Author: Jordan

Weaker U.S. jobs data, a lower perceived chance of a near term Federal Reserve rate hike, and a softer dollar have all helped push gold and other precious metals higher, at least for now. When rates are seen as less likely to rise, non yielding assets can look relatively more attractive, and mining stocks tied to gold and silver often sit near the center of that conversation. This article looks at 3 precious metals mining stocks from our screener that appear especially exposed to these news driven catalysts and explains how those forces could influence their risk and return profile.…

Edinburgh’s royal palace hosted a family milestone on Friday as the Duke of Edinburgh presented his daughter, Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor, with her Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award. Lady Louise, 22, joined more than 600 young achievers from across Scotland in the gardens of the Palace of Holyroodhouse on 3 July. The ceremony took place just a day after she celebrated her graduation from the University of St Andrews. The presentation mirrored a ceremony from 40 years ago, when a young Prince Edward received his own Gold Award from his father, the late Prince Philip, at St James’s Palace in 1986. The…

While fixed-rate mortgages are far more popular than adjustable-rate mortgages, the latter are worth considering if you’ve got a little tolerance for uncertainty. That’s because an ARM may offer a low rate during its introductory period before adjustments kick in—making this loan type potentially attractive for folks planning to rent out or flip the property they’re buying, or who are planning to move before the introductory period comes to an end. Stay with us and we’ll walk you through how ARMs work, take a look at when they might be considering instead of a regular fixed-rate mortgage, and consider current…

The delay means motorists who were expecting payouts worth an average of £829 could now be waiting until 2027 or beyond, after a tribunal agreed to hear legal challenges against the compensation plans. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) had proposed an industry-wide scheme covering around 12.1 million car finance agreements, with lenders paying compensation automatically to eligible customers. However, the UK’s Upper Tribunal has now suspended key parts of the scheme while it considers challenges brought by finance firms linked to Volkswagen Financial Services, Mercedes-Benz Financial Services and Crédit Agricole, alongside consumer campaign group Consumer Voice. CAR FINANCE MISSELLING (BAD)…

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif launches “Prime Minister’s Apna Ghar Scheme”. PHOTO: RADIOPAK The government approved the inclusion of lending Non-Banking Finance Companies (NBFCs) in the Prime Minister’s Apna Ghar Programme, a move aimed at expanding access to affordable housing finance, particularly for underserved and unbanked segments of the population, the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) said on Saturday. In April, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif launched a five-year, Rs3.2 trillion housing programme aimed at funding the construction of 500,000 homes across the country to improve affordability for low-income citizens. The statement issued today said that under the decision, eligible…

Regulatory Framework 1.1        What is the key legislation that governs the establishment and operation of Alternative Investment Funds? The establishment and operation of Alternative Investment Funds (“AIFs”) (and their managers) is governed by the Federal Act on Collective Investment Schemes of 23 June 2006 (“CISA”) and its implementing ordinances, the Ordinance on Collective Investment Schemes of 22 November 2006 (“CISO”) and the Ordinance of the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority on Collective Investment Schemes of 27 August 2014 (“CISO-FINMA”).  In addition, the Federal Act on Financial Institutions of 15 June 2018 (“FinIA”) and its implementing ordinances, the Ordinance on Financial…

Selected 55% LTV fixed rates have been cut by 0.08%, 90% LTV fixed rates by 0.09%, and 95% LTV fixed rates by 0.05%.  Precise has launched new 60% loan-to-value (LTV) limited edition residential products, offering £300 cashback and a £1,495 fee.  The lender also made targeted rate reductions across its key residential mortgage range. Rates start from 4.99% on a 2-year fixed at 60% LTV with a £1,495 fee for Tier 1.  Selected 55% LTV fixed rates have been cut by 0.08%, 90% LTV fixed rates by 0.09%, and 95% LTV fixed rates by 0.05%.  There are also reductions on…

The S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) is up 10% year to date (as of June 29, 2025). The Nasdaq-100 is up around 17.5%. Both indexes have generated double-digit returns in 2023, 2024, and 2025. Life has been unquestionably good for stock market investors lately. But that doesn’t mean they should take their eyes off the ball. You’ve probably heard it a thousand times before, but it bears repeating: Past performance isn’t indicative of future returns. Missed Nvidia in 2009? This Rare Signal Is Flashing Again. In 2009, a “Double Down” signal flashed for a little-known chipmaker called Nvidia. For the first time in…

Blackstone Inc. (ISIN US09259E1082) is one of the world’s largest managers of alternative investments, and its business model is built around long-term capital committed to private markets. The firm’s scale in areas such as private equity, real estate, credit, and infrastructure makes it a key player for institutional investors seeking returns outside traditional stocks and bonds. For investors, the company’s focus on durable fee income and realized gains from asset sales is central to the long-run story.Global alternative asset managerBlackstone Inc. operates as a diversified alternative asset manager, primarily serving pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, insurance companies, and other large…

Keystone Property Finance has launched a number of special edition HMO and MUFB products as part of a streamlining of its buy-to-let range. The new special edition range offers a 15 basis point reduction on Keystone’s core range, with rates starting at 3.34%. Keystone has also simplified its fee structure as part of a “major streamlining” of its range, and now offers 2.5%, 5% and 7% fee options across its standard, specialist, expat and holiday let ranges. As well as refining its fees, the lender has reduced the number of expat and holiday let products it offers to…