The ‘75%’ chance that the Santa Rally exists December 2, 2016 | City Talk Stock markets are more likely to rise in December than any other month, according to analysis of nearly three decades of data. The analysis conducted by Schroders, which covers the world’s largest markets, adds to the debate over the existence of the “Santa Rally”, an alleged effect often dismissed by seasoned investors. Our analysis [...]
The league table of countries with the most ‘caring’ investors December 2, 2016 | City Talk Europeans are less concerned about environmental issues when it comes to selecting investments than Asians or Americans, according to a major study of attitudes in 28 countries. Investors in Asia were far more likely to consider environmental concerns, particularly those in Indonesia and Thailand. Investors in China and India also ranked the importance of these [...]
How the stockmarket returned 80% without moving December 2, 2016 | City Talk Reinvesting dividends is one of the most powerful tools available to an investor to boost returns over time. If you had invested £100 on 30th December 1999 in the FTSE 100, the capital growth would have produced a notional return of £0.97 (by 31/10/16). But on a total return basis, reinvesting all dividends, the £100 [...]
How to prepare your portfolio for inflation December 2, 2016 | City Talk Concerns about inflation were already on the rise. Donald Trump’s victory in the US election has further stoked expectations that price pressure, absent in most Western economies since the financial crisis, may make a return in 2017 and beyond. The basics Inflation is a measure of how fast the prices of goods and services are [...]
A calendar of potential investment shocks on the horizon December 2, 2016 | City Talk The vote for Brexit and the victory of Donald Trump in the US election have been seen by some as an anti-establishment backlash and a vote against the economic status quo. Like Brexit, the implications of Donald Trump’s presidency remain unclear. The market’s response to both events has been to fluctuate wildly. While investing for [...]
The ‘75%’ chance that the Santa Rally exists December 2, 2016 | City Talk Stock markets are more likely to rise in December than any other month, according to analysis of nearly three decades of data. The analysis conducted by Schroders, which covers the world’s largest markets, adds to the debate over the existence of the “Santa Rally”, an alleged effect often dismissed by seasoned investors. Our analysis measured two [...]
It’s good but it ain’t enough: Auto-enrolment numbers are a “tale of two halves” December 1, 2016 Auto-enrolment of workplace pensions is failing key sections of the workforce and needs to be "re-booted", according to industry experts. The department for work and pensions today released its annual report on the country's participation in the initiative, which was an attempt to "address the decline in private pension saving and to help normalise saving". [...]
Annuity rates have surged since the summer providing relief for customers on the hunt for fixed returns December 1, 2016 With annuity rates at rock-bottom levels and the cancelling of plans for a secondary market, it's been a tough year for retirees hoping to secure a decent fixed level of income. However, finally there is some relief as it was revealed annuity rates have jumped by 10.6 per cent since August. On a £50,000 cash [...]
FCA wants customers to shop around for the best bank interest rates and have revealed who gives the best returns on cash December 1, 2016 With interest rates at rock bottom levels we've all become accustomed to the fact we shouldn't expect much of a return from our bank accounts. And today, the UK's financial watchdog named and shamed the banks paying the lowest interest rates on cash savings accounts. Read more: City watchdog warns of asset management "market failure" [...]
After the Trumpflation trade, should investors expect a Santa rally in equity markets this month? December 1, 2016 Brad Holland, fund manager at Nutmeg Savings and Investments, says Yes. Central banks across the world have been desperately trying to create inflation for years now. If inflation did return to the radar screen, monetary policy wonks could celebrate that the past decade’s extraordinary policy measures are finally beginning to lift the global economy out [...]