Made money in cryptocurrencies? Don’t forget to pay your taxes – in sterling
Made money in cryptocurrencies? Don’t forget to pay your taxes – in sterling
Speculating on cryptocurrencies is akin to gambling in all but one respect, says Merryn Somerset Webb: you must pay tax on any gains, and you must pay…
18 Jan 2022
Ask for a pay rise – everyone else is
Ask for a pay rise – everyone else is
As inflation bites and the labour market remains tight, many of the nation's employees are asking for a pay rise. Merryn Somerset Webb explains why yo…
17 Jan 2022
Energy prices will keep rising – here’s how to invest
Energy prices will keep rising – here’s how to invest
Energy prices will keep rising for the foreseeable future – it is a simple matter of supply and demand. Merryn Somerset Webb explains how you should i…
14 Jan 2022
The markets in 2022: why investors should tread very carefully
The markets in 2022: why investors should tread very carefully
Despite everything, 2021 saw more extremely healthy returns for stockmarket investors. But 2022 is unlikely to be as profitable, says Merryn Somerset …
4 Jan 2022
Five books to make you think this Christmas
Five books to make you think this Christmas
Merryn Somerset Webb picks five books on the theme of ownership for you to read over the festive period.
10 Dec 2021
Why the “capital cycle” is so important for investors to understand
Why the “capital cycle” is so important for investors to understand
Price is important when investing. But there’s something else to consider, says Merryn Somerset Webb – the capital cycle. Here’s what it is and why it…
3 Dec 2021
Two outstandingly cheap UK stocks in an age of mad valuations
Two outstandingly cheap UK stocks in an age of mad valuations
In these times of nutty company valuations, there is still plenty of opportunity around, says Merryn Somerset Webb. Take these two stocks, for example…
26 Nov 2021
The power of passive investing – for good and bad
The power of passive investing – for good and bad
The rise of passive funds has made investing simple and cheap for millions of people. But it comes with huge consequences for markets, the economy and…
22 Nov 2021
Don’t worry about the global population explosion – it’s unlikely to happen
Don’t worry about the global population explosion – it’s unlikely to happen
One of the many things we are taught to worry about is the fast-rising global population. But in fact, says Merryn Somerset Webb, the opposite is tru…
15 Nov 2021
Inflation forecasts mean interest rates should be on the rise – so why aren’t they?
Inflation forecasts mean interest rates should be on the rise – so why aren’t they?
With inflation forecast to hit 5% next year, we might expect interest rates to be rising, says Merryn Somerset Webb. But central banks are holding off…
8 Nov 2021
Is how much money a manager invests in their own fund really that important?
Is how much money a manager invests in their own fund really that important?
Should fund managers invest their own money in their funds, and let us know how much? They probably should, says Merryn Somerset Webb. But it might no…
18 Oct 2021
What to do as taxes and inflation rise and the growth-stock bull market ends
What to do as taxes and inflation rise and the growth-stock bull market ends
The need to pay back our huge debt means higher taxes, higher inflation and, for investors, a return to value. Merryn Somerset Webb explains what you …
11 Oct 2021
Forget China, here’s why you should invest in India
Forget China, here’s why you should invest in India
As China becomes increasingly hostile to investors, India, with a young, educated, tech-savvy population and a reform-minded government, is becoming a…
5 Oct 2021
Why we will be reliant on fossil fuels for a long time to come
Why we will be reliant on fossil fuels for a long time to come
The energy crisis has shown us just how reliant we still are on fossil fuels. And we will continue to rely on them for a long time yet, says Merryn So…
27 Sep 2021
The end of the bond bull market, and how to invest for it
The end of the bond bull market, and how to invest for it
The great bond bull market looks to be over, and you probably don’t want to be holding government bonds, says Merryn Somerset Webb. Here’s what you sh…
21 Sep 2021
The times may be changing, but don’t change how you invest
The times may be changing, but don’t change how you invest
We are living in strange times. But the basics of investing remain the same: buy fairly-priced stocks that can provide an income. And there are few be…
13 Sep 2021
China may be cheap, but is it cheap enough to make investing there worth it?
China may be cheap, but is it cheap enough to make investing there worth it?
China’s crackdown on its markets has spread beyond Big Tech to all sectors of the economy. Investors in China must now ask themselves: is it worth it?
7 Sep 2021
Why central banks should stick to controlling inflation
Why central banks should stick to controlling inflation
The world’s central bankers are stepping out of their traditional roles and becoming much more political. That’s a mistake, says Merryn Somerset Webb.
30 Aug 2021
The sudden storm that could take down your investment portfolio
The sudden storm that could take down your investment portfolio
There are many things that threaten to put a big dent in your retirement savings. But the biggest right now is inflation, says Merryn Somerset Webb.
23 Aug 2021
Disasters, bunkers and financial collapse: a little not-so-light holiday reading
Disasters, bunkers and financial collapse: a little not-so-light holiday reading
Merryn Somerset Webb picks a selection of books for you to dive into wherever you are holidaying this summer.
3 Aug 2021
Signs of a top? One of the world’s oddest bubbles is back
Signs of a top? One of the world’s oddest bubbles is back
In a world where everything seems to be in a bubble, one of the oddest has returned: Beanie Babies. Merryn Somerset Webb looks at what could possibly …
27 Jul 2021
The space race: exciting, but not necessarily profitable
The space race: exciting, but not necessarily profitable
The new space race will spawn a host of new companies wanting to cash in. But investors should tread very carefully, says Merryn Somerset Webb: most w…
19 Jul 2021
Why equities are better investments than art
Why equities are better investments than art
We’re often told that buying art is a good way of diversifying your investment portfolio. But, says Merryn Somerset Webb, art has no income stream and…
12 Jul 2021
If a company is cheap enough for private equity, why isn’t it cheap enough for everyone else?
If a company is cheap enough for private equity, why isn’t it cheap enough for everyone else?
If a private equity firm thinks a company like Wm Morrison is undervalued, why isn’t it in everyone’s portfolio? Merryn Somerset Webb mulls the myster…
5 Jul 2021