Latest articles by John Stepek
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The oil price is spiking higher – and there’s no reason to expect it to drop from here
Analysis The oil price has been climbing steadily over the last year or so. And with producers unwilling to raise output, it’s set to keep going. John Stepek explains what’s going on.
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It’s boom times for investment banks again – investors beware
Analysis The market for mergers and acquisitions is hitting record levels again. That's great news for investment bankers, but it's a red flag for investors. John Stepek explains why.
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How investment funds’ “greenwashing” hurts the planet
Advice A new paper suggests that funds claiming to target climate change may do more harm than good
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China’s energy crunch could export inflation around the globe
Analysis As China suffers an energy crisis too, the odds of stagflation – slowing growth but rising prices – increase. John Stepek explains why and what that might mean for your portfolio.
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Rising bond yields are unnerving markets and it could get worse before it gets better
Analysis With inflation returning fast, government bond yields are rising along with prices. And that's unsettling markets around the world. John Stepek explains what's going on.
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Has passive investing created a stockmarket bubble?
Sponsored Over the past two decades, investors have been switching from buying actively managed investment funds to buying passive funds that simply track a market. And that’s affected how the markets work. John Stepek explains why.
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Why investors should beware of corporate waffle
Advice When top executives try to retreat behind impenetrable jargon, investors should be very sceptical, says John Stepek.
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China Evergrande just missed a bond payment. Does it matter?
Opinion Troubled Chinese property giant Evergrande has just missed making an interest payment to some of its bondholders. That's not a surprise, says John Stepek, but it could still rattle the markets. Here's why.
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The US Federal Reserve is about to rein in its money-printing – what does that mean for markets?
Analysis America’s central bank is talking surprisingly tough about tightening monetary policy. And it’s not the only one. John Stepek looks at what it all means.
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What to invest in to beat soaring energy prices
Opinion As gas and electricity prices hit the roof, John Stepek explains how to invest to offset higher energy bills.
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China’s property woes are coming to a head – so what happens now?
Analysis Chinese property giant Evergrande is in big trouble. And with no bailout plan yet, markets are getting nervy. John Stepek looks at how things might go from here, and how it affects you.
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The UK jobs market is booming – what does that mean for investors?
Analysis Unemployment in the UK is back to pre-pandemic levels, employers are desperate to hire more staff, and wages are rising. John Stepek looks at what that means for your money
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Fund managers are good at buying shares – but terrible at selling them
Analysis Buying shares can be tricky. But selling them can be even trickier – even the professionals don’t get it right. John Stepek investigates why, and explains how you can become better at selling stocks and shares.
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Should we fear stagflation?
Analysis Stagflation – a toxic mixture of weak growth plus inflation – is rearing its ugly head again. Can we avoid it?
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Uranium prices are spiking – and conditions look ripe for a longer-term bull market
Analysis The price of uranium has hit $40 a pound for the first time in six years. And it's unlikely to be just a short-term spike. John Stepek looks at what's going on in the uranium market.
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Evergrande: is China facing a Lehman Brothers moment?
Opinion China's property market is overheating. And one of its biggest developers, Evergrande, is in struggling to repay its debts. John Stepek looks at what's going on, and ask: is this something you need to worry about?
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What’s better than two types of income tax? Three types of income tax!
Analysis The government is to fund social care costs by raising National Insurance contributions and adding a “health and social care levy”. John Stepek looks at what's been announced and what it means for your money.
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Should investors be worried about stagflation?
Opinion The latest US employment data has raised the ugly spectre of “stagflation” – weak growth and high inflation. John Stepek looks at what’s going on and asks if you should be worried.
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The two key factors that keep driving house prices higher
Analysis UK house prices are rising faster than at any time in the last 15 years. And it’s not just in Britain – rising property prices are a global phenomenon. John Stepek looks at what’s behind their seemingly unstoppable rise.
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Could the “metaverse” be the next big investment theme?
Opinion The “metaverse” – the world of virtual reality – has been a theme in science fiction for decades. But it could soon become real. John Stepek explains what the metaverse is, and ponders how to invest.
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What investors need to know about the return of dividends
Analysis Dividends plunged as Covid-19 spread, but have rebounded almost as quickly. What can investors learn?
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Will Jerome Powell lay out a tapering timetable today? Probably not
Analysis Investors will be looking for clues on the future of US monetary policy at the Jackson Hole Event today. John Stepek breaks down what investors can expect.
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The UK is cheap - you should invest some of your money there
Analysis UK shares are witnessing much interest from investors. John Stepek breaks down why UK stocks are attractive now.
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What income investors should learn from the Covid-19 pandemic
Analysis Income investors faced a challenging last year even as markets hit record highs as dividends were largely suspended, but they are bouncing back now. John Stepek looks at what this may mean for income investors.
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