Wealth management firms told to target social media as they face fintech challenge June 23, 2016 Wealth management firms are being encouraged to up their game on social media to better cater for the digital needs of high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs). Capgemini’s 20th World Wealth Report also warned fintech companies are “making inroads along the entire expanse of the wealth management lifecycle”. “Firms need to be making progress on all aspects of [...]
Before the bell: What you need to know before the US market open June 22, 2016 It's the calm before the storm as investors await a second round of testimony from Federal Reserve chair Janet Yellen and the UK Brexit referendum approaches. Here's what you need to know before the US market open at 14:30 London time. In the pre-market US futures are up, albeit barely. The S&P is up by 0.05 per cent. [...]
EU referendum: UBS roadmap for day after vote points to FTSE falling below 5,000 if Brexit happens June 22, 2016 The blue-chip FTSE 100 index could fall to lows not seen since 2011 if the UK votes to quit the EU, UBS analysts have warned. In a note to clients this morning UBS cautioned the FTSE 100 could slip under 5,000 points post Brexit, though could rise to up 6,800 if the country votes to remain. The polls are currently [...]
Wealth manager’s share price drops after reporting £1m loss in “challenging trading environment” June 22, 2016 The share price of wealth manager European Wealth dropped nearly two per cent this morning after the company reported a pre-tax loss of £1m. The results The alternative investment market (Aim)-listed firm reported a 20 per cent increase in funds under management (FUM) in the year to 31 December 2015. Read more: Wealth managers facing [...]
Cash is still king: Why hard cash continues to be a vital asset class for investors June 21, 2016 To many, cash represents an opportunity cost, an opportunity lost. These investors believe cash is a temporary holding medium between risk-assets, held unwillingly, often for a lack of better ideas. That is a limiting, myopic view. Cash is a core asset class, not a blank canvas from which to create an investment. Sometimes – even [...]
EU referendum: Confidence among private investors holds up ahead of vote June 21, 2016 Confidence among private investors edged up this month, despite widespread talk of unprecedented market volatility in the run-up to the EU referendum. A poll of more than 1,000 UK investors for the Lloyds Bank investor sentiment index showed the outlook towards most types of assets had improved slightly over the last few weeks, but is still considerably [...]
What will happen to UK equities if we leave the European Union? June 21, 2016 The pound and the FTSE soared yesterday, as the Remain camp wrestled back its lead in the polls. But the outcome of Thursday’s EU referendum is far from clear, with pundits saying that voter turnout will be pivotal in determining whether the UK stays or leaves. If Article 50 is triggered and sterling dives, what should [...]
Why Brexit could be the shock that saves the euro June 21, 2016 Threatened by the possibility of a British exit from the European Union, politicians across the continent have rightfully defended the fragile politico-economic bloc from a vote that could open the door for more countries to leave. But could such an upset potentially yield a brighter future for Europe and, more specifically, the countries that share [...]
Brexit causes gold rush – experts predict prices will hit $1,400 by month end if the UK votes to leave the EU June 21, 2016 The risk of Brexit has pushed up the price of gold, with every tightening of the bookmakers’ odds giving a boost to the value of the precious metal. The price of bullion is up 21 per cent so far this year, 8 per cent of which has come in the last month. Gold prices reached a [...]
Vast majority of financial services chiefs expect shareholder rebellions over executive pay to continue, according to report released by Per Ardua June 20, 2016 Finance bosses are braced for more shareholder activism over executive pay, following a string of rebellions so far this year. More than eight in 10 respondents (82 per cent) to a Per Ardua Associates study said they were expecting to see more remuneration-focused activism from shareholders. A quarter (25 per cent) also said their companies were [...]