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HL LIVE

Updated Wednesday 20th August 2025

Live blog covering today's important financial market events and news

Brent crude rises slightly

Sterling rallies on higher rate bets

Rate cut expectations pushed back

UK inflation higher than forecast

Wall Street closes weaker, pushed lower by Tech stocks

Wall Street set for a lower open as wait-and-see mood percolates

UK borrowing costs remain elevated

Oil prices have dropped as a trade deal edges closer

FTSE 100 opens flat

UK inflation due out this week and there could be an Oasis bump to prices

Talks between Trump and Zelensky are in focus amid hopes for a peace deal

FTSE 100 looks set for a positive start after fresh records were breached in Asia

Nikkei hits a high helped by greater clarity over tariffs and the weaker yen

Oil trades lower as US/Russia talks attract caution

US futures trade higher as optimism continues

Positive open for European markets

Investing insights

Are investors rotating away from the US stock market? – 2 fund ideas to benefit

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How to find recession-proof stocks – 3 share ideas to consider if the US economy stutters

What does a falling US dollar mean for stock markets and investors?

Personal finance

Government announces State Pension age review

Earn over £47,400? – You might need these top 3 tax-saving tips

How staying with the same bank could cost you over £1,000 a year on your savings

Investing during market uncertainty

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3 fund ideas for volatile times

From Trump’s tariffs to talk of higher inflation and a possible recession, how can investors shelter their portfolio in volatile markets? Plus we share 3 fund ideas.

Read now

Spotlight on scams

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Investing scam losses are rising

With losses on investment scams on the rise, we look at how to protect yourself from scams and what you can do if you think you’ve been scammed.

Read how to protect yourself

5 tips to turbocharge your pension this tax year

Is now a good time to invest in gold?

5 shares to watch in 2025

5 funds for 2025

Stock markets today

Prices delayed by at least 15 minutes

Next week on the stock market

18th - 22nd August 2025

No commentary this week

Insights for the week ahead

Fund research

BHP: profit falls on softer iron ore price

Admiral: strong H1 profit growth

Asia & emerging markets review – which stock markets have done best?

Mixed and total return funds review – how have markets coped since Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs?

Aviva: strong H1, Direct Line integration on track

Persimmon: H1 beats, guidance unchanged

Fund research

Schroder Asian Discovery: August 2025 fund update

Fundsmith Equity: August 2025 fund update

Asia & emerging markets review – which stock markets have done best?

Mixed and total return funds review – how have markets coped since Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs?

Schroder Asian Discovery: August 2025 fund update

Fundsmith Equity: August 2025 fund update

Investment trust research

iShares Global Corporate Bond ETF: August 2025 update

Vanguard FTSE All-World High Dividend Yield ETF: August 2025 update

Personal Assets Trust: July 2025 Update

HICL Infrastructure: July 2025 update

Investment trust research

Personal Assets Trust: July 2025 Update

HICL Infrastructure: July 2025 update

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Fund investment ideas and research

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How financially secure is the nation?

We’ve partnered with experts at Oxford Economics to explore ways to strengthen household finances, compared which regions are more financially resilient than others, and the potential risks to the nation for 2025.

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