Income investors looked hopeful this time last year. In our annual guide to investing for income, the outlook last February was positive. The Federal Reserve had raised interest rates in December – the first time in seven year, and was promising several more rate hikes through 2016, and the Bank of England looked set to follow.
But then the unexpected happened and Britain voted to leave the European Union, sending the pound plunging and the Bank into damage limitation mode. As a result, instead of Mark Carney delivering longed-for rate rises to UK savers and investors, the Bank of England base rate was cut to and even lower record level of 0.25%. The best selling easy access savings account is now offering just 1.1% – while the 10 year gilt yield is down to 1.29%.
Low rates are just about palatable in a world of stagflation, but thanks to rising oil prices Britain’s prices are rising – just look at the recent announcements from energy providers ready to increase customer tariffs. The most recent Consumer Price Index, the official measure of inflation in the UK sits at 1.6% for December – and this week we expect to hear January’s measure is even higher.
All hope is not lost however. If you can bear to look up the risk scale to equities, the FTSE 100 yields an average of around 3.7%, despite rallying 15% in the last year. The FTSE 250 offers a more diverse and less expensive group of stocks yielding an average of 2.7%. And those are just domestic offerings – the US, Europe and even emerging markets have well-covered dividends and investment grade bonds for the discerning income investor.
All this week we bring you the best income opportunities across the globe, as picked by top fund managers, professional investors and our own stock and fund analysts. Happy yield-hunting.
Monday: Why We Should All be Income Investors
The power of compound interest, what is yield and cash options
Why You Should Consider Income Investing
Jupiter: Inflation Will Rise to 3%
Challenger Banks Push Up Cash Savings Rates
Tuesday: Top Income Stock Picks
The stocks with the highest dividend yield around
Top 20 FTSE 100 Dividend Paying Stocks
Top 20 FTSE 350 Dividend Paying Stocks
3 Value Stocks with a Dividend Yield
3 US Income Stocks with a Sustainable Yield
5 FTSE Stocks Who Have Dropped Their Dividend
Wednesday: Developed Market Income Funds
Equity and bond funds invested in developed markets
What Does Rising Inflation Mean for Bond Investors?
Invesco: Opt for Equities to Beat Inflation
3 Gold Rated Fixed Income Funds
Which is the Best UK Equity Income Fund?
Don't Pay for a Manager Who Hugs the Index
Thursday: Emerging Market Income Funds
Equity and bond funds invested in emerging markets
3 Top Emerging Market Bond Funds
Top Yielding Emerging Markets Investment Trust
Top 5 Emerging Market Income Funds
Bond Investors Have Nowhere to Hide from Political Risk
Friday: Income Investing and Retirement
How to use income-paying investments in your pension portfolio