Free tools seek to fill advice gap as DIY investors rise October 15, 2013 But the evidence still suggests that financial advisers are key to long-term financial planning THE TREND towards DIY investment is accelerating. On top of the rising popularity of low cost execution-only investment platforms, some think that the Financial Conduct Authority’s retail distribution review (RDR), which came into effect at the beginning of 2013, has intensified [...]
Ethical investing: The principles or profits trade-off October 15, 2013 Annabel Palmer on the risks involved in adopting “socially responsible” strategies WE ARE now mid-way through this year’s National Ethical Investment Week – designed to inform the public that they have “sustainable and ethical options” in their financial decisions. In recent years, low opportunity cost – driven by low interest rates and the struggle to [...]
Investment Comment: Emerging markets: A risky bargain October 8, 2013 Despite cheap valuations, investors must exercise extreme caution EMERGING market equities have underperformed developed markets for three years in a row. This year has been particularly volatile for the former, with concerns over the deceleration of the Chinese economy and the growing realisation that a wind-down in quantitative easing (QE) by the US Federal Reserve [...]
Experts tip developing market equity funds October 8, 2013 IT HAS been a testing year for emerging market equities. While the S&P 500 has gained roughly 16 per cent year to date, the MSCI Emerging Markets index has fallen from over 1,080 at the beginning of the year to recent levels close to 1,000. But some see the tides turning. Research by JP Morgan [...]
Top tips to save on energy this winter October 1, 2013 Annabel Palmer on the simple ways households can cut costs LABOUR leader Ed Miliband thrust energy into the spotlight last week when he announced that, should he win the 2015 election, he will freeze prices for 20 months. Despite energy firms noting that this would prevent crucial investment, he claims that it would save a [...]
Why a smart meter might help cut your bills October 1, 2013 Smart energy meters are expected to change the way consumers manage their energy use. Currently optional, but due to be rolled out nationally from autumn 2015, the devices provide live, detailed data on costs. “These developments are set to revolutionise energy usage,” says Stephen Passmore of the Energy Saving Trust. While the meters themselves do [...]
The simple strategy to profit from US dog stocks September 24, 2013 But those buying the 10 worst-performing stocks in the S&P 500 in September should remember that it’s wise to bank gains early THIS is possibly one of the simplest investment strategies ever devised. It is also one of the most profitable. All you need to do is the following: at the end of September each [...]
Mortgage rates could be on the rise September 17, 2013 With rising costs and house price highs spooking homebuyers, shop around for a good deal NEWS that house prices in England have hit record highs – now 0.9 per cent higher than their previous peak in January 2008 – has heightened fears that the government’s Help to Buy subsidised mortgage scheme is fuelling a housing [...]
How to invest in a new dawn for UK privatisation September 17, 2013 But Lloyds and Royal Mail may not match past successes, writes Liam Ward-Proud AN AUTUMN of privatisation is underway. This week, the government sold a 6 per cent stake in Lloyds to institutional investors, with plans to extend the sale to the public currently under consideration. At a price of 75p a share, the sale [...]
Euro stocks may be turning a corner September 10, 2013 But investors should not ignore the risks surrounding relatively cheap equities in European markets SEPTEMBER has historically been a volatile month for markets. According to BestInvest analysis of FTSE All Share Index monthly returns since 1986, it is the worst performer for equities, with four major crashes: 1992’s Black Wednesday, the 9/11 terrorist attacks, [...]