The use of cash was already dwindling in recent years, with cards being the preferred method of payment (especially contactless). Since the outbreak of Covid-19, however, the use of physical money has reduced much further, with many shoppers wary of touching it. The number of withdrawals from cash machines during lockdown is down by 60%, […]
In his 8 July summer statement, Chancellor Rishi Sunak confirmed that the stamp duty threshold will be immediately raised to £500,000 in England and Northern Ireland, in what some have dubbed the ‘stamp duty holiday’. The rise in threshold lasts until 31 March 2021 and will apply to both first-time buyers and previous owners. Sunak […]
Overall Market Backdrop, July The month saw modest to negative returns from Global Equities with Emerging Markets and Asia Pacific (ex-Japan) being the strongest performing regions for the second month running. Increasing Covid-19 cases and the resurgence of the US-China geopolitical tensions have driven US treasury yields down from highs of 0.7% to 0.52% in […]
We all have a different relationship with money. Recognising your money personality can help you better understand yours. Although no member of each group has exactly the same attitude towards their finances, researchers have identified four common attitudes towards money: Money Worship, Money Avoidance, Money Vigilance and Money Status. Psychologists think that our internal beliefs […]
Overall Market Backdrop, June The US and UK equity markets saw a volatile month with initial gains from the start of the month melting away by the end. Emerging markets and Asian markets performed well in the month with returns of 7.4% and 8.5% respectively. US Treasury yields saw a month of drama. The first […]
The COVID-19 outbreak has signalled the dawn of a worrying time for everyone. As well as anxiety about our own health and the wellbeing of our loved ones, many of us are understandably worried about the financial future. Recent stock market turbulence is concerning for all investors, but particularly for those who are in defined […]
You’re not going to be surprised that, as advisers, our firm belief is that an advised client will get a better financial outcome than a non-advised client. How to prove, though, that we’re not just biased? What is the actual value of that advice? How can it be quantified? Most importantly, the value of advice […]
Looking back to the start of last month, June began optimistically as the Space X astronauts reached the International Space Station and ended on an even more upbeat note as Boris Johnson launched a ‘new deal’ for Britain and declared: “This is the moment to be ambitious.” All the major stock markets we cover in […]
You may find it surprising to learn that even financial planners use financial planners. Surely, they know it all already, don’t they? Don’t they just follow their own advice? Let’s look at why advisers sometimes find it helpful to sit on the opposite side of the desk. To clarify goals Setting clear goals is hard, […]
The time in lockdown has given people the opportunity to reflect on what’s really important to them. It’s been a time to re-evaluate priorities and think about resetting goals for the future. What about you? What have you missed? Has it made you want to spend more time with family and friends? Are there places […]