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 […]
Category archives: General Financial News
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 […]
A Great British summer to enjoy
Although we can never rely on the British weather providing the goods, there does seem to be a growing optimism that this will turn out to be a Great British summer. Many of us have booked staycations and there is a full programme of sporting events, including Wimbledon, the Olympics, British Open, test cricket and […]
Dealing with divorce
With couples locked down together for months on end whilst juggling work and possibly home schooling, the past year has sadly put huge strain on many relationships. With a post-lockdown divorce boom predicted by many family lawyers, it’s tricky to know where to start regarding the division of finances. On divorce, a couple need to […]
Taking back control of your retirement
Consumers lack confidence and understanding about issues relating to their pensions, according to two studies. The findings reveal the need for people to fully engage with their retirement planning. Overestimating State Pension Savers are confused about the amount of State Pension income to which they’re entitled, as well as the age at which it can […]
Financial support for family – the norm for a third of retirees
A third of those planning to retire last year, expected to support their families financially, providing handouts totalling over £3,700 a year, or £311 a month, although 12% expect to contribute £500 or more1. Top priorities for those supporting loved ones include living and accommodation costs. Almost a quarter (24%) will give family members regular […]
Pandemic leads to growing ESG awareness
The inclusion of ESG (environmental, social and governance) issues within mainstream investment strategies has been gaining in prominence during the pandemic, according to new research – and it’s a trend that’s set to continue. The global rise of ESG – a megatrend here to stay ESG investment has been increasingly catching the interest of investors […]
Vaccine sparks optimism among investors
Spring has arrived and, for the first time in what feels like a long while, hope is in the air – and we are all certainly in need of it. Positively for investors, the signs are looking increasingly optimistic, with belief growing that we are making our first steps toward meaningful economic recovery. The rapid […]