Investment Update - Inflation and Omicron set the scene for investors
Posted by siteadmin on Monday 10th of January 2022
Markets signed off the year amid high inflation rates and renewed concerns over the coronavirus.
The Omicron variant of the coronavirus unsettled markets at the beginning of December, with investors unsure about how renewed restrictions on socialising and travel will affect the global economy. The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) urged national leaders to accelerate the vaccination rollout in order to slow the spread of the virus and reduce the impact of new strains.
Stock markets in the US and Europe had rec...
Things to avoid when investing
Posted by siteadmin on Monday 6th of December 2021
To keep your investments from losing value or slowing the growth of your as- sets, avoid these common investing mistakes.
There are more risks and opportunities than ever for investors to navigate in today’s rapidly evolving markets. Here are four approaches we believe every investor should follow.
Don’t pile into cash – stay invested
The biggest advantage of cash is that it offers relative safety. Cash can help diversify a portfolio during times of volatility and is easy to access in an emergency. With cash you’ll be paid interest on t...
Energy shortages and supply disruptions continue
Posted by siteadmin on Monday 8th of November 2021
Financial markets were unsettled in October for a number of reasons. They include soaring energy prices due to the global shortage of natural gas supplies and high demand in Asia. Markets became calmer after Russian President Vladimir Putin indicated that his country could supply additional gas to Europe. The increase in energy prices and shipping costs prompted the The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to raise its inflation forecast for the G20.
The natural gas shortage pushed up oil prices, with Brent crude ...
The not-quite post-pandemic Budget
Posted by siteadmin on Monday 1st of November 2021
The central theme of Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s Autumn Budget was greater investment in UK PLC as part of the government’s long term economic plans and priorities. This included £11.5 billion investment in 180,000 new affordable homes, and a Levelling Up Fund that will mean £1.7 billion invested in local areas across the UK.
While some of the announcements may have seemed rather long term, Mr Sunak did provide some more immediate relief for households and businesses still fragile from the effects of the pandemic.
The previously announced fre...
Autumn 2021 Budget: what’s coming up?
Posted by siteadmin on Tuesday 26th of October 2021
The communication teams at the Treasury have been busy in the run up to the Autumn Budget on Wednesday. After a weekend that, according to The Times, contained no less than 11 announcements covering £26 billion of expenditure, you might think that there is not much left for Mr Sunak to talk about when he addresses Parliament on 27 October.
We now know to expect extra spending on Manchester trams, the NHS, post-16 education, incentives for UK investment by overseas companies and even new cutters for Border Force…can there be anything left fo...
How to make ISA's work for you.
Posted by siteadmin on Wednesday 29th of September 2021
Make the most of your tax allowances by using the different types of ISAs that are available.
Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) were first introduced in 1999 and are a tax-free way to save into a cash savings or investment account. There lots of different types of ISA available, but the right one for you will depend on your financial goals. We explain how they work so you can choose the one that is best for you.
Cash ISA
A cash ISA works in the same way as traditional savings account but you won’t have to pay tax on any of the interest y...
Can your pension sustain your retirement?
Posted by siteadmin on Wednesday 29th of September 2021
Working out how long your pension pot will need to last – as life expectancy rises – is worth thinking about sooner than later.
The lockdown caused many people to reassess their lifestyles, which for some meant choosing early retirement. But what retirees have found is that pension pots are not matching the period of time needed to enjoy a comfortable life.
Life expectancy is going up. The Office for National Statistics offers an online calculator which gives an estimate of life expectancy – and with it an idea of how many years people w...
Get the best out of your BTL mortgage
Posted by siteadmin on Wednesday 29th of September 2021
Many fixed mortgage deals will be approaching the end of their term this October, so it’s a good idea to review your buy-to-let mortgage.
With interest rates still at low levels and demand for rental properties increasing around the country, investing in a buy-to-let (BTL) is a popular choice for many.
Buy to let basics
A BTL mortgage is a specific type of product for those who want to buy a property with the intention of renting it. Because of this, there are different terms and rules around a BTL mortgage (compared to a regular mortgage...
Be wary of the cypto-craze
Posted by siteadmin on Wednesday 29th of September 2021
You might be thinking about whether to invest in crypto currencies. We explain why it may not be the right choice, and how to better approach your portfolio.
This year has been eventful for bitcoin, with the cryptocurrency reaching a record high and then almost halving in value all in the space of six weeks. The walk-back in May from Tesla’s Elon Musk in his support of bitcoin underlined concerns around the idea of cryptocurrencies as a stable investment. Musk – previously an outspoken supporter – announced his company would not be accept...
Investment Update - Markets reflect uncertainty over Delta variant
Posted by siteadmin on Wednesday 1st of September 2021
The pandemic continued to unsettle global financial markets during August.
August turned into a month of highs and lows for markets, especially in Europe. There was positive news that the euro area’s economy grew by 2% in the second quarter, which was then countered by a heavy fall in share prices, with the FTSE 100 in London, Frankfurt’s Dax and the Europe Stoxx 600 all dropping more than 2%.1 Causes for concern in Europe centred on fears of a new wave of Covid-19 as well as a reduction in economic stimulus measures.
US Federal ...
