Oil prices have been creeping up since the start of the year - for all the usual reasons with conflict in the Middle East being the prime one. Rising oil prices are a danger to the world's economy and stock markets, not just a thorn in the side of motorists although the $15 per barrel rise since the start of the year would cost UK oil consumers £5.8bn if sustained for a year. Chris Dillow examines the chances of further rises and the potential impact on shares. Elsewhere Julian Hofman reviews the performance of pharmaceutical companies: some firms are definitely coping better than others, creating value opportunities, and Moira O'Neill compares the benefits of Isas and Sipps. It's easy to kick pensions but just like bank bashing, a lot of the hatred is overdone and unjustified. Moira presents the best and worst aspects of both wrappers and comes up with a perfectly sensible and practical solution to maximising their benefits. Chris Dillow and Keith Bowman review a family of Isa portfolios where the investor has concerns about the risk he's taken on, and finally, whether you're an old hand or a newcomer to investing we've outlined the reasons why it's always worth paying a visit to one particular place for investment wisdom and advice.
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