If you are an individual investor, or if you have ever met with a financial adviser, I am sure you are aware of the concept of volatility, the tendency of investments to move up and down quickly. It's likely that you've heard of it in a negative way, as something to be avoided. The [...]
It’s become almost a trend in recent years to condemn the 60/40 portfolio, which invests 60% in stocks and 40% in bonds. And with good reason. Thanks to an absurdly low interest rate environment, it didn’t offer the same diversification benefits one would expect in a more reasonable world. Yet investors need to recognise [...]
With top-paying savings accounts in the UK now paying around 4% interest, and with cash rates for one-year fixed term accounts going as high as 5%, many consumers are now wondering whether they should simply hold onto their cash savings rather than investing. To help clients with this tricky issue, we have looked to [...]
Commercial properties include such spaces as offices, industrial buildings, shopping malls, warehouses, retail parks, hotels, cinemas, and logistics buildings. Investing in commercial property can usually be considered as being a good diversifier in client portfolios. One way investors can access this asset class is through buying open-ended property funds, which look [...]
Investing for the long term gives your money the greatest chance of growing in value. But this means keeping calm during periods of significant stock market volatility – and remembering that, as history shows, markets typically recover. Here are three reasons why investing over the long term is the wisest strategy. [...]
Everyone makes mistakes at some point in their lives. Some are relatively minor, like accidentally hitting ‘reply all’ and broadcasting a message to your colleagues. Others can have more long-lasting consequences, and this is especially the case when it comes to your investments. Making a mistake with your investments could set you back hundreds, [...]
Dipping your toe into the stock market can be a daunting prospect, especially in a time of heightened market volatility. So, when is the right time to take the plunge? Funnily enough, the answer doesn’t depend on what is happening in the wider economy, but on your own individual circumstances and goals. [...]
National Savings & Investments (NS&I) is a firm favourite among UK savers, who appreciate its secure government backing and the excitement of its premium bond prize draws. Yet with interest rates on its products often lower than those offered elsewhere, it might be worth considering alternative options. The decision that’s right for you will [...]
UK inflation soared to a 41-year high of 11.1% in the year to October 2022, according to figures from the Office for National Statistics. In the two months since it has fallen, first to 10.7% in November and then to 10.5% in December. But it remains more than five times the official target of [...]
Market volatility can increase or decrease depending on where we are in the business cycle. Here’s why this shouldn’t worry long-term investors. Big market declines can be unnerving for investors, often triggering emotions of fear and concern, particularly if they occur unexpectedly or in a very brief period of time. However, such declines are [...]
