Insights

Pension freedoms offer the flexibility needed for a long retirement, but you may need expert financial advice to get it right.   Have you noticed a recent surge in the number of pensioners powering down your local high street in Lamborghinis? Probably not, but that was the concern when new pension freedoms were introduced in April 2015.

We’ve all experienced the consequences of a sugar rush: lethargy, sluggishness and plenty of volatility. But can the same principles be applied to economies and their own versions of artificial stimulus?

Previous complicated rules and lack of general understanding about ISA legislation in the event of the death of an ISA holder means spouses/civil partners do not always utilise the ISA Additional Permitted Subscription (APS) they are entitled to on the death of the first spouse/civil partner.

How we feel about Brexit very much depends on one’s perspective. Regardless on the lens through which you view this fascinating chapter in our country’s history, one thing remains true - since the day of the referendum itself, there is very little most of us can do to control the outcome.

As 2018 draws to a close, we’re taking a slightly more defensive position on behalf of our clients, with capital protection underpinning many of our investment decisions. Here we explain why we’ve further reduced our exposure to equities, and what we see as the key risks to economic growth going forward.

Despite Halloween looming, there was no Hammond House of Horrors. The Chancellor’s third Budget confirmed two things we already knew: more money for the NHS and a promise of more spending to end austerity.

Traditionally, when bond yields rise equity markets fall as investors take advantage of higher returns for less risk. And in the last few weeks, we’ve seen just that. US interest rates increased, bond yields followed suit and equity markets became agitated.

Two useful indicators of economic growth are the Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI), and the Institute of Supply Management Index (ISM). These indices give investors an insight into the health of manufacturing and supply chains – both of which are at the forefront of business and, therefore, the wider economy.

Experts warn that some companies won’t be able to adapt to the increasing pace of change, so how can investors protect their portfolios?

In our recently published report, ‘The Generation Game’, we made an interesting discovery. Our research found that 11% of under-45s said investing in cryptocurrency had contributed to their current wealth, compared with just 4% of over-55s.

The US economy recently celebrated a significant milestone – the longest bull market in history. The S&P 500 is double the value it was during the highs prior to the credit crunch and has risen nearly 250% since the lows that followed. History suggests that the end of this current cycle is nigh but predicting when that will be is incredibly difficult.

It’s that time of year again – new uniform, new shoes, and a sigh of relief from parents around the country as the school gates open for another year. It’s also the time of year when education is front-of-mind, and parents consider the best route for their child, whatever age they happen to be.

Following the introduction of the pension flexibilities in April 2015, individuals now have a much wider choice over how to take their pension benefits up to the Lifetime Allowance (LTA). Of course it very much depends on (i) the options available under the member’s pension scheme, and (ii) the member’s personal circumstances.

Amid strong global economic growth and positive market sentiment, it would be premature to talk of an economic downturn. But with US inflation above target and set to increase further, interest rates on the rise and ongoing talk of a trade war, it’s important to look beyond the current economic cycle.