Nearly a third of investment managers not considering ESG factors January 8, 2020 Nearly a third of investment managers are not committed to systematically considering environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors as part of their investment process across all asset classes. According to pensions advisory firm LCP’s annual Responsible Investment survey, 30 per cent of managers are still failing in terms of such considerations. Read more: Five sustainable [...]
What the return of Middle East tensions could mean for markets January 8, 2020 | City Talk Last week’s assassination of Qassem Soleimani, the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards’ overseas forces, has reignited tensions in the Middle East and sent tremors through asset markets. The oil price has risen sharply to over $70 a barrel at the time of writing, amid concerns that tensions in the region will impact supply. Meanwhile, [...]
The changing face of income January 8, 2020 | Sponsored Henderson High Income Trust celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2019, having launched in 1989. This was the same year that Tim Berners-Lee invented the World Wide Web. Given Henderson High Income provides shareholder with a high dividend income by predominately investing in UK companies, this article looks at how the internet has led the UK market [...]
Gold and oil prices climb as Iran crisis deepens after attacks January 8, 2020 Gold and oil prices have risen after Iranian missile attacks on Iraqi military bases housing US and UK personnel caused already heightened tensions in the Middle East to flare. The precious metal surged more than two per cent to hit a seven-year high overnight, breaking through the $1,600 barrier for the first time since 2013 [...]
Creepy micromanagement won’t drive productivity — try trusting staff instead January 8, 2020 Calling all employers: what was in your Christmas stocking? Did you find the latest gadget designed to enhance productivity? The innovative device, featured in the media during the festive season, is a toilet with a downward sloping seat. The company which makes it, StandardToilet, has conducted extensive tests. A slope of 13 degrees is exactly [...]
Three New Year’s resolutions for the wealth management industry January 8, 2020 The year ahead has the potential to be a defining one for the wealth management industry, following a difficult 12 months that have seen client confidence rocked by a number of high-profile issues. Whether it’s the suitability of investment products, exorbitant and opaque fees, or the need to build a better and more inclusive dialogue [...]
How to ask your boss for a pay rise in 2020 January 8, 2020 January is one of the busiest hiring months of the year, as many people re-evaluate their career options over the holiday period. Perhaps you enjoy your current job and don’t want to leave it, but would quite like a pay rise. If you believe that you’re working above your pay grade and are consistently producing [...]
Millennials drive record Rolls-Royce sales as luxury car firm targets youth January 7, 2020 Rolls-Royce’s high-end, luxury cars may not immediately come to mind as the playthings of the younger generation. But thanks to a concerted push to appeal to younger buyers, the 111-year-old company has managed to bring the average age of its clientele down by 13 years over the last decade to just 43. Read more: Aston [...]
Travelex held to ransom by hackers January 7, 2020 Hackers are holding foreign exchange giant Travelex to ransom, after a cyber attack forced the company to switch off all its computer systems. It has been reported that hackers infiltrated the company’s systems on New Year’s Eve and that it has taken down 30 of its websites to contain “the virus and protect data”. Read [...]
2019 was worst year on record for UK property funds January 7, 2020 UK property funds endured the largest and most sustained withdrawals on record in 2019, with total outflows of £2.2bn, as the industry was dented by weakening sentiment over Brexit and the fallout from the M&G real estate fund suspension. The figures, which are equivalent to £1 in every £15 under management in property funds being [...]