Latest news with #finance
Yahoo
37 minutes ago
- Business
- Yahoo
UK construction SMEs struggle to access finance: BFS Report
Despite growing confidence in future sales, UK construction SMEs are facing significant financial headwinds, with access to external finance tightening just as cost pressures and bad debt levels rise, according to new research from Bibby Financial Services (BFS). The report, based on BFS's Q1 2025 SME Confidence Tracker, reveals a mixed picture for small and medium-sized firms in the construction sector. While 67% of construction SMEs expect sales to rise over the next 12 months — up from 57% a year ago — more than half (51%) say it has become harder to secure external finance, the highest proportion of any sector surveyed. This access-to-finance gap comes at a time when construction SMEs are dealing with persistently high costs for materials and labour, complex contract terms, and a growing burden of bad debt. BFS data shows these firms have written off an average of over £23,000 in the past year, and nearly one-third (29%) report insufficient cashflow to manage day-to-day operations. BFS Construction Finance ReportDownload The impact of elevated raw material prices, particularly timber and concrete, has been especially acute, with 72% of SMEs saying these pressures are directly eroding profitability. Small firms, often less able to hedge or absorb cost spikes, are also more exposed to supply chain disruption and inflation than their larger counterparts. Insolvency rates are rising as a result. Nearly one in five (18.1%) of all business insolvencies in England and Wales in March were from the construction sector, according to data from the Building Cost Information Service (BCIS). Despite the Government's Industrial Strategy pledging £100 billion in capital investment and a commitment to build 1.5 million homes over the next five years, smaller construction firms are sceptical. Four in ten (40%) doubt the Government's ability to support them effectively, with many concerned that the lion's share of benefits will flow to large main contractors. The situation is compounded by increasingly difficult access to finance. While the Government has identified improving SME finance as a key policy goal, BFS's research suggests the reality on the ground is diverging. Only 32% of construction SMEs say they use finance for day-to-day operations, but for many, that finance is now harder to obtain. 'The Government's commitment to invest in the construction sector may explain rising optimism,' said Derek Ryan, UK Managing Director at BFS. 'However, inflation, rising costs and restricted access to finance are squeezing margins and exposing small firms to greater insolvency risk. To unlock the full potential of the construction pipeline, SMEs must be given equitable access to opportunities and funding.' BFS's report also points to contractual dynamics that disproportionately impact smaller firms. Nearly half (48%) of construction SMEs find contracts difficult to understand, a figure that climbs to 56% among micro-firms with fewer than 10 employees. These businesses are often locked into rigid payment terms and report limited ability to negotiate, only 26% say they can influence contract terms, compared to 58% of larger small firms (10–50 employees). The Federation of Master Builders echoed the call for stronger SME support, warning that unless access to finance, skills and planning is improved, the sector's smallest firms will continue to face a systemic disadvantage. 'Small builders are showing remarkable resilience and optimism, but they face mounting challenges,' said Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB. 'Access to finance is harder than ever, and planning policy too often favours large developers. If the Government wants to build more homes and boost local economies, it must ensure that SMEs aren't left behind.' As construction continues to be a cornerstone of the UK's economic recovery strategy, the message from industry and finance alike is clear: if SMEs are to help deliver the Government's growth agenda, greater financial accessibility and structural reforms must be prioritised. "UK construction SMEs struggle to access finance: BFS Report" was originally created and published by Leasing Life, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Who are the companies hoarding bitcoin?
Companies around the world are on a bitcoin buying spree, as executives — often in industries that have nothing to do with cryptocurrency — Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Globe and Mail
an hour ago
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Here's How Much a $30,000 Investment in the Nasdaq 100 Today Could Be Worth in 30 Years
Growth stocks can generate returns far superior to those of value stocks or dividend stocks in the long run. These are the types of companies that investors are drawn to because if they're growing, they are expanding their operations and likely innovating and potentially diversifying along the way. Names like Amazon and Nvidia are two exceptional examples. Over the past 20 years, the former has produced returns of 12,000% while the latter is up more than 60,000%. Investing $30,000 into either one of the stocks back then would have made you millions of dollars. Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now. Learn More » Picking the next big growth stock is easier said than done. But the good news is that you don't have to pick the next Amazon or Nvidia to achieve great results. The Invesco QQQ Trust (NASDAQ: QQQ) is an exchange-traded fund (ETF) that will give you exposure to the top 100 nonfinancial stocks in the Nasdaq exchange, also known as the Nasdaq 100. Amazon, Nvidia, and many other top tech names are included in that list. Here's how a $30,000 investment in the fund might grow over the long haul. The Invesco ETF is a no-brainer option for growth investors The best growth stocks in the world are often found on the Nasdaq. And by targeting the top 100 nonfinancial companies, you won't have to worry about keeping an eye on which growth stocks to buy. The Invesco fund will adjust its holdings over time, removing poor-performing stocks and replacing them with rising stars. Some of the top holdings in the ETF today include Costco Wholesale, Netflix, and Broadcom. While it is a tech-heavy fund (tech stocks account for 57% of its holdings), about 20% of the portfolio is also in consumer discretionary stocks, followed by smaller positions in other sectors. And more than 97% of the holdings are U.S. stocks, which can minimize your exposure to international markets. It's little surprise, with so much focus on growth, that the Invesco QQQ Trust widely outperformed the S&P 500 over the past decade. At 430%, it has averaged a compound annual growth rate of more than 18%. QQQ Total Return Level data by YCharts. How much can the ETF grow a $30,000 investment in the long run? As impressive as the Invesco ETF's returns have been over the past decade, they've also been skewed in recent years by a flurry of tech spending, which may not persist in the very long term. That's why it may be a good idea to scale back expectations of what its future returns may look like. Rather than 18%, perhaps closer to the long-run average of 10% for the S&P 500 might be appropriate. The table below shows what a $30,000 investment might grow to at varying rates after 30-plus years. Years 9% Growth 10% Growth 11% Growth 12% Growth 13% Growth 30 $398,030 $523,482 $686,769 $898,798 $1,173,477 31 $433,853 $575,830 $762,313 $1,006,653 $1,326,029 32 $472,900 $633,413 $846,168 $1,127,452 $1,498,413 33 $515,461 $696,755 $939,246 $1,262,746 $1,693,206 34 $561,852 $766,430 $1,042,564 $1,414,276 $1,913,323 35 $612,419 $843,073 $1,157,246 $1,583,989 $2,162,055 Table and calculations by author. There's no way to know what growth rate the Invesco ETF will end up averaging, especially when you're looking at such a long period of time. But the big takeaway is that with the effects of compounding, you can potentially build up a significant portfolio simply by putting $30,000 into a top growth fund like the Invesco QQQ Trust and letting it sit. It's a perfect example of a buy-and-forget type of investment. Should you invest $1,000 in Invesco QQQ Trust right now? Before you buy stock in Invesco QQQ Trust, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Invesco QQQ Trust wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $659,171!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $891,722!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor 's total average return is995% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to172%for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor. See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of June 9, 2025 John Mackey, former CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. David Jagielski has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Amazon, Costco Wholesale, Netflix, and Nvidia. The Motley Fool recommends Broadcom and Nasdaq. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Accenture Tops Q3 Estimates, Lifts Full-Year Sales, Profit Outlook
Accenture (ACN) on Friday reported better-than-expected fiscal third-quarter results and lifted its full-year revenue and profit projections. The company reported earnings per share (EPS) of $3.49 on revenue that grew 8% year-over-year to $17.73 billion. Analysts had expected $3.29 and $17.33 billion, respectively, according to estimates compiled by Visible Alpha. Accenture lifted the bottom end of its full-year revenue forecast again, now projecting 6% to 7% growth from fiscal 2024, and also raised its EPS estimate to $12.77 to $12.89. Last quarter, Accenture raised the lower end of its fiscal 2025 revenue growth and EPS ranges, forecasting 5% to 7% sales growth and EPS of $12.55 to $12.79. Despite the solid top- and bottom-line results, Accenture shares were down 3% immediately following the report's release. They entered Friday down about 13% since the start of the year. Read the original article on Investopedia
The Independent
an hour ago
- Business
- The Independent
Everything you need to know about your credit score and how to improve it
We live in an era dominated by instant financial transactions, from contactless payments to 'Buy Now, Pay Later' schemes and rapid online loan approvals. In light of this, maintaining a robust credit score has become an increasingly complex challenge for many. Yet, this metric plays a quiet but integral role in countless aspects of modern life, from securing a mortgage or switching utility providers to simply signing up for a new mobile phone contract. The ease and affordability of accessing these essential services are often directly tied to one's credit standing. Despite its pervasive influence, a significant number of individuals remain unaware of how their credit score is calculated, let alone how to effectively improve it. To demystify this crucial aspect of personal finance, consumer finance experts are now offering essential insights into understanding and boosting your credit standing. A credit score explained and why it matters Many of us wouldn't dream of applying for a job without knowing what our CV says – yet when it comes to borrowing money, we often forget to check the financial CV that is our credit score. This three-digit number, used by lenders to judge our trustworthiness, can affect everything from mortgages to mobile phone contracts. 'A credit score is a personalised number that lenders use to assess how trustworthy you are when it comes to borrowing money,' explains TV's consumer finance expert and founder of Nous, Greg Marsh. 'A higher score means you're more likely to get approved for a loan, and offered better rates.' These scores are based on information held by three main credit reference agencies – Experian, Equifax and TransUnion – and each can possess slightly different records. Marsh says it's worth checking all three periodically. What affects your score Your score isn't arbitrary – it reflects your financial past. It includes whether you've paid bills or loans on time, how much of your credit limit you're using and the age of your accounts.' Avoid going over your credit limit or using too much credit, as this will incur additional fees and charges and potentially damage your credit score,' says Tesco Bank' s director of Help Me Borrow, Mamta Shanbhag. Opening too many credit cards in a short space of time, or maxing them out, can count against you. 'Making multiple credit applications at once – such as several credit cards in a week – can negatively affect your score, as it signals to lenders that you may be in financial difficulty,' says Equifax UK' s chief strategy and innovation officer, Craig Tebbutt. How to improve it Improving your score is less about tricks and more about habits. 'It's crucial to pay your bills and loan repayments on time to show lenders you've been reliable in the past,' says Marsh, 'setting up Direct Debits is useful as you don't need to remember to make a payment.' Other positive steps include keeping credit card balances low, staying within any arranged overdraft and registering to vote at your current address – a surprisingly important detail for verifying identity. 'Being on the electoral register and having a positive track record with different types of credit can also boost your score,' says Tebbutt. 'The best way to improve your score is to always pay your bills on time, keep credit card balances low, and avoid applying for too much new credit in a short period of time.' Shanbhag recommends using 'eligibility calculators' before applying for credit. These tools show how likely you are to be accepted without affecting your score. 'If you apply for a credit card or loan in full and get rejected, or complete multiple applications, it could affect your credit score,' she warns. What tools to use It's important to remember that you don't have to pay to check your credit score. There are several free and paid-for tools to monitor and improve your score. ' ClearScore gives free access to your Equifax report, while Credit Karma offers your TransUnion file,' says Marsh. 'Experian Boost also lets you add regular payments – like council tax or Netflix – to your score to demonstrate reliability.' He also points to paid-for sites like Loqbox, which reports your savings habits to credit agencies, and specialist credit cards for those with low scores – although these can carry high interest rates if not paid off in full. Credit scores don't change overnight. 'Generally, you'll start to see improvements within three to six months after making positive changes,' says Marsh. But rebuilding after defaults or missed payments will take longer. The key is consistency and patience. 'Check where you stand, build good habits and monitor your progress,' says Shanbhag. 'It's not about perfection – it's about showing that you're responsible with money.'
