Mark David Hartley
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Articles by Mark David Hartley
Why this unloved FTSE 250 stock remains a core part of my second income portfolio
Building a second income portfolio requires more than just chasing high yields. Sure, the big names have a place, but often my favourite income stocks are those that most people overlook. That's why MONY Group (LSE:MONY) forms a core part of my own second income plan, even though it rarely makes the headline lists. While everyone fights over the usual FTSE 100 darlings, I'm happy collecting steady, well‑covered dividends from a business most investors barely notice.
The UK stock market isn’t ‘weak’ – it’s just built differently (and that’s good)
The UK stock market's often glossed over by foreign investors in favour of hyped-up US tech darlings. But that doesn't reveal weakness, it's just built differently. And for long-term, retirement-focused investors, that difference can be a real advantage. While US indices chase the next AI moonshot, London-listed companies tend to focus on steady cash generation, dividends and buybacks. The result? Less drama, more dependability. Here's why I believe it trumps the 'growth-at-any-cost' mentality.
By September 2027, the BT share price and dividend could turn £2,400 into…
The BT Group (LSE:BT.A) share price currently sits just above 200p, up 9.3% year to date. Not exactly explosive growth, but it's steady – and to be expected from an income-focused stock. When we add the 4.12% dividend yield, the total returns start to look more interesting. But to accurately forecast what the total return could be in the coming 12 months, we need to look at where the price might be headed.
The AI trade is sending UK growth stock CMC Markets stratospheric — is it still a buy?
CMC Markets (LSE: CMCX) has quietly become one of the FTSE 250's standout performers, up more than 240% over the past year. That's no small feat, and for growth-focused UK investors, it warrants closer inspection. But what exactly does the company do, and why has it suddenly captured investor imagination? Piggybacking the AI trade CMC Markets is a London-listed online trading and investing platform founded in 1989.
This FTSE 100 AI giant just hit a record high so what could the 8 September results bring?
The UK's relatively minor tech weighting has often insulated it from AI-led volatility. But when the sector's momentum returns, FTSE 100 names such as Sage, Experian and London Stock Exchange Group tend to lead the charge. A more recent addition to the index, Computacenter (LSE:CCC), has become a go-to proxy for enterprise AI infrastructure spend. With fresh results on the horizon, I decided to see what may lie ahead.
Is Nvidia still the best AI play on the stock market? I asked ChatGPT…
After dominating stock market news for several years, coverage of Nvidia (NASDAQ:NVDA) seems to have cooled. I know the company remains one of the key players in the AI trade, but the likes of Micron and SpaceX have overshadowed it. So I decided to find out how much weight it still holds, and whether it's still a good AI investment. Naturally, I asked one of the most popular AI chatbots, ChatGPT. The answer? It came back with a tentative 'yes'.
Was 1,584p the top for Rolls-Royce shares? Here are 3 things that could keep the party going
After hitting an all-time high of 1,586p at the start of the month (August 2026), Rolls-Royce (LSE: RR.) shares have largely been trading sideways. I've been following the spectacular turnaround with enthusiasm, keen to understand the workings behind this once-in-a-decade event. Recent results showed operating profit of £2.5bn, up 46% in H1 2026, along with a 24% rise in free cash flow to £2bn.
These 3 factors create a ‘perfect storm’ for a stock market crash. Here’s how to prepare
Over the past few months, I've noticed increasingly bearish sentiment in the news regarding global markets. On several occasions, analysts have highlighted specific factors that could prompt a sharp stock market crash. While some of this is the usual fearmongering, I've identified a few factors that warrant closer inspection. Rather than just speculation, they're based on observable trends in valuations, bond markets, and investor behaviour.
In 2 years from now, £1,000 in Lloyds shares could be worth…
Lloyds' (LSE:LLOY) shares have certainly given investors reason to celebrate over the past two years. Back in late August 2024, the shares were trading around 58p. Since then, they've catapulted past the £1 mark to reach today's level around 112p. That's a two-year return of 93.1%, or 38.96% annualised (dividends excluded). Can you imagine if this momentum continues for another two years?
I asked ChatGPT which stocks to buy in a crash and it said…
I don't usually ask generative AI platforms like ChatGPT for advice on what stocks to buy, but curiosity recently got the better of me. Has artificial intelligence evolved to a level where it can understand the nuances of identifying quality companies? I had to scratch that itch and find out. Here's the fruits of my misguided labours. A somewhat tepid answer A small part of me was hoping it would say something completely unhinged like "Go all in on SpaceX".
After a 30% dividend hike (and buybacks), do Lloyds shares deserve another look?
Despite a background of uncertainty — both abroad and at home — Lloyds' (LSE:LLOY) shares continue to go from strength to strength. The shares are up about 45% over the past 12 months, trading near 115p — near their highest levels in a decade. At first glance, that might suggest the easy money has already been made. But digging into the latest results suggest there could still be reasons for optimism.
Near 5-year lows, here’s what the experts say about Greggs shares
Greggs' (LSE:GRG) shares have had a rough couple of years. Since 2025, the price has slid from around 2,800p to just over 1,600p today. That drop reflects a mix of weaker consumer confidence, rising costs and possible over-expansion just as the UK economy cooled. Even so, when I look at the broker research, most of the professionals are not throwing in the towel. They're broadly cautious, but still leaning towards recovery rather than permanent decline.
Here’s 1 FTSE 100 stock I’ll happily hold for decades
The FTSE 100 is an ever-changing list of the UK's leading companies, updated every quarter in March, June, September, and December. While many stocks come and go, the ones I'm most interested in are those that stick around. These stalwarts provide an ideal foundation for a portfolio aimed at compounding wealth over multiple decades. They may not deliver the loftiest returns or feature the highest yields, but their resilience is what makes them attractive.
Are BT shares a buy ahead of tomorrow’s Q1 trading update?
It's fair to say the BT (LSE: BT.) share price has been choppy in recent months. Now hovering just below 200p, it's been swinging between roughly 173p and 242p over the past year. For a brief moment it looked like it would hold above 200p, but it slipped back in May after the company reported softer revenue and higher-than-expected infrastructure investment.
How much could £20k invested in a Stocks and Shares ISA grow over time?
On April 6, 1999, the UK introduced the Stocks and Shares ISA to replace Personal Equity Plans (PEPs). Both were created for similar reasons — to encourage citizens to build long-term wealth by investing in the stock market. Today, ISA account holders can invest up to £20,000 a year without being taxed on any capital gains.
3 under-the-radar UK growth shares that are quietly beating the S&P 500 in 2026
The US tends to dominate the market when it comes to growth shares. The tech-heavy S&P 500 is packed full of bloated megacaps with high valuations. Yet it's only up about 10% this year. Meanwhile, back home, the FTSE 100 is more popular for high-yielding dividend stocks. That's because UK investors have historically been more income-inclined. That can make UK shares feel boring. But for those who look beyond the megacaps, hidden growth gems exist.
Could Rolls-Royce shares lock in another 34% gain before Christmas?
I've been digging into analyst forecasts for Rolls-Royce (LSE: RR.) shares to see what kind of gains might be on the cards by Christmas. From my research of 20 analysts, the 12‑month average price target sits around 1,450p-1,490p. Sixteen rate it a Buy, four a Hold, and none a Sell. Targets range from a low of roughly 1,100p to a high of 1,870p. That's a big spread. So what could that mean for the next five months, if we scale those 12‑month views down to a Christmas horizon?
Investec vs Aberdeen: which is the better income stock to buy?
I've been weighing up new income stocks to buy in an effort to boost the average yield of my portfolio. After screening for cash coverage, payout ratios and dividend history, I created a decent shortlist of options: I already own shares in Reckitt and British American Tobacco. Since I don't want another tobacco stock and already hold shares in National Grid, I decided another utility is unnecessary. So I decided to narrow it down to a choice between Investec and Aberdeen Group.
Here are 3 factors I assess when considering stocks with a high dividend yield
When I started building an income portfolio, I made some shocking mistakes. Most of them were the result of one thing: greed linked to a high dividend yield. In some ways, that's the intention of a high yield — to attract investment. Essentially, the company is rewarding you for choosing it and making a financial commitment to its success. But that commitment comes with some serious pitfalls to consider. Let's take a look.
Here’s how much a 40-year-old would need to put in the stock market to retire comfortably
Investing in the stock market feels risky to many people. We've all seen the headlines: the dotcom crash, the 2008 financial crisis and, more recently, the wild swings in AI stocks. It's easy to think the market's just a casino. However, smart investors ignore the noise and focus on steady, stable shares that compound over multiple decades. That's how even a 40‑year‑old could go from surviving in retirement to thriving. So how much would they actually need?
Want to retire rich? Here’s how to identify the best UK shares for long-term wealth
When I'm trying to find the 'best' UK shares to help me retire rich, I don't actually look for one magic stock. I focus on companies that perform well through good times and bad, and keep investing when others are cutting back. Often they're the sort of 'boring' companies that quietly keep hospitals stocked, shelves filled, or factories running – year after year. For me, the ideal candidate is a business that stays profitable in a downturn, maintains solid cash flow, and still has room to grow.
With a 6.5% yield, 10,000 shares of this FTSE 250 bank could deliver £3,530 of passive income this year!
When I think about finding new stocks for my passive income portfolio, the FTSE 250 often comes to mind before the FTSE 100. Yes, the companies are smaller, but many are well-established businesses with long trading histories. For me, the key draw is that they tend to compete for investor attention by offering higher yields and shareholder-friendly policies. That makes the index a rich hunting ground for income seekers like me. The catch?
Up 35% in a month! What’s going on with easyJet shares?
The past few weeks have felt like a boardroom drama for easyJet shares. The airline finally accepted a fourth takeover bid from US fund Castlelake, only to have Apollo Global Management swoop in with a higher offer. Apollo's new bid values the airline at about 715p per share, well above Castlelake's 690p. Naturally, that "delivers a superior outcome" for shareholders, as the board stated. The sudden jump clearly means easyJet is more valuable than the market thought.
Could this 6%-yielding dividend stock deliver life-changing SIPP income in 20 years?
UK shares have long been the go-to option for investors targeting income via a Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPP) in retirement. The FTSE 100 lists many industry-leading blue-chips with strong cash generation to fund growing dividends. There's already been chatter that shareholder payouts could reach record highs of £88.8bn this year. For retirement-focused investors, the tax benefits of a SIPP offer a great way to get the most out of those payouts.
Here’s how to target £5,000 annual passive income by investing in dividend shares
Earning passive income from dividend shares seems like a simple concept: buy the highest-yielding stocks and sit back while the cash flows in, right? Not exactly. Without careful planning, it could all go awry. Let's look at one strategy that simplifies the more complex parts. A simple plan First, use a Stocks and Shares ISA. Dividends paid inside an ISA are tax-free, so you keep every penny. That's a big advantage when you're building a £5,000-a-year income stream.
Should I buy this FTSE 250 dividend stock for the eye-watering 10% yield?
I've been following Greencoat UK Wind (LSE: UKW) for some time now, as it's one of the most promising renewable energy stocks on the FTSE 250. The big attraction is the yield, which has recently ticked just above 10% — a goldmine for income investors. But as always, the question is whether that income stream is dependable. I decided it was time to take a closer look. What the business does Greencoat UK Wind invests only in operating UK wind assets, including both onshore and offshore farms.
Are Barclays shares on track for another 200%+ gain in the coming 2 years?
Barclays (LSE: BARC) shares soared from around 150p to over 470p between 1 January 2024 and 1 January 2026. That's about 210%, representing more than a three-fold increase in price — spectacular growth in anyone's books, particularly for a FTSE 100 bank. Only NatWest Group came close, with about 193% growth in the same period, while Lloyds and HSBC trailed. So does that mean the Blue Eagle bank's profits are priced in, or could a new rally just be getting started?
3 second-income shares tipped to grow dividends by 10%-20% over the next 3 years
Are you trying to build a second income on the stock market? If so, dividend stocks can be a solid starting point. Here are three UK dividends stocks that could supercharge an income portfolio in the coming three years. NatWest NatWest Group (LSE: NWG) stands out as a highly compelling dividend to consider in the FTSE 100. It raised total dividends by 51% in 2025 to 32.5p per share, backed by profits up 24% last year.
How a Stocks and Shares ISA can save you from the weak, inadequate State Pension
If you haven't already considered a Stocks and Shares ISA for retirement, you could be setting yourself up for disappointment. At just £12,548 a year before tax, the UK State Pension is far below the average UK salary. Despite this, many Britons rely solely on it for retirement. Fortunately, even those on minimal income can improve their situation before it's too late.
Up 115% with a 6.3% yield and P/E of just 7.8! This is my favourite new FTSE 100 dividend stock
If you aren't familiar with the FTSE 100 investment bank Investec (LSE: INVP), I don't blame you — it only recently joined the index. Over the past five years, its share price has more than doubled as the group's reshaped itself around specialist banking and wealth management. Today, the shares trade around 606p, up 115%, with a market-cap of roughly £5.6bn. But as an income seeker, it was the dividend that caught my eye. At 6.3%, it's higher than any other major UK bank.
Near record highs, this key indicator says the stock market could be moments away from a crash
The Shiller CAPE ratio is a popular indicator used to measure the stock market's stability. Right now, it's giving us some bad news… but don't panic: it's not all doom and gloom. CAPE stands for 'cyclically adjusted price‑to‑earnings' — basically, it's a valuation metric that measures how over-hyped the market is. When stocks consistently grow for an extended period of time, traders and investors tend to get a bit carried away.
Here’s how I aim to build a second income with 7%+ yielding dividend shares
Investing in companies that pay dividends is similar to holding cash in a high-interest savings account. The money you invest creates more money while you sleep, like a second income. The difference is, the stock market provides opportunities to earn far higher returns than any savings account. That’s because highly profitable companies tend to have a lot of spare cash to spend, and returning it to shareholders is a great way to attract new investors.
£5,000 invested in easyJet shares just 1 week ago would now be worth…
The easyJet (LSE: EZJ) share price has jumped a massive 12% since just last week, climbing from a low of 545p on Thursday (2 July 2026) to over 610p today. That means a £5,000 investment at last week’s low would have returned around £600 in just a few days! Should you buy easyJet Plc shares today? Before you decide, please take a moment to review this report first.
£2,130 buys 1,000 shares in this 10%-yielding FTSE 250 passive income stock!
It’s well-known that the UK stock market’s a treasure trove when it comes to passive income stocks. The FTSE 100’s littered with mega- cap, high-yielding dividend gems such as HSBC, Legal & General, Imperial Brands and BP. But many investors overlook the smaller FTSE 250, believing the more-domestically-focused index to be less reliable. Should you buy Ithaca Energy Plc shares today? Before you decide, please take a moment to review this report first.
Here’s how to invest £3,600 in UK shares to target a 7% dividend yield
Image source: Getty Images According to various sources, UK citizens typically have an average of £300 a month left over after rent and expenses. If this money were saved up, it would result in a chunky £3,600 to invest in UK shares at the end of the year. That’s a decent starting point. But it could go even further if invested in a portfolio of high-yielding dividend stocks. So what would a portfolio of those kinds of stocks look like?
3 British dividend stocks to consider for passive income this summer
Image source: National Grid plc The idea of passive income is understandably attractive — who wouldn’t want to earn money while they sleep? Some popular options include dropshipping, selling courses, or short-term rentals. But is it really passive if it requires regular work and upkeep? Investing in dividend shares is one of the most truly ‘passive’ ways of earning income, because the money literally rolls in without any effort required. But surely there’s a catch?
3 space stocks to consider on the S&P 500 (and SpaceX isn’t one of them)
Image source: Getty Images By now everyone and their Grandma are aware of SpaceX‘s record-breaking IPO launch last Friday. But despite all the pomp and ceremony, the stock can’t join the S&P 500 until June 2027 at the earliest due to eligibility rules. That doesn’t mean investors can’t buy the stock, just that any index trackers won’t benefit from it. Still, that doesn’t mean the S&P will entirely miss out the space theme.
At less than £7, the Aviva share price looks very attractive right now. Here’s why
Image source: Aviva plc Berenberg recently started coverage of Aviva (LSE: AV.) with a share price target of 800p, implying roughly 28% upside from current levels. More interesting though, is its reasoning. The investment bank argues that an investment today could effectively be ‘paid back’ in under a decade through dividends and buybacks alone. That sounds bold, so I decided to take a closer look. What’s being forecast?
Up 3.5% this month, is it time for UK investors to cycle back into the more domestically-focused FTSE 250 index?
Image source: Getty Images Despite volatile oil prices and supply chain shocks, market sentiment remains high this month — particularly on the FTSE 250. I was surprised to see the mid-cap index is up around 3.5% over the past month. Meanwhile, the FTSE 100 has only grown around 1%. It gets more of its earnings from overseas, so it doesn’t move as much when the UK economy improves.
Here’s how much second income 100 Admiral shares could deliver in 2026
Image source: Getty Images Admiral Group (LSE: ADM) has long been a go-to choice for UK investors looking to earn a second income from dividends. Best known for car insurance, the company isn’t as big a name as Prudential or Aviva – but it holds its own in the UK insurance sector. What makes it interesting is its dividend history. Admiral has paid dividends for 20 years with no interruptions since 2016, and the 2025 dividend increased by 6.77% to 205p per share (compared to 192p in 2024).
Here’s how smart investors allocate their £20,000 Stocks and Shares ISA allowance
Image source: Getty Images Most investors open a Stocks and Shares ISA for tax benefits, which is a great start. However, the real trick to generating long-term wealth lies in using the £20,000 annual contribution limit effectively. Whether you’re a growth or income investor, it’s critical to ensure adequate diversification in an ISA. Only focusing on one area fails to appreciate how different stocks complement each other.
Could the FTSE 100 really hit 11,000 this year? This major city broker thinks so!
Image source: Getty Images The FTSE 100 could be on track for double-digit gains this year. At least, that’s according to the most optimistic prediction from one UBS analyst, representing a 19% rise from current levels. The analyst’s base case sees the index climbing from 10,340 to 11,000 by December, with a further growth scenario pushing it to 12,300 by June 2027. What’s driving the optimism?
Forget SpaceX, here are 3 UK tech stocks to consider buying without the high price tag
Image source: Getty Images The SpaceX IPO is all over the news but I think it’s mostly overvalued hype. Personally, I’d rather focus on high-quality domestic stocks to buy until the dust settles. So I identified three UK shares with moderate and less-risky exposure to artificial intelligence (AI) and space-related tech. But first, let’s examine the SpaceX IPO in more detail. What’s all the hype about? Despite the name, SpaceX is no longer just about space exploration.
Here’s how this fully funded 0.3p penny stock could 10x if production ramps up in 2026
Image source: Getty Images Lithium penny stocks have been all over the news lately as demand for the precious metal rises. It’s essentially the backbone of the electric vehicle (EV) revolution, used in batteries for cars, phones, and renewable energy storage. Global demand’s surging as EVs replace petrol engines and governments push for clean energy. The International Energy Agency projects lithium demand will grow 40x by 2040, creating a multi-decade supply shortage.
Here’s how the UK stock market’s quietly profiting from the AI boom
Image source: Getty Images While investors chase Nvidia and Microsoft, the UK stock market is quietly generating billions in AI-driven profits. Mining giants, banks, and pharmaceutical companies are all cashing in, without ever calling themselves ‘AI companies’. The FTSE 100 actually outperformed the S&P 500 in 2025, returning 21.5% versus 16.2%, despite having almost no pure-play AI stocks. Here’s a few ways that ‘old economy’ stocks are profiting from the AI boom.
Here’s how much you’d need to invest in 5%-yielding dividend shares for £2,000 a year of passive income
Image source: Getty Images Dividend shares are one of the most popular investment options in the UK because the regular cash payouts work like passive income. In exchange for providing your capital as equity, you get rewarded with free cash (or shares) as long as you hold the shares. So why doesn’t everybody do this? Stock market fears Many people stay away from the stock market because they worry about losses, big crashes, or simply not understanding how it works.
Lloyds shares: an income gem, or a fragile housing market proxy?
Lloyds Banking Group (LSE: LLOY) shares look like a classic UK income stock on the surface: low valuation, decent dividend, and a giant retail footprint. But the real story is more like a macro trade. As the UK’s largest retail bank, Lloyds holds a 16.8% share of UK mortgages (£52.7bn), making it also the biggest lender. So if Lloyds is so dependent on the UK mortgage market, is it really an income stock — or a disguised bet on Britain’s mortgage cycle? A cash cow, or a housing cycle proxy?
Down 33%, are Greggs shares dying — or are they simply a barometer for UK consumer resilience?
Image source: Getty Images When I started investing, I was surprised to find how popular Greggs’ (LSE:GRG) shares are. Like many other inner-city office workers, I was a regular customer, but hadn’t ever viewed the company as an investment. I have since discovered that the Greggs story is about more than just sausage rolls and bakery products.
Here’s how hydrogen engines could send Rolls-Royce shares soaring — and end oil dominance
Image source: Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Rolls-Royce (LSE: RR.) shares could be on track for further gains after the company’s latest revelation rocked the aviation world. The aerospace giant has achieved what was once considered impossible: running a modern jet engine at full take-off power on pure hydrogen alone. This breakthrough marks a world-first for aviation and positions Rolls-Royce at the forefront of zero-carbon flight technology.
At almost £6, does the BP share price reflect a new energy future, or just the old oil world?
Image source: Getty Images As the price of crude oil surges, so does the BP (LSE: BP) share price. Earlier this year, it briefly traded above £6 per share, its highest level in 16 years. The shares are now up about 24% since the start of 2026, with a 52‑week high of 609.4p set on 31 March 2026. But for a company that claims to reflect Britain’s energy transition ambitions, has it become too refocused on the old oil world?
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