Each week, a professional investor tells us where he'd put his money. This week:Simon Gergel of the Merchants Trust.
Navigating these uncertain political times is a tricky matter for fund managers these days. Brexit is, of course, a risk to the economy. However, many UK companies are exposed to relatively stronger global markets, where data is positive. As a result, the UK market remains steady, with volatility low.One sector particularly exposed to volatility over the last decade has been the oil and gas producers. Between 2011 and 2014, the price of Brent crude was above $100 a barrel. By early 2016, it had slumped to $27 a barrel, with fears that things could only get worse when Western sanctions on Iran were lifted, exacerbating the oversupply problem.
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How you could boost household income by £16k tax-free – five legal loopholesKnowing your way around the tax system means you can take advantages of ways to keep more of your income tax-free
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HSBC UK slashes financial advice fee to 1% for Premier customers – how does it compare to other £100k accounts?Natwest and Lloyds offer competing accounts with a range of perks from cheaper mortgages to cashback to entice those with £100,000 or more in savings and investments. Is HSBC’s reduced fee worth considering?
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BP’s profits surge, but the company’s growth is far from guaranteedAnalysis BP profits are at their highest in a decade, and it looks to be a business firing on all cylinders. But its future is far from certain, says Rupert Hargreaves.
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BP: really going “beyond petroleum” won't be easyNews BP is recovering and plans to become carbon neutral by 2050. Meanwhile, activist investors are targeting ExxonMobil. Matthew Partridge reports
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BP looks set to return more money to shareholders as it beats expectationsNews Oil major BP is to embark on a share buyback programme after significantly reducing its debts. Saloni Sardana looks at what it means for your portfolio.
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BP has slashed its dividend – and markets love itOpinion BP has bowed to the inevitable and cut its dividend in half – and its share price promptly rose. John Stepek explains what it means for shareholders and for beleaguered income investors.
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BP bows to reality as it writes down $17bn of assetsNews The oil giant has ditched its conspicuously bullish outlook and written down the value of its assets. Will it cut its dividend too? Matthew Partridge reports
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Watch out income investors – BP looks likely to cut its dividend in the near futureOpinion Oil major BP is writing billions off the value of its assets as it struggles to adapt to the changing world. Unlike Shell, however, BP hasn’t yet cut its dividend. But, says John Stepek, it’s only a matter of time till it does.
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How reliable is your income from dividend payouts?Tutorials Many blue-chip stocks are stretching their dividend payouts to the limit. Make sure you don’t pay the price.
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If you’d invested in: Equiniti and National GridOpinion Financial services firm Equiniti has gone from strength to strength, while National Grid is facing uncertainty.
