After years in the wilderness the FTSE 100 is finally coming into its own as some of the key features of the index go from being liabilities to advantages. Our analysis suggests that, in a world of inflation, rising interest rates and surging commodity prices, many of the big names which dominate the index are well placed. As well as domestic investors, this could well increase the appeal of ...

The rapid growth of exchange traded funds over the last decade means investors now have plenty of choice when tracking major investment themes. ETFs take the headache and risk out of trying to pick the best active managers while also offering lower costs and good liquidity. They can also provide diversification in certain assets which are harder for retail investors to access such as ...

Readers often ask how they should choose between different exchange-traded funds covering the same underlying market so let’s look at two products tracking the UK’s flagship stock market index, the FTSE 100. iShares Core FTSE 100 ETF (ISF) is the largest exchange-traded fund of this kind, with net assets approaching £10 billion. Vanguard FTSE 100 (VUKE) is the second biggest at closer ...

Investors looking to play the e-commerce theme have a new option available to them thanks to the launch of a specialist exchange-traded fund – Global Online Retail ETF (IBUY). The ETF tracks the EQM Global Online Retail Growth Index and aims to provide exposure to ‘the rapidly growing online e-commerce market as competitive pricing, shopping convenience, greater product selection and rapid ...

We are championing UK stocks despite the introduction of the latest lockdown measures. For more than four years London-listed shares have trailed in the wake of nearly all other major global markets, but the early Christmas present of a Brexit deal should end much of the uncertainty which led to this underperformance. We are already seeing a dramatic reversal in fortunes with the FTSE 100 going ...

US exchange-traded fund (ETF) provider Global X has launched its first two ETFs on the London Stock Exchange. The ETF market in the US is more mature than the UK and Global X specialises in thematic products, something reflected in the nature of these new launches, Global X Video Games & Esports (HERU) and Global X Telemedicine & Digital Health (EDOC). Historically UK ETFs tended to ...

We are all being urged to shop local as part of a rescue package to save British high streets. The UK Government has pressed shoppers to visit their high street to support businesses stripped of footfall during pandemic lockdowns. We’ll leave readers to draw their own conclusions about where and how they do their own Christmas shopping, but from an investment perspective, Shares believes that ...

Investing doesn’t need to be hard, complicated or even require a lot of time, and you certainly don’t need dozens of all different kinds of investments in your portfolio. In fact, seven funds could be enough. And they needn’t be active funds either. Picking the right fund and fund manager is always a tricky task, particularly trying to find ones that have proven they can outperform the ...

Some ETFs have physical underlying holdings, which is safer for the investor, whereas some are derivative instruments where you take the credit risk of the underlying issuer (eg UBS, Citibank). Is there an easy way to differentiate between the two types; for instance, is it clearly stated on their factsheet or is there some way to tell from their identifying code? Kearia Yau Reporter ...

I’m fairly new to investing and have been looking to gain low-cost exposure to stocks. With this in mind could you explain which are the better option, ETFs or tracker funds? Michael Reporter Yoosof Farah replies: On the surface they may seem like the same thing, but index tracker funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are two distinct investment products with significant ...

In the world of investing, the future is unknown leaving investors to make their collective ‘best guesses’ as to what is most likely to happen. It’s not unlike the weather with some days providing glorious sunshine and others a torrential downpour. In other words, it pays to take pack an umbrella as well as shorts and a hat. Uncertainty is best tackled by choosing investments with ...

Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are a good starting point for investors looking to gain low-cost exposure to a broad range of financial markets. They enable you to track various groups of companies, bonds or commodities from around the world. Ultimately ETFs can provide the building blocks of a diversified portfolio. ETFs can be much cheaper than a traditional investment fund that uses a fund ...

If you have ever wondered about what purpose stock market indices serve, how they work or just wanted to know how they relate to investing, we have the answers. Over the coming weeks we will cover all the main global indices, starting with the most recognised UK market benchmarks. We will discuss what moves them and how you can gain exposure to their performance. FTSE 100 INDEX You ...

How low can you go? Typically asked during a game of limbo, it has been a question increasingly posed by investors in exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Pitched as a simple way to invest at a cheaper price than using the services of a fund manager, ETFs can invest in stocks for a charge as low as 0.04%, equating to 4p for every £100 invested. That figure could get even smaller as the price war ...

When you’re thinking of buying an exchange-traded fund (ETF), the choice can be daunting. There are typically many funds tracking the same indices, making it difficult to know how to choose between them. It’s not as simple as just looking at the cost, although that should certainly be a key consideration. To help you with your investment journey, here’s our guide to some of the ways you ...

If you are new to stock market investing you may still have heard of the FTSE 100. It frequently appears on TV news bulletins and in the papers, its relative direction up or down giving viewers/readers a steer as to how the UK economy is going and how optimistic, or not, investors feel about the nation’s prospects. By contrast, the FTSE 350 the has a very low profile and seldom gets a mention ...

Investors looking to get a regular income from their portfolio have the option of investing in a range of low-cost exchange-traded funds (ETFs) specifically designed to track certain types of dividend-paying assets. However, not all dividend-focused ETFs are created equal. In this article we will look at the pros and cons of the relevant products and discuss the mechanics around ETFs and ...

Wouldn’t it be great if in your retirement you could pay for all the boring bills in your life with a tax-free income, and keep your pension savings for the fun stuff? People who save into an ISA benefit not only from tax-free growth on their investments but they can also draw income off their investment pot tax free, meaning they can supplement their pension income. HOW MUCH DO I ...

The quest for income remains at the top of the agenda for many investors. While UK interest rates have started to go up, they are still low relative to history and so cash savings accounts are unlikely to offer any decent levels of interest. For example, the best paying instant access cash savings rate is currently 1.5% from Goldman Sach’s new Marcus service and Kent Reliance. Fixed-rated ...

It appears investors have been sticking to familiar territory in September when investing via exchange-traded funds (ETFs) with popular choices involving the FTSE 100 and the S&P 500. ETFs are desirable for investors looking to match – rather than beat - the performance of indexes or physical assets such as commodities for a cheaper price than actively managed funds. According to data ...