Category: 3. Business

  • 7.9%+ dividend yields! Here are 3 high-yield income stocks, investment trusts, and ETFs to consider

    7.9%+ dividend yields! Here are 3 high-yield income stocks, investment trusts, and ETFs to consider

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    I think these UK income stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and investment trusts are worth serious consideration from serious dividend investors. Here’s why.

    Today Phoenix Group (LSE:PHNX) has the fourth-highest dividend yield on the FTSE 100. At 7.9%, its yield is only topped by those of Taylor Wimpey, WPP, and Legal & General.

    But unlike those first two blue chips, Phoenix’s yield hasn’t been supercharged by extreme share price weakness. The financial services giant has a long record of paying a large and growing dividend, and its yields have long topped the blue-chip average.

    This in part reflects its exceptional cash generation, even during tough times. Today, its Solvency Capital Coverage Ratio is 172%, well inside its 140%-180% target. It may not protect Phoenix’s share price from falling if economic conditions worsen. But it at least means the company looks in good shape to pay this year’s expected dividends.

    Over the longer term, I expect dividends here to rise steadily as demographic changes drive retirement product demand and push its profits skywards.

    FTSE 250-listed SDCL Energy Efficiency Trust (LSE:SEIT) offers tantalising all-round value in my book. Its forward dividend yield is 10.8%, more than triple the Footsie average of 3.3%.

    The investment trust also trades at a whopping 36.8% discount to its net asset value (NAV) per share of 91.5p.

    Higher interest rates have weighed heavily on SDCL’s performance of late. With inflation edging upwards again, this is a threat that remains in play.

    Yet I’m still confident in the trust’s long-term potential. It invests in projects that reduce heat wastage, improve on-site power generation, and cool commercial buildings, for example. And as such, it has considerable growth potential as companies try to meet their green targets.

    On the dividend front, SDCL has raised shareholder payouts at an average rate of 4.8% over the last five years.

    Launched in March 2024, the iShares World Equity High Income ETF (LSE:WINC) doesn’t have a long record of annual growth. But it’s tipped to raise the annual payout again this year, resulting in a vast 9.6% dividend yield.

    The fund is designed “to generate income and capital growth with lower volatility than developed market equities“. To achieve a more stable performance than 100% share-based ETFs, some of its capital is also tied up in cash and government bonds.

    That’s not to say that the fund’s fully protected from choppiness, however. Weighty exposure to cyclical sectors like information technology and financial services leaves it exposed to economic downturns.

    However, it aims to counterbalance these with holdings of defensive shares like utilities, healthcare, telecoms, and consumer goods shares. As an investor, it’s also worth remembering iShares World Equity’s large contingent of high-growth shares (like Nvidia and Apple) also create potential for robust long-term dividend growth.

    The post 7.9%+ dividend yields! Here are 3 high-yield income stocks, investment trusts, and ETFs to consider appeared first on The Motley Fool UK.

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    Royston Wild has positions in Legal & General Group Plc and Taylor Wimpey Plc. The Motley Fool UK has recommended Apple and Nvidia. Views expressed on the companies mentioned in this article are those of the writer and therefore may differ from the official recommendations we make in our subscription services such as Share Advisor, Hidden Winners and Pro. Here at The Motley Fool we believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.

    Motley Fool UK 2025

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  • Gallic acid alleviates hippocampus and cerebellum injuries in a rat model of hepatic encephalopathy

    Gallic acid alleviates hippocampus and cerebellum injuries in a rat model of hepatic encephalopathy

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  • PSX hits 151k as turnover soars 31% – The Express Tribune

    PSX hits 151k as turnover soars 31% – The Express Tribune

    1. PSX hits 151k as turnover soars 31%  The Express Tribune
    2. PSX extends northward journey for ninth straight week  Dawn
    3. Steady economic improvement  Business Recorder
    4. KSE-100 Index rises by 257.79 points, ends positive after a volatile session  Profit by Pakistan Today
    5. Weekly Market Roundup  Mettis Global

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  • Solar car teams chase ‘dreams of a more sustainable future’ in gruelling 3,000km race across Australian outback | Renewable energy

    Solar car teams chase ‘dreams of a more sustainable future’ in gruelling 3,000km race across Australian outback | Renewable energy

    Zipping through the Australian outback this weekend is a red car looking more race boat than sedan and which travels at highway speeds using about the same amount of power it takes to boil a kettle.

    When and if this futuristic looking craft – the UNLIMITED 6.0 – crosses the finish line for the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge in Adelaide, its team from Western Sydney University will probably celebrate with something a bit stiffer than a cup of tea.

    Among the messages of support written on the vehicle’s solar panels for the engineering students trying to develop breakthroughs in solar car design, is one that reads: “get this man a beer”.

    No doubt the team will deserve a cold drink after a gruelling 3,000km race from Darwin across some of the world’s harshest and most remote terrain. But it won’t be all blokes who will be celebrating.

    No ordinary car … inside one of the cars racing in the World Solar Challenge. Photograph: Lloyd Jones/AAP

    Returning for her second race, veteran Micah Honan has taken on the role of electrical lead – one of added significance in 2025 with a new design challenge for the race of ensuring the car runs efficiently with reduced sunlight – this year’s event is being held in winter for the first time.

    “There are many solutions for a complicated problem, and everyone solves it a bit differently,” Honan said.

    Moritz Mitzel from Aachen in Germany, the first driver to take to the road in the latest World Solar Challenge, starting in Darwin on Sunday. Photograph: Lloyd Jones/AAP

    “I love learning how and why something works, or how and why it doesn’t. Engineering is not just a field of study, but a mindset.”

    The Western Sydney University team is one of 34 cars from 17 countries preparing to race their sun-powered vehicles across the outback in a test of innovative technology that may drive the solar-powered cars of tomorrow.

    The twice-yearly event began in 1987 and attracts an online audience of millions of people, who watch the race of solar-powered cars designed, engineered and built at universities and schools in Australia and overseas.

    After the teams leave Darwin they must travel as far as they can until 5pm each day, when they make camp in the desert.

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    Event ambassador Chris Selwood said designing and building a solar car to travel 3,000km, qualifying for the race, then making it to the start was “an incredible achievement for those with dreams of a more sustainable future”.

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    “Safety for everyone is paramount and that’s one area that can’t be compromised,” he said in a statement.

    Teams face extreme heat, vast open desert stretches and varied terrain in three classes: challenger, cruiser and explorer.

    The cruiser class was created to encourage “green to the mainstream” concept cars fitted with innovative, sustainable and potentially practical features that could find their way into real-world design.

    Driver-only challenger class cars must travel 3,000km on the power of sunshine, while cruisers carry a passenger and in addition to solar power are allowed to charge from external sources after 5pm each day.

    The explorer class provides an even broader platform to showcase prospective ideas, technology and renewables.

    Overseas entrants this year include teams from Germany, Sweden, Italy, the Netherlands, Estonia, Hong Kong, Taiwan and the US.

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  • New funds to bridge $15b gap

    New funds to bridge $15b gap


    KARACHI:

    The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has launched a new category of mutual funds titled Infrastructure Schemes under the framework of open-end collective investment schemes, in a bid to mobilise long-term domestic savings for infrastructure development.

    The initiative, identified as a key milestone under the Fund Management Department’s Roadmap 2025-26, was first discussed at the Mutual Fund Focus Group Session earlier this year. Following extensive consultations with the Mutual Funds Association of Pakistan (MUFAP) and other stakeholders, SECP finalised a framework aimed at regulatory clarity, investor protection, and alignment with national development priorities.

    Pakistan requires nearly $15 billion annually to meet its infrastructure financing needs, but current spending stands at only 2.1% of GDP, far below the international benchmark of 8-10%. By carving out a dedicated regulatory category, SECP hopes to provide greater visibility to infrastructure-focused funds and give investors structured access to projects of national importance.

    “SECP’s introduction of a dedicated framework for Infrastructure Mutual Funds marks a transformative step for Pakistan’s capital markets and economy,” said Deputy Head of Trading at Arif Habib Ltd, Ali Najib.

    For PSX and its investors, this development creates new investment avenues, particularly in long-term infrastructure sectors like energy, transport, housing, and healthcare, enhancing portfolio diversification and stability, he noted. Institutional and retail investors gain structured, transparent access to projects of national importance, potentially boosting liquidity and market depth.

    For the common person, the framework indirectly benefits society by channelling savings into infrastructure development, leading to job creation, improved services, and better living standards while promoting sustainable economic growth, Najib added.

    Under the new regulations, Asset Management Companies (AMCs) can classify infrastructure schemes as equity, debt, or hybrid funds. Investment opportunities cover a wide spectrum, including energy, transport, logistics, water, sanitation, communications, and social infrastructure such as hospitals, schools, industrial parks, affordable housing, and tourism facilities.

    To boost investor confidence, minimum fund sizes have been set at Rs100 million for perpetual schemes. AMCs must also invest at least Rs25 million as seed capital in closed-end schemes exceeding three years’ maturity, ensuring manager-investor alignment. Such schemes may allow periodic subscriptions and redemptions after one year, with conditions clearly defined in offering documents.

    The framework provides flexibility on Net Asset Value (NAV) disclosures, requiring updates at intervals not exceeding one month. Additionally, schemes must maintain at least 70% of net assets in infrastructure securities, with any shortfall to be regularised within three months.

    Management fees have been capped at 3% for equity schemes and 1.5% for debt schemes, with hybrid funds following a weighted average formula. Sales loads are prohibited, though contingent loads may apply for early redemptions in closed-end schemes.

    Maaz Azam, Research Head at Optimus Capital Management, termed the framework an “alternative investment avenue” that could strengthen transparency and accountability in infrastructure projects. He observed that corruption and poor quality often mar public projects, but a regulated fund structure could enforce higher standards and return-oriented practices. “This is a good step,” Azam said. “It gives investors exposure to a new asset class, while the country benefits from long-term infrastructure development.”

    The SECP initiative is seen as part of broader efforts to expand the role of capital markets in Pakistan’s economic development. By bridging the infrastructure financing gap, the regulator aims to attract both domestic and international investors while reinforcing confidence in the fund management industry.

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  • Fed Rate Social Media Mentions Surge Is A Red Flag For Crypto

    Fed Rate Social Media Mentions Surge Is A Red Flag For Crypto

    The surge in social media chatter around the highly anticipated US Federal Reserve September interest rate decision could be a warning sign for crypto, says sentiment platform Santiment.

    It comes after the crypto market rallied on Friday and market sentiment returned to greed following Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s dovish remarks at the annual Jackson Hole economic symposium. He hinted that the first rate cut of 2025 could come in September.

    “Historically, such a massive spike in discussion around a single bullish narrative can indicate that euphoria is getting too high and may signal a local top,” Santiment said in a report on Saturday. The firm said that social media mentions of keywords tied to the Fed and interest rate cuts have jumped to their highest level in 11 months.

    Santiment urges caution as analysts are divided

    “While optimism about a rate cut is fueling the market, social data suggests caution is warranted,” Santiment said. 

    Santiment has detected an increase in mentions of the keywords: Fed, rate, cut, and Powell. Source: Santiment

    Powell said during his speech on Friday that current conditions in inflation and the labor market “may warrant adjusting” the Fed’s monetary policy stance. According to the CME FedWatch Tool, 75% of market participants expect a rate cut at the September meeting.

    Many crypto analysts have based their crypto market forecasts on the Fed’s decisions throughout this year. While some see a rate cut as a potential bullish catalyst, others are divided on the outcome.

    Federal Reserve, United States
    Source: Coinbase Institutional

    After Powell’s speech, crypto trader Ash Crypto said, “the Fed will start the money printers in Q4 of this year,” along with two rate cuts, which means “trillions will flow into the crypto market.”

    “We are about to enter a parabolic phase where Altcoins will explode 10x -50x,” Ash Crypto said.

    Analyst warns crypto may face short-term pressure

    Others suggest that the crypto market may not immediately see the impact of a Fed rate cut.

    On April 11, 10x Research head of research Markus Thielen said, “Expecting a bullish impulse is too early.” He said that while a longer-term price opportunity for Bitcoin (BTC) could emerge, it may face short-term pressure driven by recession fears.

    Related: BTC climbed to 1.7% of global money before Fed chair signaled rate cut

    Meanwhile, some say that if the Fed takes no action this year, it could lead to headwinds for the crypto market.

    On March 9, network economist Timothy Peterson warned that if the Fed holds off on rate cuts in 2025, it may cause a broader crypto market downturn.

    Magazine: Can privacy survive in US crypto policy after Roman Storm’s conviction?