For now, the escalating conflict in Ukraine shows no signs of easing. After the initial shock, markets were hopeful the economic impact of the war might be contained as the West's opening salvo of sanctions in response to Russia's invasion (24 Feb) were weaker than some had anticipated.However, any relief soon dissipated as Ukraine put up stiff resistance against the Russian invaders and sanctions

The simple option for investors these days is to choose a tracker fund which mirrors a certain part of the market. Therefore, actively managed funds really need to add value and deliver market-beating returns if they are to convince investors not to go for the easy option of a tracker fund.There are numerous investment trusts offering broad exposure to specific geographies or investment styles lik

The problem many investors have with IPOs (initial public offerings) is that much of the big value creation has already been had as a private company. Take THG (THG), for example, a stock investors piled into in their thousands once it hit public markets.Launched in 2004 by founder Matthew Moulding, the online retail business was backed by US private equity firm KKR 10 years later, reportedly taki

Shares in platinum miner Sylvania Platinum (SLP:AIM) fell 3.8% to 63.1p despite the company reporting soaring revenue and profit and raising the prospect of a 'windfall dividend'.In its results for the year to 30 June 2020, the company reported a 62% rise in revenue to $114 million and a 125% jump in net profit to $41 million on the back of significantly higher platinum group metal (PGM) prices, i

More expensive than gold, the price of a precious metal called palladium has rocketed in the past few months.This week the metal topped $2,500 an ounce and is changing hands for double what it cost just seven months ago.A critical component in catalytic converters, palladium demand is going up around the world as carmakers respond to government rules tackling pollution from petrol vehicles.At the

THIS IS AN ADVERTISING FEATUREBy Merrick McKay, Fund Manager, Standard Life Private Equity Trust plc-The private equity sector has drawn considerable interest thanks to robust returns and some high profile companies.-There is 'dry powder' in the sector, but there are still reasons to believe the sector can thrive from here.-Standard Life Private Equity Trust (SLPET) primarily focuses on more nimbl

Investors often hear about high growth private companies, but can't access a piece of the investment. So-called Unicorns, start-up companies that have reached a valuation of $1bn or more, have become more commonplace in recent years.Big names such as taxi-app Uber, accommodation website Airbnb and delivery company Deliveroo are still held privately and aren't listed on the stock exchange.While man

The private equity market is in an odd position. It is awash with money ready to invest, thanks to a strong period of asset realisations over the last few years plus strong support from investors wanting to back new private equity deals.Unfortunately there is a lot of competition for assets because the industry is desperate to do more deals. That in turn is pushing up valuation multiples for inves

Investors seeking exposure to innovative growth businesses should look at private equity funds. They can be a terrific source of opportunity despite the high leverage and fees associated with the industry.QuotedData senior analyst Matthew Read explains: 'Private equity is an asset class that is less correlated with traditional equity markets and thus, another means of diversifying returns.'Private

Very large dividend hikes have been a common theme this year in the mining industry. This is somewhat unusual behaviour for the sector.I believe you should enjoy the juicy dividends while they last as historically miners have preferred to spend their money on growth projects rather than cash returns. Longer term, you should invest in this sector principally for capital gains.BHP Billiton (BLT) thi

Precious metals producer Sylvania Platinum (SLP:AIM) has rubbishedpress speculation that its environment report for the Volspruit metals exploration project in South Africa has been rejected by a Limpopo provincial government department.Sylvania reveals that the Limpopo Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism hasn't blocked the application, instead asking for more studies to be

Investors seeking an interesting way to play price strength in platinum group metals (PGMs) - platinum, palladium, rhodium - should look at Sylvania Platinum (SLP:AIM). The small cap miner has underperformed most of this commodity group over the past six months, yet the business is now at a tipping point where it is forecast to move back into profit, see a dramatic increase in free cash flow and s

Investors seeking an interesting way to play price strength in platinum group metals (PGMs) - platinum, palladium, rhodium - should look at Sylvania Platinum (SLP:AIM). The small cap miner has underperformed most of this commodity group over the past six months, yet the business is now at a tipping point where it is forecast to move back into profit, see a dramatic increase in free cash flow and s

The declaration of maiden dividends can have a significant impact on a company's share price. It is one of the strongest signals the business is in great shape and financially healthy while management has confidence in future trading.After a thorough analysis of the market and the minefield of broker research, Shares believes a select band of firms are poised to impress this year with their first

Why did the shopping centre and fruit juice carton cross the road? To invest in a Russian gold miner. Investors today were scratching their heads as to why two Russian investors have snapped up more than a third of Russian miner Polyus Gold (PGIL), given their backgrounds in vastly-different industries. Market talk says there is logic in the transaction.Russian billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov's Onex