The fact only a quarter (27%) of fund managers beat the market in 2022 has led many investors to look at low-cost tracker funds. Instead of trying to outperform the market, why not simply mirror what it does and not worry about a fund manager making good or bad decisions.Exchange-traded funds or ETFs are a form of tracker fund. Their charges are typically a lot lower than an actively managed fund

With consumer prices hitting a 40-year high, more investors are searching for high-income instruments to try to offset the impact of inflation on their cash. The danger with picking individual stocks just for their income is high yields are usually indicative of some underlying problem with the business and are not sustainable.The iShares UK Dividend ETF (IUKD) takes much of the legwork out of hun

A surge in global inflation has forced central bankers to start raising interest rates. However this has not yet translated into significantly higher returns on cash deposits for savers.Investors continue to inhabit a world characterised by abnormally low interest rates, which poses a conundrum for those looking to generate an income from their money.High-dividend ETFs or exchange-traded funds, of

The new tax year is now underway, which means you're able to fill up your ISA again with another £20,000.For those just starting out who want to put their money to work in the markets but aren't yet confident enough to pick their own stocks, we have come up with a portfolio of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) which offer a simple, no-stress option which could set you up for the long term.ETFs are an

You can use exchange-traded funds (ETFs) to access many different types of shares, grouped according to whatever criteria you like. For example, you can use screening tools to narrow down the ETF universe to those funds which only invest in quality stocks. But what are quality stocks and why would you want to hold them?Broadly, quality companies are those which use their capital to generate sustai

Investors looking to get a regular income from their portfolio have the option of investing in a range of low-cost exchange-traded funds (ETFs) specifically designed to track certain types of dividend-paying assets.However, not all dividend-focused ETFs are created equal. In this article we will look at the pros and cons of the relevant products and discuss the mechanics around ETFs and dividends.

European shares are still popular with investors despite gloomy economic data from some of the continent's most developed countries.Data from AJ Bell YouInvest customers' top 10 exchange-traded fund (ETF) buys and sells shows that Vanguard's FTSE Developed Europe ex UK (VERX) has been one of the most popular ETFs both this week and over the last month.France, Germany and Switzerland make up over h

Whether you are new to investing or have been active in the markets for years it is important to keep in mind there are two ways an investor can profit from the financial markets.These encompass a capital gain if, as you hope, the value of your investment goes up. You can also earn an income from many shares and funds paying you dividends or bonds paying you coupons.Key to unlocking the money-maki

Generating an income from investments is one of the key reasons why people put money into the markets. The average yield on FTSE 100 stocks at present is 3.8% which is significantly higher than both the current rate of inflation (3.1%) and the top rate of interest on cash savings accounts (1.3%).As Alex Crooke, head of global equity income at asset manager Janus Henderson, observes: 'The absolute

With a new tax year just around the corner you might be wondering which investments to place in your ISA. The annual allowance is increasing to £20,000 on 6 April, giving you greater scope to put your hard-earned cash to work in a tax-efficient manner.In last week's issue of Shares we gave some stock and fund ideas for people falling into three broad categories: the forward thinker, the beginner

Do you need some inspiration for stocks or funds to put in your ISA? We're here to help, whether you are new investing, a bit rusty on what to do, or are even highly experienced at putting your money to work in the markets.With the end of the tax year just around the corner, it's certainly a good time to think about making the most of ISAs.If you haven't invested the whole £15,240 ISA allowance f

A lot of people moan about how difficult it is to get a decent income from the market, but is it really that hard?The FTSE 100 index currently yields 3.86%, so you can buy a low-cost tracker fund and get that level of income with relative ease. Getting a higher level of income is also fairly easy if you do some research.This article discusses the stocks, ETFs and funds with the potential - but not

Dividend-oriented exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are a tempting option for income-seeking investors, but chasing high yields can be a dangerous investment strategy. If you're worried about the swathe of dividend cuts in the past year, a new breed of ETF that focuses on sustainable income could be an attractive option.High-yield, high riskStocks that pay out high dividends can be lucrative but they c

Many financial services companies give the impression that investors only top up their ISAs in the last few weeks of March and the first week of April, such is the intensity of their advertising during this period. That is not true. The clever investor is the one who invests throughout the year and not simply the days leading up to the end of the tax year.The new tax year is now underway and you c

If you've been stashing your savings in cash it's unlikely you'll be entering the new tax year with a spring in your step. Interest rates have been measly for seven years running and a rate hike isn't likely to happen any time soon.Equity investors have also suffered a turbulent few months and might be questioning whether investing in the stock market is worth the extra risk.With the start of the

Bank of England governor Mark Carney's hint earlier that interest rates could start rising by the 'turn of the year' is unlikely to dampen the attraction of equities as a core source of income for a considerable amount of time.Any rise in the base rate from the 0.5% at which it has been held for more than six years is expected to be modest with some believing it could take three years to reach 2%.

A JP Morgan survey of more than 4,800 investors across Europe at the start of this year found that two thirds are keen to secure regular income. While exchange-traded funds (ETFs) or exchange-traded products (ETPs) are usually seen simply as a means of achieving the performance of an underlying index many of these products can also provide a useful stream of cash.As the table below of highest yiel

Individual savings accounts - or ISAs as they are better known - have been incredibly popular with savers and investors for many years, but they are now expected to attract a lot more capital following the radical overhaul announced in the last Budget.The changes have made them easier to understand with equal limits for the Cash and Stocks & Shares components. There is also a significantly higher

The active versus passive investment management debate has raged on for many years, with proponents of the former highlighting their strategic stock selection principles and supporters of the latter pointing to their low cost, transparent nature. Some believe smart beta exchange traded funds (ETFs) combine the best features of both and could end the argument once and for all.Hybrid productsSmart b

After an in-depth scouring of the market Shares takes a look at some of the most popular UK funds. Our team will now determine if their popularity is warranted and if investors should consider buying these funds now.Our tables have been compiled from sources including Barclays Stockbrokers, Hargreaves Lansdown (HL.), TD Direct Investing platforms, AJ Bell Youinvest, trade body The Association of I