It is one thing for analysts to forecast which stocks and sectors will do well in a rising-rate or inflationary environment, but when it actually comes to pass it's always fascinating to see what works in practice.Judging by the list of stocks making 12-month highs over the past week, those who favoured real assets were on the money.Standing tall are 3i Infrastructure (3IN), AEW UK REIT (AEWU), GC

Rising interest rates since the turn of the year, runaway inflation and Russia's shocking invasion of Ukraine have shaken the investment kaleidoscope in 2022 and forced many investors to reposition portfolios for an increasingly uncertain world.This is reflected in developments in the investment trusts universe, which has thrown up some obvious and more surprising winners in the opening months of

The UK's benchmark FTSE 100 index reversed earlier gains to drop sharply into negative territory shortly before midday, down 0.4% to 6,507.94 amid some strength in the pound on raised Brexit hopes and weakness in banking and pharmaceutical stocks.In doing so it underperformed more buoyant markets elsewhere in Europe, with Germany's DAX up 0.68% and France's CAC 40 rising 0.28%.It comes as the EU h

UK stocks made modest gains in early trade on Tuesday as tougher restrictions were imposed across London and other parts of the south-east to curb a rise in Covid-19 infections.Investors continue to cling on to fading hopes of a Brexit trade deal with the European Union before a year-end deadline, while latest UK jobless data made for gloomy reading.Official data showed the unemployment rate reach

In recent years small caps globally have suffered from investor risk aversion and concerns over everything from Covid-19 perceptions to trade war and Brexit-related worries. Until the recent rotation into value, investors had continued to show a preference for larger companies, driving down the weighting to small caps held by both passive and active funds.As 2020 draws to its conclusion, investors

Investment trust 'Dividend Heroes' are those which have increased their dividends every year for at least 20 years in a row.Published by the Association of Investment Companies (AIC), this list reveals those closed-ended funds with the most formidable dividend growth records, although it doesn't tell you the level of growth and what it would be in real terms when adjusted for inflation.This is imp

As investors fret over global trade wars, slowing economic growth, and inverted yield curves, which in the past have signalled recession, it's worth looking at which investment products might be useful as 'ports in a storm' if and when markets decide that the path of least resistance is down.In theory, absolute return funds should protect your capital better than traditional funds or investment tr

We've spotted quite a few investment trusts trading at unusually large discounts to net asset value (NAV). There are good reasons why some of them are out of favour. Other situations are more perplexing which suggests investors could potentially snag themselves a bargain if we assume the discount could revert back to normal levels or even disappear.The list includes BMO Global Smaller Companies (B

Investment trust dividend heroes are classified as funds that have increased their dividends every year for at least 20 years in a row. While this list, published by the Association of Investment Companies (AIC), will help you spot products with a dividend growth track record, it doesn't tell you the level of growth and what it would be in 'real terms' when adjusting for inflation.If growth in div

You may find it odd to celebrate the start of the new tax year as 6 April often brings rising taxes and falling benefits. However, the one thing in investors' favour is that the ISA allowance clock is reset. It means you can invest up to £20,000 over the coming tax year and not pay any tax or capital gains on investments inside the wrapper.The start of the new tax is often one of the busiest time

The most popular investment trusts on AJ Bell's YouInvest platform in the month to 8 February include long-time favourites such as Scottish Mortgage (SMT) and Finsbury Growth & Income (FGT), as well as some trusts investors may be less familiar with.Investment trusts can be a useful option for investors looking for diversified exposure to a range of different companies and other assets.TAKING ADVA

It has been a difficult start to 2018 for global stock markets. Investors have been rattled by the prospect of rising interest rates, inflationary pressures, geo-political tensions and the threat of an increasingly tense trade war between the US and China.The UK has been particularly under the cosh during the first quarter. Data shows that the FTSE 100 index has been the worst performing of all th

Anyone with a long-term investment horizon should take a good look at the investment trust sector as the latest market sell-off has created plenty of opportunities.We've spotted numerous investment trusts trading on a wider discount to net asset value than their average over the past 12 months. There are also examples of investment trusts trading on lower than average premiums to net asset value.A

Some of the best performing investment trusts in 2017 have been aided by favourable market conditions as global markets continue to grow.Top of the pile is Independent Investment Trust (IIT), which delivered a total return of 71.6% which is the share price gain and dividend income. Its portfolio has this year included various high-flying tech stocks, beverage companies and housebuilders, all of wh

The Japanese economy appears to be finally cranking back into growth mode after as 'Abenomics' and financial stimulus by the country's central bank take effect.Reforms, introduced by prime minister Shinzo Abe, are matched by improving corporate governance and are broadly supportive of Japanese shares.Companies are also flush with cash, meaning there's scope for material dividend growth and the mar

It may seem strange but there are a number of open-ended funds that have very similar investment trusts, run by the same manager and which follow an almost identical mandate.A research report published in late 2016 by Canaccord Genuity identified 51 of these product pairings. The list includes many well-known funds such as: Fidelity Special Situations (GB0003875100), Jupiter European (GB0006664683

As a result of its vote in favour of leaving the EU, the UK is probably heading towards a recession'. That warning from Julius Baer's chief economist Janwillem Acket provides a good clue as to why the FTSE 250 has travelled in an opposite direction to the FTSE 100 blue chip index since the Brexit vote was cast.The FTSE 250 is down 5% since the EU referendum vote results on 24 June, versus a 3.8% g

Clinical-phase biotech Mereo BioPharma (MPH:AIM) believes it has enough cash to see its products through three clinical trials. Risk-tolerant investors may therefore view this financial strength as a reason to take a closer look at the shares.Backed by respected fund manager Neil Woodford, the drug company owns brittle bone disease, smokers cough and testosterone normalisation drugs. All have been

Biopharmaceutical firm Mereo BioPharma is set to join the AIM market on 9 June with the ticker MPH.It has raised £14.8 million through the placing of shares at 221p and an investment by its 19.5% shareholder, Swiss industry giant Novartis, in the form of a convertible loan. The shareholder register also includes City fund managers Invesco and Woodford.The company develops medicines that aim to ad

'Stocks are simple. All you do is buy shares in a great business for less than the business is intrinsically worth, with managers of the highest integrity and ability. Then you own those shares forever.' It sounds so easy when described by Warren Buffett.Investors are sold the virtues of investing for the longer-term as if that is an easy route to riches. Markets are volatile, they suggest, but pr