Dividends wobble with 40% cuts
From a record high in the first quarter of 2019, dividends were knocked by some high-profile cuts in May. Recent…
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Ripple effect widens for China investors
It is not only Chinese mainland shares which are now attracting investor attention. China is in the investment news again…
Riding out the US investment bends
A brief dip in US Treasury securities yields illustrates the benefits of holding your nerve amid investment ‘noise’. On 22…
ISAs – Happy 20th birthday!!
ISAs celebrate their 20th birthday this April. If you haven’t reviewed yours in a while, this a good opportunity to…
China emerges on to the investment stage
Chinese investment markets set to become increasingly important part of investment portfolios as share of Emerging Markets Index likely to…
One more twist on buy-to-let
Buy-to-let investors will be hit by the latest phase of tax changes coming in from April, coupled with changes to…
Happy birthday to tax-free savings
It’s the 20th birthday for tax-free investment in ISAs. With the deadline for contributions approaching, have you made the most…
The world’s share markets mostly saw falls in 2018
2018 was a much more volatile year than its predecessor for investors as Brexit and Trump worried the markets. 2018…
The FCA advises caution with crypto-currencies
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is warning consumers about investment scams that purport to invest in crypto-currencies. The watchdog has…
Shake up your New Year’s resolutions
New year, new resolutions to break? Try our four financial resolutions with long term benefits. Have your New Year resolutions…
Growing ethical investment for sustainable returns
The amount of money invested in ethical funds has trebled over the past 10 years according to the Investment Association.…
Is Inflation eating into the value of your savings?
Interest rates on instant access savings accounts continue to be outstripped by inflation, so where should you invest your money?…
Cash ISAs fall out of favour as inflation outstrips interest rates
The popularity of Cash ISAs is continuing to wane according to new statistics from HMRC. With inflation persistently above interest…
Global stock markets are showing very mixed results in 2018.
Is your investment plan making the most of the opportunities out there? Ryan Marshall, Investment specialist and Independent Financial Adviser…
Interest rates start to creep up after nine years – more to come?
The Bank of England increased the base interest rate in August to 0.75% – the second increase in 12 months.…
2018 proves volatile for investors after the smooth sailing of 2017
The first six months of 2018 were unpredictable times for investors as global stock markets suffered a sudden bout of…
LISAs mauled by Select Committee – Should you invest before they disappear?
The Lifetime ISA (LISA) may not survive after low uptake by providers and fresh criticisms from parliament. The LISA has…
More pre-Budget rumours of changes to pension tax relief
The prospect of a flat rate of tax relief on pension contributions has resurfaced in the national press. The cost…
Important rate announcements made in June in the UK and the US
Interest rates for the Eurozone and US diverge leading to currency fluctuations as investment markets prepare for base rate rises.…
NS&I put the brakes on investments for their Growth and Income bonds
National Savings & Investments (NS&I) has introduced limits on its offerings for wealthier savers. In mid-June NS&I announced a revision…
Couples can save an extra £20k in inheritance tax from April
Couples could now save an extra £20,000 of inheritance tax (IHT), as the residence nil rate band (RNRB) increased in…
New risk criteria for venture capital schemes in 2018
Important changes for venture capital schemes and enterprise investment have recently come into effect. New, what are called ‘risk-to-capital’ conditions…
The benefits of early ISA investments
Don’t wait for the end of tax year reminders! There are advantages to planning your ISA investments at the beginning…
The ISA inheritance rules are simplified for couples from 6 April
Back in 2014 the then Chancellor of the Exchequer , George Osborne, announced that that Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) would…