While Wall Street has been having a meltdown, the FTSE 100 has been quietly minding its business – and making money. As US tech giants wobble and investors panic over Donald Trump’s trade threats, the UK’s biggest stock index has generally held firm, even rising when others fell. In a market full of chaos, could boring be brilliant?
The FTSE 100 is made up of the 100 largest companies on the London Stock Exchange, and many of them are hardly household names for fast growth. But they do sell things people can’t go without, such as energy, food, medicine, and financial services. These are the businesses that hum along no matter what the headlines are shouting. Kevin Marshall, a tax and finance expert, highlighted three reasons the FTSE 100 stands out right now.
Many of its firms belong to steady, defensive sectors. They earn a lot in dollars, which helps when the pound is weak. And UK shares are simply cheaper than their US counterparts, offering good value and high dividends, around 4% on average.
Still, the FTSE 100 has its limits. It’s not built for rocketing growth. It lacks major tech names and can underperform in bull markets. And while it benefits from a weaker pound, a stronger one could reverse that advantage. Nonetheless, George Sweeney, an investing analyst at Finder, said the tides could be turning.
For years, the UK market looked cheap and unloved. But now, with US valuations under pressure, a combination of FTSE’s modest pricing and competitive dividends is drawing attention. Investors could be realising that safety and sustainability can be just as valuable as excitement.
One of the FTSE’s strengths may lie in its predictability. During the recent tariff turbulence, the index didn’t outperform because it was aggressive; it outperformed because it was boring. Its focus on essential industries can make it a bit more robust when volatility hits. Could the FTSE 100 be the best place to invest right now?
If you want stable income, lower volatility, and some protection against global shocks, it might be. It won’t shoot the lights out, but in today’s unpredictable world, it might just be what investors need.
As always, diversification is key to weathering the storms, so try not to put all your money in one index or market.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
DEAL OF THE WEEK:
Frozen supermarket giant Iceland offers a 10% discount to over-60s every Tuesday with no minimum spend, across both Iceland and The Food Warehouse stores. Just bring a valid ID, like a senior bus pass or driving licence. From this week, students can enjoy the same deal every Wednesday throughout May by showing a student ID at the checkout.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
A little-known NHS scheme could be worth tens of thousands of pounds to families across the UK. It’s called NHS Continuing Healthcare, or CHC, and if you’ve never heard of it, you’re not alone. But if you or a loved one has long-term health needs, it’s absolutely something you need to be aware of.
NHS Continuing Healthcare is a care package arranged and funded entirely by the NHS for people in England and Wales who have significant and ongoing health needs.
This support can cover care home fees, nursing care, or care in your own home, and, unlike social care, it’s not means-tested. That means your income or savings shouldn’t affect your eligibility. But, despite being free at the point of need, many people who should qualify for CHC either never apply or get wrongly rejected.
The application process can be confusing, and many families don’t realise CHC exists until they’ve already forked out hefty sums on care. Yet under the rules, if someone meets the criteria, the NHS must cover the full cost of their care, no matter how much money they have.
The process starts with an initial checklist, followed by a full assessment if needed. Decisions are based on a person’s medical needs – things like mobility, cognition, medication, and whether they need 24/7 supervision. There’s also an option to claim back the cost of care that should have been covered in the past.
Families can submit retrospective claims and, if successful, receive a refund for care fees already paid. In some cases, it can stretch back several years.
With care costs now often topping £1,000 a week on average, this support can make a huge difference. If you or a family member is in long-term care or facing that decision soon, it’s worth checking if you qualify for funding.
An organisation called Beacon gives free independent advice on CHCs – visit the website on beaconchc.co.uk or call the free helpline on 0345 548 0300.