Stockpickers: Raspberry Pi, Princes Group, AG Barr
The Financial Times’ Stockpickers column highlights three names – Raspberry Pi, Princes Group and AG Barr – but the article is locked behind a paywall, so detailed analysis is unavailable. Raspberry Pi is a privately‑held maker of low‑cost computers that has attracted interest for a possible public listing. Princes Group is a privately owned food and beverage conglomerate operating across Europe and Africa. AG Barr, known for its Irn‑Bru soft‑drink brand, is a UK‑based beverage company exploring growth through acquisitions. The column typically offers investors a quick snapshot of why these firms are worth watching.
3 Surprising (but Simple) Ways to Save Gas as Fuel Costs Skyrocket
U.S. gasoline prices have surged past $4 per gallon, the highest level since August 2022, driven by geopolitical tensions that have disrupted oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. The American Automobile Association and the Department of Energy explain that...
Israel, Iran War: Torrent Gas Raises CNG Price by ₹2.50/kg; Locals Flag Rising Cost Burden
Torrent Gas increased compressed natural gas (CNG) prices by ₹2.50 per kilogram (about $0.03) in a major Indian city. The hike comes as commercial LPG cylinder rates rose to ₹2,078.50 (~$25) after a ₹195.50 (~$2.4) increase, and aviation turbine fuel...
Zimbabwe Push to Extend President Rule Risks Elite Rifts, Weakened Democracy
Zimbabwe’s ruling party ZANU‑PF has introduced a constitutional amendment bill that would extend the presidential and parliamentary terms by two years, allowing President Emmerson Mnangagwa to stay in office until 2030. The proposal also seeks to abolish direct presidential elections,...
EU-India FTA May Boost India's Competitiveness in some Sectors: EY Report
EY’s March 2026 European Economic Outlook notes that the newly announced EU‑India free trade agreement will have limited macro impact on Europe but could sharpen India’s competitiveness in select sectors such as minerals and textiles. The report flags that U.S....
Hunting for Returns: Hatching a New Strategy for Sticky Inflation
Investors are moving from over‑valued AI software stocks to a barbell portfolio that pairs aggressive tech exposure with tangible, hard‑asset holdings. The article spotlights four companies—CrowdStrike, Constellation Energy, Corning, and Stratasys—as anchors for this strategy, each addressing a critical infrastructure...
Supply Shocks and Fiscal Math: How the War Is Stress-Testing India’s Economy
In a recent Businessline State of the Economy podcast, Union Bank of India's chief economic advisor Kanika Pasricha dissected the early economic effects of the Ukraine‑Russia war on India. She highlighted a steep decline in the manufacturing PMI caused by...
Silver Drags Commodity ETFs Down up to 15% in March. What Next for Investors?
In March 2026, silver‑focused commodity ETFs slumped as much as 15%, with UTI Silver ETF posting the steepest decline of –14.72%. The broader commodity‑ETF universe saw 43 funds in the red, while gold ETFs also recorded double‑digit losses. The sell‑off...
Could Investing $10,000 in SPYM Make You a Millionaire?
The State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF (SPYM) has posted an average 10‑year return of 15.5% while charging a razor‑thin 0.02% expense ratio. Since its launch in 2005 the fund has generated roughly 11% annualized gains, outpacing the broader market’s...
Are You Looking for the Best Mutual Funds for SIPs in April? Here Is Help for Conservative Investors
ET MutualFunds has published ready‑made SIP portfolios aimed at conservative investors, dividing allocations across three monthly investment brackets – roughly $24‑$60, $60‑$120, and above $120. Each bracket assigns 50% of the SIP to ICICI Prudential Regular Savings Fund, with the remainder spread...
Egg Prices Surge in Europe Ahead of Easter: Which Countries Saw the Highest Rise?
Egg prices across Europe are soaring ahead of Easter, with consumer inflation averaging 9.3% versus 2.3% overall EU inflation. Spain leads the surge, recording a 31.3% rise in consumer egg prices and a 33.7% jump in wholesale rates. Wholesale egg...
QLV: Sensible Quality And Low Volatility Strategy, Yet Outperformance Is Unlikely, A Hold
The FlexShares US Quality Low Volatility Index Fund (QLV) employs a passive strategy that blends quality and low‑volatility factors, featuring a weighted‑average 24‑month beta of 0.65 and a modest value tilt. Its low beta should keep downside capture below 80%,...
MBS: Mortgages Are Attractive After The Sell-Off
The Angel Oak Mortgage‑Backed Securities ETF (ticker MBS) has emerged as a standout pure‑play vehicle for residential mortgage credit. Early April 2026 sees the fund navigating heightened volatility as geopolitical tensions, notably the Iran conflict, have nudged Treasury yields up...
Stocks to Buy or Sell: Ajit Mishra of Religare Broking Suggests Strategies for 3 Shares
The Indian equity market experienced heightened volatility on April 2, with the Nifty 50 dipping to an intraday low of 22,182.55 before closing modestly higher at 22,713.10. A sharp rise in crude‑oil prices and geopolitical tension in the Strait of...
He Turned Down Ken Griffin to Run His Own Fund. That Was $20 Billion Ago.
Hamza Lemssouguer, a 35‑year‑old London‑based manager, declined a multi‑billion‑dollar offer from Citadel founder Ken Griffin in 2020. He subsequently founded Arini Capital, launching with $1.3 billion in seed capital. Within two years the firm grew to manage roughly $20 billion, making it...
The Week in Charts: Jet Fuel Prices, FPI Exodus, E20 Vehicle Gap
India’s economy faces multiple pressures as the West Asia war fuels a global energy squeeze. Jet fuel prices have surged, squeezing airline fares, while the manufacturing PMI slipped to a 45‑month low of 53.9 in March, indicating a sharp slowdown....
Sensex SIP Turns ₹25 Lakh Into ₹1.54 Crore over 25 Years Despite Multiple Market Shocks
A systematic investment plan (SIP) of ₹1 lakh per year in the Sensex from 2001 to 2025 would have grown to roughly ₹1.54 crore (about $185,000), delivering a cumulative return of over 2,500%. The index surged from 3,262 in 2001 to a...
There’s a New ETF for Memory Stocks. History Suggests that Might Be an Om...
Roundhill Investments has launched the Roundhill Memory ETF (ticker DRAM), a nine‑stock fund that tracks the world’s leading memory and storage manufacturers, including Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron. The ETF arrives as AI‑driven demand has propelled memory chip prices and...
AFIRE’s Gunnar Branson: U.S. CRE Continues to Be Seen as Safest Investment (VIDEO)
Gunnar Branson, CEO of Afire, told Connect CRE’s new podcast that U.S. commercial real estate (CRE) remains the safest global investment despite rising geopolitical tensions. European investors, while frustrated by recent tariffs, continue to allocate capital to the United States....
The Social Security Claiming Strategy That Looks Smart — But Isn’t
Social Security can be claimed at age 62, but the benefit is only $2,969 per month, far below the $5,181 monthly payout available at age 70. Waiting not only raises the monthly check, it also lets higher‑earning later years replace...
How Emerging Markets Borrow: New Evidence on Sovereign Bond Issuance
The authors analyze 75,000 sovereign bond auctions from 20 emerging‑market economies (2000‑2023) to uncover how timing decisions differ by currency. Local‑currency issuances closely track refinancing needs, while foreign‑currency issuances are driven by global financial conditions, investor sentiment, and terms‑of‑trade shocks....
KPMG’s Sarah Kindzerske on Navigating Joint Venture Complexity in REIT Transactions
At Nareit’s REITwise 2026 conference, KPMG’s Sarah Kindzerske highlighted a shift in REIT dealmaking from large public‑to‑public mergers toward increasingly complex joint ventures and one‑off strategic transactions. These structures involve multiple partners, layered financing, and intricate contractual terms, raising challenges...
Liquidity Pressures Rise in Thai Bond Market
Thailand’s corporate bond market faces a liquidity crunch as roughly $18.5 billion in bonds will mature over the next three quarters, according to the Thai Bond Market Association. While investment‑grade issues dominate, about $1.4 billion of lower‑rated and unrated debt is especially...
Inventory Is Up, Prices Are Down—So Why Are Home Sales Muted?
U.S. home sales remain muted despite a sharp rise in inventory and a 2.2% drop in median prices, now at $415,450, the lowest since 2022. Mortgage rates have jumped to 6.46%, the highest in seven months, adding roughly $117 to...
Greater Palm Beach Area Home Sales Climb as Tight Supply Fuels Prices
February 2026 saw Palm Beach County home sales rise 9% year‑over‑year to 1,847 transactions, driven by strong demand in both single‑family and condo segments. The median price for single‑family homes climbed 4.3% to $675,000, while condo values dipped 0.6% to...
Will the Iran War Redraw the Global Energy Map?
The Iran‑Israel conflict has forced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, instantly choking a key artery for global oil shipments. The disruption has triggered a sharp supply shock, pushing crude prices higher and exposing Asia’s heavy reliance on Middle‑East...
Stabilizing Foreign Investment: China’s Upgraded Industry Investment Guide
China’s National Development and Reform Commission and Ministry of Commerce launched the 2025 Catalogue for Encouraged Industries for Foreign Investment on February 1, 2026, expanding the list to 1,679 entries – 205 new and 303 revised. The updated guide pivots...
A Light Round of Direct Cattle Business on Friday
Direct cattle trading was muted on Friday, with only a handful of deals reported in the South. Weekly live cattle prices in the South edged up $8‑$9, while dressed cattle in the North averaged $385, about $13 higher than the...
Quiz: Is Your Retirement Savings on Track at Age 50 to 55?
JPMorgan has released a retirement‑savings benchmark that aligns target balances with household income for workers aged 50 and 55, assuming retirement at 65. The model presumes a 5 % gross‑income savings rate, a portfolio of target‑date funds, and a 35‑year retirement...
Average ETF Lifespan Collapses With Wall Street Antsy for Scale
ETF issuers are accelerating product shutdowns as the market floods with new offerings. The average lifespan of a fund liquidated in 2026 dropped to just 1 year and 9 months, down from 3 years and 6 months in 2025. More...
Mideast Uncertainty Keeps Pressure on Equities
Asian equities stayed under pressure as the Middle East conflict dampened optimism, though the Thai SET index nudged up 0.5% to 1,454 points, supported by net buying of roughly $126 million from brokerages. Oil price fears linger, with European policymakers warning...
Morningstar DBRS Assigns Credit Rating of A (Low) With a Stable Trend to CoreWeave Compute Acquisition Co. VIII, LLC
Morningstar DBRS assigned an A (low) issuer rating and a matching A (low) rating to CoreWeave Compute Acquisition Co. VIII’s $8.5 billion senior secured delayed draw term loan facility, with a stable trend. The loan finances the acquisition, installation, and operation...
Stop Selling Your Cows in a Drought—Here's the Smarter Play
Producers who panic‑sell cattle during droughts trigger a price spiral: mass sell‑offs depress prices, then simultaneous restocking inflates them, eroding margins. The author advocates a sell/buy approach that keeps head‑per‑head revenue stable while stretching feed budgets. Current market data shows...
Households Throwing This Bedroom Staple Away Are Missing Out on a Free, Long-Lasting Reusable Kitchen Roll Alternative
Households in the United States spend roughly $120 each year on disposable paper towels, a cost that adds up amid rising living expenses. Repurposing an old bed sheet into reusable kitchen towels offers a zero‑cost alternative that can replace most...
My Partner’s Parents Offered a Down Payment, but They Hate the Property W...
A couple in their early 30s were offered a chance to buy the Chicago apartment building they rent, priced at $1 million, with a down‑payment gift from the partner’s parents. The parents, however, expressed strong dislike for the property, leaving the...
Girard, a Univest Wealth Division: Zeroing in On Quality
Girard, a Univest Wealth Division, has expanded from a $500 million registered investment adviser to $5.9 billion in assets under management by year‑end 2025, with $2.8 billion concentrated in its private‑client advisory business. The firm serves high‑net‑worth individuals—typically $2‑10 million in assets—and institutional foundations,...
Financial Services Roundup: Market Talk
Malaysian equities may experience a two‑quarter dip as geopolitical tensions, a weakening ringgit and delayed Federal Reserve rate cuts compress interest‑rate spreads, according to Hong Leong Investment Bank analysts. Despite this, earnings for the Kuala Lumpur Composite Index (KLCI) remain largely...
Three Questions to Ask Clients About Goodwill
Entrepreneurial clients often see their business represent 80‑90% of estate value, yet goodwill remains illiquid, restricting cash availability. Randy Fox highlights that this liquidity shortfall can deter owners from effective exit planning. He proposes three essential questions advisors should ask...
Steel Cooling: Steel Costs Steadily Decline After Pandemic Price Shock
Steel prices have continued a steady decline, with the national average for structural steel falling to roughly $2,344 per ton in January 2026. That represents a 5.38% drop from the previous quarter and a 7.18% decrease year‑over‑year, extending a correction...
Amazon.com, Inc. (AMZN) Advances AI and Satellite Expansion Plans
Amazon is in advanced talks to acquire satellite telecom group Globalstar, a move intended to accelerate its Project Kuiper broadband constellation. Kuiper currently operates 180 satellites and targets a 3,200‑satellite network to challenge SpaceX’s Starlink, which runs over 9,500 satellites....
Trump Loses Grip as Oil Surge Signals Deeper Crisis
Oil prices surged past $140 a barrel as renewed U.S.-Iran tensions reignited market bullishness, pushing WTI and Brent to levels not seen since 2008. OPEC+ is weighing a 206,000‑barrel‑per‑day production increase for May, despite most members having cut output amid...
HUL, Dabur, Asian Paints Likely to See Margin Pressure on Rising Crude and Input Costs: Axis Securities
Axis Securities warns that the US‑Iran conflict‑driven surge in crude oil and LNG prices will compress margins across FMCG, paints, quick‑service restaurants and retail. Crude has risen over 60% since late February, while India imports about 85% of its oil...
Strategic Storage Trust VI, Inc. Reports Year Ended December 31, 2025 Results
Strategic Storage Trust VI (SST VI) reported FY 2025 total revenues of $30.7 million, an 8.8% increase over 2024. Net loss attributable to common shareholders fell $10.7 million, a 22.7% improvement, while same‑store NOI rose 8.6%. Same‑store occupancy slipped to 90.3% and rent per...
No Jet Fuel Shortage for '4 to 6 Weeks' - Airline
Aurigny, the Guernsey‑based airline, reports a 120% rise in jet‑fuel costs since the Iran war began but expects no fuel shortages for the next four to six weeks. The carrier introduced a temporary $2.50 surcharge on new bookings and has...
FX Dos and Don’ts for CFOs Navigating Currency Volatility
U.S. companies with global exposure are confronting a fresh surge in foreign‑exchange volatility as the dollar strengthens amid geopolitical tension and divergent monetary policies. CFOs are being urged to move beyond reactionary hedging and adopt structured risk‑management frameworks that separate...
Electrification May Not Be Enough to Protect Against Gas-Driven Price Shocks
Electrification does not fully insulate companies from natural‑gas‑driven electricity price spikes, as grid pricing remains tied to gas dynamics. ABB’s Stuart Thompson warns that static supply contracts and unchanged grid infrastructure leave firms exposed to real‑time market volatility. Storage and...
‘I Plan to Take Out a Mortgage’: My Father Died. Should I Buy the Family Home From My Mom at...
The Moneyist column addresses a reader whose father recently died and who wants to buy the family home from his mother at a 40% discount, using a mortgage to settle the existing loan and pay siblings. The mother inherited the...
Continental Resources to Boost U.S. Oil Output as Crude Tops $100
Continental Resources announced it will raise its 2026 capital budget to boost oil production as crude prices break $100 a barrel amid the Iran‑Israel conflict. The Oklahoma‑based producer, which delivered 475,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day in Q4 2025,...
Latin America Offshore Drilling Gains Appeal as Iran War Reshapes Markets
Constellation Oil Services Holding SA, a major deep‑water rig supplier to Petrobras, has extended three offshore drilling contracts and is eyeing Brazil’s Equatorial Margin and Pelotas Basin. CEO Rodrigo Ribeiro called Brazil the world’s best offshore drilling market, citing high‑quality...
TSMC’s Kumamoto Fab Upgrade: A Security-Driven Reconfiguration of Indo-Pacific Chip Competition
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) will upgrade its Kumamoto, Japan fab to a 3‑nanometer process, targeting 15,000 12‑inch wafers per month and mass production by 2028. The $20 billion investment, backed by $4.62 billion in Japanese subsidies and equity from Sony, Denso...