Theodore White, the American political journalist, described inflation as 'arriving gradually, is recognised too late and can be cured only by ruthless political surgery'.In June the UK's annual rate rose to a new four-decade high and is predicted to peak at 13% according to the latest Bank of England forecast.While many of today's investors have never seen meaningful inflation anybody who lived d

We believe now is a good time to consider adding certain bonds to your portfolio. In this article we discuss the reasons why and reveal the best bond funds to buy.Bond markets have been through one of their most challenging times ever after the US Federal Reserve's pivot towards raising rates caught investors off guard.Year-to-date the Bloomberg Global Bond Aggregate index is down around 12% and h

In its latest report on 14 July the UK's Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) said the country is on track for the largest decline in gross domestic product (GDP) for 300 years with a 2020 contraction of 12.7%. GDP is a measure of the total value of goods and services in the economy.It says lower output and rising costs will push national debt as a proportion of GDP above 100% and is expected to

In April this year Bloomberg Businessweek ran the headline 'Is inflation dead?'. Inside the magazine was a lengthy discourse on why inflation is dead and why it is likely to stay that way for some time.It's true that expectations for inflation are about as low as they have ever been, with many developed countries boasting negative short-term interest rates and around $15trn of outstanding bonds tr

Tracker funds like exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are best-known for their ability to mirror the ups and downs of the stock market, so they might not be your first choice for an income investment. But retirees may do well to consider investing in ETFs not just for potential growth, but for reliable dividends too.Many trackers follow the performance of companies on various stock markets which pay div

Debt securities like bonds and gilts (government bonds) can offer the attraction of greater security than stocks and shares alongside regular income and can be a good option as part of a balanced portfolio.While debt securities may offer a predictable income stream, the minimum trade size for many of the bonds issued by companies can be upwards of £10,000.Buying an exchange-traded fund (ETF) whic

United Carpets' cash returnNews (22 May) United Carpets (UCG:AIM) is to pay a 1p special dividend sends a confident signal. The carpets and beds retailer, trading at 12.4p, is benefiting from self-help and is geared into a pick-up in housing transactions in its northern heartlands. (JC)Aureus pours first goldAureus Mining (AUE:AIM) is now a fully-fledged gold producer after pouring its first preci

Tech plays FootsieThe technology ranks of the FTSE 100 could be swollen this year from two to perhaps five thanks to mergers and the likely £1 billion-plus IPO of cyber security group Sophos. Both Micro Focus (MCRO) and the announced merger of TeleCity (TCY) and Interxion (INXN:NYSE) could qualify for blue-chip inclusion. (SFr)All Leisure halves lossesCruise and tour operator All Leisure (ALLG:AI

For the first column of 2015 it seems appropriate to take a look at what the charts suggest may be in store for stock markets for the new year. 2014 was something of a mixed period for indices, with the US powering ahead but the various UK indices looking somewhat lacklustre. Will this year be any different? We take a look at the FTSE All-Share and the S&P 500.FTSE All-Share (ASX)Sell: 3580Target:

Selling the technological picks and shovels needed to support the rush to the cloud, co-location datacentres operator Telecity (TCY) has the capacity to bounce back strongly this year. The shares suffered a sharp de-rating in 2013 as investors fretted about pricing and competition from likes of Equinix (EQIX:NDQ), Interxion (INXN:NYSE) and racy managed service supplier Rackspace (RAX:NYSE). This o

If mines, mills and factories were the powerhouses of the 20th Century, then data centres are today's equivalent. You've seen them on the fringe of most decent-sized cities, massive great sheds that loom large like mountains of brick and glass. Whizzing and whirling away inside are the computer brains that drive the modern economy, housing detailed information on everything from financial records,

To gain a place in it represents the pinnacle of achievement for a UK quoted company. Every firm aspires to be part of it, in the knowledge the 'blue-chip' status afforded by inclusion is trusted all around the world. Investors know that a FTSE 100 firm is expected to meet the highest standards of governance and has to be on top of its game to get and then stay there.But the trick to making real m