Market Update: A rally that requires belief
A good week for US stocks has erased the year’s losses in dollar terms (in sterling terms, they are mildly negative). The tech-heavy NASDAQ index is officially in a bullish trend – passing the 20% up mark from April’s trough. The recovery from last month’s “Liberation Day” sell-off has been extraordinary for most major equity regions, many of whom are still beating the US year-to-date.
Market Update: Markets calm but trouble still bubbles
Despite the India-Pakistan hostilities, markets remained calm this week. Measured price volatility came down substantially although, due to global economic uncertainty, implied future volatility – the cost of insuring your assets against sudden losses – is still relatively high. But investors seem to feel that US trade wars will be sufficiently resolved and growth will resume.
Market Update: No news is good news…
It starts as a pretty good week for global markets. That is despite dire US GDP figures, mixed earnings reports from the biggest US tech companies and, for us, disappointing news that a US-UK trade deal is unlikely to come soon. Investors feel positive because they think the White House chaos has abated, and Trump might now support growth rather than hinder it.
Market Update: Markets Bounce
Capital markets bounced last week and the mood notably improved. Media commentary put this down to Donald Trump’s softer rhetoric on Chinese tariffs, and his affirmation of the US central bank’s (the Federal Reserve’s) independence. Equities and bonds were positively impacted, not just in the US but across developed markets.
Avoiding Financial Pitfalls
Investing is essential for those looking to grow their wealth over time. Cash alone seldom keeps pace with inflation, as the interest it generates is usually too low to preserve its purchasing power. For beginners or those adopting a DIY approach to investing, recognising common mistakes can help protect them from potential financial pitfalls.
Market Update: Volatility drops but uncertainty remains
We head into the long Easter weekend with calmer markets than a week ago – but without any strong rebound. Time off from the tariff drama has helped the mood and eased last week’s liquidity concerns, but there still is not much to get excited about. Better than expected profits from microchip manufacturer TSMC boosted tech stocks, though that was counterbalanced by the earlier news that the US will effectively ban sales of Nvidia’s H20 chips to China.
Private Pensions Inherited by Beneficiaries Will No Longer Escape IHT
For years, private pensions have offered a tax-efficient way to pass on wealth to loved ones. Currently, any money left in a private pension fund upon death is exempt from Inheritance Tax (IHT). However, this long-standing benefit is set to end. Following announcements by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, from April 2027, private pensions inherited by beneficiaries will no longer escape IHT.
Market Update: Ceasefire, not truce, in global trade war
After a week of eye-watering ups and downs, stock markets are roughly where they started but still well below where they were before Trump’s April 2nd ‘Liberation Day’. For bond holders, it has been equally volatile but prices are more than slightly down.
Market Update: Trump’s Liberation Day turns into market clear out
Donald Trump’s tariffs upset markets, which were unprepared for their magnitude. The US imposed a 10% tariff on most imports, and additional “reciprocal” tariffs on major trading partners. Unsurprisingly, this was followed by China’s 34% retaliatory tariff this morning. Global stocks sold off, as investors digest the prospect of a full-blown global trade war. Sharply lower bond yields reflect markets’ downgraded global growth expectations. Just like past growth scares, these are trying times for investors, but we must stay level-headed. Markets often overcorrect to shocks and, as a result, the ensuing recovery is often swift. If you sell risk assets...
Lifetime Transfers and the Seven-Year Rule
Potentially Exempt Transfers (PETs) and Chargeable Lifetime Transfers (CLTs) broadly define gifts made during an individual's lifetime. Their classification depends on the nature of the gift and the recipient. It's equally important to note that some lifetime transfers are exempt, meaning they are not subject to tax.
Market Update: Tariff ‘stick’ to be followed by ‘fiscal’ carrot?
As most of us are aware, markets have recently been taking one step forward, one step back and this week was no different. Equity markets started with a bit of positivity amid talk that Trump’s April 2nd tariff “Liberation Day” was going to be calibrated and phased. Trump’s unexpected announcement on Thursday of permanent 25% tariffs on autos together with threats of further tariffs should trading partners counter them with retaliatory measures, was directly at odds with the markets’ latest expectations, and so down things came.
Do you fall into the 60% tax trap?
For many earners in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, the highest Income Tax rate is 45%. However, while 45% is the highest ‘official’ rate, some individuals effectively pay a tax rate of 60% on part of their income. This phenomenon, commonly called the ‘60% tax trap,’ affects those earning over £100,000 and applies to their income between £100,000 and £125,140.
Market Update: Bracing for tariff “Liberation Day”
Capital markets were calmer for most of the week, with a little turbulence into the end. Up until Thursday close, stock prices moved higher and measures of intraday volatility fell somewhat, largely thanks to fewer signs of policy upheaval from the US government. The week’s biggest policy event – a meeting of the US Federal Reserve – gave little information that we did not already know or expect. American investors took this as a decent sign and, for the first time in a few weeks, the US was one of the better performers.
March Team News 2025
Hello and a very warm welcome to the Vizion Wealth Team News. We are just about surviving the run up to the tax year end, it is always a very busy time for us and a great opportunity to check in with you all to see if you need any tax year end assistance.
Time is Running Out: Don’t Miss Your Chance to Boost Your State Pension
It’s important to take the time to give your finances a year-end check-up. The 2017/18 tax year ends on 5 April 2018, with the new tax year beginning the following day, on 6 April. These are important dates for financial planning, so it’s important you don’t miss the chance to make the most of valuable tax-efficiencies and allowances.
Market Update: The return of regional divergence
Once again, the aggregate picture hides a great deal of variation. US stocks have had another down week, while European stocks – mainly defence companies – have performed well, alongside Chinese shares. The background to this was an historic increase in European defence spending, sharply higher bond yields, and continued political volatility from the Trump administration. We are in a period of deep uncertainty – where the market outlook can turn rapidly. In this environment, holding diversified investments is proving crucial once again.
Market Update: Honeymoon ends early
There was no meaningful recovery for US stocks last week, following their cold shower last Friday. By contrast, Europe actually managed to warm a little through last week. Investors’ shift away from the US continues, and markets are no longer enamoured by Donald Trump. We can be pretty confident that the president will react to this, but how – and what effect that might have on global investments – is not clear.
Your Guide to Year End Tax Planning
It’s important to take the time to give your finances a year-end check-up. The 2017/18 tax year ends on 5 April 2018, with the new tax year beginning the following day, on 6 April. These are important dates for financial planning, so it’s important you don’t miss the chance to make the most of valuable tax-efficiencies and allowances.
Market Update: Global politics turn business
We start the week on a slightly downbeat note, not borne out of the astounding shifts in US foreign policy, but because US domestic service sector sentiment seems to have sagged. The US 10-year bond yield has dropped back to below 4.5% after a midweek push to 4.6%...
Market Update: Europe First?
Another dramatic week in global politics had rare and fascinating effects on capital markets. The Trump administration’s apparent plan to negotiate a Ukraine peace deal without European input, but leave European nations to foot the bill and bear the political consequences, is considered a nightmare scenario by many politicians on the continent. And yet, European stocks rallied while the US faltered. For the first time in a while, global investors seem more positive about equities outside the world’s largest economy – including booming Chinese tech stocks – than in it.