Investment market update: March 2024

Posted by siteadmin on Wednesday 24th of April 2024

While inflation continues to be a challenge for many economies, there are positive signs in the UK and around the world. Read on to find out what may have affected stock markets and your investment portfolio in March 2024. 

Remember, volatility is part of investing and most people should invest with a long-term outlook. If you have any questions about your investment strategy or performance, please contact us. 

UK

In March, chancellor Jeremy Hunt delivered the 2024 Budget and set out the government’s spending and changes to taxation. On...


Could you face an unexpected bill now the Capital Gains Tax allowance has halved?

Posted by siteadmin on Wednesday 24th of April 2024

The gains you can make before potentially paying Capital Gains Tax (CGT) have halved for the 2024/25 tax year. If you plan to dispose of assets, the change could affect you. Read on to find out when you could be liable for CGT and some steps you might take to manage a bill. 

CGT is a tax on the profit you make when you sell certain assets that have increased in value. CGT could be due when disposing of a range of assets, including:

  • Shares that aren’t held in a tax-efficient wrapper
  • Property that isn’t your main home
  • Personal possessi...

The announcement of the new UK ISA marks 25 years of tax-efficient savings

Posted by siteadmin on Wednesday 24th of April 2024

Since they were introduced in 1999, ISAs have become a finance staple for many households thanks to providing a tax-efficient way to save and invest. As ISAs turn 25, chancellor Jeremy Hunt unveiled plans to launch a new UK ISA and has previously announced changes that could provide you with more flexibility.

Read on to find out what you need to know about ISAs.

The UK ISA could increase your allowance by £5,000

The government will carry out a consultation about the introduction of the UK ISA until June 2024. So, there are currently onl...


Pensioners have benefited from an 8.5% increase in the State Pension. While the boost is likely to be welcomed by many, the full new State Pension is nearing the Personal Allowance threshold. As a result, some retirees might need to consider their Income Tax liability for the first time or could be pushed into a higher tax bracket. 

The full new State Pension is £221.20 a week in 2024/25

Under the triple lock, the State Pension increases each tax year by the highest of the following three measures:

  • Average wage growth
  • Inflation
  • 2.5%...

If you’re concerned about running out of money during retirement, you’re not alone. In fact, it’s one of the top financial concerns in the UK. Being proactive and working with a financial planner to create a retirement plan could offer you peace of mind. Read on to find out why.

In an Aegon survey, 7 in 10 financial advisers said their clients’ number one concern was outliving their savings. The good news is that by seeking the support of a finance professional, you can understand what income is sustainable for you and the lifestyle it m...


Retirement planning: Bringing together your goals and finances

Posted by siteadmin on Wednesday 24th of April 2024

Effective retirement planning often involves weaving together lots of different threads. As you think about your retirement, you might be unsure how to bring everything together, but a bespoke financial plan could put your mind at ease. 

Over the last few months, you’ve read about the importance of deciding how you’ll retire, why you should set out your goals, and your options for accessing your pension. Now, read on to discover the challenges of bringing together these different strands of retirement planning and why a tailored financial...


Your Spring Budget update – the key news from the chancellor’s statement

Posted by siteadmin on Wednesday 6th of March 2024

The 2024/25 tax year is just a month away, and chancellor Jeremy Hunt has delivered his 2024 Spring Budget, outlining the government’s plans for the next fiscal year and beyond.

With a general election looming – prime minister Rishi Sunak has said he will call it before the end of the year – the chancellor claimed that the government had met the prime minister’s three economic priorities laid out at the start of 2023, having:

  • Halved inflation, down from highs of 11% last year to 4% in January 2024
  • Kept debt falling in line with fiscal...

All the winners and losers from the 2024 Spring Budget

Posted by siteadmin on Wednesday 6th of March 2024

With one eye on a forthcoming general election, the chancellor has announced a Budget aimed at generating long-term growth, with “more investment, more jobs, better public services and lower taxes”.

While the headlines will inevitably focus on Jeremy Hunt’s cut in National Insurance contributions (NICs), many less headline-grabbing messages will affect millions of families and businesses.

Read on to find out who were the winners and losers from the 2024 Spring Budget.

Winners

Working people

The chancellor said that his Budget gave “mu...


Investment market update: December 2023

Posted by siteadmin on Monday 15th of January 2024

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Many markets rallied during December based on the expectation that interest rates will start to fall in 2024. Read on to discover what else may have affected your investment portfolio in the final month of 2023. 

On 27 December, the MSCI World Stock Index, which comprises stock from nearly 3,000 companies to track global equity-market performance, was up 4.5% when compared to the start of the month. It was driven by expectations that interest rates will start to fall in early 2024.  

The price of gold has also been affected by hopes that...


The feel-good news stories you might have missed in 2023

Posted by siteadmin on Monday 15th of January 2024

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The start of the new year is the perfect time to reflect on what has happened over the past 12 months. Although the news often focuses on disheartening events, there are plenty of heartwarming stories out there that can restore your faith in humanity.

From science breakthroughs to exciting projects, here are seven stories you might have missed.

1. Researchers discovered a new treatment for Alzheimer’s

Scientists found that two 20-minute electrical stimulation sessions per day can improve the memory and cognitive performance of elderly p...


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