1H cash generation up 19%Cash surplus £3.5 billionInterim dividend up 2.5%Investors appeared less than wowed by the first-half update from pensions and savings provider Phoenix (PHNX) despite the group posting double-digit growth in cash generation and raising its interim dividend.The shares dropped 15p or 2.5% to 562p making Phoenix the worst performer on the FTSE 100 to kick off the week.

It's said there are only two certainties in life ? death and taxes ? and as it stands the world is steadily getting older, with not enough births or young people coming through to offset the increasing ranks of the middle-aged and old-aged.Moreover, according to the United Nations' latest World Populations Prospects study which came out earlier this year, the global population is likely to peak th

This feature was prompted by a reader question on why 'bond proxies' such as insurers Phoenix Group (PHNX) and Aviva (AV.) do not attract more investor attention.A bond proxy typically refers to a company which has a steadier-than-average income stream and offers a higher-than-average level of income.Long-term savings and insurance group Phoenix sits on a dividend yield of 10.4% based on an expect

Stock prices in London closed lower on Wednesday, as European markets brace themselves for political instability in the run-up to UK and French elections.The CAC 40 in Paris took the biggest hit on Wednesday, ahead of the snap election in France on Sunday.The FTSE 100 index closed down 22.46 points, 0.3%, at 8,225.33. The FTSE 250 ended down 65.33 points, 0.3%, at 20,298.10, and the AIM All-Share

Record cash generation last year2025 target hit two years earlyShares still yield 10% after rallyInsurer Phoenix Group (PHNX) delighted investors with its full-year results which showed it hitting its 2025 growth target two years early and introducing a new progressive dividend policy.The shares jumped as much as 8% to 526p taking them to the top of the FTSE 100 leader board. OVER-DELIVERIN

With all the hype around technology stocks, and AI (artificial intelligence) in particular, the UK life insurance sector is probably a long way down the list of investors' priorities right now, yet for value players as well as income seekers there is plenty to like.On one hand, the unrecognised value of the cash flows from their existing businesses could far outweigh their current valuations meani

At 5.75%, the yield on JOHCM UK Equity Income (B8FCHK5) is the second highest it has ever been, according to fund manager Clive Beagles. You have to go back to the global financial crisis in 2008, when stock markets collapsed, to find a higher yield on the fund.'I find that staggering because the balance sheets of our companies are in a miles-better place than in 2008,' he says. 'We only own three

Insurers preferred to banksAirlines out but two-way trade in internet retailHousebuilders get benefit of the doubtIt is always fascinating to see which stocks are the most popular in terms of order flow and value traded, and for anyone who wants to find it this information is freely available on the AJ Bell website, relating to the activities of its customers.BANKS OUT, INSURERS INOver the last mo

- Shares drift despite better first half results- Sun Life deal already discounted- Interim dividend increased by 3%Shares in insurance group Phoenix Group Holdings (PHNX) drifted 1% lower to 675p despite the group announcing first half results which were ahead of consensus expectations.The muted share price response may reflect the fact that the market has already factored in the benefits of the

-Phoenix Group offers 8% dividend yield-Recent share price performance has disappointed-2021 cash generation levels will be difficult to sustain, and contingent on new dealsInsurance company Phoenix Group (PHNX) offers investors a dividend yield of just more than 8% based on consensus forecasts.Full-year results (14 March) were impressive.Phoenix delivered £1.7 billion of cash generation in 2021,

Shares in insurance group Phoenix Group Holdings (PHNX), rose 1.5% to 635p following the announcement of better than expected full year results for 2021.The market is likely to be encouraged by the new progressive dividend policy.For 2021, Phoenix generated an operating profit of £1.23 billion, up from £1.20 billion in 2020, reflecting the contribution of a full year of profit from its ReAssure

The rapid growth of exchange traded funds over the last decade means investors now have plenty of choice when tracking major investment themes.ETFs take the headache and risk out of trying to pick the best active managers while also offering lower costs and good liquidity. They can also provide diversification in certain assets which are harder for retail investors to access such as bonds, propert

London's blue chip benchmark closed Friday's session 1.2% lower at 7,466.07 points, while the FTSE 250 finished almost 1% down at 21,643.3, rounding off a volatile week for markets as investors fretted over inflation and rising interest rates as well as the threat of conflict in Ukraine.Despite higher yields, banking stocks dragged on the blue chip benchmark with HSBC (HSBA) off 1.9% at 528.3p, Ba

Following a reasonably steady start, the FTSE 100 was down materially by midday, with a 1.2% fall to 7,462.81 points, while the FTSE 250 was off 0.8% at 21,673.64.This followed weak trading in the US overnight as well as strength in sterling, which hits the relative value of the overseas earnings which dominate the blue chip benchmark index.Negative sentiment was compounded by persistent geopoliti

UK equity markets came under selling pressure on Friday morning following weakness in both US and Asian markets. This negative sentiment was compounded by persistent geopolitical concerns surrounded Ukraine.In early trading, the blue chip FTSE 100 index lost 0.69% to 7,502.33 and the mid-cap FTSE 250 index drifted 0.7% to 21,702.23.Today marks the final day that mining leviathan BHP (BHP) will be

Amid several instances of directors selling big chunks of shares in the last week there were also some notable purchases.The wife of the chief executive of life insurance firm Phoenix (PHNX) snapped up nearly £400,000 worth of shares on 6 September. Suzanne Briggs, married to Andrew Briggs who took the helm in February 2020, bought 63,398 shares at 631p.BUYING ON STRONG RESULTSThe purchase follow

How does a 5% return on your money sound right now? With UK interest rates showing little sign of increasing from rock bottom levels despite mounting inflation, a 5% rate is certainly appealing.If you are using your investments to pay the bills or to fund your living expenses in retirement the income you receive is vital. The great news is that the dividends from stocks and shares can offer invest

The FTSE 100 index finished the day breaking through the 7200 level to close 59 points or 0.8% higher at 7,220 points, taking it above its pre-Covid high.The gains were helped by a softer than expected reading in US core CPI numbers, meaning American inflation may be peaking. The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index responded positively to the CPI data, trading 0.5% higher, whilst the Nasdaq Composi

The FTSE 100 Index was struggling for direction in lunchtime trading. At midday. the index was trading 0.5% higher at 7,196.53. The performance of the FTSE 250 Index mirrored this lackadaisical performance recording a midday rise of 0.2% at 23,622.60.Shares in Engineering company Spirax-Sarco (SPX) were trading over 3.5% higher at midday making it the top FTSE 100 index performer.The thermal energ

UK stocks advanced as the first half reporting season continued to show companies meeting or beating expectations in general.By 8.30am the benchmark FTSE 100 index was up 24 points or 0.3% to 7,185 points, not quite an intraday high but very close, driven by gains in financial and industrial stocks.The FTSE 250 mid-cap index hit yet another record high, albeit with a small gain of 22 points to 23,