Investment News

The risks involved with using credit cards to invest are likely to outweigh the potential benefits.

The risks involved with using credit cards to invest are likely to outweigh the potential benefits.

Are the new rules enough to attract high quality companies to the UK?

Are the new rules enough to attract high quality companies to the UK?

Furthermore, receive 5.20% interest daily on any uninvested cash with this stocks and shares ISA.

Furthermore, receive 5.20% interest daily on any uninvested cash with this stocks and shares ISA.

Whether you’re new to investing, or are an experienced investor, you may be overwhelmed by all the information and choices available to you.

Whether you’re new to investing, or are an experienced investor, you may be overwhelmed by all the information and choices available to you.

From antibiotics to vaccines, should you invest in the pharmaceutical sector?

From antibiotics to vaccines, should you invest in the pharmaceutical sector?

From income tax to the new pension reforms, what changes will affect you?

From income tax to the new pension reforms, what changes will affect you?

Why you should remain wary of banking stock bargains in the wake of Silicon Valley Bank’s collapse.

Why you should remain wary of banking stock bargains in the wake of Silicon Valley Bank’s collapse.

If you lose a loved one, the matter of inheritance can be an emotional subject for all the family – and if their plans are unclear, this inherited wealth can quickly become a source of angst.

If you lose a loved one, the matter of inheritance can be an emotional subject for all the family, and can quickly become a source of angst.

As the UK enters a recession, you might be searching for ways to boost your disposable income to match rising costs. Is early access to your pension a good idea?

As the UK enters a recession, you might be searching for ways to boost your disposable income. Is early access to your pension a good idea?

UK equity funds, which predominantly invest in shares, saw investors withdraw almost £3 billion in August, according to the Investment Association. For the trade body this is a record monthly outflow, and contrasts with the £1.3 billion invested in these funds in August 2021.

UK equity funds, which predominantly invest in shares, saw investors withdraw almost £3 billion in August, according to the Investment Association.

If you wait until retirement to seek assistance, you may already have missed some vital financial planning opportunities. Here are three of the key benefits of working with your Kellands financial planner before and at retirement, rather than waiting until further down the line.

As an investor in 2022, it is likely you have not had an easy ride. After the COVID-19 pandemic, and in the wake of global supply chain issues and the Ukraine war, markets have experienced a significant downturn in the first half of this year. It is likely that the storm isn’t over yet, so if you are feeling worried, here’s how to remain entirely unflappable in an era of market volatility.

After the COVID-19 pandemic, and in the wake of global supply chain issues and the Ukraine war, markets have experienced a significant downturn.

Global stock markets ended 2021 on a high, with the FTSE 100 finishing 14.3% up on the start of the year and the S&P 500 close to a 27% gain over the same timescale. Performance in 2022 will be dependent on many factors, including inflation, economic growth and the progress of the pandemic but also monetary policy and the potential for more interest rate increases.

Global stock markets ended 2021 on a high, with the FTSE 100 finishing 14.3% up on the start of the year.

Saxo Markets’ equity-themed travel basket is the investment platform’s worst performing basket over the past five years, losing almost 8% since 2017. Of the equities in this themed basket, On The Beach and TUI were two of the worst performing holiday booking companies, losing 62% and 73% of their respective values over the past five years.

Saxo Markets’ equity-themed travel basket is the investment platform’s worst performing basket over the past five years, losing almost 8% since 2017.

In September 2021, the government announced a change to both Dividend Tax and National Insurance contributions (NICs), which have come into immediate effect on 6 April 2022. These changes see both Dividend Tax and NICs increase by 1.25 percentage points, meaning that as an employee, company director, or business owner, your wealth will be directly affected.

In September 2021, the government announced a change to both Dividend Tax and National Insurance contributions (NICs).

Despite recent market volatility, nine of the 10 most popular stocks on eToro’s trading platform at the end of the year’s first quarter are tech-based. “Many investors are clearly ignoring short-term macro factors and are investing in tech because of the long-term opportunity,” said Ben Laidler, Global Markets Strategist at eToro.

At the end of quarter one, nine of the 10 most held stocks are technology-based.

The decision could have an effect on your savings, ISA, mortgage, and disposable income. The Bank of England (BOE) raised interest rates today from 0.50% to 0.75%. This decision can be largely owed to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which will likely push inflation in the UK higher. “Higher interest rates are supposed to help cool inflation, but prices have risen due to reasons largely outside of the Bank of England’s and the Government’s control - the cost of petrol, food and other day-to-day items is rising because of global events,” said Annabelle Williams, Personal Finance specialist at Nutmeg. “Although this is a small increase to interest rates which have been hovering close to record lows for many years now, many will be looking to see if the increase is passed on to consumers through higher savings rates,” she said. This is the first time the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has raised rates on three successive meetings in more than two decades. With this in mind, how can these rate increases affect your personal finances?

The decision could have an effect on your savings, ISA, mortgage, and disposable income.

The Bank of England has today increased base rate by 0.25% up from 0.50% to 0.75%. Moneyfacts has analysed the average rates offered across savings and mortgages and considers what this decision may mean for consumers moving forward.

The Bank of England has today increased base rate by 0.25% up from 0.50% to 0.75%.

Nickel briefly crossed a record high of $100,000 a ton after fresh supply concerns from impending Russian sanctions. As commodity prices continue to rise across the globe in response to Russia’s invasion to Ukraine, nickel prices rose above $100,000 a ton today on the London Metal Exchange (LME). “Nickel prices seriously hit nerves today, with trading suspended on the London Metal Exchange, after a record-breaking spike in prices,” said Susannah Streeter, Senior Investment and Markets Analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown. This has been caused by supply fears for the metal due to the war in Ukraine.

Nickel briefly crossed a record high of $100,000 a ton after fresh supply concerns from impending Russian sanctions.

Here we take a closer look at volatility, the importance of time and the power of diversification. When making an investment, time matters. Usually, it takes time for an investment to come to fruition. For example, if you buy shares in a company on the basis that it looks well placed to prosper in the future, then it’s logical that it’ll take time for that potential to be realised.

Here we take a closer look at volatility, the importance of time and the power of diversification.

Gold has outperformed stocks and bonds this year as investors look for a haven. On Thursday, gold surged above $1,900 per troy ounce as tensions between Russia and Ukraine heightened according to BullionVault, an online market for gold, silver and platinum. This is an eight-month high in dollar terms for the precious metal which is often considered as a store of value for investors in times of uncertainty. “Gold demand is running strong right now.,” said Adrian Ash, Director of Research at BullionVault. On Thursday, BullionVault saw gross purchases for gold increase 163% from the prior 365-day average by weight. This was not the only firm to see such increases, as Gold overtook the NASDAQ index as the most traded instrument on Capital.com this week. “After a disappointing 2021, where the yellow metal lost around 3%, this year has been something of a “perfect storm” for the gold bugs,” said David Jones Chief Market Strategist at Capital.com. He explained that in addition to geopolitical threats, uncertainty around the stock market and higher inflation have all contributed to the recent rise in the price of gold. “So far gold has risen by five percent in February. It is a solid performance and put the gold price back to where it was last summer,” he said. According to the Financial Times, Goldman Sachs believes gold could top its August 2020 record of above $2,000.

Gold has outperformed stocks and bonds this year as investors look for a haven.

Savers will be disappointed not to see their interest increases keep up with inflation. “Savers have been dealt another blow this month as inflation rises once more and is unbeatable with any standard savings account,” said Rachel Springall, Finance Expert at Moneyfacts. At the time of writing, there is not one savings account which can outpace the current CPI. Furthermore, the latest Moneyfacts data shows that average savings accounts have been marginally increasing over the past six months, but not as fast as inflation. The notice account increased interest rates on average by 0.06 percentage points, from 0.47% gross to 0.53% gross, in the past six months. In comparison the 5-year fixed rate account increased interest on average by 0.34 percentage points, from 1.17% gross to 1.51% gross, in the same period. This means that the money savers have earned is becoming less valuable. In contrast, CPI stood at 3.1% in September 2021, which is 2.4% lower than the current rate. “There are still savers out there waiting for the December 2021 base rate rise to be passed onto them, let alone the most recent uplift of 0.25% a couple of weeks ago. Those savers with the patience to wait may wish to reconsider their loyalty, particularly as they will not find a high-street bank featured in the top rate tables,” said Springall. Those with a vested interest in an Individual Savings Account (ISA) will experience similar disappointment in the latest inflation rise. Rates in the ISA market are continuing to stagnate, according to the latest Moneyfacts Treasury Report, which means you could wait for a better deal if interest rates rise in the coming weeks.

The latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose to 5.5%, the highest it has been recorded in the past three decades. So how will this impact your spending habits?

Approximately £48.6 billion was invested in retail funds for 2021, £5.2 billion shy of the record £43.6 billion invested in 2017.

Approximately £48.6 billion was invested in retail funds for 2021, £5.2 billion shy of the record £43.6 billion invested in 2017.

The state-owned savings bank increased the interest rates on its Direct Saver and Income Bonds to 0.50%. “The new interest rates will ensure that our products are priced in line with the broader savings sector. The increase will also help us to meet our annual Net net Financing financing target for 2021-22 of £6 billion, in a range of £3 billion to £9 billion,” said Ian Ackerley, Chief Executive for of the National Savings and Investments (NS&I). The interest paid on these accounts will now change from 0.35% gross annual equivalent rate (AER) to 0.50% gross AER with immediate effect. The previous increase to these products came in December, when rates increased from 0.15% gross AER to 0.35% AER.

The state-owned savings bank increased the interest rates on its Direct Saver and Income Bonds to 0.50%.

Landlords have a responsibility to ensure that their properties meet the Government’s health and safety requirements, as well as being at a good standard to attract renters

Landlords have a responsibility to ensure that their properties meet the Government’s health and safety requirements

As world leaders spent the past two weeks at the COP26 Glasgow climate summit many companies are clamouring to highlight their green credentials

As world leaders spent the past two weeks at the COP26 Glasgow climate summit many companies are clamouring to highlight their green credentials

The rising value of property and investments, coupled with a freeze on the zero bands for inheritance tax (IHT)

The rising value of property and investments, coupled with a freeze on the zero bands for inheritance tax (IHT).

Premium bonds have long been a popular investment option for savers and, despite the economic uncertainty over the past 18 months

Premium bonds have long been a popular investment option for savers and, despite the economic uncertainty over the past 18 months

The numbers of people searching for buy-to-let in the UK has seen an increase of more than 2.5 times from the end of March to mid-July, according to Google trends data.

The numbers of people searching for buy-to-let in the UK has seen an increase of more than 2.5 times from the end of March to mid-July, according to Google tren

Savings rates continue to improve but a dramatic rise in inflation means no accounts can beat this and the value of savers cash is being eroded.

Savings rates continue to improve but a dramatic rise in inflation means no accounts can beat this and the value of savers cash is being eroded.

Premium bonds have long been a popular investment option for savers and, despite the economic uncertainty over the past 18 months

Premium bonds have long been a popular investment option for savers and, despite the economic uncertainty over the past 18 months

Ethical funds are consistently achieving better levels of growth than their non-ethical equivalents according to a study revealed by Moneyfacts today

Ethical funds are consistently achieving better levels of growth than their non-ethical equivalents according to a study revealed by Moneyfacts today

UK equity funds, which predominantly invest in shares, saw investors withdraw almost £3 billion in August, according to the Investment Association. For the trade body this is a record monthly outflow, and contrasts with the £1.3 billion invested in these funds in August 2021.

UK equity funds, which predominantly invest in shares, saw investors withdraw almost £3 billion in August, according to the Investment Association.

Savers will be disappointed not to see their interest increases keep up with inflation. “Savers have been dealt another blow this month as inflation rises once more and is unbeatable with any standard savings account,” said Rachel Springall, Finance Expert at Moneyfacts. At the time of writing, there is not one savings account which can outpace the current CPI. Furthermore, the latest Moneyfacts data shows that average savings accounts have been marginally increasing over the past six months, but not as fast as inflation. The notice account increased interest rates on average by 0.06 percentage points, from 0.47% gross to 0.53% gross, in the past six months. In comparison the 5-year fixed rate account increased interest on average by 0.34 percentage points, from 1.17% gross to 1.51% gross, in the same period. This means that the money savers have earned is becoming less valuable. In contrast, CPI stood at 3.1% in September 2021, which is 2.4% lower than the current rate. “There are still savers out there waiting for the December 2021 base rate rise to be passed onto them, let alone the most recent uplift of 0.25% a couple of weeks ago. Those savers with the patience to wait may wish to reconsider their loyalty, particularly as they will not find a high-street bank featured in the top rate tables,” said Springall. Those with a vested interest in an Individual Savings Account (ISA) will experience similar disappointment in the latest inflation rise. Rates in the ISA market are continuing to stagnate, according to the latest Moneyfacts Treasury Report, which means you could wait for a better deal if interest rates rise in the coming weeks.

The latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose to 5.5%, the highest it has been recorded in the past three decades. So how will this impact your spending habits?