjoyed shopping and often the pleasure came not from the item bought on eBay, or other sites, but from winning the auction   A mix of being single and being blessed with a good income meant that my disposable income was high. Very soon my house became a museum for toys, records, cassettes, CDs, comics, comic art, videos and DVDs, watches and a whole host of other sometimes useless but to me desirable items.   Pleasure and enjoyment   But don’t get me wrong, I didn ..read more

  Investors navigating the complex landscape of wealth management often seek avenues that not only offer lucrative returns but also come with attractive tax benefits..by Madeleine Ingram   Venture Capital Trusts (VCTs) and Enterprise Investment Schemes (EISs) emerge as compelling options, intertwining attractive tax benefits with portfolio diversification. In this piece, we’ll delve into the intricacies of these investment vehicles, shedding light on their structures, benefits, and potential risks. It should be noted that the EISs and VCTs are tax reducing opportunities, a ..read more

  On March 21st 2024, the price of gold price reached an unprecedented high of £1,734 per ounce. With the gold market reaching new heights, experts at The Gold Bullion Company have explained some of the reasons behind the surge as well as why 2024 is a great time to invest.   Reasons behind all-time high gold price:   1. Economic uncertainty   The demand for gold tends to surge massively during economic crises and recession as it’s seen as a safe-haven asset. With the devaluation of some of the world’s major currencies, investors have tur ..read more

  Closed ended funds are a simple way to access the attractive income and defensive potential of renewables infrastructure…by David Kimberley   Climate change, advances in technology and regulatory changes designed to foster the use of green energy have all contributed to increased investment in renewables infrastructure over the last decade. That investment has been fuelled by demand from investors, who often find the potential for high, comparatively predictable levels of cashflow, which these investments typically produce, appealing. However, for wealth managers or individual inv ..read more

  An increasing regulatory burden and a tightening tax net has already seen many landlords re-evaluate their property investments and prompted some to exit – by Rob Morgan   Meanwhile, diminished returns from higher mortgage costs and a greater income tax burden are affecting those that have stuck it out. This direction of travel was further confirmed by Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, in the recent Spring Budget with some new incentives for buy-to-let investors to sell up.   Budget changes   Of the two major Spring Budget changes affecting landlords one was a carrot, the other a ..read more

​  Emerging market currencies are going to be under pressure until at least the third quarter of 2024, warns Nigel Green ​ ​  The warning from deVere Group’s CEO follows news that that the producer price index (PPI) in the US rose more than expected in February, coming just days after data showed an unexpected rise in consumer prices (CPI), has slashed the likelihood of imminent rate cuts by the Federal Reserve. ​ He comments: “The PPI in the US strengthens our position that the Fed is almost now certainly not going to cut rates this month; and we now believe it could delay cutting ..read more