October 2013 (37 articles)

Categories: investment, Uncategorized

Open-ended investment companies (OEICs) are stock market-quoted collective investment schemes. Like unit trusts and investment trusts they invest in a variety of assets to generate a return for investors.

Categories: investment, Uncategorized

Unit trusts are a collective investment that allows you to participate in a wider range of investments than can normally be achieved on your own with smaller sums of money. Pooling your money with others also reduces the risk.

Categories: investment, Uncategorized

If you require your money to provide the potential for capital growth or income, or a combination of both, and provided you are willing to accept an element of risk, pooled investments could just be the solution you are looking for. A pooled investment allows you to invest in a large, professionally managed portfolio of assets with many other investors. As a result of this, the risk is reduced due to the wider spread of investments in the portfolio.

Categories: investment, Uncategorized

The volatility experienced in global markets over the past five years has tested the nerves of even the most experienced investors, making it a difficult time for individuals who rely on income from investments for some or all of their needs.

Categories: investment, Uncategorized

One of the principal tenets of spreading risk in your portfolio is to diversify your investments whatever the time of year. Diversification is the process of investing in areas that have little or no relation to each other. This is called a ‘low correlation’.

Diversification helps lessen what’s known as ‘unsystematic risk’, such as reductions in the value of certain investment sectors, regions or asset types in general. But there are some events and risks that diversification cannot help with – these are referred to as ‘systemic risks’. These include interest rates, inflation, wars and recession. This is important to remember when building your portfolio.

Categories: investment, Uncategorized

As wealth grows, so too can the complexity of its management. Our approach is to cut through complexity and offer you clear guidance to achieve your goals. Today’s challenging economic and global conditions, coupled with uncertainty in Europe, North America and China, have combined to create a degree of cautiousness among many investors. A long-term investment strategy will provide you with a clear advantage during uncertain times.

Categories: Retirement, Uncategorized

You’ve spent years putting money aside into a pension scheme, but what actually happens once you retire? Sadly, it’s not as simple as just withdrawing the money. You must now convert your pension pot into an income that will last you for the rest of your life, which is typically done by buying an annuity.

Categories: Retirement, Uncategorized

In December 2010 the Government announced the introduction of a facility to allow unlimited pension income drawdown as long as members could satisfy a few requirements. This is referred to as ‘flexible income drawdown’ and has been available since 6 April 2011.

Categories: Retirement, Uncategorized

Whether it’s a long way off or just around the corner, having a plan in place for your retirement can help you get the lifestyle that you want. The State pension alone won’t be enough to ensure a comfortable retirement so it’s important to review your options as soon as you can to make sure you can afford life’s little pleasures once you retire. When it comes to planning for retirement, time is your friend. The earlier you start, the longer your money has the potential to grow.

Categories: Retirement, Uncategorized

Retirement can mean different things for different people. Many of us hope to retire early. At the same time, we expect to live to a good age. The State simply cannot deliver the standard of living we require in retirement, which is why we all need to consider some degree of personal provision. The good news is there are now more options than ever before, from simple individual pensions to more complex schemes such as Flexible Income Drawdown and Self Invested Personal Pensions.