Author: Lucas

X Register for free to receive latest news stories direct to your inbox Register Brackley Property Developers (BPD) have been chosen by Leicester City Council to transform a current vacant building in Leicestershire into small industrial buildings. The developer and the council agreed to do this project with the former Ian Marlow Centre located on Blackbird Road. The idea is to remove the existing buildings and create 21 small units for light industrial use, covering around 30,400 sq ft of new space. The demolition work is expected to begin this month (August 2023), along with the submission of a complete planning…

Over a month, the index is down 5%. Although this makes shareholders uneasy, it is at times like these that make stock investing worthwhile for the long-haul. If history teaches us anything, it is that market downturns are transient. At the same time, the real assets and stable business models remain. In turn, value stocks get a discount – presenting opportunities for disciplined investors to buy strong companies at attractive prices. Patience and perspective turn volatility into an advantage if one considers these stocks. Healthcare Realty Trust According to the United States Census Bureau, the US population continues to grow…

In the current investment climate, alternative investments can provide valuable diversification. So why are investors still not jumping on the bandwagon? Freya Purnell reports. Hedge funds. Infrastructure. Commodities. Private equity. Private real estate. Agriculture. Direct assets such as water. Fund of funds. Insurance linked securities. Catastrophe bonds. Depending on who you talk to, all these investments can be lumped in under the alternative banner. So what do these disparate investments have in common? Using a functional definition, ‘alternative’ refers to any investment that has a low correlation to traditional investments like equities and fixed income. According to Grant Forster, chief…

Ardee Industries Limited has marked a significant step forward in its circular economy ambitions after being named Recycler of the Year at the Battery Recycling Excellence Award 2026 during the International Material Recycling Conference in Jaipur. The accolade recognises the company’s commitment to developing safe, scalable and compliant recycling systems for batteries used in electric vehicles and consumer electronics. The award celebrates organisations that excel in recovering critical materials from end‑of‑life energy storage products while upholding rigorous standards of safety, traceability and environmental stewardship. For Ardee Industries, the achievement reinforces its growing influence within India’s secondary metals and battery recycling…

US Dollar Strength and Weak Job Data Put Pressure on Gold On the US front, the broad-based US dollar gained strong traction after President Donald Trump nominated Kevin Warsh as the next Federal Reserve chair. Therefore, the nomination led many to believe that the Fed might be less likely to take a dovish approach than previously thought. Trump later said he chose Warsh because he does not plan to raise interest rates, and the Fed is still expected to lower rates. Thereby, the markets continue to expect two more rate cuts this year, especially after weak US data showed private-sector…

Every month, two lucky people become instant millionaires when premium bonds are drawn – and plenty more receive a welcome boost to their bank accounts when they win smaller prizes. But what are premium bonds and when are they drawn? From the key dates to how to boost your chances, here’s what you need to know. Premium Bonds are essentially savings accounts but, instead of receiving regular interest payments, bondholders with £25 or more are entered into a monthly prize draw for a tax-free sum. There are two £1 million winners each month and other prizes range from £25 to…

Gold (GC=F) and silver (SI=F)Silver prices took the headlines in precious metals on Friday, with a dip below the $74 per ounce mark and a 4.7% selloff for silver futures (SI=F) contracts. Silver is ending the week nearly 5.7% lower overall.Analysts put the rout down to leveraged positions being flushed out following days of intense speculative activity.”Much of that damage has since been reversed in early Asian trading, with sentiment stabilising as traders reassess the fundamentals,” said Neil Welsh, head of metals at multi-asset brokerage Britannia Global Markets.Meanwhile, gold futures (GC=F) traded slightly lower, around the $4,880 per ounce mark,…

Traders work on the floor at the New York Stock Exchange on Sept. 4, 2024.Brendan Mcdermid | ReutersStocks struggled Thursday as investors dumped risk assets and concerns mounted over the outlook for the U.S. economy ahead of Friday’s keynote labor report.The S&P 500 dipped 0.3% to end at 5,503.41, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 219.22 points, or 0.54%, to settle at 40,755.75. The Nasdaq Composite gained 0.25% to finish at 17,127.66, after rising as much as 1.2% earlier in the session.”We’re right in the middle of yet another mini growth scare,” said Arun Sai, senior multi-asset strategist at…

One number suggests you’re not too late to buy.Amid all the volatility silver prices have seen in 2026, they are still up by double digits for the year as of early February. Shares of Wheaton Precious Metals (WPM +3.88%) are up 11.4% year to date, and zooming out over the last 12 months, they have returned 98%. Looking at the precious metals company’s rise, it’s natural to wonder if its rally is over. The stock’s price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 59 certainly makes it look expensive at first glance, considering that the average S&P 500 company is priced far more cheaply…

Key PointsMicrosoft and American Express are both highly profitable companies with plenty of room to grow.Their yields are modest, but they have been increasing over the years.They have resilient businesses that could make them ideal investments to buy and hold for the long term.There are some stocks that could be excellent long-term investments for all types of investors. Whether you want dividends, stability, or long-term growth, the stocks listed below can be ideal options to hang on to for years and even decades.Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) and American Express (NYSE: AXP) are both household names that most consumers likely know well.…