Taking a personalised approach
No matter what stage of life you’re in, it’s never too early or late to start planning for your retirement. By taking a personalised approach, you can develop a retirement plan that will work for you throughout your life.
Market Update: Markets catching up to reality
Following three weeks of ‘not a lot of news’ being good news for stock markets, bad news dented investor sentiment last week. This has coincided with some reversal of global liquidity as the US government is once again stepping up fundraising to replenish its coffers and Pan-European business sentiment surveys ticked down. No surprise then, that risk assets experienced a mild sell-off that reversed some of June’s gains. Hardest hit were China, Europe and the UK, but for inherently different reasons.
Market Update: Market conundrum amid volatile growth
Last week saw equity markets move higher yet, despite central bank hawkishness. We had another 0.25% rate rise from the European Central Bank (ECB) and, although the US Federal Open markets Committee (FOMC) left rates unchanged, they gave us strong hints of at least another 0.25% hike in July. They also indicated their expectation for rates to stay higher for longer than many think.
I have a will so why do I need a lasting power of attorney?
It is critical to consider the potential consequences of not having a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) in place. Many people assume that their loved ones or close relatives will automatically have the authority to make decisions on their behalf. However, this is not the case, and without a LPA, those close to you will not have the legal authority to handle your financial affairs, health decisions and welfare.
Market Update: Immaculate disinflation sentiment cheers investors
Another positive week in global stock markets, which seems unremarkable given it has been fairly good since the beginning of May. However, looking more closely – as we do – two market dynamics tell us more market participants are warming up to the narrative that bringing inflation under control while still achieving a soft landing for the global economy may be what 2023 brings. First, stock market gains over the past few weeks have been spreading to the mid and small cap market segments, rather than coming from just a handful of mega-cap stocks. Second, falling inflation expectations mean recent...
Market Update: Markets take good news in their stride
In previous weeks, we've noted how the absence of specifically good news meant markets reacted more negatively than expected to the relatively low probability of a US debt default. We pointed out that the more notable event of the weeks have been bond yields once again surging.
Passing on assets Tax-efficiently
Are you concerned about the impact of Inheritance Tax (IHT) on your estate? It’s natural to want to leave behind a legacy for your loved ones, but without the right plan in place, a significant portion of your wealth could be subject to Inheritance Tax. With IHT affecting more and more families, it’s crucial to be proactive and plan accordingly. In most cases, it’s better to begin Inheritance Tax planning as early as possible in order to ensure that your estate is adequately protected. Investing in other options like trusts or leaving money to a registered charity may also provide...
Spring budget 2023
The Spring Budget 2023 was delivered by Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt, on March 15. Among key changes announced were those made to pensions, aimed at making it easier for individuals to save for their retirement and encouraging retirees to return to work.
Market Update: Debt ceiling angst or simply lack of good news
Compared to last week, markets did not really get much ‘new’ news to digest, and yet this week brought a renewed bout of equity market volatility. Given bond yields experienced even larger moves (up), speculation has been blaming the latest market wobble on the unresolved US government debt ceiling negotiations.
Market Update: Big tech stocks increase is ‘artificial’
Last week we wrote that markets were facing growing risks. Since then, and at the time of writing, equity markets have generally headed higher. Japan has been enjoying a particularly good run with the Nikkei 225 making gains every day since last Wednesday. This has occurred despite some disappointing economic data and a weakening currency (we’ll return to the currency moves in a moment). However, the most notable moves have been in US stocks, with the large-cap tech names doing very well in aggregate.
Market Update: Trust the MPC to rain on May’s parade
After a period where it felt like there was a shortage of news, things are hotting up. Both equity and bond markets are bearing up well generally but, in our estimation, underlying risks have increased since May started.
Market Update: Inflation running out of money
Over the past few weeks, we have observed how markets have been hanging in a fine balance, as evidenced by the rather directionless and decreasingly volatile bond, equity and currency markets. We are not the only ones who see it that way...
Guide to setting up a future for my grandchildren
Investing in the future of your grandchildren is a great way to help them prepare for their financial needs in life. By setting aside money now, you can provide them with added security and increased opportunities in the years to come. Investing for grandchildren can be used to help fund college tuition, make a down payment on their first car or home, or even start a retirement fund.
Market Update: Prospects of a warm Spring
Focusing on the UK economy, last week’s data told us that while March was cold, the Spring could be getting economically warmer. This morning’s UK retail sales data for March marked another reduction in volumes, partly due to the cold weather, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Not including fuel, the volume of retail goods sold in March dropped by 1% from February. Food price rises continue to outpace price rises in other goods (nobody is fooled by milk price cuts when the price of bananas rises more than 10%).
Market Update: Return of calm bodes well for Spring
Easter lies behind us and the second quarter of the year ahead. Considering how unnerving the first three months of the year were, UK investors in globally-diversified multi-asset portfolios have not fared too badly. Mildly positive returns across the risk spectrum tell the story of another risk storm having passed without sinking global capital markets.
Critical illness cover, your questions answered.
People are increasingly becoming more concerned about the possibility of being affected by a critical illness such as cancer, stroke or heart attack, according to new research findings[1]. This is reflected in the fact that searches for ‘critical illness insurance’ have skyrocketed, with, on average, 6,800 people searching for ‘critical illness cover’ every month, mostly asked on Google.
Market Update: Spring of hope following winter of doom?
This year began in anticipation of imminent global recession, but imminent did mean immediate, and as the second quarter gets under way, the chances of a global recession may be less now than they were.
Winter Team News – Spring has sprung!
The team at Vizion Wealth would like to wish everyone a Happy New Tax Year! I’m sure you can imagine; we have had a very busy couple of months and are glad to be seeing a little bit of sunshine, the lighter evenings and the cherry blossoms starting to open.
Market Update: Markets put bank stress behind, but challenges remain
The first quarter of 2023 is now behind us, and while March ran run the whole gamut of emotions for investors, we end the month (and quarter) on a fairly positive and quiet note. For the average UK investor who holds their investments in a range of risk profiled portfolios, the quarter ends at levels above, or at worst, fairly close to where they started the year, so not really a ‘down’ quarter after all.
DPMS Portfolio Commentary June 2023
After a frustrating Q1 2023, with a sustained market recovery derailed by banking failures, Q2 2023 has been a generally more positive quarter. This comes despite continued nervousness in the market related to the US debt ceiling being called into question (and swiftly resolved), sticky inflation in the UK, US & Europe and possible further interest rate hikes and China’s sluggish economic recovery.