Lifetime Isa: The making of a monster November 22, 2016 While the original intentions behind the design of the Lifetime Isa in 2014 were understandable, as its launch date nears, it is set to confuse the savings landscape and go against what it was initially crafted for. In his proposal, Michael Johnson said he created the Lisa because “under-35s are so disengaged from private pensions”. He [...]
Radically simplify savings and investment so Brits can wave goodbye to exorbitant costs November 22, 2016 Chancellor Philip Hammond recently said: “now isn’t the time for lots of small changes. This is a time for consistency, preparation and steadfastness.” The government needs to follow through with this commitment and heed its own advice by immediately halting the slide towards complexity in investment and savings. The current over-complication, exacerbated by too much [...]
Autumn Statement 2016: Philip Hammond shouldn’t base changes to pensions tax relief on older people’s situation today November 22, 2016 According to some reports, tomorrow’s Autumn Statement could be both the first and last for the new chancellor, because Philip Hammond is said to be in favour of sticking to a single annual Budget. We’ve become used to the biannual format, with a fresh set of policies emerging from the chancellor’s red box twice each year. [...]
“I wish we could find something”: Aberdeen Asset Management pulled out of bidding for Unicredit’s €3.5bn Pioneer fund unit November 21, 2016 Aberdeen Asset Management dropped a bid for Italian bank UniCredit’s Pioneer fund unit because the UK-listed firm could not afford the €3.5bn (£3bn) asking price. The fund manager made it through to the second round of bidding before withdrawing, chief executive Martin Gilbert revealed. Read more: Trading in Unicredit shares suspended as investors digest bank stress [...]
Investor confidence in UK shares falls and “nervousness” is likely to grow around Brexit November 21, 2016 Investor confidence in UK equities fell in November and “nervousness” is likely to grow as Brexit uncertainty continues, according to a Lloyds study. The bank’s Investor Sentiment Index for November found sentiment to UK shares was 11.3 per cent, down 4.5 percentage points on October and 14.9 on November last year. Sentiment towards UK property [...]
That’s far out: UK investment firm launches £80m space tech fund November 21, 2016 A UK investment firm has today launched an £80m space-tech venture fund. Seraphim Capital said the fund, which will focus on early-stage, space-related technology businesses, is the largest of its kind. The company expects to have raised the £80m over the next two quarters, and today announced a £30m investment from the British Business Bank alongside [...]
Asset managers must adapt to serve investors in an age of disruption November 21, 2016 Today's investors and their advisers face a torrent of change from all quarters. Political, economic and regulatory turbulence is matched only by the speed at which technology is transforming business models, choices and decision-making. The low interest rate and low growth environment is creating real challenges for institutional and retail investors. These challenges form the central [...]
Have investors jumped the gun in thinking that the era of low inflation is now over? November 21, 2016 Jason Hollands, managing director at Tilney Bestinvest, says Yes. Deep tax cuts, looser banking regulation, massive spending on infrastructure and the military, alongside higher tariffs on imports and tighter immigration restrictions – Donald Trump’s economic policies are inherently inflationary for the US economy, especially against a background of low unemployment. Global bond markets have reacted [...]
Global investors in UK firms hit by falling dividends and devalued pound November 21, 2016 Global investors in UK equities saw their dividends plummet in the quarter after the EU referendum thanks to the devaluation of sterling. In underlying terms, UK dividends were down 2.9 per cent year-on-year in the third quarter, with mining companies such as Glencore and manufacturing group Rolls-Royce making deep cuts. But while the impact of [...]
Four ways the City watchdog wants to make fund managers better for investors November 18, 2016 The City watchdog has this morning put forward plans for a shake-up of the £7 trillion asset management industry to ensure investors get a better deal. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), publishing the interim findings of its market study, found weak price competition in some areas, a lack of transparency, potential conflicts of interest and sustained profitability [...]