This year's new VCT (venture capital trust) offer season, where investors can apply for new shares and enjoy immediate tax benefits, is in full swing. Each year, VCTs seem to attract money faster than the previous year, meaning interested investors need to act fast once offers go live, although it is important to understand all the risks involved before making an investment decision.Experts believ

UK stocks began August on the front foot, lifted by further UK merger and acquisition activity in mid-caps.Oil and Gold prices were lower with Brent Crude down 0.9% to $74.7 per barrel and Gold was 0.4% down at $1,807 per ounce.At the close the FTSE 100 index of leading shares was up 50 points or 0.7% at 7,082 points led by aerospace and retail stocks.The mid-cap FTSE 250 index was up 260 points o

UK stocks started the month on the front foot, lifted by strong gains in Asia after China signaled support for the economy and further UK merger and acquisition activity.China's SE Composite index gained close to 2% reversing some of last week's heavy losses while Japan's Nikkei 225 also added 2%.Oil and Gold prices were lower with Brent Crude down 0.9% to $74.7 per barrel and Gold was 0.4% down a

UK stocks opened on the front foot on Monday boosted by strong gains in Asia after China signaled support for the economy and further UK merger and acquisition activity.China's SE Composite index gained close to 2% reversing some of last week's heavy losses while Japan's Nikkei 225 also added 2%.Oil and Gold prices were lower with Brent Crude down 0.9% to $74.7 per barrel and Gold was 0.4% down at

The new venture capital trust (VCT) offer season is now in full swing where investors can apply for new shares and enjoy immediate tax benefits.Recent offers from Amati AIM VCT and Octopus AIM VCT have already closed, having hit their subscription target. Others are filling up quickly.Each year VCTs seem to attract money faster than the previous year, meaning interested investors need to act fast

Experienced investors may be aware of an investment which benefits from a 30% boost straight off the bat. But for the uninitiated, welcome to the world of venture capital trusts (VCTs).Venture capital trusts are funds that allow investors to claim up to 30% income tax relief on an investment of up to £200,000 a year.You need to hold the investment for at least five years, but any dividends will b

The new venture capital trust (VCT) offer season is now in full swing where investors are able to apply for new shares and enjoy immediate tax benefits.Recent offers from Amati AIM VCT, Octopus AIM VCT and Hazel Renewable Energy VCT have already closed, having hit their subscription target. Others are filling up quickly.Each year VCTs seem to attract money faster than the previous year, meaning in

When scouring for opportunities in solid markets, Canada may not be the first place you'd think of examining. You may be missing out as, according to the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development), Canada tops the G7 nations in terms of real GDP growth predictions for 2017 at 3.2%.The International Monetary Fund forecasts 3% for 2017 although sees this growth easing to 2.1% in 2

Investors have rushed to put money into venture capital trust (VCT) offers this year. We believe they have been snapped up by higher-rate taxpayers looking for a tax-efficient place to put their money having exhausted their pension allowance.While a good handful of offers have already closed, there are still a wide range of products available at the time of writing.Venture capital trusts are funds

There has been much hand-wringing about the dearth of income options for investors in this low-interest rate era. There is precious little choice for investors seeking safe-as-houses income. For those willing to take a little more risk, venture capital trusts (VCTs) have provided a surprisingly stable and consistent income stream in recent years.When VCTs were launched in the 1990s, they were prim

Higher-rate taxpayers are increasingly looking for alternative tax benefits as the government tightens up the roles around pensions. This is making venture capital trusts (VCTs) a popular choice for people across the country.Venture capital trusts are funds that allow investors to claim up to 30% income tax relief on up to £200,000 invested in a VCT per year. You need to hold the investment for a

London stocks start the week in the red, marginally reversing gains on Friday, after the European Central Bank hinted at further stimulus in December and China cut rates. That tips the benchmark FTSE 100 index around 12 points lower, or 0.2%, to 6,431 with midcaps posting similar declines. The FTSE Small Cap index remains largely flat.On the company front, advertising giant WPP (WPP) slumps despit

Property group Conygar's (CIC:AIM) development pipeline looks set to drive huge net asset value (NAV) growth for the group in the coming years. The £149.8 million cap's NAV - its assets minus liabilities - has a 55% upside, according to analysts at Liberum. The stock looks even more attractive when you consider investors can get in at around a 7% discount to the value of its current assets. We wo

Media giant British Sky Broadcasting (BSY) falls 2.4% to 868.5p after confirmingtalks to buy its European sister companies, Sky Deutschland and Sky Italia. Such a move would consolidate Rupert Murdoch's European pay-TV operations. The German and Italy broadcasters are majority owned by 21st Century Fox, itself controlled by Murdoch. Investec says such a deal would be sensible for scale but notes t

Renewable energy supplier Good Energy (GOOD:AIM) is turning to retail investors for funding so it can meet its target of generating 110 megawatts (MW) of power by 2016.The company launched a bond at the start of the month (2 Oct) to help it make more solar and wind panels. Within two weeks it had received orders in excess of the £5 million target. Management could now keep the book open until it

Investors keen to help finance future corporate stars and support the entrepreneurial talent of tomorrow may well be interested in the Pembroke Venture Capital Trust (VCT). This new vehicle is in the process of raising up to £20 million (with a £25 million ceiling) for investment in a relatively small-yet-diversified smaller companies portfolio.Offers for 2012/13 and 2013/14 give investors the c