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You need to learn the fundamentals first. It's vital you understand what the spread is.

This upcoming launch has been the talk of the town in the crypto world late. With significant backing and partnerships, it's poised to be a major player in the DeFi space. I applaud the premarket trading initiative by Bitget.

Went to status.ig.com where it said mobile apps are all operational when they clearly aren't. Looks like there is a problem with status.ig.com backend which also needs looking at.

no idea guru12. where can i see that? i was just learning about a pattern and happened to see that pattern in USDHKD. so wanted to try it.

The above exchange focusing on educating younger generations about blockchain is a positive step. Equipping them with these skills will be important as this technology continues to develop. And yes, any platform that helps nurture young talent and foster a more connected future through blockchain is worth celebrating

What's the spread and how much are you putting on each pip?

Not gonna lie, I'm always a bit skeptical of brand-new tokens at first. But between EigenLayer's keen focus on decentralization and that airdrop allocation, EIGEN seems built for long-term success post-Bitget listing.

The more I research EigenLayer's fundamentals, the more bullish I become. That staggering $64.5M raise and blue-chip investors like Polychain are incredible for such an innovative project.

I absolutely love projects that expand what's possible with blockchain tech. EigenLayer enabling trustless validation of third-party services on Ethereum is the kind of groundbreaking concept Bitget should embrace!

Yep, You are right. As someone who's been burned by opaque tokenomics before, I really appreciate how transparent and community-focused EigenLayer is with that 45% allocation. A project listing on Bitget that seems built to last.

FTSE 100 makes yet another record high while DAX and S&P 500 rally is slowing down Outlook on FTSE 100, DAX and S&P 500 ahead of Thursday’s BoE monetary policy meeting. Source: Getty Images Written by: Axel Rudolph FSTA | Senior Financial Analyst, London Publication date: Wednesday 08 May 2024 13:37 FTSE 100 hits yet another record high The FTSE 100 has so far seen four straight days of gains with each making a new record high ahead of this morning’s, the fifth day in a row around the 8,350 mark. Further up beckons the 8,500 region. The tentative April-to-May uptrend line at 8,280 offers support. Source: ProRealTime DAX 40 trades in one-month high The DAX 40 has seen four straight days of gains take it to a one-month high around the 18,450 level with the April record high at 18,636 representing the next upside target. Potential slips should find good support between the 24 and 29 April highs at 18,240 and 18,238. Source: ProRealTime S&P 500 see five straight days of gains The S&P 500’s 3.5% rally from its early May low amid five consecutive days of gains has taken it to the 5,200 mark around which it may short-term lose upside momentum. A slip towards the 5,132 to 5,123 55-day simple moving average (SMA) and the late April high might be on the cards for this week. Were the recent advance to continue, though, the April record high at 5,274 would be back in the frame. Source: ProRealTime

Gold price edges down, while WTI crude price comes under pressure and natural gas price rallies to four-month high While gold is fighting to hold on to gains and natural gas has soared to a four-month high, oil prices have slumped through the lows of last week. Source: Getty Images Written by: Chris Beauchamp | Chief Market Analyst, London Publication date: Wednesday 08 May 2024 13:22 Gold remains above recent lows The price continues to carve out a low, with buyers entering over the past week to ensure that, for now, the $2290 level holds. If this marks the low for the time being then we could see a resumption of the move higher, with the higher low helping to reinforce the bullish medium-term view. This then targets the $2400 highs from mid-April. A close back below $2280 negates this outlook, and could see the 50-day simple moving average (SMA) tested next. Source: ProRealTime WTI pushes to two-month low Oil prices have suffered further losses in morning trading, dropping through the lows of Monday and Friday and heading to levels not seen since mid-March. Signs of a lessening of tensions in the Middle East appear to be behind the move, which has negated the nascent indications of a low that appeared over the previous two sessions. The February lows at $76 now come into view. A close back above $78 and the 100-day SMA would be needed to revive hopes that a low has formed. Source: ProRealTime Natural Gas hits four-month high The past week has seen the price, finally, make serious headway, and it now finds itself back at the late January highs. Further gains would head towards the 200-day SMA. The price might yet create a lower high, though this would need a reversal and close back below 2100 to signal some near-term weakness is at hand. Source: ProRealTime

hi i was looking at trading usd/hkd pair on ig platform. it says margin £33000...why is that? thanks

AR Price on the Rise? Bullish Pattern Hints at $100 by 2024 The chart shows a potential inverted head and shoulders but faces a hurdle at $44. Read more for the full analysis! https://coinpedia.org/price-analysis/this-bullish-pattern-in-ar-price-teases-100-in-2024/ #AR #Cryptocurrency

WIF Woes: Meme Coin Crashes 10%, Will it bounce back or sink further? With a bullish failure to surpass the high supply resistance level of $3.35, the meme coin suffers a 10% drop in market value. With the crash, the WIF price loses the $3 mark and heads lower for the next support. However, the 18% drop in trading volume reflects the bullish exhaustion leading to additional supply. #WIF #Dogwifhat #Cryptocurrency Full analysis: https://coinpedia.org/price-analysis/wif-price-crashes-10-a-retest-teases-a-jump-to-5/

This happens when you have another type of account with IG, like an ISA or Share Dealing account, and that one is set to be the default account. You see that error because the API does not support trading with those types of accounts. You can resolve this by setting your default account to be your spread betting account. Using the web interface, go to: My IG > Settings > Default view, and select the spread bet account there. That's the easiest way. There is another way to do it via the Companion, but its more fiddly. For this one you need to know the 5 letter account ID for your spread bet account. Log into the companion as you did previously. After you have the 200 response from logging in, you then need to manipulate the security headers manually for subsequent requests. You do this by setting values in the Headers section at the top of the right hand pane. Enter "IG-ACCOUNT-ID" into Name, then your spreadbet account ID into Value. Then click the "Add/Change" button

AKT Price Alert! Triangle Pattern Warns of Downturn AKT struggles within a bearish triangle, dropping 10% today! Can it hold $4 support or is a deeper correction coming? #AkashNetwork #Cryptocurrency #TechnicalAnalysis Full analysis:https://coinpedia.org/price-analysis/akt-price-drops-10-within-triangle-delays-end-of-correction/

These five companies could be the best FTSE 250 shares to watch next month. They have been selected for recent market news. Source: Bloomberg Indices Shares FTSE 100 Profit Inflation Dividend Written by: Charles Archer | Financial Writer, London Despite having risen by 2.3% year-to-date to almost 20,000 points, the FTSE 250 index continues to underperform both older brother the FTSE 100, in addition to alternative index choices including the S&P 500 and tech-heavy NASDAQ 100 in 2024. FTSE 250 macroeconomics The FTSE 250 remains arguably an indicator of the UK’s wider economy, which continues to remain on an uncertain trajectory. This is because unlike the FTSE 100, whose companies derive the lion’s share of their income from overseas, FTSE 250 businesses are primarily domestically focused. Perhaps the most worrying trend for the FTSE 250 is delistings. Offers from larger businesses or private equity for the likes of Hotel Chocolat, Currys, or recently tech darling Darktrace all go to highlight perceived UK under valuations — and of course, this also applies to FTSE 100 businesses as well. Shell is again considering a move to the US, following in the footsteps of CRH, Arm, Flutter and Smurfit Kappa. And the UK’s economy remains on an uncertain trajectory. Of course, where there’s uncertainty there is often opportunity — with certain FTSE 250 shares in the spotlight recently for arguably good news. CPI inflation rose by 3.2% in the 12 months to March 2024 — down from 4% in January — and far below the peak of 11.1% in October 2022. Accordingly, all eyes are on potential Bank of England interest rate cuts. The base rate remains at 5.25%, and the market is expecting cuts later this year. However, the bank is concerned that inflation may resurge, with chief economist Huw Pill recently warning that cuts are still ‘some way off,’ despite being ‘somewhat closer ’ — especially amid continued strong wage data and relatively low unemployment. Conversely, the Insolvency Service recently noted that the number of companies declared insolvent in England and Wales in February 2024 rose by 17% year-over-year to 2,102 firms. Best FTSE 250 stocks to watch These shares have been selected for recent market news. Just Group Telecom Plus WH Smith Mobico Group PureTech Health Just Group Just Group, the financial services company specializing in retirement, recently reported full-year results which saw a 47% year-over-year rise in underlying operating profit to £377 million — driven by increases in new business and in-force profits. For context, retirement income sales grew by 24% to £3.9 billion, while new business profits rose by a third to £355 million. And the company’s defined benefit market enjoyed a record year, while the guaranteed income for life market increased by 46% to £5.3 billion, hitting its highest level in a decade. The business also saw a healthy capital coverage ratio of 197% and a return on equity of 13.5%. The dividend was increased by 20% to 2.08p per share, and it expects a further 15% growth in underlying operating profit into the future. CEO David Richardson enthused ‘We are delighted with our financial performance in 2023, a record year for the group, and are confident of exceeding our medium term profit growth pledge…Given the multiple opportunities available and strong structural growth drivers in our chosen markets, we have never been more confident in our ability to deliver sustainable and compounding growth.’ Telecom Plus Telecom Plus — which owns the Utility Warehouse brand — recently released a fiscal year end trading update to 31 March 2024, in which the business saw record customer numbers, profits and dividend payout. Customer numbers grew by an organic 14.1%, ‘against a background of normalized competition and falling energy prices.’ And the company passed the 1 million customer milestone in Q4., having delivered compound double-digit percentage customer growth for each of the last five half-year periods. Telecom Plus also noted that FY24 adjusted profit before tax is expected to be towards the upper end of market expectations — with continued strong interest in its partner income opportunity, with the number of partners now up by 14% to 68,000. The dividend was also hiked in line with inflation from 80p to 83p. Co-CEO Steve Burnett enthuses that ‘Our innovative multiservice customer proposition, together with our unique word of mouth route to market, has put us firmly on track to deliver another set of record results…we expect to continue delivering record customer numbers, profits and returns to shareholders over the years ahead.’ WH Smith WH Smith's ‘good’ interim results to 29 February 2024 saw the retailer’s revenue rise by 8% year-over-year to £926 million, driving headline group profit before tax and non-underlying items to £46 million. The retailer is also investing in future growth, with £140 million in capital expenditure and around 110 new stores expected in this financial year. WH Smith also paid an interim dividend of 11p per share, ‘reflecting strong trading and cash generation combined with confidence in future prospects’ and noted that trading momentum has continued ahead of the key summer period. CEO Carl Cowling noted that the company ‘is in its strongest ever position as a global travel retailer. We have had a good first half and our businesses are well positioned for the peak summer trading period…I am particularly pleased with the outstanding performance from our UK Travel business which has seen a 19% increase in trading profit.’ The CEO also highlighted North America, in which WH Smith has recently opened a further 13 shops as part of its international expansion strategy. Mobico Group In recent delayed results, Mobico — formerly National Express Group — saw revenue grow by 12.2%, driven by a ‘record year at ALSA and driver & route recovery in North America School Bus.’ However, adjusted operating profit fell from £197.3 million in FY22 to £168.6 million as the business was hit with by cost inflation, reduction in Covid subsidies, and lower profitability in Germany. On the other hand, its strategic shift is expected to deliver potentially £50 million of annualised savings across two stages — and Mobico won 43 new contracts worth over £1 billion in total contract value and circa £126 million in annualised revenue. And for FY24, it expects to generate an adjusted operating profit of between £185 million and £205 million. CEO Ignacio Garat notes that ‘Our 2023 results are below the expectations we set ourselves at the beginning of the year…I am nevertheless encouraged by the progress we have made in transforming the business, with the new leadership we have appointed in North America School Bus and the UK & Germany making a tangible impact and the first phase of our Accelerate cost efficiency program delivering ahead of expectations.’ PureTech Health PureTech Health has been having an excellent 2024 after the schizophrenia treatment business — Karuna — which it helped establish, was bought by Bristol-Myers Squibb for $14 billion. As part of the deal, PureTech realised $293 million proceeds from its remaining stake in Karuna, which means it has generated $1.1 billion from an initial investment of $18.5 million — and is evidence of a working business model. In full-year results, the company highlighted significant operational and clinical progress, with the maturation of its Internal Programs, the launch of two new Founded Entities, including a $100 million Series A financing for Seaport. It also maintains a robust balance sheet, with cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments of $573.3 million as of the end of March. CEO Dr Bharatt Chowrira noted that ‘2023 was a landmark year for PureTech, in which we made strong strategic and clinical progress. We've carried this momentum into 2024, with our hub-and-spoke R&D model continuing to deliver value for both patients and shareholders. PureTech pioneered the hub-and-spoke model, and we believe this novel approach has never been more important than in recent years.’ This information has been prepared by IG, a trading name of IG Markets Limited. In addition to the disclaimer below, the material on this page does not contain a record of our trading prices, or an offer of, or solicitation for, a transaction in any financial instrument. IG accepts no responsibility for any use that may be made of these comments and for any consequences that result. No representation or warranty is given as to the accuracy or completeness of this information. Consequently any person acting on it does so entirely at their own risk. Any research provided does not have regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation and needs of any specific person who may receive it. It has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and as such is considered to be a marketing communication. Although we are not specifically constrained from dealing ahead of our recommendations we do not seek to take advantage of them before they are provided to our clients. See full non-independent research disclaimer and quarterly summary.

Microsoft, Apple, Nvidia, Alphabet and Amazon could be the best AI stocks to watch next month. These stocks are the largest AI stocks in the US based on market capitalisation. Source: Getty Shares Forex Artificial intelligence Nvidia Amazon Apple Inc. Written by: Charles Archer | Financial Writer, London The artificial intelligence (AI) boom — which started in late 2022 with the release of OpenAI’s groundbreaking ChatGPT — may be showing signs of consolidation. While 2023 was hallmarked as a year of exuberant growth, the largest US companies are perhaps due a pullback in 2024. AI factors to consider Of course, AI advances over the past couple of years have been simply staggering — with companies of all sizes implementing the new tech into their corporate strategies — with a particular focus on generative AI. And from images to film, AI is being rolled out on a mass scale, with access freely available to the general public. Indeed, perhaps the most telling development came during the months-long SAG-AFRTA strike against AMPTP, which when combined with the Writers Guild of America strike, cost 45,000 jobs and an estimated $6.5 billion loss to the Southern California economy. A key component of the strike, which lasted from July to November 2023, was demands to create a compromise over the use of AI and digital recreation of actors. Much of the financial success of AI has been directed towards the ‘magnificent seven,’ but this may be changing. Nvidia’s roaring success as the poster child of the AI revolution was recently checked by a one-day 10% drop, though it has since recovered to $887. All eyes are watching for its upcoming earnings. For context, popular AI shares including Super Micro Computer, Palantir, ARM and AMD have all seen similar volatility. And it remains to be seen whether this is the end of the bubble or simply some profit taking before a sustained move higher. Another key factor to consider is upcoming legislation to regulate AI development. For example, New York City recently implemented a new law to regulate AI for use in hiring employees. This could be the first of many — creating risks and opportunities for individual AI shares. Best AI stocks to watch There is some disagreement on what constitutes an AI stock — and whether it must be the main focus of a company or simply be a significant growth area. Here we have listed the top AI stocks in the US based on companies where AI is a growth area and ordered by market capitalisation. Microsoft Apple Nvidia Alphabet Amazon Microsoft Microsoft remains the original global computing power, so it makes sense that the US behemoth tops the list of the best AI stocks to watch — and is now the most valuable company in the world. The business retains a close relationship with OpenAI prior to the famous ChatGPT launch and has invested billions into the company since 2019. In Q3 results, revenue increased by 17% year-over-year to $61.9 billion, driving operating income up by 23% to $27.6 billion. Chairman and CEO Satya Nadella enthused that ‘Microsoft Copilot and Copilot stack are orchestrating a new era of AI transformation, driving better business outcomes across every role and industry.’ Copilot is marketed as a conversational chat interface that lets you search for specific information, generate text such as emails and summaries, and create images based on text prompts you write. Market capitalisation: $3 trillion Apple Apple is in the middle of a market struggle — independent research firm Counterpoint estimates that iPhone sales in key market China fell by 19% in the March quarter — the worst performance since covid-19 struck in 2020. In Q2 results to 30 March 2024, Apple saw revenue fall by 4% year-over-year to $90.8 billion with earnings per diluted share of $1.53. While revenue did beat analyst expectations, iPhone revenue was down by 10% to $46 billion, as the company suffered increased competition from Huawei and Samsung. CEO Tim Cook notes that there was an ‘all-time revenue record in Services’ and was ‘thrilled to launch Apple Vision Pro and to show the world the potential that spatial computing unlocks. We’re also looking forward to an exciting product announcement next week and an incredible Worldwide Developers Conference next month.’ Market capitalisation: $2.8 trillion Nvidia Nvidia is arguably the prime beneficiary of the AI boom, with a wide economic moat as the ‘picks and shovels’ stock for the artificial intelligence age. Nvidia CEO and founder Jensen Huang recently enthused that ‘accelerated computing and generative AI have hit the tipping point. Demand is surging worldwide across companies, industries and nations…NVIDIA RTX, introduced less than six years ago, is now a massive PC platform for generative AI, enjoyed by 100 million gamers and creators.’ However, clouds may be gathering on the horizon. Super Micro Computer is deeply tied to Nvidia as it makes the titan’s servers — and the Super Mico's own results were mixed. Although revenue rose sharply, it missed analyst estimates. Nvidia reports Q1 results on 22 May. Market capitalisation: $2.2 trillion Alphabet Alphabet is the owner of both Google and YouTube, including Google Cloud. In recent quarterly results, revenue surged above estimates to $80.54 billion, while total advertising sales increased from $54.55 billion in the same quarter a year before to some $61.66 billion. The increased ad sales bodes well for Alphabet, as this critical revenue generator had previously struggled through 2023, with rising interest rates and higher inflation reducing corporate spending on marketing. Importantly, operating income at the cloud business more than quadrupled to $900 million, and it is continuing to invest in AI features, including within Google search. CEO Sundar Pichai noted that ‘our leadership in AI research and infrastructure, and our global product footprint, position us well for the next wave of AI innovation.’ Market capitalisation: $2.1 trillion Amazon Amazon is well-known as the largest e-commerce retailer in the world, but the company is also a growing operator in the AI space. It offers several cutting-edge AI tools within its AWS business, including Code Whisperer and SageMaker — and clients can customise Amazon’s own machine learning model. Of course, competitors have their owns services, but Amazon is by far the largest cloud computing company, with circa a third of the global market share. Within its e-commerce offering, Amazon uses AI to identify consumer trends, manage inventory and also make personalised product recommendations — including targeted advertising. In Q1 results, net sales rose by 13% to $143.3 billion excluding the impact of forex rates. President and CEO Andy Jassy enthused that ‘the combination of companies renewing their infrastructure modernization efforts and the appeal of AWS’s AI capabilities is reaccelerating AWS’s growth rate (now at a $100 billion annual revenue run rate).’ Market capitalisation: $1.9 trillion This information has been prepared by IG, a trading name of IG Markets Limited. In addition to the disclaimer below, the material on this page does not contain a record of our trading prices, or an offer of, or solicitation for, a transaction in any financial instrument. IG accepts no responsibility for any use that may be made of these comments and for any consequences that result. No representation or warranty is given as to the accuracy or completeness of this information. Consequently any person acting on it does so entirely at their own risk. Any research provided does not have regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation and needs of any specific person who may receive it. It has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and as such is considered to be a marketing communication. Although we are not specifically constrained from dealing ahead of our recommendations we do not seek to take advantage of them before they are provided to our clients. See full non-independent research disclaimer and quarterly summary.

Hi mgwuk Glad you posed this question as I have been trying for the last number of weeks to ask the same question of IG and am still waiting on a response. Did you come up with an answer? My workings below on how to calculate EMA clearly does not match IG Chart using IG data and EMA indicator and the method provided by IG which can be calculated as follows for example for EMA21: where: k = smoothing parameter which is 2/(lookback period+1) or for EMA21 is 2/(21+1) = 0.0909091 EMAt = previous candle EMA21 value Both formulae below result in same value EMA21 = k * close price + (1-k) * EMAt or EMA21 = EMAt + k *(close price-EMAt) The following values in blue are taken from the 5 minute interval Nikkei 225 Japan Cash from IG charts looking at EMA21. You can see from the table below the difference in calculated values using the above formula versus the IG chart data. Sydney Time Close Price calc_EMA21 IGchart_EMA21 11/04/2024 1:25 39282.2 39274.0922 39274.0922 11/04/2024 1:30 39252.2 39272.1020 39272.1056 11/04/2024 1:35 39192.2 39264.8381 39264.8428 11/04/2024 1:40 39167.2 39255.9619 39255.9682 11/04/2024 1:45 39172.2 39248.3472 39248.3530 Obviously, the chart data is using a different formula. The SMA values align perfectly as you found.

These five FTSE 100 dividend shares could be some of the best to watch next month. They are currently the highest yielding on the index. Source: Getty Indices Shares Dividend FTSE 100 Investment Dividend yield Written by: Charles Archer | Financial Writer, London The FTSE 100 may be continuing to underperform international indices, but the index nevertheless has risen by an impressive 5.5% year to date — and this excludes dividends. Having smashed through the symbolic 8,000-point barrier, the index currently rests on 8,143 points. FTSE 100 macroeconomics CPI inflation rose by 3.2% in the 12 months to March 2024 — down from 4% in January — and far below the peak of 11.1% in October 2022. Accordingly, all eyes are on potential Bank of England interest rate cuts. The base rate remains at 5.25%, and the market is expecting cuts later this year. However, the bank is concerned that inflation may resurge later this year. And chief economist Huw Pill recently warned that cuts are still ‘some way off,’ despite being ‘somewhat closer.’ Indeed, rate-setters have very publicly disagreed on the direction of travel for some time, though arguably this is a sign of healthy debate. However, with the FTSE 100 now cruising near record highs, it’s possible that investors are placing too much faith in near-term rate cuts, which may not be forthcoming in a volatile economic environment. For context, after Brexit, the pandemic, the inflation crisis, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Silicon Valley Bank and Credit Suisse, alongside several other black swans, investors may not be taking rate cuts for granted. And continued strong wage data and relatively low unemployment means inflation could start to rise again later on in the year. On the other hand, businesses may need a helping hand. The Insolvency Service recently noted that the number of companies declared insolvent in England and Wales in February 2024 rose by 17% year-over-year to 2,102 firms. And there’s the delistings crisis to contemplate too, with Shell the latest company to warn it may move stateside. Then there’s the AI-fuelled surge of the US tech stocks to consider. This may be a sustainable rise given the tech advances at hand or may be a bubble that eventually bursts. If the latter, this excess capital may find itself within FTSE 100 dividend stocks until the storm blows over. This all makes investing in FTSE 100 dividend stocks complex. In particular, the highest dividend yields can be hostage to economic policy — where individual investment cases and changing financial landscapes can create value traps or payout irregularities. Best FTSE 100 dividend shares to watch These shares are the highest yielding on the index as of 1 May 2024. They may not be the best investments and the dividends and capital itself are not guaranteed. Vodafone Phoenix Group British American Tobacco M&G Legal & General Vodafone Vodafone's recent Q3 results saw total organic revenue grew by 4.7%, a significant improvement on the 1.8% growth of a year ago. Meanwhile, global services revenue rose by 8.8% while the B2B division grew by 5% year-over-year. CEO Margherita Della Valle enthuses that ‘going forward, our businesses will be operating in growing telco markets - where we hold strong positions - enabling us to deliver predictable, stronger growth in Europe. This will be coupled with our acceleration in B2B, as we continue to take share in an expanding digital services market.’ The company remains one of the largest telecoms companies in Europe, and the current strategy may be delivering. For context, the all-important German sales rose by 0.3% in the quarter. However, the company is actually losing customers in the region, with the revenue growth driven by price increases. The key risk could remain the debt mountain, which remains multiples of Vodafone’s market capitalisation. However, the FTSE 100 operator has agreed an €8 billion sale of Vodafone Italy to bolster cash reserves and also return €4 billion to investors via share buybacks. Vodafone remains confident in previous guidance for future underlying earnings — and with a price to equity ratio of just 2 (despite this figure being affected by asset sales), it may be attractive to value investors. Dividend Yield: 10.98% Phoenix Group Phoenix Group saw another excellent set of results in March, with total cash generation of more than £2 billion — in excess of its upgraded target of £1.8 billion for 2023. This included a significant benefit of circa £400 million from the previously announced part VII transfer of Standard Life and Phoenix Life. CEO Andy Briggs notes that ‘Phoenix's vision is to be the UK's leading retirement savings and income business, and we are making great progress in delivering our strategy to achieve this, as our strong 2023 financial results demonstrate.’ And PHNX also generated just over £1.5 billion in incremental new business long-term cash generation, beating its self-imposed target two years early. Despite the healthy dividend, the FTSE 100 insurer also maintains a strong balance sheet — a Solvency II surplus of £3.9 billion and a SII shareholder capital coverage ratio of 176%, towards the top end of its operating range of 140% to 180%. The company now plans to reduce its debt pile by at least £500 million by the end of 2026 and recommended a 2.5% increase in its final 2023 dividend, bringing the total payout for the year to 52.65p. Phoenix also intends to grow its operating cash generation from £1.1 billion in 2023 to £1.4 billion in 2026. However, mid-April saw Barclays ‘double-downgrade’ its outlook for Phoenix, moving to ‘underweight’ with a 500p price target — the share has now fallen below this figure. Analysts argued that ‘Phoenix faces insufficient cash from operations alone to support management's targets, a weaker capital position than peers, and a change in strategy from historical areas of strength to areas where the group is not meaningfully differentiated.’ Dividend Yield: 10.66% British American Tobacco British American Tobacco full-year results saw the FTSE 100 dividend company’s revenue fall by 1.3% at constant currency rates, though rise by 3.1% on an organic basis at constant rates. This was driven by ‘new categories’ growth with revenue from non-combustibles now worth 16.5% of group revenue. CEO Tadeu Marroco enthuses that ‘2023 was another year of resilient financial performance and delivery in line with our guidance, underpinned by our global footprint and multi-category strategy, despite a challenging macro-environment. New Categories delivered continued volume-led revenue growth and increased profitability.’ However, the FTSE 100 tobacco company will have to pivot fast, having written off £27.3 billion of its US brand portfolio after acknowledging they have ‘no long-term future.’ Compounding the weak combustibles growth, the UK recently announced a ban on disposable vapes which could hit BATS’ long-term ambitions in non-combustible categories — and is also imposing a specific vaping tax as well. This could hit margins if similar legislation is adopted more broadly. Positively, the titan and competitor Philip Morris International have finally agreed an eight-year long resolution to long running patent disputes on their cigarette alternatives technology. And in addition to the elevated dividend, BATS just revealed plans for a £700 million share buyback in 2024, with a further £900 million pencilled in for 2025 — partially funded by a part disposal in India’s ITC. Looking ahead, it continues to anticipate low-single digit organic growth in both revenue and underlying operating profit in 2024. But by 2026, the tobacco stock hopes to be achieving between 3% and 5% organic revenue growth. Marocco recently had to defend the London listing, arguing that moving to the US is not a ‘no-brainer.’ Dividend Yield: 10.04% M&G M&G's recent full-year results saw adjusted operating profit before tax rise by 28% year-over-year to £797 million, reflecting ‘a resilient performance in Asset Management, and improved contribution from Life, Wealth and Corporate Centre.’ Accordingly, operating capital generation rose by 21% to £996 million, driven by strong underlying capital generation of £752 million. Over the course of 2022 and 2023, M&G generated £1.8 billion in operating capital — leaving the FTSE 100 company on course to achieve its three-year cumulative operating capital generation target of £2.5 billion by end of 2024. The Shareholder Solvency II coverage ratio now stands at an impressive 203%, while the company announced a 2023 total ordinary dividend of 19.7p per share. CEO Andrea Rossi enthuses that ‘this financial performance underscores the importance of our balanced and diversified business model, with strong growth achieved despite continued macroeconomic uncertainty… I am confident about the prospects for M&G as we remain focused on executing our strategic plan.’ Dividend Yield: 9.88% Legal & General Legal & General has for years consistently been one of the more popular FTSE 100 dividend shares — in common with Phoenix, insurance is perhaps viewed as a reliable dividend sector. In full-year 2023 results, LGEN saw operating profit rise slightly to £1,667 million — with Solvency II capital generation at a stable £1.8 billion. However, it also saw record volume across the insurance businesses, including £13.7 billion of institutional annuities and £1.4 billion of individual annuities. The business generated cumulative Solvency II capital generation of £6.8 billion and is on target to achieve between £8 billion and £9 billion by 2024. This left cumulative net surplus generation over the dividend commitment of £800 million — and for context, Legal & General intends to grow the dividend by 5% for FY24. CEO António Simões enthused that ‘We are on course to achieve our five-year targets and demonstrated resilience in challenging markets to achieve record new business volumes in pension risk transfer, UK annuities and US protection, increasing our store of future profit. Our international assets under management and alternative assets portfolio continue to grow, as does our position in the UK defined contribution pensions market.’ The company’s Capital Markets Day is scheduled for 12 June. Dividend Yield: 8.56% This information has been prepared by IG, a trading name of IG Markets Limited. In addition to the disclaimer below, the material on this page does not contain a record of our trading prices, or an offer of, or solicitation for, a transaction in any financial instrument. IG accepts no responsibility for any use that may be made of these comments and for any consequences that result. No representation or warranty is given as to the accuracy or completeness of this information. Consequently any person acting on it does so entirely at their own risk. Any research provided does not have regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation and needs of any specific person who may receive it. It has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and as such is considered to be a marketing communication. Although we are not specifically constrained from dealing ahead of our recommendations we do not seek to take advantage of them before they are provided to our clients. See full non-independent research disclaimer and quarterly summary.

Boeing’s Starliner launch was delayed due to a rocket glitch, but this is just one of many setbacks for the planemaker. The Federal Aviation Administration has opened new investigation into 787 inspections. Written by: Angeline Ong | Financial Analyst, Presenter and Content Editor, London Publication date: Tuesday 07 May 2024 17:44 Plus, probes surrounding the January door-plug incident continue. Tematica Research CIO, Chris Versace, believes it will take time before Boeing convinces its investors it has managed to get its house in order. (AI Video Summary) Discussing Boeing's recent challenges In this exclusive IGTV interview, Angeline Ong speaks with Chris Versace, CIO of Tematica Research, focusing on Boeing's recent challenges, the space economy, and Apple's strategic moves. Boeing faces credibility issues due to continuous operational setbacks and potential investigations, affecting its stock desirability amid Airbus capitalising on these missteps. In the broader context, the conversation touches on the investment potential in the space economy, notably contrasting Boeing's situation with the advancements by Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos. Fed interest rate decisions Additionally, there's speculation on Federal Reserve's interest rate decisions in light of mixed economic indicators and inflation concerns. The dialogue then shifts to Apple, highlighting its efforts to innovate in AI and diversify income streams beyond hardware sales, with a critical look at its services business and the anticipation of new product announcements. This information has been prepared by IG, a trading name of IG Markets Limited. In addition to the disclaimer below, the material on this page does not contain a record of our trading prices, or an offer of, or solicitation for, a transaction in any financial instrument. IG accepts no responsibility for any use that may be made of these comments and for any consequences that result. No representation or warranty is given as to the accuracy or completeness of this information. Consequently any person acting on it does so entirely at their own risk. Any research provided does not have regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation and needs of any specific person who may receive it. It has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and as such is considered to be a marketing communication. Although we are not specifically constrained from dealing ahead of our recommendations we do not seek to take advantage of them before they are provided to our clients. See full non-independent research disclaimer and quarterly summary.

With US rate cut expectations and a weak jobs report driving the euro higher, the EUR/USD faces potential resistance despite retail traders' bullish sentiment. Source: Getty Images Forex Shares EUR/USD Euro United States dollar Market sentiment Written by: Nick Cawley | Analyst, DailyFX, London Publication date: Wednesday 08 May 2024 06:37 The euro continues to push ahead against the dollar as rate cut expectations in the US grow after last week’s mildly dovish FOMC meeting; and a weaker-than-expected US jobs report. The recent rally is now nearing a cluster of resistance points that may well temper further upside in the short term. The cluster resistance seen on the EUR/USD daily chart includes a horizontal line of note at 1.0787, both the 50- and 200-day simple moving averages at 1.0792 and 1.0795 respectively, before 1.0800 big figure resistance and trend resistance currently around 1.0815. This block should hold any short-term move unless the US dollar weakens further. The CCI indicator at the bottom of the chart also shows the pair in overbought territory and at levels last seen just before the early March sell-off. Trend support and a cluster of recent highs around the 1.0735/1.0740 level should act as first-line support ahead of 1.0700. EUR/USD retail trader data analysis 47.85% of retail traders are net-long EUR/USD, with a short-to-long ratio of 1.09 to 1 The percentage of net-long traders is 3.17% higher than yesterday, but 8.25% lower than last week The percentage of net-short traders is 7.05% higher than yesterday and 13.41% higher than last week This shows that overall, retail traders are positioning more net-short EUR/USD compared to the previous day and previous week. Typically, a contrarian view is taken to crowd sentiment. With retail traders more net-short, this implies a EUR/USD bullish bias from a contrarian perspective. The data indicates the shift to a more net-short positioning by retail traders over the last day and week gives a stronger EUR/USD bullish contrarian trading bias currently. In summary, the retail trader data suggests EUR/USD may continue rising based on the contrarian interpretation of the increasingly net-short positioning by these traders. The degree of net-short positioning has increased over the short term and compared to last week. EUR/USD daily price chart Source: TradingView This information has been prepared by IG, a trading name of IG Australia Pty Ltd. In addition to the disclaimer below, the material on this page does not contain a record of our trading prices, or an offer of, or solicitation for, a transaction in any financial instrument. IG accepts no responsibility for any use that may be made of these comments and for any consequences that result. No representation or warranty is given as to the accuracy or completeness of this information. Consequently any person acting on it does so entirely at their own risk. Any research provided does not have regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation and needs of any specific person who may receive it. It has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and as such is considered to be a marketing communication. Although we are not specifically constrained from dealing ahead of our recommendations we do not seek to take advantage of them before they are provided to our clients.

Explore how contrarian strategies and IG client sentiment analysis reveal hidden trading opportunities in USD/JPY, USD/CAD, and NZD/USD, emphasizing the value of comprehensive market analysis. Source: Getty Images Forex United States dollar Sentiment analysis USD/CAD NZD/USD USD/JPY Written by: Diego Colman | Market Analyst, New York Publication date: Wednesday 08 May 2024 06:36 In the bustling world of trading, it's easy to get swept up in the frenzy of the crowd, following the tide of optimism during bull markets and succumbing to fear during bearish downturns. Yet, amidst the chaos, seasoned traders know there's more to the story than meets the eye. Contrarian strategies, often overlooked by the masses, may help unlock hidden opportunities in the market's ever-changing landscape. While the herd rushes to buy high and sell low, contrarians see beyond the surface, tapping into the nuances of sentiment. One such tool is IG client sentiment, an indicator that provides a unique window into the collective mood of the retail segment. It acts as a compass, directing attention to instances where irrational exuberance or undue pessimism might signal an imminent reversal in price action. But contrarian signals are not a crystal ball—they require finesse and integration into a broader trading framework. By melding contrarian insights with rigorous technical and fundamental analysis, traders can decipher the cryptic messages of the market, gaining a deeper understanding of its inner workings. Let's explore the insights provided by IG client sentiment as we analyze three pivotal U.S. dollar pairs: USD/JPY, USD/CAD, and NZD/USD. USD/JPY technical analysis IG data reveals a bearish tilt among traders towards USD/JPY, with 66.90% holding net-short positions. This translates to a short-to-long ratio of 2.02 to 1. From a contrarian perspective, this suggests possible upside potential for the pair. However, recent changes in market positioning complicate the picture. While traders are more bearish than yesterday, reflected in the 3.20% increase in shorts, they are less so relative to the previous week, with sellers down 25.37% in this time frame. These conflicting signals make it difficult to have a strong conviction in a contrarian stance, giving us a more neutral bias for USD/JPY. Core point: Contrarian signals can offer valuable insights, but they shouldn't be used in isolation. Always combine them with technical and fundamental analysis for a more informed and robust approach to trading USD/JPY. Source: DailyFX NZD/USD technical analysis According to IG data, there's a prevailing bullish sentiment towards NZD/USD, with 56.13% of clients betting on the pair to rise, leading to a long-to-short ratio of 1.28 to 1. However, optimism among the retail public has waned slightly since yesterday, as evidenced by a 3.30% decline in net long positions, and more notably compared to last week, with buyers down 17.00%. Our trading approach often incorporates a contrarian perspective. Broadly speaking, the prevalent bullish sentiment suggests NZD/USD has the potential to pull back in the near term. Yet, the recent easing in buying pressure introduces a degree of uncertainty, limiting conviction in the call. Many times, important shifts in sentiment foreshadow a turnaround in the broader trend. Core point: These mixed signals underscore why contrarian indicators shouldn't be relied on exclusively. For a well-rounded trading strategy, it's crucial to integrate sentiment data with careful technical and fundamental analysis of NZD/USD Source: DailyFX USD/CAD technical analysis IG data reveals a slightly bullish tilt among traders toward USD/CAD, with 50.64% holding net-long positions. This equates to a long-to-short ratio of 1.03 to 1. Notably, this bullish sentiment has intensified compared to both yesterday (11.00% increase in net-longs) and last week (28.78% increase). Contrarian analysis is a cornerstone of our trading methodology. With that in mind, the prevailing bullishness on USD/CAD, coupled with its recent strengthening, suggests the pair might be poised for a near-term decline. Core point: While contrarian signals can be insightful, it's essential to integrate them with a comprehensive technical and fundamental analysis of USD/CAD for the most informed trading decisions. Source: DailyFX This information has been prepared by IG, a trading name of IG Australia Pty Ltd. In addition to the disclaimer below, the material on this page does not contain a record of our trading prices, or an offer of, or solicitation for, a transaction in any financial instrument. IG accepts no responsibility for any use that may be made of these comments and for any consequences that result. No representation or warranty is given as to the accuracy or completeness of this information. Consequently any person acting on it does so entirely at their own risk. Any research provided does not have regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation and needs of any specific person who may receive it. It has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and as such is considered to be a marketing communication. Although we are not specifically constrained from dealing ahead of our recommendations we do not seek to take advantage of them before they are provided to our clients.

Gold prices hint at consolidation, while EUR/USD and GBP/USD tackle critical resistance, signaling potential shifts in market trends. Source: Getty Images Forex Shares Commodities Gold EUR/USD GBP/USD Written by: Diego Colman | Market Analyst, New York Publication date: Wednesday 08 May 2024 07:04 Gold price technical analysis Gold took a step back on Tuesday following Monday’s solid performance, slipping by around 0.4% to settle near $2,315. Despite recent fluctuations to the upside and downside, the precious metal has not really gone anywhere in the past two weeks, with volatility shrinking over the period in question in a possible sign of consolidation and traders waiting for new catalysts before reengaging. The market consolidation is not likely to end until prices either push past resistance at $2,355 or breach support at $2,280. Should resistance be overcome, the focus will turn to $2,415. Additional gains from this point forward may lead to renewed interest in the all-time high. Meanwhile, a break of support could trigger a fall towards a key Fibonacci floor at $2,260. Below this area, the spotlight will be on $2,225. Gold daily chart Source: TradingView EUR/USD technical analysis EUR/USD dipped slightly on Tuesday after a third failed attempt to break above its 50-day and 200-day simple moving averages at 1.0790, an area of strong resistance. Prices subsequently edged towards support at 1.0750. Maintaining this technical floor is essential to prevent a deeper retracement; failure to do so might lead to a move towards 1.0725 and possibly even 1.0695. In the event of a bullish turnaround, the first ceiling to keep an eye on looms near 1.0790, followed by 1.0820, which corresponds to a medium-term downtrend line extended from the December 2023 highs. On further strength, bulls may feel emboldened to initiate an attack on the 50% Fibonacci retracement of the 2023 slump, located around 1.0865. EUR/USD daily chart Source: TradingView GBP/USD technical analysis GBP/USD also fell on Tuesday, nearly breaching the 1.2500 handle. A decisive drop below this threshold in the upcoming days could amplify bearish pressure, potentially prompting a retest of technical support near 1.2430. While prices might find stability around these levels during a pullback before a rebound, a breakdown could pave the way for a retrenchment toward the psychological 1.2300 mark. On the flip side, if buyers stage a comeback and propel cable above its 200-day simple moving average, confluence resistance stretches from 1.2600 to 1.2630, where the 50-day simple moving average intersects with two important trendlines. Upside clearance of this barrier could inject optimism into the market and boost the pound further, creating the right environment for a rally towards 1.2720. GBP/USD daily chart Source: TradingView This information has been prepared by IG, a trading name of IG Australia Pty Ltd. In addition to the disclaimer below, the material on this page does not contain a record of our trading prices, or an offer of, or solicitation for, a transaction in any financial instrument. IG accepts no responsibility for any use that may be made of these comments and for any consequences that result. No representation or warranty is given as to the accuracy or completeness of this information. Consequently any person acting on it does so entirely at their own risk. Any research provided does not have regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation and needs of any specific person who may receive it. It has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and as such is considered to be a marketing communication. Although we are not specifically constrained from dealing ahead of our recommendations we do not seek to take advantage of them before they are provided to our clients.