UK Market Update
Share prices rose in the UK during January as a whole, although investors continued to experience a certain level of volatility. Speculation over the outlook for the eurozone continued to dominate and stocks received a boost from hopes the eurozone might gain control over its sovereign debt crisis. The benchmark FTSE 100 index rose 2%[.....]
UK Economic Issues
Notwithstanding the London Olympics and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, 2012 is widely expected to be a tough year for the UK economy. The Ernst & Young Item Club (E&YIC) warned that the UK might already be back in recession. Although the prospect of a “serious double-dip” is not considered likely, E&YIC believes the UK economy[.....]
Autumn Statement
The Autumn Statement from chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne provided little cheer for either businesses or individuals, going so far as to sound a warning that the UK’s “debt challenge is even greater than we thought”. The UK government will have to borrow more money and accelerate its programme of spending cuts. Overall government[.....]
The Transfer Market
Most people switch jobs several times during their working life; however, when you change employers, it is worth thinking about the pension pot that you have accrued. You might wish to consider combining your pensions into one pot. It is easier to keep an eye on fund performance if your pensions are all under one[.....]
Dilnot report
Already struggling under the weight of rising costs and budget cuts, the UK faces a crisis in the funding of social care for the elderly. Since 2004, the number of Britons aged over 85 has risen by two-thirds, and demand for care has outstripped supply. Looking ahead, the UK’s elderly population will continue to expand.[.....]
Global update
Even though major markets were up significantly during October, the month was characterised by exceptional volatility across global indices. Investors remained jittery during the month amid intense speculation over the outlook for the eurozone and concerns the region’s leaders might not be able to reach an agreement over measures to resolve the debt crisis. The[.....]
Outlook for Shares
It is often said that stock markets are driven by fear and greed – and, right now, it is probably fair to say that fear is winning. A combination of negative factors – from disappointing economic data, fears of a “double-dip” recession, the eurozone’s sovereign debt crisis and the fiscal crisis in the US to[.....]
Junior ISAs
The Junior ISA (JISA), available from 1 November, replaces the Child Trust Fund (CTF) scheme, which closed to new entrants in January 2011. Unlike with CTFs, the government will make no contributions but the scheme does extend the popular Isa structure to those under 18. JISAs can be opened in the name of anyone not[.....]
Interest rate update
As policymakers try to reconcile their concerns about the health of the UK economic recovery with their worries about inflation, UK interest rates have remained unchanged at their all-time low of 0.5% since March 2009. However, the nine members of the Bank of England’s (BoE’s) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voted unanimously for the first time[.....]
GDP update
September proved another rough month for markets, amid mounting concerns about the state of the global economy and the possibility Greece might default on its loans. The FTSE 100 index fell 4.9% during September and 13.7% over the third quarter of 2011. In Europe, the German DAX and French CAC 40 indices both fell by[.....]
