Author: Lucas

Oil markets are awash in crude, keeping a lid on prices and squeezing drillers. For US refiners, though, the glut is proving a windfall.  The big three US refiners — Marathon Petroleum, Valero Energy Corp. and Phillips 66 — all beat estimates in fourth quarter earnings results reported in recent weeks. On calls with analysts, executives signaled a profitable outlook for 2026 and the years ahead, not least because they’re set to benefit from an influx of cheaper and more readily available heavy crudes.  The divergence reflects a growing imbalance in global fuel markets: demand for gasoline, diesel and jet…

When people plan their finances, they usually think in terms of goals. Paying EMIs on time. Keeping children’s education on track. Managing household expenses. Supporting parents. These plans are built gradually and depend on one steady factor: regular income.Term insurance exists to protect this flow. It ensures that family finances do not come to a halt if the earning member is no longer around. Instead of changing lifestyles overnight, the family receives financial support that helps them continue with stability.Let’s understand how term insurance exactly works.What happens when income stops?Income supports more than monthly spending. It supports commitments that stretch…

An oil refinery in Ukhta, in Russia’s Komi Republic, was reportedly struck in what local sources described as a drone attack, approximately 2,000 kilometers (1,240 miles) from the Ukrainian border. The Monitor Telegram channel reported on Thursday, Feb. 12, that the facility was hit, while the Russian Telegram channel Astra cited local residents as saying unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) targeted the Lukoil-Ukhtaneftepere­rabotka refinery. Russia’s Federal Air Transport Agency (Rosaviatsia) said the local airport had been temporarily closed.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. There was no immediate official confirmation from Russian authorities regarding damage to…

These competitively positioned businesses may reward patient investors.Growth stocks are powerful wealth-building tools, but the market doesn’t give them to you for free. Volatility is the price you pay for significant gains over the long term. It gives you the chance to buy outstanding businesses at more reasonable prices — and potentially boost returns over time. The best opportunities often come from companies with durable competitive advantages. If you’re ready to put $1,000 to work right now, here are two growth stocks to buy. Image source: Getty Images. 1. Netflix Netflix (NFLX 3.08%) has fallen sharply from its recent highs,…

Rob Lynch joins Howes Percival’s Oxford office with a remit to help establish a dedicated commercial property team in the city. James Howarth, partner and head of Howes Percival’s Oxford office, said: “We are absolutely delighted to bring Rob over to Howes Percival. “He is someone we know well already, and his appointment means we can establish a dedicated commercial property offering on the ground in Oxford and enhance the service we provide for our clients here.” He added: “As well as expanding Howes Percival’s service offering in Oxford, Rob will play a key role in developing our office and…

While Health Insurance in the past was often about coverage for hospitalisation costs, Critical Illness Insurance provides the next layer of financial protection in the form of an independent insurance product, designed specifically to offer a lump-sum cash payout at the time of diagnosis of certain life-changing critical illnesses, to assist individuals in dealing with the enormous costs (both direct and indirect) of the critical illness and subsequent life adjustments. Building a complete and effective financial plan requires an understanding of Critical Illness Insurance.The Unique Role of Critical Illness Insurance Typical Health Insurance policies provide benefit payments to you based…

Unlock the Editor’s Digest for freeRoula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter.Britain has moved closer to becoming the first G7 country to issue a sovereign bond on the blockchain, after the Treasury appointed a bank and law firm to handle a digital gilt pilot this year.Treasury officials hope the appointment of HSBC and Ashurst to lead the project will deflect criticism that the UK is taking too long to issue a digital gilt.The pilot will involve Britain issuing a government bond as a digital token on a blockchain or another distributed ledger, the…

Gold continues to hold a special place in the investment preferences of young Indians, with 62% of Gen Z and Millennials still backing the yellow metal as the safest investment option, even as buying behaviour undergoes a noticeable shift. A nationwide survey by Smytten PulseAI shows that while trust in gold remains intact, younger consumers are increasingly making independent, smaller-ticket purchases driven by personal milestones rather than traditional family-led decisions. The survey, conducted among 5,000 consumers aged 18 to 39, highlights how gold buying is becoming more self-led and pragmatic. About 66.7% of respondents said their gold purchases today are…

AI image (Picture credit: OpenAI via ChatGPT) Gifting property in India is often seen as an emotional and cultural act, rooted in family ties and tradition. But beyond sentiment, a property gift is a serious legal transaction that must follow strict rules. Missing a step can lead to disputes, tax trouble or even an invalid transfer.Whether the gift is being made to a spouse, child, sibling or another person, the law requires proper documentation, registration and tax compliance. Here is a clear and simple guide covering the rules, processes, taxes and key terms you need to keep in mind while…

TLDR: Strategy’s “Stretch” preferred shares offer 11.25% variable dividend with monthly resets to stabilize price The company holds 714,000 Bitcoin worth $48 billion but stock dropped 73% since November 2024 record high Preferred shares represent just $7 million of funding versus $370 million in common stock sales recently Bitcoin fell below $67,000, down nearly 50% from October peak of $125,260, pressuring Strategy’s model   Strategy perpetual preferred stock will see increased issuance as CEO Phong Le addresses mounting investor concerns over share price volatility. The Bitcoin treasury company announced plans to expand its “Stretch” product offering, which provides digital asset…