General News
The outlook for Equity Markets…possibly!
It’s the start of the year and predicting what may happen to global stock markets in the year ahead is just as difficult as any year….2020 vision or not! It is always tricky writing such articles because by the time you read it, things can be quite different. However let’s press on. 2019 was a volatile (but rewarding) year for
Protecting against risks
Sometimes people ask me what their greatest priority should be in terms of their financial planning. Everyone’s circumstances are different and so priorities will vary, but I have always believed someone should deal with the ‘what ifs’ before doing anything else in terms of planning a more comfortable future. In recent months I have been more aware of this because
Should Financial Journalism be more closely regulated?
In recent weeks many of the headlines in the financial press have been about Neil Woodford and his flagship Equity Income Fund. The problem, for those that are unaware, is investors wanting to exit the fund but not being allowed to, due liquidity issues. The fund, valued in 2017 at £10.2bn, is now £3.7bn in value. Investors in the Woodford
Are you owed money by HMRC?
This month, a brief article on a couple of issues regarding private pensions and whether you are owed money by HMRC. This is something that often gets overlooked, especially if you deal with your financial arrangements yourself and have no financial adviser or accountant looking after your tax affairs in particular. Pension Tax Relief on Contributions If you pay contributions
The UK has the joint highest Income Tax rate of 60% in Europe – Who Knew?
Surely this can’t be the case? Well it is. All Income tax tables will show that the highest income tax rate in the UK is 45% if you earn over £150,000, however a quirk in the system means if you earn over £100,000 you might start to pay an effective income tax rate of 60% on some of your earnings,
Looking forward in 2019
It’s that time of year when the papers will be full of predictions about the coming 12 months, more often than not under an attention seeking headline! I’m writing this several weeks before the end of 2018, in a week of so much political uncertainty and I am in no doubt that ‘short term predictions’ on many financial aspects are
Emerging Markets – Tomorrow’s Biggest Economies?
Before I start, it is best that I point out that this article does not constitute advice. Just because I am writing about Emerging Markets, does not mean I am recommending them to all and sundry! There are many reasons (not just associated with risk) why investing in companies operating in Emerging Markets (EM) is inappropriate for some. However for
The State Pension – What The Future Might Hold?
I often think people underestimate the impact of the state pension on their retirement income. Most are pleasantly surprised at the difference it makes, but then most people I deal with have been able to accumulate retirement income with our help from other sources. For them the state pension helps, but is not the only source of income. Needless to
New Year Intentions
I think 2018 is going to be an unpredictable year both for the economy, investments and our household finances. Perhaps getting our own arrangements ‘in an efficient state’ is more important than usual. Here are a few ways you can help yourself 1) Set yourself a savings target – If you have no ‘emergency fund’ then you need to create one by setting
