The pandemic has affected almost everyone in numerous different ways, whether that is financially, medically, or socially; its death toll has been appalling and overshadows everything. Fortunately, the vast majority have come through the pandemic, but the speed of recovery has been variable. Medically, many patients have recovered well, but some have prolonged symptoms which […]
Category archives: General Financial News
Taking emotion (and colour!) away from investment decisions
It is fascinating to consider the psychology of investing. There are many behavioural traps that investors could find themselves falling into during times of market volatility, when knee jerk reactions can take hold. One example being ‘the anchoring trap’, which is where investors rely too much on their perceptions of an investment, which could be […]
Is IHT change on the cards?
It’s been three years since then-Chancellor Philip Hammond asked the Office of Tax Simplification to look into potential amendments to the Inheritance Tax (IHT) regime1. Since then, no changes have been made to the tax incurred when wealth passes onto the next generation; could Rishi Sunak be the one to take up the mantle once […]
Younger investors and social media
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is concerned about how much influence social media could be having on younger investors, who could unknowingly be taking on significant financial risks. According to the FCA, this younger, more diverse group of investors is highly reliant on social media platforms such as Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok for investment tips […]
Keep one step ahead
Nearly a third of homeowners (31%) have said they would only consider purchasing protection insurance if they fell ill1 – which defeats the point as it’s already too late by then. Other triggers for taking out protection include having an accident (24%) or a change in employment status (25%). A further 22% say there is […]
Probate delayed by ‘hidden assets’
Probate software specialist Exizent has published its first Bereavement Index1, with some interesting findings. It shows that many people fail to organise their finances before death, leading to stress and anxiety for those left dealing with a ‘financial mess’. According to the research, one in seven (14%) of those tasked with administering the estate of […]
In the News
Dividends making a slow recovery It has been a rocky year for dividends, with data showing that investors lost almost £45bn in dividends between Q2 2020 and Q1 2021. Many will therefore be relieved to hear that, while dividends are still falling, they did so in Q1 2021 at the slowest rate recorded since the […]
Has COVID changed our investment behaviour?
The mantra of ‘Keep Calm and Carry On’ is likely to have been a well-versed phrase for investors over the past year or so, as the pandemic profoundly impacted the investment landscape. The global impact of the virus has been the catalyst for a seismic shift in public behaviour. Investors should consider the implications of […]
In the news – Money
Be wary of that holiday selfie Now that many of us are able to make travel plans, remember to think twice before posting a holiday selfie on social media. Your insurer may consider this as telling people that you are away from home, leaving your property unoccupied and as a result, potentially invalidating or compromising […]
Multi-jobbers take heed
Workers with more than one job, earning lower salaries, are at risk of a poorer retirement, as they miss out on employer pension contributions, a new study has found1. Under the auto enrolment scheme, employers are required to set up a pension and make contributions on their employees’ behalf, unless an employee decides to opt […]