Hargreaves Lansdown

Squeezed middle fall into the protection gap

  • 43% of people have enough life insurance.
  • Those with a mortgage need more, and are more likely to fall short: 36% have enough.
  • Families also need more cover, and have huge shortfalls. Only 30% of couples with children and 10% of single parents have enough life insurance.
  • Families on lower incomes struggle – just 3% of parents in the bottom fifth of earnings have enough cover, as do just 16% of parents in the middle income bracket.
  • Those who don’t have enough emergency savings (to cover 3...

https://allaboutshipping.co.uk/2025/05/07/squeezed-middle-fall-into-the-protection-gap/

FTSE 100 inches higher as India trade deal helps lift sentiment

Susannah Streeter
  • The FTSE 100 has risen for 16 consecutive sessions after inching over the line.
  • The index closed up 0.012% at 8597.
  • Gold miners among the biggest gainers as the precious metal rose in value.

Susannah Streeter, head of money and markets, Hargreaves Lansdown:

‘’The FTSE 100 was faltering earlier and looked set to take a breather from its winning streak but found more footing in late trading to inch higher. It’s closed higher, by a whisker, for the 16th session in a row....

https://allaboutshipping.co.uk/2025/05/06/ftse-100-inches-higher-as-india-trade-deal-helps-lift-sentiment/

Market Report: Central Banks in focus as FTSE 100 extends gains

  • UK markets eye up March’s all-time high
  • US equity slip-up gives gold a fresh bump
  • Palantir delivers, but falls under the pressure of weighty expectations
  • DoorDash dials up the heat with Deliveroo deal
  • Oil price stage a mini recovery

Matt Britzman, senior equity analyst, Hargreaves Lansdown:

“UK markets seem well-rested after the long weekend and are back this morning with a spring in their step, with the FTSE 100 up in early trading. It’s been quite the ride as the UK’s blue-chip index pushes...

https://allaboutshipping.co.uk/2025/05/06/market-report-central-banks-in-focus-as-ftse-100-extends-gains/

Who wears the financial trousers, and why it matters

  • 55% of people say they manage short term finances, like paying the bills and saving for a holiday, between them and their partner.
  • More than half take a share of the responsibility for longer-term planning like investments and pensions too (51%).
  • 36% men say they manage the long term alone, compared to 23% of women.
  • 36% of men say they deal with short-term finances alone, compared to 29% of women.
  • Only 8% of men and women say they leave the short-term finances to their partner.
  • Only 8% of men...

https://allaboutshipping.co.uk/2025/05/06/who-wears-the-financial-trousers-and-why-it-matters/

Market Report: Stock markets defy weak US data on strong tech earnings

Derren Nathan
  • FTSE off to a strong start
  • China hints at open door to US trade talks
  • US PMI drops to 48.7 in April, jobs data in focus
  • Shell beats first quarter
  • Brent crude prices flat at $67 per barrel
  • Tariffs take a bite from Apple’s investor sentiment
  • NatWest smashes Q1 forecasts

Derren Nathan, head of equity research, Hargreaves Lansdown:

“The FTSE ‘s off to a strong start and US futures are also pointing up after yesterday’s gains on Wall Street. Markets were helped by solid earnings from...

https://allaboutshipping.co.uk/2025/05/02/market-report-stock-markets-defy-weak-us-data-on-strong-tech-earnings/

Look ahead to FTSE 350, other companies reporting and economic events from 5 – 9 May 2025

  • Markets look to Novo Nordisk for reassurance on full-year outlook.
  • AI platform adoption in focus for Palantir
  • Competition is intense for Disney
  • Wetherspoons feels the strain
  • Tariffs could pose a risk to Shopify’s success
  • Next strong start of the year, but will UK retail hold up?

Palantir, Q1 Results, Monday 5 May
Matt Britzman, senior equity analyst, Hargreaves Lansdown 
“Palantir has become a key name in the AI investment space, but its high valuation means there’s immense pressure to deliver...

https://allaboutshipping.co.uk/2025/05/02/look-ahead-to-ftse-350-other-companies-reporting-and-economic-events-from-5-9-may-2025/

Apple & Amazon: A team deliver solid quarters, but investors wanted more

Matt Britzman
  • Apple beats on strong iPhone sales
  • Amazon shares fall on cloud miss

Matt Britzman, senior equity analyst, Hargreaves Lansdown:

“Apple edged out a slight beat on the top line after iPhone sales where stronger than expected. The Apple ecosystem continues to dominate, with the installed base reaching a new all-time high. Its unclear whether there was a significant pull forward of sales, but the word on the street is that this was a pretty organic beat, a good sign for underlying...

https://allaboutshipping.co.uk/2025/05/01/apple-amazon-a-team-deliver-solid-quarters-but-investors-wanted-more/

Market report: Ukraine minerals deal, trade hopes and buoyant corporate earnings

Susannah Streeter
  • Footsie takes a breather in its winning streak in early trade.
  • Hopes rise for a peace deal in Ukraine, after US strikes a minerals deal.
  • May optimism set to unfurl on Wall Street amid big tech strength as investors shrug off data showing the economy contracted.
  • Bank of Japan keeps interest rates on hold, as stagflation fears linger over economies.
  • Oil prices remain near lows not seen since February 2021 amid concerns over global growth.
  • Meta’s confident outlook helps buoy...

https://allaboutshipping.co.uk/2025/05/01/market-report-ukraine-minerals-deal-trade-hopes-and-buoyant-corporate-earnings/

Meta: shares jump on strong outlook and capex raise

  • Q1 revenue $42.3bn vs $41.4bn expected
  • Q1 EPS $6.43 vs $5.28 expected
  • Daily active users up 6%
  • Full year capex guide raised to $64-72bn

Matt Britzman, senior equity analyst, Hargreaves Lansdown:

“Meta shares are racing higher in after-hours trading after a strong set of results – and, more importantly, a confident outlook. This was never really about the quarter just gone for Meta; all eyes were on guidance for the second quarter and capex for the full year – and neither disappointed. The...

https://allaboutshipping.co.uk/2025/04/30/meta-shares-jump-on-strong-outlook-and-capex-raise/

Market report: Footloose footsie, Trump stays defiant and carmakers count the cost of tariffs

Susannah Streeter
  • The FTSE 100 continues its longest winning streak since 2017.
  • China shows weakness in manufacturing, putting pressure on energy prices.
  • Trump stays defiant in the face of market turmoil as he marks 100 days in office.
  • Amazon backtracks on plan to highlight cost of tariffs on some goods.
  • Marks and Spencer’s cyber chaos continues as hackers reportedly identified.
  • Volkswagen and Aston Martin count the cost of tariffs on the car industry.

Susannah Streeter, head of money and...

https://allaboutshipping.co.uk/2025/04/30/market-report-footloose-footsie-trump-stays-defiant-and-carmakers-count-the-cost-of-tariffs/

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