Growth, debt and the Titanic…
I was reminded recently that on 14 April it was the anniversary of the Titanic hitting the iceberg, in 1912. Had it hit it head-on, it would not have sunk. Are there analogies here for President Donald Trump’s tariff announcements…?
This is either the fact that 90% of the problem isn’t obvious or maybe that...
Days left to make ISA and Pension contributions before Financial Year ends
So the dearly departed are coming to the rescue of the Chancellor, as Inheritance Tax receipts for the period from April 2024 to February 2025 topped £7.6billion and that is before the swingeing increases in the Autumn Statement where these death duties will affect pensions and businesses too.
The figure is projected to grow another...
Volatile US stocks
Volatility led by the US has escalated quite dramatically. It's impacted market values – especially some US tech cos and Nasdaq has drifted 10% now but the concerns over tariffs and the Ukraine situation and the US reaction to it, let alone clumsy politics and diplomacy, have not helped. Suddenly Nvidia and Tesla aren't...
Are Cash ISAs under threat from the Chancellor?
Regular readers of this column will know we are not entirely (or certainly not universally) in favour of Cash ISAs simply because the balance of interest rates versus inflation means you can effectively be ‘losing’ money by having many thousands sat in an ISA ‘doing nothing’ as well as letting inflation eat it away.
Saving...
Good value, gold and Blackstone
Good afternoon. We hear BP may be in play as Elliott Investors in the US has accumulated a stake in one of our biggest companies. It’s ridiculously good value regardless and hasn’t kept up with other energy stocks. Meantime, our funds under management see yet new heights which is good, as many deep value...
Planning for IHT on pensions and should you be worried?
A great many anxious enquiries from clients have been generated by the Budget announcement that pensions would become subject to Inheritance Tax from 2027.
Join us for a brief toe-dip into the murky IHT waters and consider what options you may have – but please take advice first!
Independent Financial Advisers (IFAs) have been fielding numerous...
Don’t be a superstitious pigeon when it comes to investing
It’s probably fair to say that many of us have ‘superstitions’ that govern our actions, at least on a superficial level and it was demonstrated in pigeons in the last century!
For example, this could be wearing a ‘lucky shirt’ on game day for those who play various sports or perhaps weddings, which are rife...
Hold fire on pensions Inheritance Tax decision for now…
Reforms announced in the Budget to include unused pensions in Inheritance Tax from 2027 have rightly prompted concern and fears for those planning how to pass on their estate to their family – but don’t do anything rash just yet!
This is because HMRC is running a consultation on these proposals until January 22, 2025...
A pre-Christmas snapshot of the economy and markets
Well, whilst I anticipate another eshot just before the festivities, it seems apt to wish everyone a very Happy Christmas season, celebrations and relaxing times. The new government will be looking forward to some rest and apt navel gazing over the break.
I am sure we shall all be wondering what might ensue from Syria...