From furlough to support payments, one knock-on effect of the coronavirus pandemic has been a huge increase in the required levels of government spending. In order to pay for it, government debt around the world has been rising. The US alone is expected to add $2 trillion to its balance sheet this year. As the numbers become ever more unfathomably large, we consider whether we are headed towards a different, debt-shaped, crisis. Does the debt matter?
During the coronavirus pandemic we have witnessed interest rates fall to historic lows globally. For now, they are set to remain low or, as some have suggested, even turn negative. We explore the often misunderstood topic of interest rates with a brief look back to their early origins in the ancient region of Mesopotamia, and what negative rates might mean for savers and borrowers.
The proportion of different components within a portfolio - otherwise known as its asset allocation - has the biggest impact on its risk and return. Over time however, different assets tend to perform well at different points. This can cause the asset allocation to drift away from its target.
In this insight piece we consider one way we can avoid the risk of this portfolio drift, while at the same time ensuring we adhere to the mantra “buy low, sell high”.
Many of the changes in yesterday’s Budget had been previously publicised, even before the current Chancellor took office barely a month ago. The remainder of the Budget was a post Covid-19 government spending package the likes of which we have not seen for a while.
We have summarised what we think are the highlights.
The last decade has revealed a story of post-crisis recovery and stock market growth. All this despite years of economic uncertainty and political disorder.
So what might the 2020s hold for investors? Looking back, we identify the key themes of the past and pick out some enduring principles for the future.
Defined contribution (DC) pensions offer valuable legacy planning opportunities, but it’s vital that DC pension holders and their advisers act early to utilise these benefits.
Here we highlight the potential tax advantages of planning early.
It’s fairly common for investors hold offshore investment funds in their portfolios. Investors, however, may be unaware that some of their offshore funds could be accumulating income (that is never distributed) that needs to be included in their UK tax return.
Here we highlight the different types of offshore funds and how to remain tax compliant.
The splitting of pension assets on divorce is complex but with careful planning, it’s possible to identify outcomes that will stand the test of time, for both parties.
Here we look at the main tax implications of pensions (the Lifetime Allowance, Pension Protection and the Annual Allowance) and where the opportunities, and problems, arise both during and after divorce.
Carry Forward could allow an individual to benefit from up to £45,000 of income tax relief on previous years’ unused pension contribution allowances, provided they have adjusted income of £210,000 or more.
In this Briefing Note we explain in general terms how Carry Forward works.
They say it’s wise to not put all your eggs in one basket. For investors, that often means looking for opportunities abroad. But when it comes to investing overseas, good performance is not just about how well the underlying companies or bonds perform. Foreign exchange rates can significantly impact returns – in either direction.
We explore how this mechanism works and what can be done to mitigate the impact of currency fluctuations on portfolios.
The value of investments and the income arising from them can go down as well as up and is not guaranteed, which means that you may not get back what you invested. Past performance is not necessarily a guide to the future. The information contained in this website does not constitute advice. The FCA does not regulate tax advice. The FCA does not regulate advice on Wills and Powers of Attorney. The Financial Ombudsman Service is available to sort out individual complaints that clients and financial services businesses aren’t able to resolve themselves. To contact the Financial Ombudsman Service please visit www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk.