Japanese aftershocks
There has been only one story in Japan since the end of February – the earthquake and its aftershocks, both human and economic. Whilst news analysts have contemplated the human devastation, markets have focused their attention on the costs of the disaster, ie: the rebuilding, its effects on economy and the extent to which companies[.....]
The latest GDP figures
The UK economy contracted unexpectedly during the fourth quarter of 2010 after activity was hampered by unusually wintry weather. According to final revised figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the economy shrank by 0.5% over the quarter. This contraction came after the economy had unexpectedly grown by 0.7% during the third quarter and[.....]
Budget 2011 update – investments
Having enjoyed a significant hike in last year’s Budget and their increase for 2011/12 already confirmed, ISA allowances were unlikely to see any secific changes in this Budget. However, their future will be impacted by the decision to increase allowances with reference to the Consumer Prices Index rather than the Retail Price Index. As the[.....]
Budget Update for Employers – March 2011
Some of the budget changes mean we may be able to help you increase your employee’s take home pay, and reduce your costs at the same time. Read on to see how. This week’s budget didn’t have the usual fanfare – these days most of the main announcements for the forthcoming tax year seem to[.....]
Save early for a greater reward
Advances in medicine and in living standards mean we are now living longer than ever before. Indeed, according to New Scientist magazine, half the people who have ever reached the age of 65 – in the entire history of mankind – are alive today and estimates of life expectancy suggest that the average female born[.....]
Global update
Investors’ attention during February was focused on events in the Middle East, amid reports of escalating civil unrest in Libya. The price of oil surged, fuelled by fears the turmoil could spread to neighbouring oil-producing countries. Meanwhile, global food prices soared to new highs during January. The MSCI World index rose 3.3% in US dollar[.....]
Economic update
The UK is still living with the fallout from the financial crisis and the recession. Inflation continues to rise, the economy has shrunk, unemployment has increased and petrol prices have reached record levels. The Bank of England (BoE) expects inflation to continue its upward trajectory, peaking between 4% and 5% in the near term. Although[.....]
Pension changes
Britons could soon enjoy greater financial flexibility during retirement thanks to draft legislation released by the UK Treasury ahead of the 2011 Finance Bill. Until the June 2010 Budget, pensioners were forced to buy an annuity by age 75 with any money they had saved and still remained in their personal pension scheme. That age[.....]
The latest GDP figures
The UK economy contracted unexpectedly during the fourth quarter of 2010 after activity was hampered by unusually cold weather. According to preliminary estimates from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the economy shrank by 0.5% quarter on quarter. The economy contracted during the final three months of 2010 after growing by 0.7% during the third[.....]
Time to start saving
Total UK personal debt had reached £1,454bn by November 2010, according to figures from Credit Action – more money than the whole country produces in a year and a sum that equates to around £8,500 per household. Contrast that with the nation’s current savings levels, which have seen the average household save just £996 over[.....]
