THIS IS AN ADVERTISING FEATURE As investors look ahead to 2024, they still need to decide whether to take the risk in equity markets, or keep their savings in cash. Cash rates remain high for the time being, and there are a range of factors that could create market volatility in the year ahead. Nevertheless, while the future is uncertain, there are a number of reasons to hold faith in the markets

Value stocks have outperformed growth stocks by 12% since Pfizer (PFE:NYSE) announced the first effective Covid-19 vaccine on 9 November 2020. That's comparing the MSCI World Value index against the MSCI World Growth index.We have reason to believe the value investing style could soon deliver even bigger outperformance given the shift in the backdrop from cheap money to more normalised interest ra

THIS IS AN ADVERTISING FEATUREInvestors have turned away from UK smaller companies since the start of 2022. Predicting a turning point is tough, says the Team behind the BlackRock Smaller Companies Trust, but there are more optimistic signs.Capital at risk. The value of investments and the income from them can fall as well as rise and are not guaranteed. Investors may not get back the amount origi

THIS IS AN ADVERTISING FEATURENavigating the US stock market at a time of recessionAll signs are pointing to a recession in the US in the second half of 2023, with the impact of higher interest rates starting to be felt in the real economy. But, says Lisa Yang, manager on the BlackRock Sustainable American Income trust, there are always companies that can thrive. Capital at risk. The value of inve

THIS IS AN ADVERTISING FEATUREAt the end of a difficult 2022, the US stock market showed brief signs of revival on hopes that inflationary pressures were finally easing. However, until a more permanent change in the Federal Reserve's position, these are likely to be 'speedbumps' rather than a permanent change in direction. A focus on resilient companies, with quality characteristics is likely to r

Based on the number of deals placed by AJ Bell customers in the past month, Pacific Horizon (PHI) was the most popular investment trust purchase as bargain-hunters sought exposure to Asia Pacific growth opportunities at a discount.Hot on its heels in terms of the number of buy orders placed was BlackRock Smaller Companies (BRSC), as investors wagered the double-digit discount to net asset value (N

During volatile market conditions and high inflation, investors are looking for ways to protect their income. Investment trusts have an income advantage which is particularly important for seekers of rising payouts.This is because they are able to hold back up to 15% of the income they receive from their investments in their revenue reserves. They can use these reserves to boost dividends during l

THIS IS AN ADVERTISING FEATUREAfter a tough decade, the environment for the value approach is improving, says Lisa Yang, Co-Manager of the BlackRock Sustainable American Income Trust plc. Is it time for investors to take note?Capital at risk. The value of investments and the income from them can fall as well as rise and are not guaranteed. Investors may not get back the amount originally invested.

The year so far has seen significant volatility for global stock markets driven by concerns over red-hot inflation, the impact on share prices of rising interest rates and war in Ukraine.Crunching the latest data from Winterflood Investment Trusts, Shares has spotted that discounts to net asset value have widened on a variety of trusts with interesting strategies and prospects.BANKERS ON SALEFor i

Investors are bracing for a difficult start for US stocks as investors return to equity markets following the Presidents Day holiday with Russia ordering troops into two breakaway regions of eastern Ukraine in defiance of economic sanction threats from the West.Futures for the S&P 500, the most closely watched US market, point to 0.3% declines while the Dow Jones Industrial Average is seen falling

UK investors have witnessed a steady if unspectacular pandemic recovery for UK shares in the main. But some parts of the market have bounced further and faster, and the BlackRock Smaller Companies Trust (BRSC) is a great way to tap into the strength of the UK smaller company universe at a larger than usual discount to net asset value.In 2021 the FTSE Small Cap index has risen 22% while the FTSE 25

THIS IS AN ADVERTISING FEATURERoland Arnold, Portfolio Manager of the BlackRock Smaller Companies Trust plc, explains how he uncovers companies that could grow their earnings for the long term.Capital at risk. The value of investments and the income from them can fall as well as rise and are not guaranteed. Investors may not get back the amount originally invested.In the short term, share prices f

While the US equity market has had a stunning rally off the Covid lows, with many commentators seeing a bubble ready to pop, investors simply cannot afford to ignore what remains the world's largest and most liquid stock market.For those retail investors that just don't have the time to monitor news flow from individual companies, entrusting cash to a professional fund manager with proven pedigree

Despite healthy double-digit gains in 2021, driven by successful vaccination rollouts and recovering economies, major stock markets around the world appear to have stalled since early May.London's FTSE 100, the Standard and Poors 500, Japan's Nikkei 225 the Nasdaq 100 indices have failed so far to push on from recent highs.The exception is emerging markets with Brazil's Bovespa index up 6%, while

London's FTSE 100 finished Monday's session 0.9% to the good at 6,466.42 points, rebounding after its worst week since October on positive Chinese manufacturing data and a boost from a strong Wall Street open.Silver prices rose to an eight-year high before dropping back amid suggestions the precious metal is being targeted by day traders associated with the Wallstreetbets group on community platfo

London's FTSE 100 was up 1.4% at 6,495.2 points at midday on Monday as China injected fresh funds into its money market and the price of silver surged 10% to $29.49 an ounce as retail investors piled in.The precious metal has become the latest asset to be targeted by retail investors associated with the Wallstreetbets group on community platform Reddit.Shares in silver miners soared, with FTSE 100

The FTSE 100 gained 0.66% to 6,449 shortly after trading began on Monday as China injected fresh funds into its money market, while silver prices rose on expectations the precious metal is being targeted by newly empowered day traders.The FTSE's gain comes after a strong rally in Asian markets, with Japan's Nikkei 225 up 1.55%, the Hang Seng in Hong Kong soaring 2.15% and China's Shanghai Composit

THIS IS AN ADVERTISING PROMOTIONMarkets may have moved higher, but many businesses are still operating below their peak. For investors with a long-term perspective, this presents real opportunities, says Roland Arnold, Portfolio Manager of the BlackRock Smaller Companies Trust plc. Capital at risk. The value of investments and the income from them can fall as well as rise and are not guaranteed.

Yet more confusion was heaped on shareholders of Gulf healthcare company NMC Health (NMC) today after it received another amendment regarding the true ownership of the company. The shares fell 3.6% to 826p.NMC Health is not able to independently verify the information provided in the notification and is urgently seeking clarity from founder Dr. Shetty, Khaleefa Bin Butti Omair Yousif Al Muhari and

Shares in global payments platform Finablr (FIN) plunged nearly 30% on 24 January and remain under the cosh at 94p.This is after the company announced that its majority owner and founder, UAE-based billionaire B.R. Shetty, had pledged 392.2m stocks, roughly 56% of the company's shares, for security against borrowings raised by BRS Ventures & Holdings. The debt was used in the acquisition of a majo