What the Autumn Budget Means for You
Rachel Reeves' first Budget as Chancellor had the rumour mill in overdrive based on the tax uplift required to fill a blackhole in the public finances. The biggest single tax change from the budget designed to address that blackhole was a 2% increase in the rate of employer NICs. Many of the rumoured changes, such as a return of the pension lifetime allowance, changes to pension tax relief, investment incentives for EIS & VCTs or a cap on pensions tax-free cash failed to materialise, which is good news for individuals saving for retirement.
Building wealth and achieving financial goals
Investing is an indispensable tool for building wealth and achieving financial goals. By allocating resources to various investments, individuals can accumulate wealth over time through capital appreciation, dividends and interest. For example, investing in a diversitied portfolio of stocks can yield significant returns, enabling you to grow your wealth far beyond what traditional savings accounts offer.
Market Update: Markets in brace position
Capital markets feel more tense than at any point since the beginning of September. Global stocks sold off slightly last week, but without sharp moves. It would be wrong to say that investors are fearful. In general, the global economic outlook is still positive despite geopolitical risks. It feels more like markets bracing for some big events. Britons anxiously await the autumn budget and, after a long build-up of mixed messages, it would help to just get it over with.
Market Update: No news is good news…
Capital markets quietened down last week. Global stocks are up from a week ago, and there is a sense that anxieties are fading. Risks and uncertainties have not gone away completely, but their short-term impacts on risk assets look smaller. There was a lack of bad new news, while the old news seemed less negative. That has allowed investors to focus on more concrete details.
A Guide to Mastering Financial Fitness in Your 50s
Entering your 50 is not just another chapter in your life; it's a profound and exciting phase in your financial journey. By this time, life may have settled into a more predictable rhythm. Perhaps your children are financially independent, and your career is at a peak, providing a stable income.Thoughts of winding down or retiring might be dancing on the horizon. This is why it's a pivotal moment to take a comprehensive look at your financial situation and ensure you're on the right path to achieving your future goals. Here's our guide to help you focus on key areas and...
Market Update: Buy the rumour, sell the fact
For a week with so many competing market narratives, global stocks were fairly stable. However, the S&P 500 continues to hit new highs and is doing so as we write. Broadly, US equities were stronger despite higher than expected inflation data, while the UK and Europe are lower on the week (at the time of writing) thanks the effect of dividend payments, currency moves and some policy uncertainty.
Income Protection Insurance
When life throws unexpected challenges our way, such as severe illness or injury, the impact can be emotionally and financially overwhelming. While it's never pleasant to contemplate misfortune, it's crucial to consider how you would cope if a severe health issue left you unable to work.
Market Update: Global Growth Tailwinds
Rarely do non-US stories dominate global capital markets as much as last week. China announced a double shot of economic stimulus that surprised most – and Chinese stocks surged in response. European equities, particularly luxury goods brands, also jumped, in a hopeful sign of what returning Chinese consumer demand could do for global growth. Strangely, this was accompanied by falling oil prices. That is the opposite of what you would expect, given the (supposedly) improved outlook for global demand and the supply risks from escalating Middle Eastern tensions. The good news is that lower energy prices should themselves support growth....
Market Update: Central bank Pivot 2.0
Central banks dominated the narrative last week. The US Federal Reserve’s (Fed) 50 basis point cut to interest rates was by far the biggest market news, surprising some who expected a smaller move. Investors took the news well, with the S&P 500 reaching new all-time highs in response. Then came the Bank of England’s (BoE) non-decision on Thursday. UK rates were held steady, but Governor Andrew Bailey strongly suggested that they will fall again at the BoE’s November meeting.
Autumn Budget 2024 Preparation
On 30 October, Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves will deliver the Autumn Budget Statement 2024, accompanied by a comprehensive fiscal statement from the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR). This significant event comes as the new government, elected to boost economic stability and growth, takes its first important step in addressing the nation's financial health.
September Team News 2024
In our last blog we explained that Joe was leaving us for a new life in Canada with his girlfriend, we gave him a good send off, which included, team building clay pigeon shooting, dinner in a country pub and of course the mandatory send-off drinks. He’ll be much missed and we wish him all the best in his future adventures.
Market Update: Market fears fading
Capital markets picked themselves up last week. Global stocks are up, recovering well from a tough start to September. At the time of writing, not all of the week before last’s losses have been recovered, but markets seem to breathe a sigh of relief. This was particularly felt in the US, where stocks gained every day of the week at a remarkably consistent pace. We said before that the early September sell-off felt a little like the one that began at the height of summer – more about nerves than underlying outlook.
Market Update: Nervous markets ahead of second pivot
Capital markets have started September rather despondently. It feels similar to (though not nearly as bad as) the sell-off that started August, after which stock values quickly recovered. There were risks and headwinds back then, but nothing that significantly dampened the long-term outlook. This is even more true now: there are lots of uncertainties, but little that should materially concern investors.
Minimise Inheritance Tax
Effective planning reduces Inheritance Tax (IHT), enabling your loved ones to benefit more from your wealth. Estates above £325,000 (2024/25 tax year) may be taxed at 40%. Strategies to manage this include using IHT allowances and more advanced options like forming a company with your heirs as shareholders.
Market Update: Balancing acts
It was a flat week for global stock values, but with a fair amount of dispersion. US returns were once again weighed down by tech, but the UK and Europe are up over 1% at the time of writing. The overall sluggish picture seems a strange reaction to supportive comments from US Federal Reserve chair Powell and a healthier than expected US economy, but markets are chewing on a few things.
Market Update: Late Summer heatwave
Equity and bond markets got hotter earlier last week. Jerome Powell all but confirms the start of rate cuts, but the US dollar is no longer a beneficiary.
State Pension Awareness
In April 2024, the state pension rose by 8.5% to £11,502.40 a year for post-2016 retirees. However, according to new research, one in seven (14%) retirees receive less money from the state pension than expected. This highlights the need for more information about the payments people can expect to receive from the government later in life.
Market Update: Tornado rather than hurricane
After stocks sank in early August, we warned that volatility could ripple on, and the market storm turn into a full-blown hurricane. But last week saw a remarkable dying-down of the volatility, like a whirlwind that passes in an hour: stock markets climbed up all over the world, with no hint of pullback. The rally has been so strong that global stocks are almost exactly where they were at the end of July – before the sharp sell-off.
DPMS Portfolio Commentary August 2024
With a generally positive Q2 now firmly in the rear-view mirror, we are focusing on looking forward to a more accommodating picture for monetary policy for the remainder of 2024. Interest rate cuts are expected across developed markets as inflation starts to ease with growth prospects expected to improve as debt costs fall.
DPMS Portfolio Commentary October 2024
Now that all developed markets have started cutting interest rates, we are looking forward to a more accommodating period of easing monetary policy heading into 2025. Further cuts are expected over the next 12 months as the era of higher interest rates has been declared over by The Federal Reserve (The Fed), Bank of England (BoE) and European Central Bank (ECB).