Author: Lucas

Aldi says that families in towns across Cheshire are paying up to £2,437 more per year on their grocery shopping because they lack access to a discount supermarket. New analysis from the German retailer says that shoppers in places such as west Widnes are facing the steepest postcode penalty, missing out on the savings enjoyed by those with access to a nearby Aldi. The chain has highlighted that it has been named the UK’s Cheapest Supermarket by consumer champion Which? for the past five years. Aldi says its analysis shows that households without access to an Aldi pay £826 more…

Many common products, including plastics and detergents, rely on chemical reactions that depend on catalysts made from precious metals such as platinum. These metals are effective but costly and limited in supply. For years, scientists have been searching for alternatives that are cheaper and more sustainable. One promising option is tungsten carbide, an Earth-abundant material already widely used in industrial machinery, cutting tools, and chisels. Despite its potential, tungsten carbide has not been easy to use as a catalyst. Its chemical behavior can be unpredictable, which has restricted its broader adoption. Researchers led by Marc Porosoff, an associate professor in…

Saudi financial information platform Argaam has issued a sharp warning after uncovering coordinated fraud attempts carried out through unofficial channels, exploiting its name and reputation in the … Source link

This site claims to be the UK’s original online GAP insurance provider, and it looks as though the website hasn’t been updated since, with a dated design and user interface. Getting a quote requires 14 inputs too, including the price you pay for motor insurance. The resulting quote was unimpressive, but on the plus side, the £750 excess cover is more generous than some. ala.co.ukPremium: around £193.11   Excess cover: £250   Rating: 2.0 stars We really liked the simplicity of the ALA site. Although it requires several inputs, the design means they are clicks rather than typing and it doesn’t demand…

If Trump follows through on his dividend ban threat, two (or three) defense stocks could be at particular risk.No doubt about it — President Donald Trump spooked a lot of investors in defense stocks earlier this month. Writing on Truth Social about “exorbitant and unjustifiable” executive compensation in the defense industry, “massive Dividends,” and “massive Stock Buybacks,” all paid “at the expense and detriment of investing in Plants and Equipment,” the president declared that “no Executive should be allowed to make in excess of $5 Million Dollars.” Furthermore, he promised to “not permit Dividends or Stock Buybacks for Defense Companies”…

Unlock the White House Watch newsletter for freeYour guide to what Trump’s second term means for Washington, business and the worldGold recorded its best week in nearly 20 years and the dollar its worst since May, after the Greenland crisis sent investors looking for safe alternatives to the US currency amid renewed concerns over erratic White House policymaking. The precious metal hit a record high of almost $5,000 a troy ounce on Friday, while silver rose above $100 an ounce for the first time.“The world is hedging against continued uncertainty,” said analyst Rhona O’Connell at StoneX. “In the febrile times,…

Consumer rights expert Martyn James and consumer finance specialist at Royal London, Sarah Pennells, round up what you need to know about keeping your savings safeIt is important to see if your savings are protected(Image: Getty)It’s 2026 and the world is a volatile place. Prices of gold and silver – traditionally where wealthy people invest their money in trying times – are hitting record levels.The stock market is shooting up and down with every big news story in the world and some of our most beloved brands have gone bust.At times like this, it makes sense to not only make…

Investment trusts have on average traded at a discount for at least 53 consecutive years, according to analysis by the Association of Investment Companies.The AIC’s research, based on Morningstar data ranging from December 1972 to December 2025, shows that the current period of double-digit discounts has so far lasted three years and seven months.Meanwhile, the smallest average discount was 2 per cent in December 1993.Rules around cost disclosures (which will be replaced with new rules by June 2027); dislike of the UK market in a low-growth economy; a fear of missing out on US growth and the performance of Magnificent…

VALTERRA Platinum said in a trading statement today full year headline earnings for 2025 could double owing to a 26% increase in metal prices and R5bn in cost cuts. Earnings for the 12 months ended December 31 would come in between R15.6bn and R17.3bn, an increase of between 85% and 105%. Sales volumes were lower owing to the drawdown of metal inventory built in 2024 as well as “significant flooding” at the Amandelbult Tumela mine in the first half of 2025. Amandelbult lost about 22% of its production in the first half of Valterra’s financial year – about 100,000 ounces…

Key PointsPresident Trump wants a $1.5 trillion defense budget.He also wants defense companies to invest more in weapons production, at the expense of profit margins.President Trump announced Wednesday he wants to spend $1.5 trillion on defense:”For the Good of our Country … our Military Budget for the year 2027 should not be $1 Trillion Dollars, rather $1.5 Trillion Dollars … This will allow us to build the ‘Dream Military’ that we have long been entitled to, and, more importantly, that will keep us SAFE and SECURE.”Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are…