What’s positive for one investment can be negative for another Different types of investments are affected in different ways by factors such as economics, interest rates, politics, conflicts, even weather events. What’s positive for one investment can be negative for another, and when one rises another may fall. This interlinked movement between assets is known […]

The financial pressure on parents providing board to their adult offspring Parents with adult children living under their roof are spending £1,200* more than their Empty Nester counterparts each year on everyday household expenditure, bringing the total annual cost of ‘Full Nest Syndrome’ in the UK to £3.2 billion[1].

Why more people are retaining exposure to stocks and shares New research[1] suggests that UK adults are planning to use equity investments to help them outstrip inflation and manage the rising cost of living. Over half (53%) of UK adults rate the rising cost of living as their number one fear for retirement, and almost […]

Six years after the start of the financial crisis, what lessons should we have learnt? 1 Plan for the unexpected Many believe that markets are much safer today than they were six years ago, thanks in large part to the numerous regulations and safeguards put in place to avoid a repeat of the financial crisis.

Is there room for any further disappointment? Europe has suffered a stream of destabilising news this year. Firstly, there was January’s emerging markets crisis, which slowed the demand for European exports. Then there were EU parliamentary elections in May, which returned a large number of anti-establishment MEPs to Brussels and spurred David Cameron’s attempt to […]

Significant challenges for investors this year and beyond In the first half of the year, geo-political unrest has dominated the headlines. There have been significant challenges for investors in recent months – geo-political upheavals, economic growth and monetary policy. Once the summer is out of the way, the attention will turn to domestic political uncertainty.

Why the days of ultra-low interest rates look numbered Inflation figures recently showed a sharper than expected drop in prices, cementing expectations that any rise in interest rates would be delayed until next year.

Have you taken advantage of your larger tax-efficient allowance? The new Individual Savings Account (ISA) rules were introduced in July, giving savers and investors more flexibility and a larger tax-efficient allowance than ever before. Four out of ten people told the consumer organisation Which? that they would save more as a result of the annual […]

5 tips to help you be more confident about your financial future 1 Always have some money that you can access easily and quickly for emergencies, before looking to invest for the longer term. It’s reassuring to know you’ve got money set aside to cover your rent, mortgage, food and utilities for a number of […]

Animal spirits are finally stirring again to you It has been a long wait, but animal spirits are finally stirring again. Not just in financial markets, where the bull market has been underway for more than five years now, but in the real world of corporate activity.