Crypto Savings Rates
The Independent has reported that an individual claiming to represent the Anonymous hacking collective has accused billionaire Tesla owner Elon Musk of having liquidated dreams and “destroyed lives” with his tweets about cryptocurrencies. We are not in a position to offer a view as to the accuracy of this assertion, but we are very aware […]
Tax Year End
Tax Year End – 5th April 2021 It’s that time of the year again and what a year it’s been. We’re going to skip the usual reminders of bagging your Individual Savings Account allowances, banking your Capital Gains Tax allowances, utilising your annual Inheritance Tax gifting allowances and maximising the amazing annual income tax reliefs […]
Reflections: Daughters
Today was International Women’s Day – the annual global commemoration of the cultural, political, social and economic achievements of women, and, a day of focus on gender equality, reproductive rights and violence against women. Investment & Retirement Solutions is proud to be an inclusive firm; we’re not perfect, but we strive to ensure our team […]
Sovereign credit downgrades
Lost in last week’s excitement about arguments over the fish around the UK, the developing second coronavirus wave and the political power battle between Manchester and London was a piece of news which at any other time would be THE NEWS: Moodys, the credit rating agency downgraded the credit status of the UK, theoretically making […]
Reflections: historical market corrections
In the mid-1600s, the Dutch enjoyed a period of unmatched wealth and prosperity (the Dutch Golden Age). Newly independent from Spain, Dutch merchants grew rich on trade through the Dutch East India Company. With money to spend, art and exotica became fashionable collectors items. That’s how the Dutch became fascinated with rare “broken” tulips, bulbs […]
The other “R” – recession
Early in July, investors were buoyed by news of progress in the development of coronavirus vaccines. However, as the month continued, optimism was tempered by a surge in infection rates in countries including the US, Australia, Spain and India. Investor sentiment was further dampened as the strained relationship between China and the US continued to […]
2nd wave fears
We started 2020 predicting a ‘choppy year’ for investors as we left the EU and entered the transitional period; whilst Russia and Saudi Arabia fought a ‘war-of-words’ (the collateral damage was global oil prices); the backdrop of a Presidential twitter account having the potential to yo-yo anything, anywhere, leading up to the US election later […]
How coronavirus might burst the tech bubble
A handful of technology companies have benefited from coronavirus. Amazon has profited handsomely, as have streaming and video conferencing platforms like Netflix and Zoom. But the pandemic has laid bare the shaky foundations of a number of other platforms that bill themselves as technology companies and have enjoyed the high valuations that come with this label. […]
Nothing as safe as bricks n mortar..?
Our bias against direct investment into property funds based on independent financial adviser recommendation, other than for clients who can afford an extended long term property position remains in place. Back in 2007, a long standing but uncharacteristic property fund bull run started to unwind as professional investors realised that the ‘old rule’ of property […]
Armed Forces Day
Armed Forces Day 2020 falls on Saturday 27th June. What’s it about? Armed Forces Day is a chance to show your support for the men and women who make up the Armed Forces community: from currently serving troops to Service families, veterans and cadets. There are many ways for people, communities and organisations across the […]
Sino-American relations in trouble (again)
Relations between the US and China deteriorated further during May as the US blamed China and the World Health Organisation (WHO) for the pandemic. The US Senate passed the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act, in which US-traded issues are required to surrender their listings on US exchanges if they do not comply with US audits, […]
UK borrows at negative rates
Today, the UK government has sold a bond (government gilt) with a negative yield. What does this mean? It means that the government is being paid to look after investors money, whilst the investors have agreed to get back a little less than they have lent to the government! Japan, Germany and some other European […]
COVID update – VE DAY
VE DAY +75 To provide greater access during the COVID lockdown, we’re manning our ‘phones and video-chat facilities until late afternoon today, the VE DAY 75 bank holiday
Expert help in difficult times – Emergency Financial Advice
If you are over the age of 50 and concerned or anxious about your pension or other aspects of your personal finances because of the coronavirus crises you should speak to a financial adviser. We are offering a free initial discussion with a regulated financial adviser. Book a call now at http://investretire.uk/pc-appt WHAT IS EMERGENCY […]
coronavirus financial concerns
Aegon research highlights financial concerns over coronavirus Aegon has launched a tracker survey to better understand how savers and investors are behaving as a result of the coronavirus and the ensuing market volatility. The survey* of more than 1,100 consumers, conducted at the end of March, shows that the impact of the coronavirus pandemic is […]
Property fund suspensions..?
M&G’s property funds have been suspended since December last year, and this month some £12.8billion of investor’s money has been frozen across various other property funds. Why is this? To increase consumer protection, the city regulator, The Financial Conduct Authority, introduced a rule last year which required property funds to automatically suspend additional contributions and […]
We’re working through coronavirus
Extreme market volatility and the anxieties of the coronavirus COVID-19 create the perfect storm during which current and future clients need the support of trusted, Independent Financial Advisers. Our business resilience plan is now in operation and we aim to maintain our response times and service levels during these challenging times when our clients need […]
Worried about coronavirus or climate change?
With increasing public concern about the transmission (spreading) of covid19 coronavirus and heightened awareness of the global climate crises we thought we’d remind current and prospective clients that we’re happy to ‘meet’ in the virtual world using an assortment of video conferencing tools which allow live sharing of documents and whist also being to look […]
Retirement, the great adventure?
Quality financial planning can guide you along the path so your retirement is the beginning of a great adventure. However, The Schroders 2018 Global Investor Study found that there is a significant gap between people’s retirement expectations and the financial realities of retirement. Schroders found that people expect their basic living expenses to absorb 38% […]
measure, take profit, cut losses, reinvest
Our Ransom Hall head office is located in Ransom Wood, part of historic Sherwood Forest. A perk of working here is the ability to step out of the office straight into nature which we’ve done today. We took this photo a little deeper in #sherwoodforest, an area called #sherwoodpines. These trees weren’t felled last week […]