Merryn's blog

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…

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…

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…

Despite everything, 2021 saw more extremely healthy returns for stockmarket investors. But 2022 is unlikely to be as profitable, says Merryn Somerset …

Merryn Somerset Webb picks five books on the theme of ownership for you to read over the festive period.

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…

In these times of nutty company valuations, there is still plenty of opportunity around, says Merryn Somerset Webb. Take these two stocks, for example…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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 …

As China becomes increasingly hostile to investors, India, with a young, educated, tech-savvy population and a reform-minded government, is becoming a…

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…

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…

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…

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?

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.

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.

Merryn Somerset Webb picks a selection of books for you to dive into wherever you are holidaying this summer.

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 …

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…

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…

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…