Bond Market Volatility
The weather in March is known for its harshness and unpredictability, captured by the proverb: ‘In like a lion and out like a lamb.’ After nine months of strong equity market performance, bond yields surged last week leading to a spike in market volatility with consequences for both bonds and growth focused equities. The surge […]
Market Overview & Outlook Quarter 4 2020 (1 October – 31 December 2020) Roaring 20s Beckon
Global markets rallied an impressive 8% in the last three months of 2020 into a headwind of sterling appreciation, and notching up an overall gain for the year of 13% (MSCI World). The Santa rally in the lead up to Christmas duly arrived this year to soothe frayed nerves after a rollercoaster for much of […]
Coronavirus Lockdown: 5 November – 2 December 2020- Contingency Plans
As the situation with COVID-19 (Coronavirus) currently stands, and based on our contingency plans and latest advice, we are confident that we can continue to provide our service to our clients. To minimise any risk to colleagues and clients, we are taking the following precautions: Exeter officeUnless government guidance dictates otherwise, our office remains open with […]
Grounds for Cautious Optimism for Investment Markets
After the euphoric reaction to the apparent breakthrough on the coronavirus vaccine last week and the US Presidential election result, where are we heading with investments as we head into the last six weeks of 2020? Markets Jump on Coronavirus Vaccine Breakthrough Certainly, the path of coronavirus around the world and its economic impact continues […]
New Model Adviser Top 100 Firm 2020 for fifth year
We are delighted that for a fifth year in a row, we have been named as one of the top 100 UK financial advice firms in the UK by the respected Citywire company, New Model Adviser. The criteria for inclusion in this prestigious top 100 was based on survey responses assessed using a point-scoring system, […]
Market Overview & Outlook Quarter 3 2020 (1 July – 30 September 2020) Coronavirus Reality Check
Global markets have reflected the delicate balance between the re-opening of the economy and containing the spread of coronavirus in the third quarter of 2020. In July and August, markets registered some impressive gains as governments pushed ahead with encouraging life to return to normal; in the UK, the government encouraged individuals to ‘eat out […]
Lasting Power of Attorney with Discretionary Fund Management
Other than writing a Will, writing a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is one of the key pillars with regard to personal financial planning. An LPA allows an individual to appoint one or more attorneys to act on their behalf in the event of incapacity. Attorneys are often family members, but may be trusted friends […]
CGT Review – Stealth Wealth Tax?
The Chancellor, Rishi Sunak has asked the independent Office of Tax Simplification (OTS) to review Capital Gains Tax (CGT) legislation. This is partly in response to the £300bn borrowing requirement and the need to raise tax revenue to help reduce the huge level of UK government debt. The consultation is in two stages, reporting in […]
What Lies Ahead for Markets – Europe and Asia in focus
The much heralded ‘V’ shaped recovery looks to have happened in markets after the shock of the covid-19 pandemic in March. There is great anticipation in markets of the global economy rebounding over the next year or so. Investors have returned to equities after the steep coronavirus induced falls in March despite still-rising global infection […]
UK Summer Statement
Rishi Sunak, Chancellor of the Exchequer, announced a £30 billion plan to save the UK from mass unemployment by encouraging consumption. The measures announced aim to mitigate rising unemployment paying employers to bring back furloughed workers and reducing taxes for homebuyers and the hospitality sector. The latest proposed measures top the £150 billion already committed […]