Author: Lucas

WATCH: Why can’t governments just print more money? Governments around the world have spent billions this year on their response to the COVID-19 crisis — billions that, before the pandemic, many politicians said countries didn’t have or couldn’t afford. So why can’t governments just print money in normal times to pay for their policies? The short answer is inflation. Historically, when countries have simply printed money it leads to periods of rising prices — there’s too many resources chasing too few goods. Often, this means every day goods become unaffordable for ordinary citizens as the wages they earn quickly become…

Stay informed with free updatesSimply sign up to the Oil & Gas industry myFT Digest — delivered directly to your inbox.Italian energy major Eni is weighing a return to oil and gas trading, seeking the outsized returns enjoyed by rivals BP, Shell and TotalEnergies as geopolitical tensions fuel energy price volatility. “I stopped trading in 2019 but the other big companies are all traders,” said chief executive Claudio Descalzi. “BP, Shell, Total are big traders and they make billions from that.” Descalzi told the FT he had held preliminary talks with several commodity trading houses, including Mercuria, about forming a joint…

The government has approved a 4.41% private health insurance premium rise from April – the largest hike in almost 10 years.With consumers already grappling with cost-of-living pressures, including an interest rate rise earlier in February, more Australians are likely to be wondering whether keeping their private health insurance is worth it.“If premiums are rising faster than wages and inflation, people are asking: are we getting better protection, clearer coverage, and fewer surprise bills?” said Elizabeth Deveny, chief executive of the Consumers Health Forum.“Right now, many consumers would say no.”Almost a decade ago, Guardian Australia investigated the numerous flaws in the…

Silver prices have come under renewed pressure in mid-February 2026, with the white metal experiencing sharp volatility as a stronger US dollar and cautious investor sentiment weigh on demand. The recent pullback follows months of strong gains that had pushed precious metals to record levels earlier this year.Recent market data shows spot silver falling sharply during intraday trade, briefly dipping toward the $72–$75 per ounce range before stabilising slightly. The correction comes after a period of aggressive rallies that left the market vulnerable to profit booking and macro-driven reversals.Dollar Strength Remains the Primary TriggerA firmer US dollar has been one…

A new year often brings with it new rules. This January, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) finally cut the red tape that has discouraged UK companies from including DIY investors in their bond issuances for over 20 years.The new regulation reduces the minimum trade size from the previously prohibitive €100,000 (£87,000) to just £1, and introduces a new bond labelling system, in a huge step forward for accessibility. The London Stock Exchange’s (LSE) new ‘access bond’ badge will highlight any bond with a target market that includes private investors, which will cover gilts as well as corporate bonds, while its…

Economic uncertainty creates pressure for organisations managing office relocations, expansions or strategic acquisitions. Property deadlines rarely align with internal funding cycles, and traditional commercial lending can take months to complete. When businesses must secure premises quickly, delays in arranging long-term finance can disrupt operations and strain cash flow. This timing gap has led many corporate property managers to consider short-term funding as part of structured transition planning. Used carefully, interim finance can provide flexibility while permanent funding is arranged, allowing businesses to act decisively without compromising longer-term strategy. Corporate Property Challenges in Uncertain Markets Volatile market conditions can produce both…

Cameco (CCJ) could be a solid addition to your portfolio given its recent upgrade to a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). This rating change essentially reflects an upward trend in earnings estimates — one of the most powerful forces impacting stock prices. A company’s changing earnings picture is at the core of the Zacks rating. The system tracks the Zacks Consensus Estimate — the consensus measure of EPS estimates from the sell-side analysts covering the stock — for the current and following years. Individual investors often find it hard to make decisions based on rating upgrades by Wall Street analysts,…

TORONTO, ON / ACCESS Newswire / February 18, 2026 / TRU Precious Metals Corp. (TSXV:TRU)(FSE:706) (“TRU” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce that a Joint Venture Agreement (“JVA”) that regulates the 51%/49% Joint Venture (“JV”) arrangement on the Staghorn Property between the Company and Quadro Resources Ltd. (“Quadro”) has been executed by the parties.The JV is deemed to have been in existence since July 5, 2025, being the commencement date under the JVA, following the Company’s election not to exercise the additional option to increase its interest in the Staghorn Property as detailed in the Company’s news release dated…

Leverage and margin 101 Leverage is a tool used when spread betting and trading CFDs. It enables you to open a position using margin (a deposit) while still getting full exposure to an underlying asset. This means you’re paying an initial deposit, that’s a fraction of the full value of your trade, with your provider loaning you the rest. For example, at a margin requirement of 20%, you’d need to deposit £200 to open a shares position worth £1000. In the case of indices, a 5% margin would require a £50 to open a position at £1000. And for forex,…

Did our AI summary help? At some point, most investors move beyond fixed deposits and equities and start looking at bonds. The appeal is obvious. They feel more stable than stocks and, at least on … Source link