ISA investors rushing to beat 2015/16 tax deadline might be searching for safer portfolios April 5, 2016 One in four savers are feeling more nervy than this time last year, as they prepare to shift their portfolios into less risky assets, according to new research out today. Swings on the stock markets, along with uncertainties surrounding the EU referendum, the Chinese economy and oil prices were all cited as reasons by retail [...]
Inflation’s going to rear its head again: Epic money printing through QE is going to cause a spurt of price rises April 5, 2016 Inflation, the silent force that raises prices, could be coming back with a vengeance. Whether it’s a pernicious tax that erodes ordinary people’s purchasing power or a necessary part of healthy economies is still open for debate. But inflation has been around since ancient times. The price of barley spiked in Babylon during the reign [...]
Blackrock’s biggest risks in the second quarter for investors April 5, 2016 The world's largest asset manager has flagged the biggest risks investors must watch out for in the second quarter of this year. Blackrock's quarterly global investment outlook, written by its global chief investment strategist, Richard Turnill, and his team, highlights some of the hurdles which could rile global markets. Chinese yuan devaluation They warn global markets could [...]
Executive pay and clarity around incentive plans are the most important issues for investors attending AGMs this year March 31, 2016 Sir Martin Sorrell and Tidjane Thia, watch out: executive remuneration is the top priority for investors attending AGMs this year – and there has been an increase in those willing to vote against incentive plans. Some 70 per cent of institutional investors surveyed by Capita Asset Services said they would systematically vote against incentive plans when [...]
Earning a crust: With Centrica, Rolls Royce, BHP Billiton and others cutting their dividend, where should investors look for income? March 31, 2016 As central banks have pushed down interest rates, income has become ever harder to find. While returns on cash savings have remained low, dividend-yielding stocks have looked like a source of stability. But now, trouble in the global economy is forcing reliable dividend payers such as Centrica and Rolls Royce to slash their payouts. Companies [...]
Five reasons to think twice before investing in buy-to-let March 31, 2016 You hear it all the time. A relative or a friend has just inherited some money. They want to make it work for them. So they make what seems like an ironclad financial decision: they invest in buy-to-let. Why is this so common? After all, property ownership is a relatively recent trend. Well, rental properties [...]
Invest down under: Why Australia’s an overlooked investment opportunity – and it’s nothing to do with oil and mining March 30, 2016 Australia has the enviable honour of avoiding recession for nearly 25 years. It’s well known for having plentiful natural resources and a thriving oil and mining sector, and its proximity to China made it the chief supplier of commodities to the Asian giant during its manufacturing and construction boom. But the abundance of stuff to [...]
EU referendum could explain “exodus from investment funds”, says analyst as new figures show February outflows of £399m March 30, 2016 The EU referendum vote has been blamed for an "exodus from investment funds". New figures from the Investment Association show the industry saw net outflows of £399m from UK authorised investment funds last month. Laith Khalaf, a senior analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, said the figures came as a "surprise". He added: "One possible reason behind the poor numbers is [...]
Five of the best European stocks for your portfolio – Pandora jewellery, sportswear firm Adidas, mobile phone company Orange, oil firm Tenaris and publisher Wolters Kluwer all stand out March 30, 2016 Europe has been a popular choice for investors in recent years. This is largely because the region is home to thousands of well-established businesses, many of which are global leaders in their field, and because Europe’s policy makers are determined to keep the region out of another crisis. Although European economies are slow, they are [...]
UK’s Isa options are too risky for investors, according to research exposing “major mismatch” March 30, 2016 The UK's Isa portfolios are too risky for the appetites of investors, new research has found. Some 70 per cent of the nation's investment Isa portfolios are in sectors with top risk ratings, according to online investment platform Rplan.co.uk. And this has created a "major mismatch" between Isas and investors. Read more: Do you really understand [...]