Chemicals companies produce the compounds used in a huge variety of different industrial and consumer products across sectors which include agriculture, healthcare, technology, aerospace, sports, leisure and beauty.The breadth of the industry?s focus means its fortunes are closely tied to the economy and movements in GDP as well as volatility in raw material prices and energy costs.In 2023 the sec

THIS IS AN ADVERTISING FEATURE Against a backdrop of higher valuations, covered call option strategies can provide opportunities to hedge positions and generate current income.Covered Call BasicsCovered call strategies involve purchasing equities and selling a corresponding call option on those assets. A call option gives the buyer the right, but not the obligation, to buy a security at a pre-de

Investors will be looking forward to tucking into fourth-quarter results from fast-food giant McDonald?s (MCD:NYSE) on 5 February to see whether despite higher interest rates US consumers are still hungry for its value-for-money offering.?It's hard to see McDonald's not winning in any consumer environment,? says Wedbush analyst Nick Setyan, while Andy Barish at Jefferies named the stock a top pick

Retailer Marks & Spencer (MKS) is the gift that keeps on giving. Its share price is up 162% since October 2022, dividends are back after a four-year absence, and analysts keep finding reasons to upgrade earnings forecasts. In fact, the analyst consensus earnings estimate has increased 11 times this year, according to Stockopedia data.Earnings growth is a key driver for share price growth so it mak

Renewable energy supplier Drax (DRX) came under pressure on 15 September following news that the National Audit Office will issue a report on the Government's biomass strategy, including analysis of how support had been funded and implemented.Drax argues burning wood pellets is a sustainable source of renewable energy, but not everyone agrees. Critics highlight subsidies Drax received for burning

1. Broadening market breadth. During the first half of 2023, 72% of the gains and six out of the 10 largest contributors to the gains in the MSCI Emerging Markets index were technology-related. This is a trend repeated in global equity indices, as 53% of the gains and nine of the 10 largest contributors to gains in the MSCI All Country World index came from technology-related companies. Looking ah

European financial markets remained calm early Monday, after the dramatic turn of events in Russia over the weekend; however uncertainty about the fall-out from the failed mutiny by the Wagner mercenary army contributed to a risk-off investment atmosphere.'What has happened during this weekend shows that the war against Ukraine is cracking Russian power and affecting its political system,' EU fore

The El Niño weather effect promises to have an inflationary impact as it shakes a global food production apparatus still recovering from the shock associated with Russia's invasion of Ukraine more than 12 months ago.The weather phenomenon could, depending on its severity, have a significant impact on growing conditions in some of the world's key agricultural regions. According to a blog on

Share prices were on the rise in Europe on Thursday, while gold was sharply lower, amid a risk-on atmosphere following the passage by the US House of Representatives of a bill that will allow Washington to avoid a disastrous debt default.The FTSE 100 index opened up 39.34 points, 0.5%, at 7,485.48. The FTSE 250 was up 44.51 points, 0.2%, at 18,767.41, and the AIM All-Share was up 1.82 points, 0.2%

Each year, natural disasters around the world destroy assets worth hundreds of billions of dollars.According to German reinsurance giant Munich Re (MUV2:ETR), losses incurred from natural disasters amounted to $270 billion last year with less than half that figure covered by insurance.For insurers, it is essential to have in-depth knowledge of risks and how they are developing in order to be able

The dollar was on the rise and equities were under pressure globally on Wednesday, as the possibility of the US defaulting on its federal government debt loomed as an increasing possibility.'The first ever default on US debt is unthinkable and the likeliest outcome is an eleventh-hour deal, but, as the beginning-of-June deadline for raising the debt ceiling signalled by US secretary of the Treasur

- Strong bounce in 2022 admissions, up 70%- Return to profitability- Six new cinemas expected to open in 2023Up-market cinema operator Everyman Media (EMAN:AIM) continued its post-pandemic recovery with admissions and sales in the year to December rising 70% and 61% respectively, pushing the group back into profit.Despite challenging macroeconomic conditions, the company said it was confident of d

Stocks in London were in the green at the close on Thursday, after a sharp decline on Wednesday, buoyed by Credit Suisse receiving a lifeline from the Swiss central bank.'One minute the market is worried about a banking crisis, the next minute it is more relaxed. This hot/cold mentality creates an odd atmosphere and today we have another one of those days where investors are seemingly less worried

- Shares fallen over 14% over the six months- Made £13.4 million worth of investments- Pre-tax loss for first half of £17.3 million'The market has overly discounted the share price', the CEO and co-founder of Seraphim Space Investment Trust (SSIT) Mark Boggett tells Shares.Over the six months ending 31 December 2022, Seraphim shares fell 14.7% from 53.0p to 45.2p, as the global financial markets

In 2022 there was a 'white gold' rush as lithium prices soared thanks to huge Chinese demand. The chemical element is a key component in the manufacture of batteries for electric vehicles and the storage of energy generated by renewable sources. China is at the forefront of battery production.Many analysts are forecasting a decline in lithium prices, but several executives have told Shares they ar

Concern that China will revert to its strict zero-Covid policy was hurting equity markets and oil prices early Monday, but the risk-off atmosphere was supporting the dollar.The FTSE 100 index opened 32.80 points, 0.4%, lower at 7,352.72. The FTSE 250 was down 84.20 points, 0.4%, at 19,198.85. The AIM All-Share was up 0.62 of a point, or 0.1%, at 838.87.The Cboe UK 100 was down 0.4% at 735.33, and

Stock markets were rising on Monday, with a risk-on atmosphere dominating ahead of a key inflation reading in the US, due on Tuesday, though some analysts questioned whether the positive mood was warranted.The pound and euro also were rising ahead of the data, which is expected to influence the next policy move by the US Federal Reserve.The FTSE 100 index was up 96.90 points, or 1.3%, at 7,447.97

Shares in Chipotle Mexican Grill (CMG:NYSE) sizzled on Wall Street after the fast casual restaurants star turn served up forecast-beating second quarter earnings (26 July), with profit growth driven by price hikes.Though sales in the quarter to 30 June were weaker than expected as inflation squeezed low-income consumers, Chipotle's capacity to raise prices from a low base is enabling the chain to

Anyone setting off on holiday this summer will want to make their money go the furthest - and one easy way to do that is being savvy about how you spend money while abroad.The difference between using the wrong card and one with low fees, or getting your cash at the airport compared to a more competitive rate could add hundreds of pounds in costs to your trip away.Here we look at the different opt

Given how widely telegraphed the build-up to war was, it seems unthinkable that politicians and businesses were unaware of the risk that Russia might actually invade Ukraine.With the invasion now a terrible reality, they are all rushing to reappraise their attitudes and exposure to Russia.Meanwhile investors, many of whom have spent the last month frantically checking if companies in which they ow