Author: Lucas

Platinum is a rare metal used in many industries. It is valued for its resistance to corrosion, high melting point, and ability to speed up chemical reactions. However, mining challenges and limited supply have made it harder to meet growing demand. This raises an important question: Is platinum still a good investment despite these supply issues and changing market conditions? Image Credit: Oselote/Shutterstock.com Platinum Market Overview The platinum market is facing a sustained supply deficit, with projections estimating an average shortfall of 689,000 ounces per year from 2026 to 2029, roughly 9 % of annual demand. Most platinum supply comes from…

Global government bond markets are vast and affect everyone who pays tax, saves into a pension or invests for the future.Unfortunately, it’s often hard to tell what’s going on when there’s a surge in bond buying, or a sell-off, because the jargon used by industry insiders can be impenetrable. We decode some of the key terms below, to make it easier to understand why the UK Government is suddenly paying more or less interest on its debts on our behalf, and what that will mean for the ordinary investors and big institutions lending it money.Another reason to follow what is happening…

Image source: Getty Images I believe that the FTSE 100 is littered with quality stocks that could boost my holdings. One I want to take a closer look at is Severn Trent (LSE: SVT). Could the shares offer me consistent returns? Water supplier Severn Trent is one of the biggest water and wastewater businesses in the UK, serving millions of residential and commercial customers. So what’s happening with Severn Trent shares? As I write, they’re trading for 2,524p. At this time last year, the shares were trading for 2,392p, which is a 5% increase over a 12-month period. It’s worth…

Silver (XAG/USD) extends its bullish momentum on Wednesday and trades around $90.50 at the time of writing, up 4.30% on the day. The white metal records a fourth consecutive day of gains and reaches a new all-time high, supported by a macroeconomic and geopolitical backdrop that remains highly favorable for safe-haven assets.Demand for Silver continues to be underpinned by rising geopolitical tensions, particularly in Iran, where widespread public protests linked to high inflation, the sharp depreciation of the Iranian Rial (IRR) and allegations of government corruption are challenging the authorities. The violent crackdown on demonstrators, which has reportedly resulted in…

Unlock the Editor’s Digest for freeRoula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter.Traders faced whiplash in metals markets on Thursday as gold and silver prices dropped from record highs following a frenzied surge in prices this week. Copper led a blistering metals rally in morning trading in London that pushed precious metals to new records, before a sharp sell-off in the afternoon session that saw gold, silver and a range of other metals slide. “Volatility cuts both ways,” said Trevor Greetham, head of multi-asset investing at Royal London Asset Management, which took some profits…

These stocks have roared higher but still have room to run.If you’re looking for growth in 2026 and beyond, it’s a fantastic idea to add a few technology stocks to your portfolio. These players are leading innovation in many areas, and therefore, they’re well-positioned to advance over the long term. You could choose stocks that have stumbled, offering you a bargain price, or you might select stocks that are roaring higher, offering you incredible momentum. It’s a great idea to use both strategies, picking up a few deals and adding a couple of high-powered performers to your portfolio. Here, I’ll…

Unlock the Editor’s Digest for freeRoula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter.A rally in corporate bonds has pushed the reward for taking extra credit risk to historic lows, prompting warnings from some investors of “bubble-like behaviour” in parts of the market.Corporate bonds have been swept up in a huge rally for risky assets since early last year that has also driven stock markets to a string of record highs, helped by expectations that the Trump administration will run the US economy “hot” this year, boosting global growth.The average additional borrowing cost — or…

Momentum is one of the most misunderstood ideas in trading. Many traders treat it as speed. If price moves quickly, momentum must be strong. If price slows, momentum must be fading. That assumption causes problems because markets don’t move in straight lines and speed alone rarely tells the full story.Momentum is better understood as persistence. It describes whether price movement can continue in the same general direction without constant effort. Price and volume together help reveal that persistence in a way price alone cannot.When traders learn to read price and volume as a pair, momentum becomes something they observe rather…

Adam French, head of consumer finance at Moneyfactscompare.co.uk, said the deal was one of the most competitive offers at present, offering impressive returns while still allowing customers to access their cash. He said: “DF Capital has increased the rate on its Easy Access Account, now paying 4.20% AER, making it one of the most competitive options on the market if you want to make regular deposits and withdrawals and get easy access to your money.””The account requires a minimum £1,000 deposit and offers monthly interest payments. It allows for unlimited, flexible withdrawals but typically requires notice of one working day…

TLDR Strategy (MSTR) plans to use preferred stock instead of common shares to fund future Bitcoin acquisitions The company’s STRC preferred stock hit $100 par value Wednesday, allowing Strategy to resume new offerings STRC provides 11.25% annual dividend paid monthly to attract yield-focused investors CEO Phong Le ruled out buying competing Bitcoin treasury firms despite some trading below asset values Strategy common stock declined 5% to $126.14 as Bitcoin traded near $67,500 Strategy (MSTR) is changing how it funds Bitcoin purchases. CEO Phong Le announced Wednesday the company will prioritize preferred stock over common shares moving forward. Strategy Inc, MSTR…