With US stocks trading close to all-time highs, valuations looking stretched and one of the narrowest markets on record, this could be an opportune moment to consider adding some defensive qualities to your portfolio through capital preservation funds and trusts.These products aim to protect your capital during periods of heightened volatility and equity market drawdowns as well as growing capital

Gold has had a great year. Spot prices hit another all-time high (30 October) of $2,781 per ounce, based on Bloomberg data, chalking up 35% gains so far in 2024, having broken through the $2,600 level in September for the very first time.That trumps global equities, based on the FTSE World Index's 18% returns, and even high-flying tech firms have struggled to keep pace, based on the 27% year-to-da

Markets closed lower in London on Thursday as analysts warned the UK budget set out by Chancellor Rachel Reeves on Wednesday may have 'materially changed the inflationary path,' making a Bank of England rate cut unlikely.The FTSE 100 index closed down 49.53 points, or 0.6%, at 8,110.10. The FTSE 250 ended down 305.16 points, or 1.5%, at 20,388.96, and the AIM All-Share closed down 1.0%, or 7.42 po

Stocks in London recovered to close Monday in the green, as all eyes look to the UK budget to come on Wednesday.The FTSE 100 index closed up 36.78 points, or 0.5%, at 8,285.62. The FTSE 250 ended up 15.19 points, or 0.1%, at 20,835.10, and the AIM All-Share closed down 0.2%, or 1.57 points, at 721.10.The Cboe UK 100 ended up 0.5% at 830.25, the Cboe UK 250 closed up 0.3% at 18,385.28, and the Cboe

Stocks in London closed lower on Tuesday, as miners and financials slipped after a stimulus-driven rally in China ran out of steam.The FTSE 100 index closed down 113.01 points, 1.4%, to 8,190.61. The FTSE 250 ended down 222.01 points, 1.1%, at 20,631.20, and the AIM All-Share closed down 3.54 points, 0.5%, at 735.07.The Cboe UK 100 fell 1.3% to 820.18, the Cboe UK 250 closed down 1.0% at 18,108.31

Stocks in Europe were in the red on Tuesday midday, with FTSE 100 housebuilder Vistry shares diving amid a profit warning, while China's stimulus was perceived as too soft.The FTSE 100 index was down 97.08 points, 1.2%, at 8,206.54. The FTSE 250 was down 198.23 points, 1.0%, at 20,654.98, and the AIM All-Share was down 3.81 points, 0.5%, at 735.00.The Cboe UK 100 was down 1.1% at 821.97, the Cboe

Stock prices in Europe were in the green on Thursday as investors awaited several US data prints and remarks from Fed Chair Jerome Powell.The People's Bank of China 'has 'thrown the proverbial kitchen sink at the economy', Pepperstone's Michael Brown said.'Fresh from big stimulus measures earlier in the week, all eyes remained focused on China amid talk that Beijing might inject up to ¥1 tril

China drops subsidy plans on imported EU brandyPernod Ricard and Remy Cointreau surgePernod reports inline full yearFrench spirits companies Pernod Ricard (RI:EPA) and Remy Cointreau (RCO:EPA) received a shot in the arm on Thursday, rising as much as 8% and 12% respectively after the Chinese authorities decided not to impose a provisional anti-dumping subsidy on imported brandy from the European

Investor expectations are depressed ahead of first quarter results (29 August) from Jack Daniel's distiller Brown-Forman (BF.B:NYSE) given the difficult market conditions facing the Lawson Whiting-led group and peers ranging from Diageo (DGE) and Pernod Ricard (RI:EPA) to Remy Cointreau (RCO:EPA).Growth is slowing in the global spirits industry following the strength seen during and immediately af

Stock prices in the UK, France and Germany were higher at midday Wednesday as investors await a US consumer price inflation print, after UK CPI inflation was reported higher.The FTSE 100 index was up 28.63 points, or 0.4%, at 8,263.86. The FTSE 250 was up 114.24 points, or 0.6%, at 20,858.32, and the AIM All-Share was up 1.10 points, or 0.1%, at 769.08.The Cboe UK 100 was up 0.5% at 826.01, the Cb

Stock prices in London closed higher on Monday, as the focus moves to certain key economic releases and sentiment remains positive.The FTSE 100 index closed up 42.15 points, 0.5%, at 8,210.25. The FTSE 250 closed up 52.01 points, 0.3%, at 20,677.19, and the AIM All-Share closed up 0.75 of a point, 0.1%, at 766.99.The Cboe UK 100 ended up 0.4% at 819.75, the Cboe UK 250 closed up 0.3% at 18,102.96,

It can seem daunting to know where to start when making a first investment which may deter some people from starting at all. This would be a mistake because the sooner a start is made, the longer an investment is allowed to mature and provide capital gains and dividends.Waiting just a few years can reduce the potential saving pot over the long term. For example, assuming an investment of £100 a m

Blue-chip stocks in Europe and New York struggled on Friday, though there was some impetus from a surge in the gold price, while base metals also shone.That gave a lift to mining stocks in London, though the FTSE 100 still ended lower, making a weekly loss.The FTSE 100 index ended down 18.39 points, 0.2%, at 8,420.26. The FTSE 250 closed down 72.94 points, 0.4%, at 20,749.90, and the AIM All-Share

London?s FTSE 100 ended Tuesday morning how it started it, barely budging in cautious trade ahead of Wednesday?s US inflation report.Miners were on the up, as were oil majors, though that still could not lift the FTSE 100 into the green. Heavyweights such as drugmaker GSK, down 0.5% and defence firm BAE Systems, sliding 4.2%, were among those holding back London?s blue-chip benchmark.The FTSE 100

Capital preservation funds are positioned to help investors avoid large losses while growing their wealth too, albeit more slowly than more risk-tolerant funds. In the investment trusts patch, the three main wealth preservers are Ruffer Investment Company (RICA), Capital Gearing Trust (CGT) and Personal Assets Trust (PNL), while RIT Capital Partners (RCP) also has a capital preservation bent.Durin

We are weeks away from the end of the tax year and inevitably there is plenty of focus on ISAs ? whether that relates opening an account or using up existing allowances.In all the hoo-hah it?s easy to lose sight of just what a compelling vehicle this is for investors. Whatever you are investing for, whether it?s the cost of the kids? education, to supplement your income in retirement or to fund ho

Stocks in London trod a disparate path, ahead of UK inflation data, which could dictate events on Thursday when the Bank of England makes its latest decision on interest rates.The FTSE 100 index rose 15.75 points, 0.2%, at 7,738.30. But the FTSE 250 ended down 53.72 points, 0.3%, at 19,432.81, and the AIM All-Share fell 1.07 points, 0.2%, at 735.56.The Cboe UK 100 rose 0.2% to 774.76, the Cboe UK

There are hopes for an improved picture for bonds in 2024 as the rate hiking cycle turns. In this article we look at the case for bonds, consider whether the 60/40 portfolio could make a comeback and look at our best ideas to play the bond market through funds.ARE BONDS POISED FOR A RECOVERY?As central banks signal an end to the interest rate hiking cycle Investors might be thinking the prospects

Post-Christmas updates from the industry demonstrate that not all luxury goods companies are created equal, with sector players experiencing contrasting fortunes as the post-pandemic boom normalises and well-heeled shoppers prove more selective.On 25 January, the world?s largest luxury goods group LVMH (MC:EPA) confounded investors? gloomy expectations by delivering better-than-expected fourth qua

London?s blue-chips retreated on Tuesday ahead of key UK inflation data, which could show whether hopes for a spring interest rate cut from the Bank of England are too optimistic.Investors are also re-assessing whether the conviction that US interest rates will be cut in March is realistic, or wide of the mark. US rate cut bets have dwindled, though a cut in March is still the most likely outcome