How Google is cracking down on scams affecting you

Published

4 years ago

July 1, 2021

Google is cracking down on scams across the UK

From the end of next month, any company advertising financial services on GOOGLE must be authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Last year, the FCA issued 1,200 consumer warnings about scams advertised by fake companies through social-media platforms.

Google’s latest move was a “significant step”, but a permanent solution may be required by law.

“Today’s announcement reflects significant progress in delivering a safer experience for users, publishers and advertisers.
Google UK and Ireland managing director Ronan Harris

“While we understand that this policy update will impact a range of advertisers in the financial services space, our utmost priority is to keep users safe on our platforms.”

Here’s what you need to know about the policy update:

The policy will be updated on August 30, 2021, and enforcement will begin seven days later, on September 6, 2021.
Advertisers must successfully complete the updated verification process by the time enforcement begins in order to show financial services ads to UK users. This will include showing ads to UK users who appear to be seeking financial services.
As part of the verification process, advertisers must demonstrate that they are authorised by the UK Financial Conduct Authority or qualify for one of the limited exemptions described in the UK Financial Services verification page.
This requirement covers financial services products both regulated by and not regulated by the UK Financial Conduct Authority.

Google also said it was joining campaign group Stop Scams UK, the first major technology company to do so.

Global markets outperform US stocks by largest margin as AI tech rallies in 2025

Global markets outperform US stocks in 2025, marking widest gap since 2009 as international gains surge

Published

11 hours ago

December 23, 2025

Harvey Vargas

Global markets outperform US stocks in 2025, marking the widest gap since 2009 as international gains surge

In Short:
– Global markets outperformed U.S. stocks in 2025, with international equities showing significant gains.
– Helen Jewell highlighted that international performance was key, aided by the U.S. dollar’s decline.

In 2025, U.S. investors watching AI stocks closely may have missed the bigger picture: international markets delivered their strongest performance against U.S. equities in over three decades. While the S&P 500 rose just 15%, foreign markets outperformed by more than 10 percentage points, led by South Korea, Peru, and other European nations.

Helen Jewell, BlackRock’s CIO, highlighted that the dollar’s 13% decline earlier in the year further amplified returns for Americans holding foreign assets. This marked the widest performance gap since 2009 and reminded investors of the value of diversification beyond domestic tech giants.

Continued Tech Rally

Nvidia, Tesla, and Palantir Technologies emerged as the most-viewed ticker pages on Yahoo Finance in 2025. Nvidia alone attracted 250 million page views, while Palantir soared an eye-popping 140% for the year. Despite this hype, the S&P 500 lagged behind global peers, showing that concentrated U.S. tech gains can mask broader market opportunities.

U.S. stocks saw a boost after Micron Technology exceeded earnings expectations, jumping 10% on strong AI-related demand. The Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund also gained 1.5%, driven by semiconductor optimism. However, analysts warn investors to avoid over-concentration in U.S. tech, even if AI-driven rallies persist into 2026.

As portfolios prepare for next year, the key question is whether semiconductor demand will expand beyond AI applications. Diversification remains essential, balancing excitement over tech gains with the risks of narrow market exposure.

Money

Australia’s sharemarket set for weakest annual return in three years

Australia’s sharemarket set for weakest return in three years; gains from gold and critical minerals offset blue-chip losses.

Published

1 day ago

December 22, 2025

Harvey Vargas

Australia’s sharemarket set for weakest return in three years; gains from gold and critical minerals offset blue-chip losses.

Australia’s sharemarket is on track for its weakest annual return in three years, with the S&P/ASX 200 Index expected to finish 2025 up around 6 per cent. Investors are feeling the impact of major losses from blue-chip companies, including Commonwealth Bank and CSL, which have dragged overall performance.

Despite the slow year, certain sectors provided a boost. Gains were largely driven by surging gold prices and rising interest in critical minerals, helping offset some of the losses from larger companies.

Smaller companies in the resources sector outperformed their larger counterparts, highlighting a shift in investor focus towards niche opportunities and high-demand commodities.

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Money

US stocks surge amid AI hype despite market volatility

US stock market bounced back, S&P 500 up 16% in 2023, driven by AI excitement amid policy uncertainties.

Published

1 day ago

December 22, 2025

Harvey Vargas

US stock market bounced back, S&P 500 up 16% in 2023, driven by AI excitement amid policy uncertainties.

The US stock market has experienced a rollercoaster year, with the S&P 500 nearly entering a bear market in April due to tariff concerns. Investor sentiment shifted following policy changes from President Trump, setting the stage for a dramatic rebound.

By June, the S&P 500 was hitting new records, fueled by excitement over artificial intelligence and its impact on the tech sector. Corporate profit forecasts improved, contributing to an overall annual gain of 16%, despite ongoing market fluctuations.

Yet, the S&P 500 still trails international markets, reflecting lingering policy uncertainties in the US.

Investors are watching closely to see how domestic and global factors will shape the next year.

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