Visit/investments/stockmarkets/601058/navigating-a-world-in-which-the-odd-is-has-become-the-everyday
Navigating a world in which the odd is has become the everyday
In these strange times, everything once deemed unthinkable is now thinkable. But that doesn't mean it is possible, says Merryn Somerset Webb
26 Mar 2020
Visit/economy/global-economy/601016/the-financial-system-gets-reset
The financial system gets reset
Things are very much different now, says Merryn Somerset Webb. We are entering period of financial – and possibly also political – reset.
19 Mar 2020
Visit/economy/uk-economy/600982/exceptional-measures-dont-come-cheap
Exceptional measures don't come cheap
Rishi Sunak promised so much in his Budget that's its impossible to tot up just how much it will all cost. That is not a good thing, says Merryn Somer…
12 Mar 2020
Visit/economy/global-economy/600938/coronavirus-disruption-will-take-some-time-to-play-out
Coronavirus disruption will take some time to play out
There are already plenty of obvious casualties of the nasty combination of coronavirus-driven supply and demand shocks. But second-round casualties ar…
5 Mar 2020
Visit/investments/investment-strategy/600904/how-to-vaccinate-your-portfolio-against-coronavirus
How to vaccinate your portfolio against coronavirus
The spread of coronavirus could pose a threat to your portfolio, says Merryn Somerset Webb. Make sure it's protected
27 Feb 2020
Visit/economy/600859/the-uk-is-doing-fine
The UK is doing fine
The small matter of the productivity problem aside, the UK economy is doing fine, and should carry on being fine.
20 Feb 2020
Visit/investments/investment-strategy/600833/green-investment-from-sensible-re-pricing-to-full-on-mania
Green investment: from "sensible re-pricing" to full-on mania
Change is afoot, says John Stepek. Everyone is waking up to the fact that we need to do more to protect the environment. That presents opportunities f…
13 Feb 2020
Visit/economy/uk-economy/600792/were-near-the-tipping-point-for-electric-cars
We're near the tipping point for electric cars
Demand for electric cars is soaring soared. And while the switchover will be expensive, we could be near a tipping point.
6 Feb 2020
Visit/investments/property/house-prices/600745/house-prices-have-had-a-relatively-quiet-decade
House prices have had a relatively quiet decade
It may surprise you to learn that house prices in Wales, Scotland and the north of England are actually more affordable than at the end of 2009.
30 Jan 2020
Visit/editors-letter/600698/contrarian-notions-from-the-davos-talking-shop
Contrarian notions from the Davos talking shop
Davos – the talking shop for the great and the good and the grossly overpaid – is fertile ground for contrarian indicators, says John Stepek.
23 Jan 2020
Visit/investments/investment-strategy/600637/buying-shares-can-be-a-tricky-business
Buying shares can be a tricky business
A tip gone bad reminds John Stepek that buying shares in troubled companies in the hope that they can turn themselves around doesn't always pay off.
16 Jan 2020
Visit/520436/another-year-of-politics-for-investors-to-worry-about
Another year of politics for investors to worry about
It’s the start of another year and once again politics looms large in the minds of investors. This year, it’s an escalation in the temperature of the …
9 Jan 2020
Visit/520060/the-good-and-the-bad-investments-of-2010s
The good investments of the 2010s – and the bad
John Stepek takes a look back on which investments did well and which did badly in the decade that’s about to come to an end.
26 Dec 2019
Visit/519858/how-long-can-the-good-times-roll
How long can the good times roll?
Despite all the doom and gloom that has dominated our headlines for most of 2019, Britain and most of the rest of the developing world is currently en…
19 Dec 2019
Visit/519558/britain-is-actually-in-pretty-good-shape
Britain is actually in pretty good shape
The UK may have its problems, but not nearly as many as people seem to think, says Merryn Somerset Webb.
12 Dec 2019
Visit/519223/how-can-we-raise-more-money-in-tax
What are the best ways of raising more money in tax?
Given that whoever wins next week's election will be going on a massive spending spree, we're going to need to raise at least some of that money throu…
5 Dec 2019
Visit/518890/the-free-spending-policies-that-will-never-leave-the-virtual-world
The free-spending policies that will never leave the virtual world
Our politicians are all promising voters the world. But mostly, it is just pointless showing off, says Merryn Somerset Webb.
28 Nov 2019
Visit/518498/the-one-thing-a-divided-britain-can-agree-on
The biggest threat to capitalism right now isn't Jeremy Corbyn
The greatest danger to capitalism isn't a far-left Corbyn government, it's the rise of powerful corporations distorting the free market.
21 Nov 2019
Visit/518066/how-to-invest-in-a-world-of-relentless-political-risk
How to invest in a world of relentless political risk
Global geopolitics has become a "black swan" machine. Unexpected things just keep happening. How are you supposed to invest in a world full of politic…
14 Nov 2019
Visit/517084/517084
Neil Woodford: no silver lining for his investors
Neil Woodford made every mistake it is possible to make as a money manager. And his investors have been stiffed. But however wrong it all went, Woodfo…
24 Oct 2019
Visit/516412/editors-letter
The answer to our woes is to reverse quantitative easing
Quantitative easing isn't doing what it is supposed to do. Reversing it might, says Merryn Somerset Webb.
10 Oct 2019
Visit/516056/brexit-conspiracies-make-no-sense-at-all
Brexit conspiracies make no sense at all
Boris Johnson really isn't being controlled by a mysterious cabal of international financiers working to force a no-deal Brexit so that they can make …
3 Oct 2019
Visit/515733/cash-is-dying-but-well-miss-it-when-its-gone
Cash is dying, but we'll miss it when it's gone
Most people now pay with debit or credit cards rather than cash. It might seem to you that this doesn’t matter much. But it does.
26 Sep 2019