Blog
UK The Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported that gross domestic product (GDP) grew 0.3% during January, after shrinking by 0.5% in December. This was a faster recovery than expected and a firm move away from recession territory. The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) house price balance, which measures the difference between the percentage…
10 key ISA (Individual Savings Account) facts 1. What is an ISA? An ISA is a tax-free savings account. Money saved within the ISA wrapper isn’t charged any income, capital gains, or dividend tax. 2. How much can I save in my ISA each year All eligible ISA participants receive a £20,000 annual allowance. This…
As an independent financial adviser, I am often asked about the benefits of contributing to a pension. It’s an important question, and the answer is more complicated than you might think. That’s because pensions offer a wide range of benefits that can vary depending on your individual circumstances. However, in this article, I will outline…
Mood swings Bond and equity markets have been experiencing teenager-like mood swings for some time now. Investors have oscillated between optimism over the surprising resilience of consumer demand and relative company earnings stability, and pessimism that the same economic resilience will force central banks to keep raising rates for longer. Last week, focus shifted back…
When it comes to buying a home and getting a mortgage, celebrities and sportspeople have unique considerations to keep in mind. From fluctuating incomes to privacy concerns, here are some important factors that celebrities and sportspeople should consider when purchasing a home and applying for a mortgage. Income verification For celebrities and sportspeople who have…
Balancing acts Last week saw global equity markets give back some of February’s earlier gains. Even so, global equities have made a total return of around 5% in £-sterling terms since the start of the year. Over the past fortnight though, market participants have come to accept inflation – and in its wake interest rates…
Markets acknowledge the enduring stickiness of inflation After a surprisingly strong start to the year in January, February has brought market consolidation rather than a continued uptrend – despite the FTSE100 finally passing the psychologically important threshold of 8,000 points. In last week’s digest we wrote that the prevailing ‘Goldilocks’ market sentiment of not-too-hot (growth,…
Divorce can be an emotionally challenging time, and it’s not surprising that many people overlook the financial implications that it can have on their future. One important aspect that often goes unnoticed is pensions. In this guide, we will explore what you need to know about pensions and divorce, and the options you have to…
Drawing Your Pension: Understanding Your Options and Making an Informed Decision Retirement is a major milestone in everyone’s life and choosing the right option for drawing your pension is an important decision. There are several options available for drawing your pension, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. In this article, we will discuss the…
A challenging week brings investors back down to earth For most of this year, investors have ran with the notion of a decline in longer-term inflation pressures, but they have been less convinced in recent days. As a result, bond and equity markets slipped back last week, despite the FTSE 100 reaching a new all-time…
