Investment

What role should bonds have in your portfolio? Last year was one of those years when investors looked nervously at their portfolios. As the coronavirus pandemic raged, markets tumbled. Even as news of vaccines brought strong rallies, it wasn’t for the faint-hearted.  Meanwhile, already meagre interest rates and inflation were driven to new lows, while

All investors have to begin somewhere. The short answer is £50 a month, but that’s probably not particularly helpful to you because it does not take into account your circumstances. Whether you’re a high earner who’s belatedly decided to start tucking away big sums of money for retirement or you’re reading this on behalf of

Staying on track during a turbulent year. To ensure you will be financially secure throughout your lifetime, planning is essential. It’s also important to remember that a financial plan needs continued attention, especially in unprecedented times like these. As we enter the final quarter of 2020, how has your investment portfolio performed over the year

Key considerations in times of market volatility.  In an age of COVID-19, there will be compelling investment opportunities but it’s important to align this year’s investments with your long-term goals. After the initial shock of the sharp market falls in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, some people have been quick to look for investment

Ethical investments Earning returns with a clear conscience. From vegan food and recycled fashion to green energy suppliers and plastic-free packaging, products with an environmental or social focus are becoming ever more popular. Ethical spending has seen a huge surge in the last decade, more than doubling from £36 billion in 2007 to £83bn in

Identifying the best times to invest How to spot market peaks and troughs. If there was a universal, rock-solid reliable answer to the question “when is the best time to invest?” life would be a lot easier for financial advisers. Unfortunately, all savvy observers can hope to do is find certain patterns in the market,

Investing in small companies The three main tax schemes to help you invest. By their nature, small and relatively new companies tend to be considered a higher-risk investment than buying shares in larger, better-established businesses. At the same time, they can come with greater potential for growth, more opportunities for mergers and acquisitions, and a

Contrarian investing The concept of riskier investment strategies. Following the latest market trends when it comes to your investment strategy usually pays off, but while most stick with the safety of the shoal there are always a few sharks swimming against the tide. Contrarian investors are the sharks in this story, inverting conventional wisdom by

Investing in Property A guide to starting as a buy-to-let investor. Investing in property is usually about as close as it comes to a safe bet. The value of your asset tends to increase the longer you hold onto it, while the short and medium-term yields from rental income can cover the mortgage. For years,