SEVEN DAYS:
■ All you need to know about investing in the past seven days: what's rising, what's falling and what's making the headlines.
CHARTS OF THE WEEK:
■ Our selection of the most interesting charts published this week.
NEWS:
■ US debt default "unthinkable".
■ Solar investment companies ramp up.
■ Quindell pleases with contract wins.
ECONOMIC OUTLOOK:
■ Wage squeeze to continue: Chris Dillow says high unemployment will continue to depress real wages, even if productivity picks up.
■ Next week's economics: Next week's figures are likely to show that real wages are still falling, and that there is little inflationary pressure in the UK economy.
COMMENT:
Our columnists offer in-depth analysis and investment ideas:
■ The Editor: The ethics of pay - The arguments against excessive executive pay are growing stronger.
■ Mr Bearbull: Taking Aim - Bearbull finds three likely candidates for his income fund among London's Aim traded shares.
■ Simon Thompson has written the following articles this week:
- Property plays on solid foundations: Our companies editor sees ample scope for a re-rating in his 2013 Bargain Shares property plays.
- A smart tech share: Our companies editor sees scope for further gains in a technology company on his watchlist.
- Time to chip in: Our companies editor sees significant upside in the shares of a highly profitable small cap provider of wafer reclaim services.
- Debt ceiling dilemma: Our companies editor outlines how he thinks the US Debt ceiling will be resolved and how he intends playing the markets.
Read more articles by Simon Thompson on his comment page.
■ The Trader: Unfased - Once the debtceiling stand-off is sorted out, equities should register a powerful upmove.
The Trader, Dominic Picarda, publishes his outlook for ten major equity, currency and commodity markets on a daily basis. You can view his articles on his comment page, or sign up to The Trader's market outlook emails.
■ Chris Dillow: Shutdown warning - Although the US government's partial shutdown has been good for bonds, it warns us of big trouble for the market in coming years. Chris has also written:
- Unpredictable currencies: Some investors should hold foreign currency for risk management purposes - but not as speculative investments.
- Productivity hopes: If labour productivity continues its recent pick-up, shares will benefit.
Read more articles by Chris Dillow on his comment page.
YOUR MONEY:
Financial planning, tax and investment wisdom:
■ Portfolio: Surgeon eyes £150k retirement pot and £500k holiday home.
■ Financial planning: Lifetime pensions allowance - Your questions answered.
■ Higher-rate taxpayers fail to claim £229m in pension tax relief.
SHARE TIPS OF THE WEEK:
■ With a new Kazakh contract in the offing, this oil services group presents an inexpensive long-term growth play.
■ Near-term growth prospects in developing markets for this brewing giant in the near term are now looking less certain - leaving its demanding share price rating hard to justify.
■ A shrewd positioning for growth by this blue-collar recruiter points to further upside for earnings, and the shares.
■ Shares in this industrial landlord still look good value after a strong year and they offer robust and growing income.
FUND TIP OF THE WEEK:
■ This innnovative trust - an ideal holding for ethical investors - offers investors access to funds normally out of reach and is raising funds.
SHARE TIP UPDATES:
BROKERS' TIPS:
■ Victrex
STRATEGY:
■ Strategy: Beat the market with less risk: A tactical switching portfolio can earn higher returns with less risk than buy-and-hold.
FUNDS:
■ Fund news: UK ethical funds: 9 in 10 fail European standards
■ Shares I love: Nicholas Williams, the investment manager of Baring Europe Select Trust, explains why he likes the French aeronautical equipment manufacturer.
■ ETFs: Three ways to improve your portfolio with ETFs.
■ The big theme: Funds that fit your ethics.
■ Top 100 Funds: HICL's cautious approach to acquisitions.
SHARES:
■ The lowdown on the latest company results:
■ N Brown
■ Stock screen: Nine investment trusts for income.
■ Sector focus: Go bananas with these fruit and veg producers.
■ Dividend of the week: Declared dividends.
■ Directors' dealings: Notable transactions at Iomart and LXB Retail, plus a table of all boardroom share trades.
■ Week ahead: A summary of key company announcements expected in the coming week.
TAKEOVERS:
■ Download this week's takeover tables as a PDF.
