DEBATE: With CO2 at record levels, does the UK need to prioritise clean energy? November 13, 2017 With CO2 at record levels, does the UK need to prioritise clean energy? Greg Jackson, founder of challenger energy firm Octopus Energy, says YES. It’s a stark reality that air pollution kills 40,000 people in this country every year. If the bodies lay where the problem did, your morning commute would be grisly. The scandal [...]
Autumn Budget 2017: Liberal Democrats leader Vince Cable reveals great youth giveaway funded by a wealth tax | City A.M. November 8, 2017 The Liberal Democrats are looking into a wealth tax that it would use to fund a grant for all young people to help pay for further education or adult learning. Leader Vince Cable today revealed the party was backing the idea of “a generous and ambitious learning account of, say, £18,000”, available to every young [...]
Control Brexit and nationalism concerns by investing globally November 1, 2017 As UK investors await the final Brexit plans, it may be time to consider the benefits of geographic diversification. What a difference a year makes. Last June, as Brits voted to leave the EU, many viewed it as a time to shed UK assets. Sterling fell to multi-decade lows versus the dollar and other currencies. [...]
Positive surprise as protectionism fears not bearing out November 1, 2017 Despite Trump election and Brexit, free trade appears to be growing stronger Investors who worried that recent protectionist sentiment would slow free trade can breathe easier. Over the last 18+ months, Brexit, Donald Trump’s election, nationalist sentiment in Europe and other developments sparked investor fear of protectionism and trade wars. Yet free trade remains alive [...]
Positive surprise as protectionism fears not bearing out November 1, 2017 Despite Trump election and Brexit, free trade appears to be growing stronger Investors who worried that recent protectionist sentiment would slow free trade can breathe easier. Over the last 18+ months, Brexit, Donald Trump’s election, nationalist sentiment in Europe and other developments sparked investor fear of protectionism and trade wars. Yet free trade remains alive [...]
Control Brexit and nationalism concerns by investing globally November 1, 2017 As UK investors await the final Brexit plans, it may be time to consider the benefits of geographic diversification. What a difference a year makes. Last June, as Brits voted to leave the EU, many viewed it as a time to shed UK assets. Sterling fell to multi-decade lows versus the dollar and other currencies. [...]
How investors can meet the income challenge September 22, 2017 Wealth managers should take a rounded approach to building portfolios, especially if the aim is to provide an ongoing income for the future. Investors’ ambitions can typically be classified as one of two broad goals: accumulating and growing a pot of money for use in the future, or investing to provide ongoing income, such as [...]
Patient Capital? Time for a national database to match investors with innovators September 22, 2017 Last November, the Treasury launched the Patient Capital Review. Its aim was to identify the barriers that innovative companies may face in gaining access to long term, supportive finance. It is being overseen by an A list of entrepreneurs and investment experts, chaired by former Permira head Sir Damon Buffini, who are supremely well-qualified to [...]
What needs to change about housing policy by UK property professionals ahead of party conference season September 15, 2017 Katherine McCullough, development director at Merchant Land “During the political party season, I would like to see some attention given to reviewing what Osborne’s stamp duty reforms have achieved and ideally, to have them reversed in order to help stimulate the housing market at the top end. It would also be encouraging to hear discussion [...]
Solar, bitcoin, tech, Tesla and tea: seven important investment charts from August September 5, 2017 Each month, writers at Schroders pull together the most intriguing charts of the month. Solar production eclipsed (briefly) The US came to a standstill on 21 August as people looked skyward to witness a remarkable solar eclipse. But as the moon blocked the sun it also temporarily blocked solar energy production. California aims to generate [...]