There are a number of strategies that individual investors can use to take less risk when investing. Diversification is one approach that can help to mitigate the effects of volatility in any one particular asset class. Diversification is a key principle of sound investing, as it allows investors to spread their risk across a number…
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The Scottish Budget arrived towards the end of a busy week for economic news and the Deputy First Minister, John Swinney, set out “four important factors” in arriving at the measures announced in the 2023/24 Scottish Budget. Subject to these major constraints, Mr Swinney also set out three priorities for “a different path” from…
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1. Review your spending habits and consider if you have the scope to save a little more each month. 2. Look up your annual benefit statements – you may have saved with more than one employer’s pension scheme. 3. Think about what financial milestones you’d need to reach in order to increase your pension…
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Over the past few decades, there has been a growing interest and awareness in investing in companies that take into account environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors. This type of investing – also known as sustainable, responsible or impact investing – aims to generate both financial returns and positive social and environmental impacts. Investment portfolios The origins…
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The Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s Autumn Statement came against the background of a Spring Statement and a September ‘mini-Budget’ (which has now been substantially reversed). The overall context is a European recession and high inflation in the wake of the pandemic and the war in Ukraine. The Autumn Statement was presented as a difficult and necessary…
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As the cost of living continues to soar, with inflation reaching a 40-year high, the impact on household finances is taking its toll. But it is essential to try to maintain a savings habit even in the current climate. The impact of any breaks in pension contributions could mean savers miss out on thousands of…
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Do you have enough income to retire? Are you prepared for the life changes retirement will bring? Is this the right time to sell your business? Is your timing right or will your savings and investments be at risk from volatile market conditions? The best time to retire will depend on a variety of factors,…
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Investing can help you grow your money faster than simply saving, but it can also be a little daunting knowing where to begin. You may think the volatile global stock markets may not be the ideal starting point for new investors, but it’s always a good time to begin investing. The power of compounding returns…
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‘The stock market is designed to transfer money from the active to the patient’ – Warren Buffett If you read nothing else in this communication please read the next couple of paragraphs and look at the first graph below. The intention of this communication is not to provide market commentary, it is simply to…
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Rising living costs have been so significant in recent months that most UK households will have noticed a squeeze on their monthly budgets. Not only does this have a direct impact on people’s lifestyles, even though they are making every effort to cut back, but it has a knock-on effect on their lifelong goals such…
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