You may have come across the term “asset class” when reviewing your finances or investing, but what does it mean? And which asset class suits your goals? In finance, asset class is often used to describe a group of investments that are similar and are subject to the same regulations. There are four main asset classes – cash, fixed income, …
When you look at investment performance with the benefit of hindsight, you may think you could predict how markets will move. Yet, markets are unpredictable and expert forecasts prove how difficult timing the market is. Every investor has heard the advice “buy low, sell high”. So, it can be tempting to try and guess how investments will perform in the …
Have you thought about how you’ll use assets later in life or what you’d like to happen to them when you pass away? Planning for the future with an estate plan now could improve your long-term security and ensure your wishes are followed. While it can be difficult to think about long-term challenges and understand what decisions are right for …
It’s no secret that property prices have been rising quickly. If it’s been some time since you checked your property’s value, doing so is a worthwhile step. If the value has increased, your mortgage repayments could be reduced. According to figures from Zoopla, the value of all homes in the UK surpassed the £10 trillion mark for the first time …
When you imagine the worries that might come with taking investment risk, it’s probably “taking too much” that comes to mind. After all, you’ve likely heard stories of people that have invested in high-risk opportunities and lost some or all their money. However, when you’re investing for the long term, taking too little risk can also be damaging. As inflation …
The gender wealth gap is a widely acknowledged issue in the UK, particularly in the context of pension savings and women’s ability to retire. Indeed, a report by Now Pensions and published by consumer group Which? suggested that on average, women would need to work an additional 18 years more than men to close the gender pension gap alone. Yet …
Investment markets in May experienced volatility amid concerns that economies could fall into a recession as inflation pressure remains high. While you may be worried about the volatility your investments have experienced, keep your long-term goals in mind. A long-term time frame can help smooth out the peaks and troughs of markets. This is because, historically, markets have recovered when …
The conflict in Ukraine is continuing to affect markets and economies around the world. According to a report from the Kiel Institute of the World Economy, the war led to global trade falling 2.8% between February and March. The effect has led to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) downgrading its global growth forecast too. In 2022, the global economy is …
Over the last two years, investors have experienced a lot of volatility. If you’ve been tempted to change long-term plans, data can highlight why you shouldn’t panic. At the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, markets fell sharply, and investors continued to experience volatility as the situation and restrictions changed. Just as things were slowly getting back to “normal”, tensions with …
Have you thought about investing but are worried you don’t know enough to start? Research suggests that if you do, you’re not alone, but getting to grips with the basics doesn’t have to be challenging. According to a Royal Mint survey, more than half of UK adults want to get into investing. It’s a step that can help them grow …
