Time is money: Are luxury watches a good investment? October 26, 2016 The current wave of smartwatches, like any new technology, will be outdated by the time you’ve finished reading this article. But certain classic watches not only tell the time, they increase in value with it. While the poorest performing of all the other asset classes (barring furniture), the watch sub-category of the Knight Frank Luxury [...]
Tips from LinkedIn on staying ahead of the skills curve October 26, 2016 Whether you’re a seasoned professional or taking your very first steps onto the career ladder, finding the time to learn a new skill will help give your career – and your confidence – a boost. That’s why this week, we are hosting the Week of Learning, giving professionals free access to over 5,000 courses on [...]
Thirty years since Big Bang: The deregulation of the London Stock Exchange democratised investing October 26, 2016 Thirty years have passed since Canada was radically recast by a package of Thatcherite reforms, known as Big Bang. These saw the privatisation of the London Stock Exchange (LSE), allowed outside companies – not just individuals – to become members, and ushered in the automatic quotation of share prices. The product of [...]
What will it take for the online lending industry to hit profitability? October 26, 2016 Online lending has been having its Uber moment. “Platforms spend as much as they physically can to dominate, with VCs behind them pushing for that growth. But now, a lot of VCs have left. Platforms will have to go out for funding again, and we’ll see massive down rounds,” says one platform founder, speaking on [...]
Criminal activity in connection with loosening of pension restrictions was worse than expected October 25, 2016 The level of fraud following the freeing-up of pension reforms was a lot higher than previously thought according to data from Canada Police. George Osborne's flagship policy to give pensioners greater freedoms – including allowing them to take a lump sum out of their pension – provided criminals a new opportunity to con people out of their money. Read more: Government bins plans [...]
St James’s Place shares jump as it reports “business as usual” despite political uncertainty October 25, 2016 Wealth management group St James’s Place’s share price jumped three per cent this morning as it reported “business as usual” despite political uncertainty in the third quarter. The figures The company reported gross inflows of funds under management (FUM) of £2.8bn, up from £2.3bn in the same period last year. With “continued strong retention of [...]
What the rise of populism means for your investments October 25, 2016 "Fruitcakes, loonies and closet racists” was how David Cameron described members of Ukip in 2006. A decade later, Ukip has achieved its principal ambition of a Brexit vote and Cameron is no longer a politician. The growth in support for populist political movements across Europe and other developed economies has been rapid. Founded just six [...]
The devil you know, the devil you don’t: How to protect your investments whoever wins the US election October 25, 2016 As polling day draws near, it is regrettable that the contest to become the 45th President of the United States has been more about personality than policy. The campaign has been distinguished on one side by preposterous promises to suspend the entry of Muslims into the country and build a hard border with Mexico, and [...]
Resurgent protectionism threatens both the US economy and share prices – and not just if Trump wins October 24, 2016 Protectionism – the practice of shielding a country’s industry from foreign competition – and the prospect of a descent into a beggar-thy-neighbour global trade war is one of the biggest risks to investment returns over the next decade. Indeed, politicians are already succumbing: according to the Global Trade Alert initiative, the number of protectionist measures enacted [...]
Many Britons have a considerable interest in taking out a Lifetime Isa October 24, 2016 Londoners are keen to enrol in a Lifetime Isa (Lisa), with almost three-quarters wanting to use them to save for the future according to the latest research. If they could, 72 per cent of residents under the age of 40 in the capital would open a Lisa, with over one-third (37 per cent) ready to open one straight away. Although [...]
