Author: Jordan

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…

Concerned about an AI bubble? Sign up for The Daily Upside for smart and actionable market news, built for investors. While private markets aren’t just for the largest investors anymore, not everyone is ready to put their money into the more opaque products offered there. Alternative investments are expected to reach $30 trillion in assets by 2030, up from $10 trillion a decade ago, per data from BlackRock. At the same time, companies are staying private longer, according to S&P Capital IQ, with 84% of those generating $100 million in revenue remaining private. Such trends are increasing interest in opportunities…

My wife and I earn almost $1,000 a year in credit card rewards. And we mostly use a single, all-purpose 2% rewards card for all our spending.Right now, three no-annual-fee cards share a sweet spot: an easy $200 welcome offer and a solid rewards rate for everyday spending. Here’s what makes each one different, and how to tell which is yours.1. Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card: best overall flat-rate cardThe Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card (rates and fees) is the cleanest flat-rate cash rewards card on the market right now. It won Motley Fool Money’s Best Overall Credit Card award…

MUMBAI: The Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW), in association with Sagarmala Finance Corporation Limited (SMFCL) and SBI Ventures Limited (SVL), Friday convened an industry consultation on the Maritime Investment Fund (MIF), bringing together leading stakeholders from across India’s maritime and financial ecosystem to deliberate on the design, strategy and implementation of the fund. The consultation was chaired by Shri Vijay Kumar, IAS, Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, and witnessed participation from senior representatives of shipping companies, port operators, shipyards, maritime boards, banks, NBFCs, private equity and infrastructure funds, and other industry associations, according to the release.…

The equity income gap between the US and Europe is stark too. The S&P 500’s dividend yield has fallen to around 1%; European total shareholder yield — dividends plus the region’s record pace of buybacks — sits well above that. European banks alone offer a shareholder yield near 8% while trading at just a little above book value. For investors who value total-return discipline and downside protection, being paid to hold European stocks is a strong part of our thesis.  While risks remain, the case for Europe has strengthened The case for Europe is not perfect. There are risks.   For…