<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss version="2.0"><channel><title>Sterling Almanac - plain-English shares &amp; funds</title><link>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/</link><description>Plain-English, education-only explainers of UK and US shares and funds - ranges not ratings, and nothing to sell you.</description><language>en-gb</language><item><title>abrdn (ABDN.L) explained</title><link>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/ABDN.L</link><guid>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/ABDN.L</guid><description>The vowel-dropping UK money manager whose shares trade below the accounting value of what it owns, carrying the fattest dividend of the bunch.</description></item><item><title>Aflac (AFL) explained</title><link>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/AFL</link><guid>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/AFL</guid><description>The top-up health and life insurer that earns big in both the US and Japan.</description></item><item><title>Assurant (AIZ) explained</title><link>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/AIZ</link><guid>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/AIZ</guid><description>The behind-the-scenes insurer covering your cracked phone screen and homes whose owners let their cover lapse.</description></item><item><title>Allstate (ALL) explained</title><link>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/ALL</link><guid>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/ALL</guid><description>One of America's big car-and-home insurers, covering everyday drivers and homeowners.</description></item><item><title>Bank of Georgia Group (BGEO.L) explained</title><link>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/BGEO.L</link><guid>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/BGEO.L</guid><description>Georgia's dominant high-street and business bank, priced at a steep discount to its book value even though it's unusually profitable.</description></item><item><title>CF Industries (CF) explained</title><link>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/CF</link><guid>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/CF</guid><description>Turns natural gas into the nitrogen fertiliser that helps farmers grow bigger crops.</description></item><item><title>Endeavour Mining (EDV.L) explained</title><link>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/EDV.L</link><guid>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/EDV.L</guid><description>A West Africa-focused gold miner riding very high margins and fast revenue growth on the back of an elevated gold price.</description></item><item><title>EOG Resources (EOG) explained</title><link>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/EOG</link><guid>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/EOG</guid><description>A big US shale driller with a reputation for spending carefully and sending steady cash back to shareholders.</description></item><item><title>Expand Energy (EXE) explained</title><link>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/EXE</link><guid>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/EXE</guid><description>America's biggest natural-gas producer, born from the merger of Chesapeake and Southwestern Energy.</description></item><item><title>Fresnillo (FRES.L) explained</title><link>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/FRES.L</link><guid>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/FRES.L</guid><description>The world's biggest primary silver miner, with a serious gold side-hustle in Mexico, currently posting some of the fattest margins and growth on this list.</description></item><item><title>IG Group (IGG.L) explained</title><link>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/IGG.L</link><guid>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/IGG.L</guid><description>The UK online platform where people trade CFDs, spread bets and other leveraged products - and it keeps the fattest profit margin of the six.</description></item><item><title>Lloyds Banking Group (LLOY.L) explained</title><link>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/LLOY.L</link><guid>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/LLOY.L</guid><description>Britain's biggest purely domestic retail bank - a giant mortgage machine whose fortunes rise and fall with UK house prices and Bank of England rates.</description></item><item><title>M&amp;G (MNG.L) explained</title><link>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/MNG.L</link><guid>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/MNG.L</guid><description>A UK savings, fund-management and life-insurance group carrying one of the fattest dividend yields on this list.</description></item><item><title>Altria Group (MO) explained</title><link>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/MO</link><guid>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/MO</guid><description>The US tobacco heavyweight behind Marlboro, now leaning into smoke-free nicotine as smoking fades.</description></item><item><title>Micron Technology (MU) explained</title><link>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/MU</link><guid>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/MU</guid><description>Makes the memory (DRAM) and storage (NAND) chips tucked inside your laptop, phone and the servers running everything.</description></item><item><title>Newmont (NEM) explained</title><link>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/NEM</link><guid>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/NEM</guid><description>The world's biggest gold miner - with a bit of copper and silver dug up along the way.</description></item><item><title>NVIDIA (NVDA) explained</title><link>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/NVDA</link><guid>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/NVDA</guid><description>The undisputed king of the AI chips data centres need to train and run their models.</description></item><item><title>Prudential (PRU.L) explained</title><link>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/PRU.L</link><guid>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/PRU.L</guid><description>A life and health insurer built for Asia and Africa - and no relation to the US firm with almost the same name.</description></item><item><title>Pershing Square Holdings (PSH.L) explained</title><link>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/PSH.L</link><guid>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/PSH.L</guid><description>Bill Ackman's London-listed fund holding a tight, concentrated bunch of big US companies - a portfolio wrapped in a share, not an actual business.</description></item><item><title>Schroders (SDR.L) explained</title><link>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/SDR.L</link><guid>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/SDR.L</guid><description>One of the UK's oldest and biggest fund managers, fighting industry-wide fee pressure with a growing wealth-management arm.</description></item><item><title>Standard Chartered (STAN.L) explained</title><link>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/STAN.L</link><guid>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/STAN.L</guid><description>A UK-listed bank that does almost none of its business in the UK - its map runs through Asia, Africa and the Middle East.</description></item><item><title>Travelers (TRV) explained</title><link>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/TRV</link><guid>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/TRV</guid><description>A big US business-and-home insurer, and one of the Dow's long-standing members.</description></item><item><title>United Utilities (UU.L) explained</title><link>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/UU.L</link><guid>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/UU.L</guid><description>The regulated water and wastewater company for North West England - a monopoly that runs on a regulator's rulebook, not open competition.</description></item><item><title>Western Digital (WDC) explained</title><link>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/WDC</link><guid>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/WDC</guid><description>The hard-drive maker keeping the world's cloud data centres stocked with storage - now that it's spun off its flash-memory arm.</description></item><item><title>3i Infrastructure plc (3IN.L) explained</title><link>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/3IN.L</link><guid>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/3IN.L</guid><description>3i Infrastructure is a company that invests in essential public services like power grids, water networks, and data centres to generate steady returns.</description></item><item><title>Agilent Technologies, Inc. (A) explained</title><link>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/A</link><guid>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/A</guid><description>Agilent Technologies provides the high-tech laboratory instruments and software that scientists use to test everything from food safety to new medicines.</description></item><item><title>Airtel Africa (AAF.L) explained</title><link>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/AAF.L</link><guid>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/AAF.L</guid><description>Airtel Africa provides mobile phone, internet, and digital money services to millions of customers across 14 countries on the African continent.</description></item><item><title>Anglo American plc (AAL.L) explained</title><link>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/AAL.L</link><guid>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/AAL.L</guid><description>Anglo American is a global mining giant that digs up everything from copper and iron ore to diamonds to supply the world's industrial needs.</description></item><item><title>Apple Inc. (AAPL) explained</title><link>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/AAPL</link><guid>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/AAPL</guid><description>Apple is a global technology giant best known for designing the iPhone, Mac, and iPad, alongside a growing suite of digital services and software.</description></item><item><title>AbbVie Inc. (ABBV) explained</title><link>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/ABBV</link><guid>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/ABBV</guid><description>AbbVie is a global pharmaceutical giant that develops and sells medicines for complex conditions like immunology, oncology, and neuroscience.</description></item><item><title>Associated British Foods plc (ABF.L) explained</title><link>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/ABF.L</link><guid>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/ABF.L</guid><description>Associated British Foods is a diverse British giant that owns the high-street fashion retailer Primark alongside a massive food and sugar business.</description></item><item><title>Airbnb, Inc. (ABNB) explained</title><link>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/ABNB</link><guid>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/ABNB</guid><description>Airbnb is a global online marketplace that connects people looking to rent out their spare rooms or homes with travellers seeking unique places to stay.</description></item><item><title>Abbott Laboratories (ABT) explained</title><link>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/ABT</link><guid>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/ABT</guid><description>Abbott Laboratories is a global healthcare giant that makes everything from medical devices and diagnostic tests to baby formula and nutritional drinks.</description></item><item><title>Arch Capital Group Ltd. (ACGL) explained</title><link>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/ACGL</link><guid>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/ACGL</guid><description>Arch Capital is a global insurance and reinsurance powerhouse that helps businesses and individuals manage their financial risks.</description></item><item><title>Archer Aviation Inc. (ACHR) explained</title><link>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/ACHR</link><guid>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/ACHR</guid><description>Archer Aviation is a pioneer in the world of electric air taxis, aiming to build aircraft that take off and land vertically to bypass city traffic.</description></item><item><title>Accenture plc (ACN) explained</title><link>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/ACN</link><guid>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/ACN</guid><description>Accenture is a global professional services giant that helps businesses modernise their technology, operations, and digital strategies.</description></item><item><title>Adobe Inc. (ADBE) explained</title><link>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/ADBE</link><guid>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/ADBE</guid><description>Adobe is the creative powerhouse behind industry-standard software like Photoshop and Acrobat that helps people design, edit, and manage digital documents.</description></item><item><title>Analog Devices, Inc. (ADI) explained</title><link>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/ADI</link><guid>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/ADI</guid><description>Analog Devices creates the clever chips that bridge the gap between the physical world and digital technology, helping machines sense, measure, and connect.</description></item><item><title>Archer-Daniels-Midland Company (ADM) explained</title><link>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/ADM</link><guid>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/ADM</guid><description>Archer-Daniels-Midland is a global giant that turns crops like corn, oilseeds, and wheat into food, animal feed, and industrial ingredients.</description></item><item><title>Admiral Group plc (ADM.L) explained</title><link>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/ADM.L</link><guid>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/ADM.L</guid><description>Admiral is a major UK insurance group best known for its car insurance, though it also offers home, travel, and pet cover.</description></item><item><title>Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (ADP) explained</title><link>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/ADP</link><guid>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/ADP</guid><description>ADP is the engine room behind the scenes for millions of businesses, handling the complex tasks of paying staff and managing human resources.</description></item><item><title>Autodesk, Inc. (ADSK) explained</title><link>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/ADSK</link><guid>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/ADSK</guid><description>Autodesk creates the essential design and engineering software used by architects, builders, and manufacturers to build everything from skyscrapers to cars.</description></item><item><title>Ameren Corporation (AEE) explained</title><link>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/AEE</link><guid>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/AEE</guid><description>Ameren is a regulated utility company that keeps the lights on and the heating running for millions of homes and businesses across Missouri and Illinois.</description></item><item><title>American Electric Power Company, Inc. (AEP) explained</title><link>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/AEP</link><guid>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/AEP</guid><description>American Electric Power is a massive US utility company that keeps the lights on for millions of homes and businesses across eleven states.</description></item><item><title>The AES Corporation (AES) explained</title><link>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/AES</link><guid>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/AES</guid><description>The AES Corporation is a global power company that generates and distributes electricity, increasingly shifting its focus toward renewable energy sources.</description></item><item><title>Affirm Holdings, Inc. (AFRM) explained</title><link>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/AFRM</link><guid>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/AFRM</guid><description>Affirm lets shoppers split online purchases into bite-sized chunks, making money from merchant fees and interest.</description></item><item><title>C3.ai, Inc. (AI) explained</title><link>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/AI</link><guid>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/AI</guid><description>C3.ai is a software company that builds ready-to-use artificial intelligence tools for large businesses to help them manage data and predict future trends.</description></item><item><title>American International Group, Inc. (AIG) explained</title><link>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/AIG</link><guid>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/AIG</guid><description>AIG is a global insurance giant that helps individuals and businesses protect themselves against unexpected financial losses.</description></item><item><title>AJ Bell plc (AJB.L) explained</title><link>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/AJB.L</link><guid>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/AJB.L</guid><description>A digital heavyweight managing billions in UK savings through online investment platforms and ready-made portfolios.</description></item><item><title>Arthur J. Gallagher &amp; Co. (AJG) explained</title><link>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/AJG</link><guid>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/AJG</guid><description>Arthur J. Gallagher &amp; Co. is a global insurance brokerage and risk management firm that helps businesses and individuals protect themselves against uncertainty.</description></item><item><title>Akamai Technologies, Inc. (AKAM) explained</title><link>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/AKAM</link><guid>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/AKAM</guid><description>Akamai acts as the internet's invisible backbone, speeding up websites and protecting them from cyberattacks through a massive global network of servers.</description></item><item><title>Astera Labs, Inc. (ALAB) explained</title><link>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/ALAB</link><guid>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/ALAB</guid><description>Astera Labs creates the high-speed connectivity chips that act as the essential plumbing for modern artificial intelligence data centres.</description></item><item><title>Albemarle Corporation (ALB) explained</title><link>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/ALB</link><guid>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/ALB</guid><description>Albemarle is a global chemical giant that mines and processes the lithium essential for powering the world's electric vehicle batteries.</description></item><item><title>Align Technology, Inc. (ALGN) explained</title><link>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/ALGN</link><guid>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/ALGN</guid><description>Align Technology turns up whenever someone opts for clear plastic braces instead of traditional metal wire tracks.</description></item><item><title>Allegion plc (ALLE) explained</title><link>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/ALLE</link><guid>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/ALLE</guid><description>Allegion is a global security company that makes the locks, door closers, and electronic access systems that keep homes and businesses safe.</description></item><item><title>Alliance Witan Ord (ALW.L) explained</title><link>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/ALW.L</link><guid>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/ALW.L</guid><description>Alliance Witan is a large investment trust that pools money from shareholders to invest in a wide range of global companies on their behalf.</description></item><item><title>Applied Materials, Inc. (AMAT) explained</title><link>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/AMAT</link><guid>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/AMAT</guid><description>Applied Materials is the essential engine room of the tech world, building the complex machines that chipmakers use to manufacture the world's semiconductors.</description></item><item><title>AMC Entertainment Holdings, Inc. (AMC) explained</title><link>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/AMC</link><guid>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/AMC</guid><description>AMC is the world's largest cinema chain, turning popcorn and big-screen blockbusters into a night out for millions of moviegoers.</description></item><item><title>Amcor plc (AMCR) explained</title><link>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/AMCR</link><guid>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/AMCR</guid><description>Amcor is a global packaging giant that makes the bottles, cartons, and wrappers for many of the everyday household brands you find in your kitchen cupboard.</description></item><item><title>Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (AMD) explained</title><link>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/AMD</link><guid>https://sterlingalmanac.co.uk/stock/AMD</guid><description>AMD designs the high-performance computer chips that power everything from your home gaming console to the massive data centres running artificial intelligence.</description></item></channel></rss>