Could you live on the State Pension?
Could you live on the State Pension? Let’s be honest, on the morning of 21 October few of us were waiting with bated breath as... Learn More
MARKET UPDATE: PROSPECT OF FURTHER US ECONOMIC SUPPORT DRIVES GLOBAL SHARES
LAST WEEK – KEY TAKEAWAYS MARKETS: SHARES WELCOME DEMOCRAT’S VICTORY IN SENATE Global shares rose as they focussed on the prospect of further support measures... Learn More
MARKET UPDATE: POUND STRENGTHENS AS BREXIT TALKS CONTINUE
LAST WEEK – KEY TAKEAWAYS BREXIT: COMPETITION AND FISHING REMAIN STICKING POINTS The pound strengthened against the US dollar amid optimism that the UK and... Learn More
MARKET UPDATE: BREXIT UNCERTAINTY WEIGHS ON UK ASSETS
LAST WEEK – KEY TAKEAWAYS UK: BREXIT TALKS CONTINUE AS DEADLINE LOOMS UK shares fell and the pound weakened against the US dollar as the... Learn More
Happy 21st to the ISA
Happy 21st to the ISA An Individual Savings Account (ISA) is a tax wrapper for your money. There are two main types available depending on... Learn More
MARKET UPDATE: PROSPECT OF FURTHER ECONOMIC SUPPORT AND RISING OIL PRICES BOOST US SHARES
LAST WEEK – KEY TAKEAWAYS US: SHARES HIT RECORD HIGH US shares rallied after Republican and Democrat politicians joined forces to propose a new economic... Learn More
2020 spending review at a glance
2020 spending review at a glance Forecasts from the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) show the economy will contract by 11.3% this year It may... Learn More
MARKET UPDATE: GLOBAL SHARES SET TO NOTCH UP STRONG NOVEMBER
LAST WEEK – KEY TAKEAWAYS MARKETS: VACCINE DEVELOPMENTS AND BIDEN VICTORY BOOST SHARES Global shares seem set to experience one of their best months on... Learn More
The Bank of…Granny and Grandad?
The Bank of…Granny and Grandad? For many younger people struggling to get a foot on the property ladder, the Bank of Mum and Dad is... Learn More
MARKET UPDATE: MARKETS FLUCTUATE DESPITE VACCINE OPTIMISM
LAST WEEK – KEY TAKEAWAYS MARKETS: VACCINE RALLY LOSES STEAM Global shares rallied at the start of the week as Moderna became the second firm... Learn More
Mortgage Payment Holiday Update November 2020
On 17 November the FCA confirmed guidance for homeowners struggling financially due to coronavirus. The mortgage payment holidays scheme, first announced in March and then... Learn More
MARKET UPDATE: VACCINE BREAKTHROUGH BOOSTS SHARES
LAST WEEK – KEY TAKEAWAYS MARKETS: MORE CERTAIN OUTLOOK LIFTS SHARES Global shares rallied at the start of the week after pharmaceutical firms Pfizer and... Learn More
Getting mortgage-ready
Buying a home takes careful preparation and planning. As well as finding a property you like, you need to get your finances in good order before... Learn More
Markets react positively to election news
Markets react positively to election news After days of tension, news came in over the weekend that Joe Biden won the key battleground of Pennsylvania,... Learn More
MARKET UPDATE: MARKETS RALLY AS BIDEN PROJECTED TO BECOME NEXT US PRESIDENT
LAST WEEK – KEY TAKEAWAYS MARKETS: SHARES RALLY AS BIDEN CLOSES IN ON WHITE HOUSE Global markets rose as Joe Biden, the challenger, edged towards... Learn More
Protecting your business in difficult times
Protecting your business in difficult times During the past few months, millions of businesses have been forced to shut temporarily, with employees furloughed or working... Learn More
MARKET UPDATE: RISING CORONAVIRUS CASES WEIGH ON SHARES
LAST WEEK – KEY TAKEAWAYS MARKETS: NEW LOCKDOWNS CONCERN INVESTORS Global shares fell as the number of coronavirus infections in the US and Europe continued... Learn More
US Election 2020
US Election 2020 The office of US President carries huge influence all over the world and, as a result, the way the American electorate votes... Learn More
MARKET UPDATE: POUND RALLIES AS BREXIT TALKS RESUME
LAST WEEK – KEY TAKEAWAYS BREXIT: TALKS RESUME BETWEEN UK AND EU The pound strengthened against the US dollar after the EU’s chief negotiator Michel... Learn More
Home insurance add-ons explained
Home insurance add-ons explained The cover provided by a home insurance policy can vary depending on the insurer. You can usually ‘add-on’ extra cover for... Learn More
MARKET UPDATE: SECOND WAVE OF CORONAVIRUS CASES WEIGHS ON MARKETS
LAST WEEK – KEY TAKEAWAYS Markets: Shares falter as new infections rise Global shares fell in the middle of the week as the number of... Learn More
COVID-19 affects retirement plans for over three million
COVID-19 affects retirement plans for over three million Recent research shows 1 in 10 UK adults with a pension (and not yet retired) have reduced... Learn More
MARKET UPDATE: US SHARES RISE AMID RENEWED HOPE FOR FURTHER ECONOMIC SUPPORT
LAST WEEK – KEY TAKEAWAYS US: Trump’s change of heart boosts shares US markets rose as the prospects improved for a further round of... Learn More
Exchanging contracts? Get insured first
Purchasing a property can be a busy, stressful time and it can seem like there are a million things to remember. Some things however, are... Learn More
MARKET UPDATE: TRUMP’S CORONAVIRUS DIAGNOSIS WEIGHS ON US SHARES
LAST WEEK – KEY TAKEAWAYS Markets: President’s diagnosis elevates uncertainty Having spent most of the week waiting for news about a further package of measures... Learn More
Flexible insurance for when you need it
Flexible insurance for when you need it It’s all too easy for us to put our head in the sand when it comes to thinking... Learn More
MARKET UPDATE: CONCERNS ABOUT A SECOND WAVE OF INFECTIONS WEIGH ON MARKETS
LAST WEEK – KEY TAKEAWAYS MARKETS: SHARES FALL AMID PROSPECT OF NEW LOCKDOWNS Concerns about a second wave of coronavirus infections in the UK and... Learn More
Are you approaching retirement?
If you are nearing retirement, you may have been particularly worried about the impact of recent market volatility on your pension assets and perhaps you... Learn More
MARKET UPDATE: SHARES FLUCTUATE AS CENTRAL BANKS MEET
LAST WEEK – KEY TAKEAWAYS CENTRAL BANKS: INTEREST RATES STAY ON HOLD Global shares fluctuated as investors waited for some of the world’s major central... Learn More
Mortgage affordability in a post-COVID world
Back in March, the Bank of England slashed interest rates to an all-time low of 0.1%, in a bid to alleviate the severe economic pressure... Learn More
MARKET UPDATE: INTERNAL MARKET BILL ESCALATES TENSIONS BETWEEN THE UK AND EU
LAST WEEK – KEY TAKEAWAYS UK: GOVERNMENT RAISES STAKES IN BREXIT NEGOTIATIONS The pound weakened against the US dollar after the UK government announced plans... Learn More
2020: The story so far
2020 The story so far Little did we know, as we entered a new decade, what was in store for the global economy in 2020.... Learn More
MARKET UPDATE: TECHNOLOGY SELL-OFF WEIGHS ON US SHARES
LAST WEEK – KEY TAKEAWAYS MARKETS: TECH SHARES RETREAT Despite hitting new highs earlier in the week, US shares tumbled on Thursday following a sell-off... Learn More
Lasting Powers of Attorney
Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA) You may have already arranged a Will* to deal with matters in the event of your death, but have you... Learn More
MARKET UPDATE: US SHARES RALLY AS FEDERAL RESERVE ADJUSTS KEY POLICY
LAST WEEK – KEY TAKEAWAYS US: FED MODIFIES INFLATION TARGET US shares hit a record high after the Federal Reserve (US central bank) announced it... Learn More
MARKET UPDATE: TECHNOLOGY SHARES CONTINUE DRIVING US MARKETS
LAST WEEK – KEY TAKEAWAYS MARKETS: US SHARES HIT RECORD HIGHS US shares ended the week higher having set new records on two occasions, although... Learn More
Life insurance – Mind the Gap
With policies like home insurance or car insurance, we’re all in the habit of reviewing our cover annually. With a life insurance policy potentially lasting... Learn More
MARKET UPDATE: MIXED WEEK FOR SHARES AS TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS RETURN
LAST WEEK – KEY TAKEAWAYS MARKETS: HOW LONG CAN US SHARES OUTPERFORM? Tensions between the US and China and concerns about when US politicians will... Learn More
Protecting you and your family
Losing your partner at any stage in life can be devastating, but it may be particularly devastating when children are involved because of the financial... Learn More
MARKET UPDATE: GLOBAL ECONOMY’S GRADUAL RECOVERY SUPPORTS MARKETS
LAST WEEK – KEY TAKEAWAYS MARKETS: SHARES RISE BUT US-CHINA TENSIONS RESURFACE Global shares ended the week higher as consumer spending continued to recover in... Learn More
Keep your pension planning on track
The coronavirus outbreak is having a widespread impact across all aspects of our financial life, with many people finding their income reduced. At times like... Learn More
MARKET UPDATE: EVIDENCE OF LOCKDOWN’S IMPACT ON US AND EU ECONOMIES WEIGHS ON SHARES
LAST WEEK – KEY TAKEAWAYS MARKETS: SHARES FALL AS GROWTH DROPS IN US AND EU Global shares fell towards the end of the week as... Learn More
Home improvements to add value to your home
Evidence suggests that many more of us are putting down roots and choosing to stay in our current homes for longer. The average time a... Learn More
MARKET UPDATE: ESCALATING TENSIONS BETWEEN THE US AND CHINA WEIGH ON MARKETS
LAST WEEK – KEY TAKEAWAYS MARKETS: US AND CHINA DIPLOMATIC ROW OVERSHADOWS EU RESCUE PACKAGE The technology-heavy NASDAQ index hit a record high on Monday,... Learn More
Investing for Children – The Junior ISA
There was welcome news for young savers in the March Budget with the government announcing the Junior ISA (JISA) allowance was to be more than... Learn More
MARKET UPDATE: HOPES FOR A VACCINE HELP TO PUSH SHARES HIGHER
LAST WEEK – KEY TAKEAWAYS MARKETS: SHARES CLIMB AS EARNINGS SEASON STARTS Global shares ended the week higher thanks to reports of successful trials of... Learn More
Check your existing income protection policy
Insurance brokers have reported an increase in enquiries about income protection cover since the pandemic outbreak, with people concerned about becoming ill and being unable... Learn More
MARKET UPDATE: SHARES WAVER AS US STRUGGLES TO CONTAIN VIRUS
LAST WEEK – KEY TAKEAWAYS MARKETS: SAFE HAVEN ASSETS BENEFIT FROM RISE IN INFECTIONS It was a mixed week for global shares as new cases... Learn More
Pension planning for the self-employed
There are 4.8 million self-employed people in the UK and only a third have any kind of pension arrangement. A shocking statistic when you consider... Learn More
MARKET UPDATE: STOCK MARKETS NOTCH UP STRONG SECOND QUARTER
LAST WEEK – KEY TAKEAWAYS MARKETS: IMPROVING OUTLOOK BOOSTS SHARES Global stock markets ended the week higher having chosen to focus on the economic recovery... Learn More
Now could be a good time to remortgage
Mortgage rates are now at record low levels, following two Bank of England rate cuts in March to bring the base rate down to 0.1%.... Learn More
MARKET UPDATE: SPIKE IN NEW INFECTIONS WEIGHS ON MARKETS
LAST WEEK – KEY TAKEAWAYS MARKETS: US INFECTIONS OVERSHADOW UK AND EU RECOVERY Global shares fell after a spike in the number of coronavirus infections... Learn More
What you need to know about self-build mortgages
If you’re thinking of building your own home, financing the project may be high on your list of priorities. Self-build mortgages are different from normal... Learn More
MARKET UPDATE: NEW INFECTIONS HALT LATEST STOCK MARKET RALLY
LAST WEEK – KEY TAKEAWAYS MARKETS: GOOD NEWS OVERSHADOWED BY NEW INFECTIONS Global shares started the week strongly after the Federal Reserve (US central bank)... Learn More
The Bank of…Granny and Grandad?
For many younger people struggling to get a foot on the property ladder, the Bank of Mum and Dad is the only option. With rent... Learn More
MARKET UPDATE: CONCERNS ABOUT ECONOMIC RECOVERY AND NEW INFECTIONS WEIGH ON SHARES
LAST WEEK – KEY TAKEAWAYS MARKETS: SHARES FALL AS OPTIMISM FADES US shares started the week strongly, especially the technology-heavy NASDAQ index, amid optimism about... Learn More
Spotlight on Enterprise Investment Schemes and Venture Capital Trusts
Complex tax-efficient investments such as Enterprise Investment Schemes (EIS) and Venture Capital Trusts (VCT) are a consideration for those who may be able to tolerate... Learn More
MARKET UPDATE: MARKETS RALLY AMID OPTIMISM ABOUT ECONOMIC RECOVERY
LAST WEEK – KEY TAKEAWAYS MARKETS: BRIGHTER OUTLOOK DRIVES SHARES Optimism about the global economic recovery following the coronavirus pandemic helped to drive shares higher,... Learn More
MARKET UPDATE: MARKETS CONTINUE TO RISE DESPITE US-CHINA TENSIONS
LAST WEEK – KEY TAKEAWAYS MARKETS- TENSIONS BETWEEN US AND CHINA LINGER Global shares rose as the easing of lockdown restrictions continued around the world... Learn More
It’s time to think about life insurance
If you have dependents – people who rely on you financially – then you should have life insurance. In fact, if you have dependents and... Learn More
MARKET UPDATE: SHARES RISE AS WORLD SLOWLY RETURNS TO NORMAL
LAST WEEK – KEY TAKEAWAYS MARKETS: OPTIMISM OVER POTENTIAL VACCINE BOOSTS SHARES Global shares ended the week higher as US biotech firm Moderna announced positive... Learn More
MARKET UPDATE: RALLY PAUSES AS MARKETS WEIGH UP LATEST VIRUS DEVELOPMENTS
LAST WEEK – KEY TAKEAWAYS MARKETS: UNCERTAINTY WEIGHS ON SHARES Global shares fell at the start of the week after new coronavirus cases were reported... Learn More
What is cashflow modelling?
“In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” Financial planning is all about preparing for those things that may... Learn More
MARKET UPDATE: SHARES RISE AS GLOBAL ECONOMY GRADUALLY EXITS LOCKDOWN
LAST WEEK – KEY TAKEAWAYS MARKETS: RETURN TO WORK LIFTS SHARES Global shares ended the week higher, overcoming lingering concerns about tensions between the US... Learn More
MARKET UPDATE: SHARES LOOK AHEAD TO CAUTIOUS EASING OF RESTRICTIONS
LAST WEEK – KEY TAKEAWAYS MARKETS: MIXED WEEK FOR SHARES AS ECONOMIES PLAN TO RESTART Global shares rose early in the week as several European... Learn More
Are you engaged with ‘good’ investing?
Socially Responsible Investing and Environmental, Social and Governance Investing explained. Social and environmental change is accelerating at pace, with climate change one of the biggest... Learn More
Coming to terms with market turbulence
Coming to terms with market turbulence As a direct consequence of the COVID-19 outbreak, global stock markets are suffering a period of turbulence. When markets... Learn More
MARKET UPDATE: MARKETS FLUCTUATE PENDING LOCKDOWN EXIT PLANS
LAST WEEK – KEY TAKEAWAYS MARKETS: MIXED WEEK FOR SHARES AS OIL PRICES FLUCTUATE Global shares fell at the start of the week as oil... Learn More
MARKET UPDATE: SHARES TENTATIVELY LOOK AHEAD TO GLOBAL RECOVERY
MARKETS: EASING OF LOCKDOWN AND PROMISING DRUG TRIALS BOOST SHARES Global shares finished higher despite disappointing results from companies reporting first-quarter profits and concerns about... Learn More
MARKET UPDATE: GLOBAL SHARES RALLY AS CORONAVIRUS OUTLOOK IMPROVES
LAST WEEK – KEY TAKEAWAYS MARKETS: SLOWING PANDEMIC AND US SUPPORT MEASURES BOOST SHARES Global shares rallied as the spread of the coronavirus appeared to... Learn More
MARKET UPDATE: MARKETS STABILISE, BUT ECONOMIC CONCERNS LINGER
LAST WEEK – KEY TAKEAWAYS MARKETS: SHARES REACT TO ECONOMIC DATA Global shares started the week on a positive note, boosted by figures suggesting the... Learn More
MARKET UPDATE: SHARES RALLY AS US LAUNCHES EMERGENCY MEASURES
LAST WEEK – KEY TAKEAWAYS Markets: Global shares recover as US announces substantial government support Markets rallied as the US launched a package of emergency... Learn More
MARKET UPDATE: TURBULENT WEEK FOR MARKETS AS CORONAVIRUS CONTINUES TO SPREAD WEST
LAST WEEK – KEY TAKEAWAYS MARKETS: SHARES FLUCTUATE DESPITE GOVERNMENT AND CENTRAL BANK MEASURES Global shares fell sharply at the start of the week after... Learn More
MARKET UPDATE: GLOBAL SHARES FALL AS SPREAD OF CORONAVIRUS RATTLES MARKETS
LAST WEEK – KEY TAKEAWAYS CORONAVIRUS: TOUGHEST WEEK FOR MARKETS IN OVER 30 YEARS Global shares fell at the start of the week after a... Learn More
MARKET UPDATE: CORONAVIRUS CONCERNS CONTINUE TO HOVER OVER MARKETS
LAST WEEK – KEY TAKEAWAYS CORONAVIRUS: FALLING OIL PRICES HALT RATE CUT REBOUND Concerns about the impact of the coronavirus on the global economy continued... Learn More
MARKET UPDATE: GLOBAL SHARES FALL AS CORONAVIRUS CONTINUES TO SPREAD
LAST WEEK – KEY TAKEAWAYS CORONAVIRUS: SHARES FALL AS INVESTORS SWITCH TO BONDS Concerns about the coronavirus continued to weigh on the markets, as global... Learn More
Is Joint Life Cover Best For Couples?
If you want to help make sure your loved ones will have financial security if you pass away, life insurance cover is the answer. But,... Learn More
MARKET UPDATE: NEW CASES OF CORONAVIRUS WEIGH ON SHARES
LAST WEEK – KEY TAKEAWAYS CORONAVIRUS: SHARES FALL AS NEW CASES REPORTED Measures taken by the People’s Bank of China (the Chinese central bank) to... Learn More
MARKET UPDATE: MARKETS REMAIN SENSITIVE TO CORONAVIRUS DEVELOPMENTS
LAST WEEK – KEY TAKEAWAYS CORONAVIRUS: MARKETS AWAIT TIPPING POINT Global shares rallied at the start of the week as the spread of the coronavirus... Learn More
MARKET UPDATE: GLOBAL SHARES RECOVER AS CHINA RESPONDS TO CORONAVIRUS
LAST WEEK – KEY TAKEAWAYS CHINA: CENTRAL BANK RESPONSE TO CORONAVIRUS REASSURES MARKETS The coronavirus weighed heavily on Chinese shares at the start of the... Learn More
MARKET UPDATE: CONCERNS ABOUT CORONAVIRUS CONTINUE TO HOVER OVER MARKETS
LAST WEEK – KEY TAKEAWAYS GLOBAL: CHINA STRIVES TO CONTAIN CORONAVIRUS Global shares fell as the number of cases and the death toll from the... Learn More
MARKET UPDATE: CORONAVIRUS BREAKOUT WEIGHS ON MARKETS
LAST WEEK – KEY TAKEAWAYS ASIA PACIFIC: VIRUS CLAIMS LIVES AND SPREADS OUTSIDE CHINA Global shares fell as the death toll rose from the coronavirus... Learn More
MARKET UPDATE: GLOBAL SHARES RISE AS US AND CHINA SIGN INITIAL TRADE DEAL
LAST WEEK – KEY TAKEAWAYS Trade: US and China sign initial deal Global shares rose after US President Donald Trump and Chinese officials met in... Learn More
MARKET UPDATE: GLOBAL SHARES RISE AS TENSIONS EASE BETWEEN US AND IRAN
LAST WEEK – KEY TAKEAWAYS MIDDLE EAST: SHARES RISE AS IRAN BACKS OFF Global shares rose as tensions eased between the US and Iran after... Learn More
MARKET UPDATE: MIDDLE EAST TENSIONS WEIGH ON SHARES
LAST WEEK – KEY TAKEAWAYS MIDDLE EAST: US AIRSTRIKE KILLS IRANIAN GENERAL Global shares fell after the US military assassinated Qasem Soleimani, one of Iran’s... Learn More
Conservative Election Victory
The Conservatives look set to form the next Government, extending their period in office for another five years. The number one priority of the new... Learn More
ELECTION RESULTS ARE IN!
The polls turned out to be accurate this time, as the Conservative party won a majority which keeps Boris Johnson in 10 Downing Street. The... Learn More
GLOBAL SHARES FALTER PENDING NEWS ON TRADE
LAST WEEK – KEY TAKEAWAYS TRADE: INITIAL DEAL BETWEEN US AND CHINA REMAINS ELUSIVE Global shares have stopped rising as markets await firm news on... Learn More
MARKET UPDATE: US SHARES HIT ANOTHER RECORD HIGH
LAST WEEK – KEY TAKEAWAYS US: TRADE OPTIMISM AND STRONG EARNINGS BOOST SHARES Optimism about progress in trade tensions (see below) and better-than-expected corporate earnings... Learn More
All about ISAs
In the 2019/20 tax year, you can save up to £20,000 tax-free in an Individual Savings Account (ISA), and when it comes to your ISA... Learn More
MARKET UPDATE: STERLING STRENGTHENS AS MPS VOTE FOR GENERAL ELECTION
LAST WEEK – KEY TAKEAWAYS UK: GENERAL ELECTION SET FOR 12TH DECEMBER Sterling strengthened against the US dollar as MPs overwhelmingly voted to hold a general... Learn More
MARKET UPDATE: UK ASSETS RALLY AS PARLIAMENT BACKS WITHDRAWAL DEAL
LAST WEEK – KEY TAKEAWAYS BREXIT: PARLIAMENT BACKS WITHDRAWAL DEAL BUT REJECTS BORIS’ TIMETABLE UK shares rallied and sterling strengthened against the US dollar after... Learn More
Investing for the next generation
In the early years this might translate into a surplus of toys or days out, but this stage eventually passes, and thoughts turn towards the... Learn More
MARKET UPDATE: POUND AND DOMESTIC SHARES RALLY AS UK AND EU AGREE WITHDRAWAL DEAL
LAST WEEK – KEY TAKEAWAYS BREXIT: UK AND EU AGREE WITHDRAWAL DEAL The pound hit its highest point in five months against the US dollar... Learn More
The factors influencing your pension choices
Planning the best way to draw your pension savings is not straightforward, after all, there’s no ‘one size fits all’ when it comes to retirement.... Learn More
MARKET UPDATE: STERLING SUBDUED AS BORIS SUBMITS IRISH BORDER PROPOSAL
LAST WEEK – KEY TAKEAWAYS BREXIT: PRIME MINISTER PROPOSES ALTERNATIVE IRISH BORDER PLAN Sterling held steady against the US dollar as Prime Minister Boris Johnson... Learn More
MARKET UPDATE: STERLING WEAKENS AS BREXIT UNCERTAINTY LINGERS
LAST WEEK – KEY TAKEAWAYS UK: SUPREME COURT RULES AGAINST BORIS Sterling weakened against the US dollar despite the UK Supreme Court ruling that the... Learn More
Take control of your investments
Getting a clear, concise view of your investment portfolio can be difficult and time-consuming. That’s why we use a secure, online system known as a... Learn More
MARKET UPDATE: US SHARES RALLY AS FED CUTS INTEREST RATES
LAST WEEK – KEY TAKEAWAYS US: FEDERAL RESERVE CUTS INTEREST RATES US shares rallied as the Federal Reserve- the US central bank- cut interest rates... Learn More