Between 2020 and 2018, the field of socially responsible investment grew to a valuation of 17.1 trillion USD. Companies that align with ethical investment now hold 33% of assets managed in the United States, too, and that number is poised to grow in the near future. 

What is ethical investing?

Ethical investments support businesses responsible for positive social or environmental change. Instead of investing in corporations with horrible discrimination policies and histories, many consumers instead search for companies that promote employees regardless of gender, race, or disabled status. Understanding ethical stocks & shares investing is an increasingly important tool for modern traders interested in building socially responsible portfolios. Luckily, trusted authorities in the world of financial brokers and investments, AskTraders, have put together a guide to make finding smart investments a bit easier.

What can consumers who are interested in socially responsible and ethical investing look for when considering new investments? From workers’ rights to environmentally conscious companies and more, here are some business activities and issues to keep in mind. 

Environmentally conscious companies and stocks

Discussion about the environment and the many ways humans can negatively affect it is increasing as temperatures rise worldwide. The search for environmentally friendly businesses and businesses dedicated to actively improving the environment is on the rise. Many potential investors are on the lookout for stocks that seem to represent decisive action on the issue of environmental health.

If this issue is important to you, you should look out for businesses taking action, not simply those paying lip service to the idea. A corporation that extolls the virtues of green energy while sending massive carbon emissions into the environment daily, in other words, is probably not the best investment you could make. Look at future goals and steps that have been taken in the past to advance the good of the environment. 

Animal welfare

The idea of “cruelty-free” products has been an increasingly important one for decades. The concept has become an important one in the broader financial industry, even outside of industries that might be traditionally tied to things such as animal testing. More and more consumers want to know if the creation or use of a product involves harming an animal and if the people running companies support animal welfare. 

From cruelty-free stocks to stocks that emphasise vegan products, there are many businesses espousing animal rights around the world. And while they might not be the most profitable, investors interested in ethical trades should keep this issue at the forefront of their minds. 

Equality

Social justice continues to be an important aspect of today’s society. What do the companies you are considering investing in say about equal hiring and employment practices? Do their actions match those claims? Consider equal opportunity records and policies before investment. Be diligent with research, too, and keep in mind that equality refers to gender equality as well as racial equality and even disabled worker equality. There are many ways companies can show support for diverse populations (or ways in which they can ignore them). 

Workers’ rights

Another crucial ethical investment consideration is how companies handle workers’ rights demands. Some businesses are actively on the lookout for issues impacting their employees’ health and productivity, especially as the world grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic. Others, however, are less concerned. From employing children to firing ill or disabled employees and much more, the issue of workers’ rights is an ever-evolving one. 

Finding the perfect ethical investments

What issues are important to you? Finding the perfect ethical investments begins with investors who know what matters to them. List some of the issues most important to you, be it something listed above or an entirely new issue. Now look for businesses that align with those topics. Do your research before investing, and do not be swayed by polished websites with no substance. You are looking for action, not simply well-written declarations. 

Are you ready to get started with ethical investing? Keep the information above in mind, and do not be afraid to reach out to professionals for help. Remember that investing is not a race, no matter how exciting the initial rush might be, and sometimes sleeping on a decision is the best way to move forward. 

Robinhood reported a net loss of $423 million, or $0.49 per share, in the three months ending in December 2021. A year earlier, before its IPO, the company had posted a net income of $7 million or $0.01 per share.

Following the news of the results, shares of Robinhood dropped by as much as 15% to $9.98 in extended trading. 

Robinhood, in its third set of results as a public company, posted total revenue of $363 million for the fourth quarter of 2021, compared to $318 a year earlier. According to IBES data from Refinitiv, analysts had been expecting revenue of $362.14 million. 

During the fourth quarter of 2021, Robinhood’s costs rose 163% from the previous year, contributing to its $423 million net loss.

Robinhood, like many other tech start-ups, is yet to turn a profit following its IPO in July 2021. While its revenue was a positive sign, the company saw its monthly active users drop by 8% from the previous quarter to 17.3 million.

Deliveroo said that the number of orders grew 10% in the quarter. On average, customers placed 3.4 orders per month in the last three months of 2021, a figure significantly higher than the 3.2 orders that were being placed per month during the first lockdown in 2020 when pubs and restaurants were closed. This further suggests that the popularity of food delivery platforms has not gone down since lockdown was lifted. 

In the quarter, Deliveroo said it had 8 million active monthly customers, up 37% year-on-year and 123% on pre-pandemic levels.

On Thursday morning, share prices were up on the back of the results, trading at 179p. 

"I am proud of what we achieved in 2021; despite a challenging backdrop, we continued to strengthen our customer proposition, widen our customer base and execute against our strategy,” said founder and CEO of Deliveroo Will Shu.

"We are excited about the opportunity ahead and look forward to making further progress in 2022."

Shares have dropped to an 11-year low for indebted Chinese property developer Evergrande following signs that it is on the verge of a default that could lead to a full-scale restructuring for the company. 

In recent months, Evergrande has gone from one crisis to the next as it faces a series of repayments on debts. In a statement released at the weekend, Evergrande said there was “no guarantee” that the group could meet its obligations, adding that creditors were demanding an immediate repayment of $260 million.  

Evergrande’s most pressing problem now is how to repay the $82.5 million due Monday. This is a deadline that has already been pushed back 30 days from November. 

“Since September 2021, the Group has been diligently reviewing its capital structure and liquidity condition with the help of its financial and legal advisors, evaluating all available strategic options, and maintaining ongoing dialogue with offshore creditors. In light of the current liquidity status of the Group, there is no guarantee that the Group will have sufficient funds to continue to perform its financial obligations,” Evergrande said in the statement. “The Group is taking a comprehensive view in assessing its overall financial condition, considering the interests of all stakeholders, upholding the principles of fairness and legality, and plans to actively engage with offshore creditors to formulate a viable restructuring plan of the Company’s offshore indebtedness for the benefit of all stakeholders.”

Turning to Twitter, Musk said, “Much is made lately of unrealized gains being a means of tax avoidance, so I propose selling 10% of my Tesla stock. Do you support this?"

3.5 million Twitter users voted 57.9% in favour of the move by Musk, who launched the poll following criticism that he does not pay enough tax. 

"Note, I do not take a cash salary or bonus from anywhere. I only have stock, thus the only way for me to pay taxes personally is to sell stock," Musk also tweeted. The 10% stock is worth approximately $21 billion. 

Following Musk’s Twitter poll, shares in Tesla fell 7.6% in early trade on Germany’s Tradegate on Monday. In late October, Tesla passed a trillion dollars in market cap, joining several other big companies such as Amazon, Apple, and Microsoft. Around this time, some of Tesla’s board members chose to sell a large number of shares, including Elon Musk’s brother Kimbal Musk.  

The sale was priced at 815p per share, representing a 4% discount on Thursday’s closing price. Hinrikus sold around 10 million Class A shares in the company, which debuted on the London Stock Exchange in July. 

Wise has said that it understands Hinrikus intends to use the proceeds from the sale and loan to invest in European tech startups. However, Hinrikus’ private investment firm will maintain a hold of its 54 million class B shares in the company.

Earlier in the week, Wise revealed a growth in second-quarter revenue driven by higher customer numbers, partly attracted by lower prices. Wise said that nearly 4 million customers transferred approximately £18 billion over the period. This is an impressive 36% increase from 2020.

While Wise expects its take rate for the second half to be somewhat lower than in the first half, it nonetheless anticipates revenue growth for the year to March 2022 to be in the low to mid 20% range over the previous year.

Investing in individual shares conveys more danger than other trading asset classes. It may be because the shares conceivably offer more significant yields. Most famous shares are usually updated weekly. The stock market’s tendency implies that there are continually intriguing developments going on consistently. This is creating boundless opportunities for the investors to create positive returns. Since there are tons of companies today, it can sometimes be difficult to decide which are the best shares to purchase.

Top Shares To Buy Right Now UK

Below is a quick-fire list of some of the top shares to buy right now UK. If you'd prefer to purchase any of these shares right now, eToro is a good option to consider as you’ll need not pay any commissions and you can create an account in minutes. 

1. Tesla (TSLA)

Our top pick in the securities exchange right presently is Tesla. Tesla was perhaps the most sizzling stock for 2020. Numerous financial backers and individuals trust the company and buy Tesla stock due to the popularity of Elon Musk. Today, Tesla is experiencing strong sales growth. The electric vehicle creator's offer cost was up over 600% because of an assortment of components. 

2. HSBC (HSBC)

HSBC has had an all-over-year. HSBC is a bank with a tremendous presence in Asia. It is still making a good presence in the UK and other countries.

3. Facebook (NASDAQ: FB)

Facebook shares are down almost 7% throughout the most recent 5 days. The organisation reported that a change to Apple's security strategy would affect its advertisement business. This implies that genuine transformations, like deals and application innovations, are conceivably higher than whatever Facebook is reporting to its clients.

4. DISNEY (NYSE: DIS)

The Walt Disney Company, or Disney, is a worldwide entertainment organisation whose scope extends a long way past ‘The Happiest Place on Earth' at Disneyland. In addition to the 12 Disneyland Theme Parks, it works well throughout the planet. But lately, it has forcefully ventured into different areas of entertainment.

 5. ZOOM (NASDAQ: ZM)

If you hadn't found out about Zoom before the Coronavirus pandemic, we're willing to be that you have now. This cloud-based video conferencing software turned out to be incredibly famous during lockdown throughout the world.

6. Unilever (ULVR)

Interestingly, Unilever is a famous consumer goods company. It owns many famous brands such as Lipton, Magnum, Dove, etc. For some time, it has been promoted as a safe stock due to the consistent popularity of the company's products. Generally speaking, Unilever would be a decent purchase right currently because of its low cost and alluring profit yield.

Conclusion

Determining the top shares to buy right now UK isn’t pretty much as simple as reading an article. In reality, investors must initially understand what they look for from their investment portfolio before they even think about investing a dollar in a single stock.

For companies, stocks are a great way to raise money to grow funds and capital or other products and initiatives. When you buy a stock of a company you are effectively buying a part of ownership or share in the company. It does not exactly mean you will sit next to Mark Zuckerberg in a meeting at Facebook if you buy a stock from Facebook. It means you get the right to vote in meetings when chosen to exercise it. Primarily, the reason to invest in the stock is to earn a return on the investment, and the return generally comes in two ways.

1. Price appreciation

This means when the stock goes up, you can sell it for a profit if you like.

2. Dividend

This exactly means payments made to the shareholder out of the company's revenue, and typically they are paid quarterly but just remember not all stocks pay a dividend.

All the stocks are not the same though. US stocks, for example, are so far the most diverse in the world. They come from a market of around 500 of the biggest companies in the world and not every single stock of these companies is the same. Each stock has a varied feature and different characteristics, which give the shareholders different kinds of benefits. A shareholder chooses his stock based on his capital, what kind of returns he expects, and on what tenure. So it is wise to know what kind of stocks are out in the market.

Domestic And International Stocks

You can categorise the stock based on the location. To distinguish them from each other most investors look at the location of the company and its official headquarters. It is important to understand that the stocks Geography category does not correspond to where the sales happen. For instance, a stock that you buy can have the company headquarter in the US but sell this product exclusively out of the country. You can see this in large multinational companies.

Growth And Value Stocks

A growth stock is a stock that has a high-risk level but at the same time a very attractive return. Growth stocks rise in demand among customers and the environment and are more interlinked with the long-term trend. And competition for this growth stock is highly intense in the market, and several times rivals disrupt the business. Investors who invest in growth stocks look for companies that have sales and profits rise tremendously quickly.

Value stocks, on the other hand, are a more conservative investment. They often show stocks already in the growth phase of the industry and take the leading space. There is not much room left to expand for them, and no new inventions are coming up. Yet, the risk involved in this stock is comparatively lesser than a growth stock. They are good choices for people who look for more price stability while setting some of the positives of exposure to stocks. Value investors search for companies whose shares are inexpensive. Value share is comparatively lower in price.

IPO stocks

IPO stocks are the companies that have recently gone public. They usually generate a lot of excitement among the investors who look to get to the bottom of a promising business concept. They are also highly volatile, especially when there is disagreement within the investment community about growth and profit. It remains private for a minimum of a year or as long as 2 to 4 years after it becomes public.

Dividend stocks

Dividend stocks or income stocks are the stocks that pay out forms of dividends. They are also referred to as shares of companies that are more mature businesses and have relatively few long-term opportunities for growth. An ideal conservative investor who needs to draw cash from an investment portfolio right away would be strongly choosing a dividend stock. An investor who would choose this stock would be and investors who have a low-risk tolerance or someone who is nearing their retirement phase and are looking out for a safe keeps out

Safe Stocks

These stock prices do not move fast or in a big amount. They are not affected by the overall market, and they come from Industries that do not get affected by the economic conditions. They offer paid dividends, and by that income can be set even during falling share prices during tough times. They are also known as low volatility stocks and operate in industries that are comparatively safer than the others.

Blue-chip stocks

These stocks come from the most reputed companies in the market. They come from companies that lead the industries. They do not provide a higher return but are known for their stability in the market. This feature makes them a favourite kind of stock for many investors. They have a high reputation in the market and hold a low-risk possibility. 

Penny stocks 

Penny stocks are contradictory to Blue chip stocks. They are highly inexpensive, of low quality, and come from companies whose stock prices are extremely low, typically less than a dollar per share. At the same time, they are highly dangerous in speculative Business models and prone to a scheme that can drain your entire investment. They are dangerous, but the benefit is that they are highly inexpensive, and you can easily afford them.

Conclusion

Portfolio diversification is a necessity if you want to be a good player in the stock market. You probably heard of portfolio diversification, it is very important to develop strong and stable investments. All of these stock classifications can plan for your diversity and investments across companies of different markets, geographies, and styles. You can have a well-balanced portfolio across various diversification and simultaneously raise money. Each stock has a different feature, and you have a wide choice to know which would best suit you.

In recent years, several countries and states have legalised the use of cannabis for medical and recreational purposes. In 2013, Uruguay became the first country in the world to legalise cannabis for recreational use, with Canada following suit in 2018. In the US, Marijuana remains illegal as a recreational drug at federal level, but numerous states, including Washington, California, Colorado, and Nevada, have now moved to legalise it within their borders. In the UK, the medical use of cannabis was legalised in November 2018, after the cases of two epileptic children, who benefited substantially from using cannabis, drew increased public attention to the matter. 

By 2030, the cannabis industry is set to be worth $100 billion in the United States alone, a forecast that certainly makes cannabis an investment worth considering. In the most recent quarter, Jushi Holdings Inc (JUSH.CX) — which is a multi-state company focused on building a portfolio of branded cannabis and hemp-based assets — was the marijuana stock with the highest year-over-year (YOY) sales growth, with revenue growth of 355.4%. 

There are three key ways in which cannabis investment can be done: through directly investing in marijuana shares, spread betting, or CFD trading. However, it is important to note that both spread betting and CFD trading carry much higher risks. For those who are new to trading, it is wise to stick to investing in cannabis shares directly. 

What Are Cannabis Stocks?

Cannabis stocks (or marijuana stocks) are the shares of companies that are either involved in the growing of cannabis, involved in the pharmaceutical or biotech developments of medical cannabis, or are suppliers of cannabis products and services.  

There are two main types of cannabis products: recreational or medical, with the vast majority of companies being involved in the latter. In recent years, there has been a lot of evidence to suggest that cannabis products have positive effects on people suffering from a wide variety of medical conditions. Preliminary research suggests that cannabis can help to reduce chronic pain and muscle spasms, can alleviate nausea during chemotherapy, can improve appetite in people suffering from HIV/AIDS, and can even treat severe forms of epilepsy, as seen in the UK. 

Understanding The Risks Of Investing In Cannabis Stocks 

As with investing in any type of asset, it’s important to understand that there is always some degree of risk involved. Before investing in cannabis stocks, there are some specific risks you should weigh up:

• Political Risks: Although it is legal to trade and invest in publicly listed shares of respected companies that operate within the cannabis industry, some countries, such as the US at federal level, place heavy restrictions on banks that deal with cannabis-related businesses. Consequently, it can be very difficult for affected cannabis businesses to access vital financial services, potentially jeopardising their chances of long-term survival.
• Cash Flow Issues: Many cannabis industry participants are growing companies that yield small profits and frequently face the risk of running out of cash. These businesses often raise capital by issuing new shares, decreasing the value of existing shares. 
• Imbalances With Supply And Demand: As a rapidly expanding sector within the agriculture sector, cannabis is especially vulnerable to irregularities in supply and demand. Following the legalisation of cannabis in Canada in 2018, Canadian cannabis growers undertook huge expansion initiatives to up their production capacity to meet demands. However, many Canadian growers have now scaled back their production as cannabis supply in the country is now outrunning demand. This has seen prices fall and revenues suffer.

How To Invest In Cannabis Stocks

There are numerous companies providing services to the cannabis industry, meaning investors have a wide choice of stocks or ETFs. 

• Step 1: Research the company

Research is an essential part of making any investment. You should check out the latest news surrounding a given company, gain a feel for the market sentiment on platforms such as Stocktwits, and check SEC filings and other documents required by diverse regulatory agencies. 

• Step 2: Decide how much you want to invest

Stocks are volatile and the future is unpredictable. As a rule of thumb, you should never invest more than what you can afford to lose. Although thorough research often leads to strong returns, there’s no guarantee that this will always be the case. 

• Step 3: Determine your timeline

When you buy and sell can make a big difference, so it’s important to consider your timing carefully. However, you should note that it can be very difficult to time the market correctly. An investment strategy that may be worth considering is dollar-cost averaging (DCA). This is a strategy in which an investor divides the total amount that they wish to invest across periodic purchases of a target asset. DCA can help to limit the impact of volatility on the overall purchase. 

• Step 4: Choose your broker

A broker serves as an intermediary between an investor and a securities exchange.  Choosing your broker isn’t dissimilar to picking a stock, it starts with understanding your investing style and determining your investment goals for the short and long term. Apps like Freetrade and IG are great places to start.   

• Step 5: Buying your stock

For beginners especially, the process of actually buying stock can be trickier than it initially sounds. “There are generally 2 types of ‘buy’ orders: market order and a limit order. A market order will execute the purchase at the present market price, while a limit order will only execute if the price falls at or below the limit price,” Benzinga’s Thomas Rudy explains. “Although a limit price might give an investor a lower price of entry, there is no guarantee that the limit order will execute.”

Are Cannabis ETFs A Sensible Option?

Another way to invest in cannabis stocks is through cannabis ETFs (Exchange Traded Funds). ETFs are similar to mutual funds but there are a few key differences. As with mutual funds, ETFs invest in a diverse range of securities and offer automatic diversification to shareholders. Instead of buying shares of an individual stock, investors buy shares in the ETF. They are entitled to a corresponding portion of its overall value. One key difference between ETFs and mutual bonds, however, is that ETFs are traded on the open market, meaning ETF shareholders can buy and sell shares of an ETF whenever they choose. 

ETFs are popular investments because they can be bought and sold easily and because they are generally inexpensive. ETFs also involve fewer fees than other types of investments and are more tax-efficient than mutual funds. Although there is some degree of risk with any investment, ETFs can be very safe investments provided you do sufficient research first. 

As cultural tolerance of cannabis increases across the globe, a plethora of opportunities open for companies and investors alike. However, as with any investment, it is important to do your research carefully and weigh up whether or not it's a sensible addition, or start, to your portfolio.

This article does not constitute financial advice. The author and Universal Media Ltd. are not qualified financial advisers. All investments are made at the reader’s own risk.

However, a period of increased promotions and deals to entice new customers weighed on the food delivery service’s top line. Just Eat said it had fallen to a €71 million underlying pre-tax loss in the UK, whereas the same period a year ago saw a €127 million profit. Overall revenue hit €2.6 billion for the half, an increase of 52%. 

On average, UK households made Just Eat orders 3.2 times per month, up from 2.5 times per month during the first half of 2020 amid the start of the pandemic. This increase follows a shift in consumer spending habits as people increasingly opt for convenience and home comforts during lockdowns, and even post-lockdown, despite restaurants and pubs reopening. 

In the first six months of 2021, the number of Just Eat orders placed in the UK increased by 58 million to 135 million compared with a year earlier. Following a major period of investment, the food delivery service saw its share of the London market jump by 10%.

After disclosing that German rival Delivery Hero has taken a 5% stake in the company, food-delivery giant Deliveroo hit its highest share price since it floated on the stock market back in March. After announcing the news, shares in Deliveroo rose by as much as 10% to 360p in early trading on Monday. 

Delivery Hero is a direct rival to Deliveroo, running a takeaway delivery service across Europe, Latina America, Asia, and the Middle East. The company formerly operated the Hungry House brand in the UK, but sold it on to Just Eat in 2017. 

Niklas Oestberg, founder of Delivery Hero, turned to Twitter to say he had known Deliveroo founder Will Shu for many years and had huge respect for his business. Oestberg stated he had purchased the stake in Deliveroo because he believes the business was undervalued after being oversold at its IPO. In March, Deliveroo suffered a disastrous public market debut. Its shares slumped 30% on the first day of trade. 

Whilst the news of Delivery Hero’s 5% stake in the company has boosted Deliveroo’s shares, Delivery Hero investors were not as impressed. Delivery Hero’s stock dropped 1.8% in Germany. The company is currently valued at €32 billion, whereas Deliveroo is currently worth an estimated $6 billion. 

SoftBank has seen total losses of around $4 billion on its Didi position and has also suffered from a decline in the valuation of Alibaba. Uber’s own Didi stake saw a $2 billion decline last week following the June debut of Didi’s American depositary shares as China’s officials planned fines against Didi amid a wider crackdown on US-listed Chinese companies. 

SoftBank’s announcement comes just one week after Uber stock rose somewhat as the company’s trucking unit revealed plans to acquire shipping software company Transplace for approximately $2.25 billion. While shares in Uber are down by around 8%, Didi shares have dropped by 37% from their $14.44 closing price on the stock’s first day of trading. Since Didi’s US IPO, SoftBank has also seen its shares tumble. 

SoftBack first invested in Uber back in 2018. The following year, SoftBank Vision Fund then invested an additional $333 million. In March of this year, Uber referred to SoftBank as a “large stockholder.”