Investment market update: December 2024

Political instability in Europe and further afield affected investment markets in December. Read on to find out what other factors may have influenced your investment returns at the end of 2024. Remember to focus on your long-term goals when assessing the performance of your investments. The value of your assets rising and falling is part of investing. What’s important is …

The first-time buyers to securing a mortgage

Preparing to buy your first home can be exciting, but it might also be a milestone you’re feeling apprehensive about. Not only will you be making a large financial commitment, but the process of buying a property can seem complex and filled with jargon. Indeed, according to a survey from Halifax, more than half of under-35s admit they don’t feel …

How you could take advantage of falling interest rates

Interest rates are expected to fall in 2025. If you’re a homeowner, it could present an opportunity to reduce your mortgage repayments and boost your finances overall. The Bank of England (BoE) increased the base interest rate when inflation was high as a way to slow down the rising cost of goods and services. Between December 2021 and August 2023, …

How do you become an ISA millionaire? Investment returns could be key

The number of people with at least a million pounds in their ISAs is on the rise. If you want to join their ranks, consistency and investing could be key. An ISA is a tax-efficient way to save or invest. The interest or investment returns added to your ISA won’t be liable for Income Tax or Capital Gains Tax. As …

5 practical tasks that could help you get more out of your pension in 2025

If it’s been some time since you reviewed your pension, going through these practical tasks could help you get more out of your retirement savings in 2025. As retirement could be years away, it’s easy for your pension to slip off your list of priorities. In fact, a survey from The People’s Pension suggests that almost a fifth of savers …