#my radar is weak and my nets are tiny | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

deathtouch · 8 years ago

Text

⋆ femfeb day 5 // my femfeb masterpost ⋆ xposted to ao3 ⋆ mei/symmetra // 3k // general audience ⋆ adventure, holding hands, kissing ⋆ mei and satya scale a cliffside to retrieve some valuable data (thanks to @5idestuff for the suggestion!!)

To The Top

“It’s a little scary.” Mei said softly. “Like a ghost story.”

Lena burst into a sharp fit of laughter. “Mei-Ling! That’s not a ghost story!”

Satya was glad they were facing each other and speaking to one another. She was a few seats down from them at the table and from her vantage point she could listen to the conversation unfold perfectly without necessarily needing to be part of it. She liked listening to Mei speak. Her voice was gentle and sweet.

Though Mei often spoke about her work, it wasn’t a constant stream of climatology. Some other teammates could use a lesson in diverse topics of conversation. It was nice when Mei brought up the things she was passionate about, though. The timbre of her voice changed. It was like a little buzz of excitement running through her. Satya could sense it when it happened. It was charming to see her get lost in the intricacies of her profession.

“A little!” She insisted, not backing down in the face of Lena’s laughter. “Think of all the research that could be sitting up there, just waiting for someone to find it. The work site might be abandoned, but the work itself shouldn’t be lost.”

Mei had regaled them with the tale of a nearby research facility located on one of the many islands that dotted Ilios’ shores. Apparently years back there had been a team of researchers busily collecting weather pattern data when a tsunami crashed through. Boats were wrecked, lives were lost, and a great rock structure that had been standing on the little island for years had crumbled away in the relentless waves. Now the half wrecked research site sat atop a lonely peak with no path up.

Mei had gone out for a long walk along the harbor just last night to look for the island in the distance. It was clear how badly she wanted to go. From Satya’s understanding there really was no way to scale the rocky hillside that the research facility was located on. Even if Mei was an experienced mountain climber, which she wasn't, it was still dangerous terrain. It’s not like there was a magic set of stairs that could take her straight to the top… not yet, at least.

“You’re right.” Satya spoke up.

Mei and Lena both glanced at her. They had probably forgotten she was there at all with how quiet she’d been until now.

“I would be happy to accompany you in order to retrieve the data.” She added, straightening her back a little as she spoke.

Mei blinked at her for a second before smiling sadly. “There’s no way up the hillside.” She said.

Satya offered up her open palm. The tech of her arm whirred as she created a perfect model of a staircase in glowing blue hard-light. It was tiny in comparison to what they would need to climb an island peak, but it was a clear indication of what she had in mind. In truth a set of stairs might not even work, and she would have to build something else to help create a path up to the research facility. It was worth it to try, though. Wasn’t it?

Mei gasped. “Satya!” She rose from her chair and bounded towards Satya in big strides. At once her arms were around Satya’s slender shoulders, pulling her in for a hug. “You’re brilliant!” +++

Satya regretted her decision not to bring sunglasses. The mid-morning sun was sparkling over the cool blue ocean. Everywhere she looked bright light glinted up at her. Even Mei herself was a glitter of light, in a completely different way. She didn’t have much in the way of warm weather clothing. She looked a little silly in her blue pants and pale tank top. Satya herself had opted for athletic leggings and a nice tunic, a switch up from her usual sari. They certainly didn’t look like two women about to scale a dangerous island cliff but that was precisely what they intended to do.

Their team knew where they were headed. Lena offered to follow them to the shore and watch for them across the water. Mei and Satya decided against it. They didn’t know how long it would take to reach the summit and it was unnecessary to keep someone waiting for them. If they needed help they would contact the base. Angela packed up a medkit for them, just in case of an accident, and sent them off with plenty of warnings about being safe.

A fisherman down at the harbor offered to take them over to the island in his boat. He didn’t even ask for anything in return. He had nets to check in that area and he was happy to ferry them along. It took some of circling of the small island before he found a good place to dock the boat. There were some craggy rocks to navigate in the water but eventually they found a flat topped rock that the fisherman could pull up to. Satya held Mei’s hand and helped her step atop the rock. It was just big enough for the two of them and when Mei had her footing she helped Satya up as well. They waved the fisherman off with their thanks and both turned to stare at the rising peak. It wasn’t so tall, maybe six or seven stories at its highest. The island itself was about as big around as a soccer pitch or two. Up at the very top a precarious looking building, no bigger than a one room house, sat among the ridged peaks of rock.

It was easy to see which parts of island had been knocked away by the tsunami. Satya could imagine a slope with natural footholds to climb, making it a pleasure hike up to the top building and then back down to the sea. It must have been easy to come and go to the research center. Now it would be a challenge. A challenge she was happy to face. She took in the entire shape of the rising landmass with a critical eye, looking for the best places to ascend.

The very first thing she did was create a footbridge with a wave of her fingers. It connected the flat topped rock they stood on to the base of the island. It was a simple, glowing blue plank. She could have finessed something architecturally beautiful, a miniature version of the Golden Gate or Sydney Harbor bridge. She didn’t bother. It would take a little longer, require more effort, and needed more concentration. Getting to the top was their goal, not creating art.

Satya held Mei’s hand and they walked across together, helping one another to balance. The hard-light tech was sturdy and stable under their feet. If they fell here, it would only mean a dip in the water. Not pleasant, no, but not fatal. It was when they started climbing up high that they would need to be especially careful. At the end of the bridge Satya squinted around, trying to find the next place to step. If they could find a stable rock with a good platform surface, she wouldn’t even need to create a foothold for them. It not, she would improvise.

“This way.” Mei said happily, cherry picking her steps as she found a path among the rocks. +++

Mei didn’t seem particularly athletic. She was a scientist after all. Not to mention she had a thick layer of adorable fat that likely kept her warm in all the frozen places she used to travel to for research. That being said, she held her own. In battle she could keep step with even the fastest member of Overwatch. She never lagged behind or held anyone up. She often used ice walls to elevate herself to dangerous rooftops and she never seemed to have trouble navigating those. Satya knew she wasn’t weak or inept. Seeing her fearlessly lead the way up a mountain side was incredible though. Mei was always surprising her in little ways.

Satya actually enjoyed the work of it herself. It was a fantastic mental exercise. It reminded her of some of the harder training she’d been put through back at Vishkar. None of the simulated tests or civil engineering she’d done under the watchful eyes of her instructors were quite as complicated or complex as this. It was hard, but rewarding. Every time she looked back and saw how high they were climbing, Satya felt even more proud of herself. Blue chunks of hard light dotted the cliff side. Some parts were bluer than others. They often found natural stepping places which made their patchwork path all the more interesting.

The sun was hot overhead but neither of them minded. Their minds were busy elsewhere. Mei’s dark bangs were sticking to her forehead but she didn’t seem to notice. If Satya wasn’t using her hands to create a new bridge or platform to walk on, she was holding onto Mei. They had no illusions about their safety. They took their time, slowly making their way, careful not to miss a step or fall.

They were close to reaching their goal. The building was more near than ever. The terrain actually seemed a little more stable up near the top of the peak. There were still sharp spires of rock that jutted towards the sky but there was also plenty of flat surface at the top of the ridge too. Enough flat surface for a building to be built up here, and enough for Mei and Satya to walk with a little ease.

Even with the ground steady they held on to one another, hand in hand. +++

The little research building was made of wood. It reminded Satya of the squat life guard offices she had seen built on wooden stilts that dotted the shorelines in America. There was no wooden stilt frame here, but the texture of the wood was the same. The outer walls had been battered by wind and rain and maybe even lapped at by especially large waves. The paint had chipped away. This place certainly was abandoned.

Sun bleached tech sat on the flat roof of the structure. Little satellite dishes pointed in different directions, a massive circular Doppler radar, other things Satya couldn't properly recognize. Some of the tech seemed to be holding up better than others.

Mei went for the front door. It was locked, but the wood frame was rotten and moldering. All it took was a good push and the frame splintered open. There were no windows to the structure and so when the door fell open, it showed a single room of darkness.

'It's a little scary,' Mei had said at the table the other night. 'Like a ghost story'. Well, she was right. Either she wasn't afraid of ghosts or she really wanted that data because she entered fearlessly. Satya followed.

Being out of the sun provided an instant coolness. It took a long moment for her eyes to adjust to the dim light of the room. It was musty and stank of rotting wood inside but it bearable. The one room building was surprisingly cramped inside, packed full to the brim with different computers and monitoring equipment. All of it was decades old, it would be a miracle if any of it still worked.

"All this stuff." Mei said sadly. "Just left behind."

She went to a nearby computer and tried to switch it on. It didn't work. Her disappointment was so palpable it made Satya's heart ache.

Satya glanced around in the darkened room. She spotted a generator in a back corner on the bottom rung for a sturdy metal shelving unit. She went over to it and knelt down curiously. It took a moment for her to make sense of the controls but she found out how to turn it on easily enough. As soon as she did the room came to life, computers turning on, screens lighting up, different monitoring equipment whirring.

Mei lit up. "Ah! Satya! Thank you!" Her glasses began to glow with the light of the screen in front of her. She made an excited noise and began clacking away at the keyboard as soon as the computer had finished booting up.

Satya went to stand by her side. She too peered at the screen. The operating system was foreign ancient to her. Mei seemed to be in the same boat. She clicked around somewhat cluelessly. She didn't seem to know what she was doing or what she was looking for.

It was only a lucky guess but Satya pointed to a curious looking icon on the screen. "Try this." She suggested.

Mei clicked on it.

Different windows began to populate, one after the other after the other. They were marked with dates and times in the upper corner. The rest of the information was a mess to Satya. Mei, however, cried out with delight.

"It's here!" She said happily. "It's all here!"

Before she could stop herself she turned to Satya and grabbed her by the cheeks. Mei pulled her in close and planted a kiss right on her mouth. It was full of excitement and gratefulness. A congratulations and a thank you at the same time. Mei didn't even seem to notice what she'd done. She went right back to the computer, clicking through the unearthed data. She babbled on about how long the equipment had gone on recording after the tsunami, how long the generator must have lasted before kicking it, how much information they had.

Satya blinked slow, the words washing over her. She still could taste Mei's lips, rich and delicious like cherries. She couldn't believe that had just happened. Her heart was thudding happily her chest. She wished they were still outside because then she could blame the hot sun for the way her face flushed.

Satya watched as Mei stuck a trusty thumb drive into the port and began copying the information she wanted. She was buzzing with excitement, a glitter of energy in the dark of the room. She was so beautiful when it came to the thing she was most passionate about. +++

The trip down the hillside was a little quicker than going up. They didn't need to carve of create a path out of the rocks, they need only retrace their footsteps. This was a little easier said than done. In the places where there were no hard-light bridges or footholds they had to refind natural stepping places.

Mei was a bundle of energy. She had checked every computer and every device for any information they could find before leaving. They probably spent more time in that stuffy little room than they had climbing to get up there. Satya wasn't complaining, though. It had been nice to retire from the hot sun for a little while.

Their fisherman friend had seen them making their way back down the side of the island peak. He had sailed over to meet them when they finally reached sea level. His little boat was filled with his catch for the day. Satya tried not to be too obvious about holding her nose but the smell wasn't particularly nice. Mei beamed and regaled the fisherman with the heroic story of their ascent. She talked about starting up the computer like it was uncovering a treasure chest. It made the short trip to the harbor bearable to hear her happy speaking voice.

Back at the base she scurried off to find Winston. She had hopes that he could help parse through the raw data she had found. Satya wished her good luck before departing to find a shower.

It was almost three days until she saw Mei again. By then the entire team had heard the fantastic story of their adventure. It probably sounded much more exciting than it actually had been. Mei had a way of talking about these things and becoming utterly captivating with her storytelling. Either that, or Satya was just easily captivated by Mei. It was hard to tell.

Everyone around the base was talking about it. Mei had managed to sweep them up in the whirlwind of her excitement. Everyone was curious about what the uncovered data could mean and how it would help working scientists today. It was all anyone seemed to be thinking about. Everyone except for Satya. She was curious too, no doubt, but there was one part of a Mei's story she had left out; their kiss. Satya couldn't stop thinking about it; those warm hands on her cheek, the taste of cherries, over before it began. She wondered if Mei even remembered doing it.

They ran into each other again in the hallway. Mei was clearly on her way back from Winston's unofficial office, where she had been squirreled away working tirelessly. She didn't look tired though. She was still buzzing with excitement.

"Satya!" Mei stopped in her tracks. "Oh, I'm so glad to see you."

Satya stopped too, standing in front of Mei. She tucked a long strand of her hair behind her ear, not quite sure what to say.

"I, uh-" a slight blush crossed Mei's face. "I wanted to tell you; I don't know what I would have done without your assistance. Not only did you help me reach the research facility but you knew to turn on the generator and where to click for information."

"Oh." Satya considered for a moment. "It was nothing."

"No!" Mei insisted. "It wasn't nothing. You've done so much for me. I don't know how to thank you."

Satya didn't know either. She didn't feel like she needed any thanks. Making Mei happy, seeing her beam with pride and buzz with excitement was enough. She couldn't think of anything more she wanted. Well, except... maybe...

"How about another kiss?" Satya suggested innocently.

Mei looked up at her, the blush on her face burning brighter.

"If you'd like, that is." Satya quickly added.

Mei's words seem to stick in her throat. Instead she nodded her head gently up and down. Excitement blossomed in Satya's chest. She waited a beat before leaning in and gently pressing their lips together. Mei stood up on the tips of her toes to kiss back. Her lips were just as soft as before, and they still tasted sweet like cherries. There was no urgency now. No underlying messages or themes. Just a kiss, simple and sweet and gentle.

When Satya pulled away her heart was beating faster. Mei's eyes fluttered open and she smiled. "I've been thinking of kissing you ever since it last happened." She admitted sheepishly. "Would you allow me to take you to dinner too? As a thank you?"

Satya smiled and shook her head. "No. But you can take me out to dinner as a date."

That was a much better idea.

#overwatch #overwatch femslash #fanfic #symmetra #mei #femfeb #femfeb 2017

11 notes · View notes

charlesccastill · 6 years ago

Text

Top 6 Best Overseas Real Estate Markets for 2019

Paris, France – Live and Invest Overseas, a resource for overseas travel, investment, real estate and retirement, announced the release of its top places to buy real estate in 2019.

“This past year we’ve positioned ourselves for profit from townhouses on the coast of Brazil and long-term care homes in the U.K. From turnkey rentals in Colombia, Portugal and the Dominican Republic, and from an ignored but important Panama City niche pre-construction market to organic agriculture in Panama, a truffle farm in France, and a teak plantation in the Darién,” said Lief Simon, Director of the Overseas Property Alert for Live and Invest Overseas.

“The good news is that some of these top opportunities of 2018 remain available as we turn the corner to 2019. As we look ahead, here are six markets you should have on your radar.”

Brazil

“I’ve made two investments in Brazil—one in agriculture in Fortaleza, which is on track to begin paying out in 2019 and, this year, in a pre-construction coastal townhouse in the same Brazilian state,” said Simon.

Both are yield plays. The projected rental returns for the townhouse are in the range of 18 percent.

The Brazilian real remains historically weak against the U.S. dollar, meaning Brazil remains especially attractive to dollar buyers.

Fortaleza is a particular market of focus because it’s an emerging international tourist destination that is significantly undervalued.

One concern has been access. Historically, to get from the United States to this region of Brazil, you had to fly hours south and catch a connecting flight back north. Brazil is a big country.

Now many new direct flights make the Fortaleza airport much more easily and much less painfully reached from both North America and Europe.

Thanks in part to this improved access, the area is receiving growing numbers of foreign tourists.

“My French chiropractor mentioned during my most recent visit that he just returned from a kitesurfing vacation on this Brazilian coast,” said Simon. “Still, though, in-country tourists make up much of this market, and the townhouse development I’ve reported on – and invested in – this year targets local weekend visitors.”

That coastal community has sold out. However, the developer is looking for more land so he can build more townhouses. The demand is there.

Belize

“This year I added two Belize investments to my portfolio, one in the Cayo District, in the country’s rain forest interior and the second on the Caribbean coast of Ambergris Caye,” said Simon.

In Cayo, a developer with an extensive track record is creating a tiny home neighborhood in his self-sufficient community. These efficient little cottages work both for full-time living and as rental properties.

“Comfortable rentals, either short- or long-term, are not easy to find in Cayo, and I believe these tiny cottages will be in high demand,” Simon continued. “And the cost of entry is appealing, at less than $100,000.

“Using a conservative 50 percent occupancy rate, the yields for this hit my target of five to eight percent net per year before taxes. However, this purchase also plays into my long-term lifestyle plan. Kathleen and I like the idea of being able to spend a couple of weeks in Belize every year, one in our cute little self-sufficient cottage in Cayo and the other in our 5-star beachfront hotel unit on the sandy coast of Ambergris Caye. In fact, the hotel unit we’ve invested in comes with four weeks of personal use, meaning our kids could spend a week or two here each year, as well.”

The hotel unit isn’t a time-share or fractional ownership. It’s full ownership of a unit that will be part of a brand-name property. Net rental return projections for this investment hit double digits once the hotel is fully operating.

Word continues to spread on all this country has to offer, and tourism-related industries are enjoying the growth that reality suggests.

The hotels and restaurants tourism subsector grew by 17.2 percent through the third quarter of 2018, thanks to a 15.3 percent increase in overnight visitors for the period. As the number of direct flights to Belize increased, the number of visitors from the United States rose by 16.2 percent, while tourist numbers from Europe were up 22.7 percent and the number of Canadian visitors increased by 56.7 percent.

Cruise traffic, likewise, expanded substantially. The number of cruise visitors to the country through the third quarter of this year increased 55.5 percent.

Panama

“I’ve been bullish on Panama for property investment for almost 20 years. This country’s real estate markets have seen ups and downs over that time, of course, but mostly ups,” said Simon.

The 2008/2009 global real estate crash had a much less dramatic effect in Panama than in other countries in the region for two reasons. First, Panama enjoys a broader demand base. Second, there’s little leverage in play.

Prices in Panama City today are multiples of prices a decade-and-a-half ago. However, comparing apples to apples on a global scale, they remain a good buy on a per-square-meter basis and continue to generate a strong and reliable rental return.

That said, this is a dramatically different market from 15 years ago. Back then, you could have bought almost anything and realized a profit. In today’s boomtown Panama City, hustlers abound. You need to know where to look and what specifically to buy.

Portugal

“I made my first investment in Portugal in the summer of 2015. Looking back now, I can call this as the market bottom in the wake of the 2008 global property crisis,” said Simon. “You can still find properties on the books of banks and financial institutions in this country, but those kinds of deals are mostly history.”

Property prices in the hot spots of Lisbon now resemble prices for comparable properties in Barcelona and Rome. You can still find good deals in areas that haven’t yet been fully re-gentrified, but the best deals today are renovation projects.

This is increasingly true across the Algarve, as well, where renovation projects are the best buys. A property ready for rental today likely comes with a price tag that translates to a net rental yield of maybe five percent or maybe not even. While prices have risen, rental rates have not kept pace, meaning yields have fallen from the eight percent to 10 percent net you could have expected two or three years ago if you bought right.

The Portugal market requires more work today than it did a few years ago, but it’s worth it. The numbers of both tourists and foreign retirees choosing to spend time in this country is rising and will continue to do so. Some Portuguese aren’t happy, as the phenomenon is pricing the locals out of some markets. However, overall, this is a stable country with a strong economy.

Portugal’s coast isn’t nearly as overbuilt as the coast of Spain and won’t be, thanks to serious restrictions on oceanfront development. No new construction is allowed within 500 meters of the coast.

“A friend owns a house within that zone and couldn’t even add a pool house for her already existing pool. Construction up to two kilometers from the coast comes with height restrictions, meaning no towns like Benidorm, Spain, with high-rises at or even near the beach,” said Simon.

This means that existing beach properties will continually become more valuable.

Note that it’s possible to get a local mortgage as a nonresident for the purchase of property in this country.

Montenegro

“I’ve been watching the real estate market in Montenegro develop since 2005, when I made an investment in Croatia. I made the trip across the border south of Dubrovnik to Kotor more for vacation than property scouting, but, as happens for me often, once there, I was inspired to look at property for sale,” said Simon.

Kotor is a fairy-tale medieval town on a sparkling bay. Seeing its historic stone structures, one can’t help but wonder what they cost to own. Our research found that prices were lower than in Croatia, but the market was moving more quickly.

“Values in Kotor moved up fast and then took a big hit following the global real estate collapse of 2008. Two years later, Kathleen and I moved from Europe to Panama, and charming Kotor fell off my radar,” said Simon. “Now that Montenegro is on a path for EU membership and gaining growing stature on the world stage, Kotor is back in my sights. When I was paying attention back in 2005, the market was driven mostly by Russian and Serbian tourists. Today, Westerners are increasingly on the scene.”

The difficulty is that Montenegro is a small country and Kotor is a tiny city. Not a lot of inventory.

Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico isn’t technically offshore for an American (as it’s an unincorporated U.S. territory), but it’s on our list for 2019 thanks to the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

The tax incentives were created to spur investment in U.S. Opportunity Zones in general and apply beyond Puerto Rico. However, in the case of Puerto Rico, the entire island is an Opportunity Zone, meaning you can invest anywhere and qualify for the tax deferrals created by the new tax law.

However, you can’t buy just any property and benefit. You must make an investment in new construction or a renovation, meaning this isn’t an easy or a straightforward opportunity for an individual investor.

Tax incentives aside, Puerto Rico is a good rentals market. Tourism has already begun to rebound, while other industries are still recovering. And, if your investment qualifies under the Opportunity Zone law, your returns benefit from the tax deferrals now available.

Based in Paris, France and Panama City, Panama, LIOS is the leading resource for people who want to live, retire and invest overseas. More info available at www.liveandinvestoverseas.com.

from boston condos ford realtor http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BostonRealEstateCondos/~3/o56XcD3vvqs/

#boston #condos #boston condos #boston luxury condo #boston condominium #boston rentals #boston condo

0 notes

jamieclawhorn · 7 years ago

Text

Top shares for April

We asked our writers to share their top stock picks for the month of April, and this is what they had to say:

Rupert Hargreaves: Evraz

After falling to a low of 60p at the beginning of 2016, shares in steel producer Evraz (LSE: EVR) have since risen by more than 600% excluding dividends. And even after this growth, I believe the shares still look undervalued.

Indeed, City analysts are expecting the company’s earnings per share to jump 31% to $0.84 (60p) in 2018 and on this basis, the stock is currently trading at a forward P/E of 7.8 compared to the broader market’s multiple of 14. Additionally, the steel producer is expected to pay out $0.43 (30p) per share in dividends for 2018, giving a dividend yield of 7%. In other words, if you are looking for a dirt cheap dividend growth stock, Evraz should be on your radar.

Rupert does not own shares in Evraz.

Royston Wild: ASOS

With half-year results just around the corner I reckon now could be a great time to pile into ASOS (LSE: ASC).

The online fashion retailer impressed investors back in January with news of a 30% retail sales improvement during September-December, which rose to £790.4m, as it continued to thrive amidst difficult conditions in its core UK marketplace, and revenues kept tearing higher in its overseas markets. And a similarly robust update on April 11 could well send its share price to fresh peaks.

City analysts are forecasting earnings growth of 26% and 24% in the years to August 2018 and 2019 respectively. It may be expensive, but I reckon ASOS’s stellar growth prospects make it worthy of a forward P/E ratio of 73.2 times.

Royston Wild does not own shares in ASOS.

Kevin Godbold: GlaxoSmithKline

Over the last year or so, investor sentiment has turned ugly towards those once-cherished firms we like to classify as ‘defensives’. Okay, they did get a bit pricey when interest rates were on the floor and economic uncertainty was the air we all breathed, but the correction has been brutal and valuations are looking fair at long last.

I think it’s dangerous to pick a firm based on valuation alone because share prices can overshoot on the downside. What’s needed is a combination of a basing formation on the chart, a reasonable valuation and decent forward prospects, so I pick pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline (LSE: GSK) to hold during April and beyond.

Kevin Godbold does not own shares in GlaxoSmithKline.

Ian Pierce: Greencore

My top pick this month is food-to-go manufacturer Greencore (LSE: GNC), which is now trading at under 9 times expected full year earnings and offers a 4.1% dividend yield. The company’s stock is so cheap because management disclosed last month that they expect 2018 earnings to be around 8% lower than last year.

But this isn’t the end of the world as the issues surround its tiny legacy US footprint. Management is taking the right steps to solve the underutilisation at these facilities and, with continued high-single digit growth in the UK and the addition of its newly acquired, larger US business that is trading well, I believe the future is bright for Greencore.

Ian Pierce owns shares of Greencore.

Edward Sheldon: Schroders (non-voting shares)

After a 15% share price correction in the last two months, I quite like the look of Schroders’ non-voting shares (LSE: SDRC) at present.

In March, the FTSE 100 investment manager reported a solid set of results, with profit before tax rising 23%. The company hiked its dividend by an impressive 23% to 113p per share – a signal of confidence from management.

Schroders has an excellent dividend-growth track record, and with the non-voting shares offering a yield of a mighty 5% at present with the payout being covered twice by earnings, I believe the shares represent a good pick for income investors right now.

Edward Sheldon has no position in Schroders.

Paul Summers: Superdry

Ongoing weakness in the share price of clothing retailer Superdry (LSE: SDRY) has presented a buying opportunity, in my opinion.

Despite registering solid sales growth in its ecommerce and wholesale channels last Christmas, a lack of earnings upgrades combined with weak sentiment towards retailers since the start of 2018 has sent the stock on a downward trajectory.

Nevertheless, with expectations lowered and shares trading on a more palatable valuation, I think Superdry warrants attention. Expect a bounce if May’s trading update allays investor concerns over the departure of co-founder Julian Dunkerton.

Paul Summers has no position in Superdry

Roland Head: Rio Tinto

Mining giant Rio Tinto (LSE: RIO) completed its planned exit from the coal industry in March, selling three Australian assets for a total of $4.15bn.

The group says that the move will allow it to focus on assets which can deliver “the highest returns”. Last year’s operating margin of 35% suggests this focus is already achieving results.

With net debt now down to $3.8bn, I expect some of the cash from coal sales to be returned to shareholders later this year. In the meantime, Rio stock trades on 11 times forecast earnings with a yield of more than 5%. I remain a buyer.

Roland Head owns shares of Rio Tinto.

Peter Stephens: ABF

While Associated British Foods (LSE: ABF) is a relatively diverse business which spans sectors such as ingredients, groceries and sugar, its key growth driver could prove to be retailing. Its Primark brand continues to grow in size and popularity. Since the real disposable income of UK shoppers is in decline, a growing number of shoppers may become increasingly price-conscious. This could lead to rising popularity for Primark’s value offering.

With ABF forecast to grow its earnings by 6% this year and 10% next year, the prospects for the business seem bright. Its diversity may also mean that its risk/reward ratio becomes even more favourable.

Peter Stephens has no position in ABF

Alan Oscroft: Next

The retail sector might not be at the top of many people’s stock-picking lists right now, but I reckon that makes it a great time to consider buying Next (LSE: NXT), which reported in March. Despite tough high-street conditions, Next beat expectations, seeing total revenue fall by only 0.5% and recording a modest 5.6% EPS drop.

If it’s cash cows you’re looking for, Next fits the bill, having returned £586m to shareholders during the year. That’s through a combination of share buybacks and dividends, with a special payment taking the latter to a yield of almost 7%. We should be in for a flat couple of years, but a P/E of 12 makes Next a buy for me.

Alan Oscroft has no position in Next.

Capital Gains

In the meantime, one of our top investing analysts has put together a free report called "A Top Growth Share From The Motley Fool", featuring a mid-cap firm enjoying strong growth that looks set to continue. To find out its name and why we like it for free and without any obligations, click here now!

More reading

Why I just bought shares of plummeting Greencore Group plc

This FTSE 100 firm isn’t the only dividend stock I’d buy today and hold forever

Why I’d buy 6% yielder GlaxoSmithKline plc for my ISA after this news

2 FTSE 100 dividend stocks I’d buy for my ISA

Should you snap up shares in fallers Micro Focus and Greencore Group plc?

The Motley Fool UK owns shares of and has recommended ASOS, GlaxoSmithKline, and Greencore. The Motley Fool UK has recommended Associated British Foods, Schroders (Non-Voting), and Superdry. Views expressed on the companies mentioned in this article are those of the writer and therefore may differ from the official recommendations we make in our subscription services such as Share Advisor, Hidden Winners and Pro. Here at The Motley Fool we believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.

0 notes

charlesccastill · 6 years ago

Text

Top 6 Best Overseas Real Estate Markets for 2019

Paris, France – Live and Invest Overseas, a resource for overseas travel, investment, real estate and retirement, announced the release of its top places to buy real estate in 2019.

“The good news is that some of these top opportunities of 2018 remain available as we turn the corner to 2019. As we look ahead, here are six markets you should have on your radar.”

Brazil

Both are yield plays. The projected rental returns for the townhouse are in the range of 18 percent.

The Brazilian real remains historically weak against the U.S. dollar, meaning Brazil remains especially attractive to dollar buyers.

Fortaleza is a particular market of focus because it’s an emerging international tourist destination that is significantly undervalued.

One concern has been access. Historically, to get from the United States to this region of Brazil, you had to fly hours south and catch a connecting flight back north. Brazil is a big country.

Now many new direct flights make the Fortaleza airport much more easily and much less painfully reached from both North America and Europe.

Thanks in part to this improved access, the area is receiving growing numbers of foreign tourists.

That coastal community has sold out. However, the developer is looking for more land so he can build more townhouses. The demand is there.

Belize

“This year I added two Belize investments to my portfolio, one in the Cayo District, in the country’s rain forest interior and the second on the Caribbean coast of Ambergris Caye,” said Simon.

Word continues to spread on all this country has to offer, and tourism-related industries are enjoying the growth that reality suggests.

Cruise traffic, likewise, expanded substantially. The number of cruise visitors to the country through the third quarter of this year increased 55.5 percent.

Panama

“I’ve been bullish on Panama for property investment for almost 20 years. This country’s real estate markets have seen ups and downs over that time, of course, but mostly ups,” said Simon.

Portugal

This means that existing beach properties will continually become more valuable.

Note that it’s possible to get a local mortgage as a nonresident for the purchase of property in this country.

Montenegro

The difficulty is that Montenegro is a small country and Kotor is a tiny city. Not a lot of inventory.

Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico isn’t technically offshore for an American (as it’s an unincorporated U.S. territory), but it’s on our list for 2019 thanks to the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

Based in Paris, France and Panama City, Panama, LIOS is the leading resource for people who want to live, retire and invest overseas. More info available at www.liveandinvestoverseas.com.

from boston condos ford realtor http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BostonRealEstateCondos/~3/o56XcD3vvqs/

#boston #condos #boston condos #boston luxury condo #boston condominium #boston rentals #boston condo

0 notes

charlesccastill · 6 years ago

Text

Top 6 Best Overseas Real Estate Markets for 2019

Paris, France – Live and Invest Overseas, a resource for overseas travel, investment, real estate and retirement, announced the release of its top places to buy real estate in 2019.

“The good news is that some of these top opportunities of 2018 remain available as we turn the corner to 2019. As we look ahead, here are six markets you should have on your radar.”

Brazil

Both are yield plays. The projected rental returns for the townhouse are in the range of 18 percent.

The Brazilian real remains historically weak against the U.S. dollar, meaning Brazil remains especially attractive to dollar buyers.

Fortaleza is a particular market of focus because it’s an emerging international tourist destination that is significantly undervalued.

One concern has been access. Historically, to get from the United States to this region of Brazil, you had to fly hours south and catch a connecting flight back north. Brazil is a big country.

Now many new direct flights make the Fortaleza airport much more easily and much less painfully reached from both North America and Europe.

Thanks in part to this improved access, the area is receiving growing numbers of foreign tourists.

That coastal community has sold out. However, the developer is looking for more land so he can build more townhouses. The demand is there.

Belize

“This year I added two Belize investments to my portfolio, one in the Cayo District, in the country’s rain forest interior and the second on the Caribbean coast of Ambergris Caye,” said Simon.

Word continues to spread on all this country has to offer, and tourism-related industries are enjoying the growth that reality suggests.

Cruise traffic, likewise, expanded substantially. The number of cruise visitors to the country through the third quarter of this year increased 55.5 percent.

Panama

“I’ve been bullish on Panama for property investment for almost 20 years. This country’s real estate markets have seen ups and downs over that time, of course, but mostly ups,” said Simon.

Portugal

This means that existing beach properties will continually become more valuable.

Note that it’s possible to get a local mortgage as a nonresident for the purchase of property in this country.

Montenegro

The difficulty is that Montenegro is a small country and Kotor is a tiny city. Not a lot of inventory.

Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico isn’t technically offshore for an American (as it’s an unincorporated U.S. territory), but it’s on our list for 2019 thanks to the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

Based in Paris, France and Panama City, Panama, LIOS is the leading resource for people who want to live, retire and invest overseas. More info available at www.liveandinvestoverseas.com.

from boston condos ford realtor https://bostonrealestatetimes.com/top-6-best-overseas-real-estate-markets-for-2019/

#boston #condos #boston condos #boston luxury condo #boston condominium #boston rentals #boston condo

0 notes

charlesccastill · 6 years ago

Text

Top 6 Best Overseas Real Estate Markets for 2019

Paris, France – Live and Invest Overseas, a resource for overseas travel, investment, real estate and retirement, announced the release of its top places to buy real estate in 2019.

“The good news is that some of these top opportunities of 2018 remain available as we turn the corner to 2019. As we look ahead, here are six markets you should have on your radar.”

Brazil

Both are yield plays. The projected rental returns for the townhouse are in the range of 18 percent.

The Brazilian real remains historically weak against the U.S. dollar, meaning Brazil remains especially attractive to dollar buyers.

Fortaleza is a particular market of focus because it’s an emerging international tourist destination that is significantly undervalued.

One concern has been access. Historically, to get from the United States to this region of Brazil, you had to fly hours south and catch a connecting flight back north. Brazil is a big country.

Now many new direct flights make the Fortaleza airport much more easily and much less painfully reached from both North America and Europe.

Thanks in part to this improved access, the area is receiving growing numbers of foreign tourists.

That coastal community has sold out. However, the developer is looking for more land so he can build more townhouses. The demand is there.

Belize

“This year I added two Belize investments to my portfolio, one in the Cayo District, in the country’s rain forest interior and the second on the Caribbean coast of Ambergris Caye,” said Simon.

Word continues to spread on all this country has to offer, and tourism-related industries are enjoying the growth that reality suggests.

Cruise traffic, likewise, expanded substantially. The number of cruise visitors to the country through the third quarter of this year increased 55.5 percent.

Panama

“I’ve been bullish on Panama for property investment for almost 20 years. This country’s real estate markets have seen ups and downs over that time, of course, but mostly ups,” said Simon.

Portugal

This means that existing beach properties will continually become more valuable.

Note that it’s possible to get a local mortgage as a nonresident for the purchase of property in this country.

Montenegro

The difficulty is that Montenegro is a small country and Kotor is a tiny city. Not a lot of inventory.

Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico isn’t technically offshore for an American (as it’s an unincorporated U.S. territory), but it’s on our list for 2019 thanks to the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

Based in Paris, France and Panama City, Panama, LIOS is the leading resource for people who want to live, retire and invest overseas. More info available at www.liveandinvestoverseas.com.

from boston condos ford realtor https://bostonrealestatetimes.com/top-6-best-overseas-real-estate-markets-for-2019/

#boston #condos #boston condos #boston luxury condo #boston condominium #boston rentals #boston condo

0 notes