Negative interest rates spark 2016 gold rush – but can German buyers push prices even higher? March 29, 2016 Almost a quarter of world GDP lies in economies whose central banks now have negative interest rates of some form. This experimental policy – used variously to weaken strengthening currencies and attempt to stimulate growth – has its fans, but investors have not been among them. “There’s a sense that central banks are running out [...]
Investors should be more concerned about Donald Trump than a Brexit, says fund manager Richard Woolnough March 24, 2016 Investors should focus more on the prospect of Donald Trump than a so-called Brexit, according to a fund manager. Richard Woolnough manages around £35bn at M&G Investments. In a note to investors, he said the outcome of the US presidential election was more important than the UK's EU referendum. Read more: Trump and Clinton get the vote from [...]
From cuts to capital gains tax to a review of the “salary sacrifice” scheme: Here’s what you missed from Budget 2016 March 23, 2016 Eye-catching schemes like the sugar tax, the lifetime Isa and cuts to corporation tax may have grabbed the headlines following last week’s Budget. But a number of the Treasury’s other announcements could impact directly on employees, savers and investors. Here’s a run-down of the best of the rest. REDUCTIONS TO CAPITAL GAINS TAX In two [...]
From robots in Japan to crashing sentiment in Latin America, what are the risks and opportunities for investors this year? March 23, 2016 Every year, we ask our credit and equity analysts at Fidelity International about the health, growth prospects, and challenges facing the companies they research worldwide. The results of our 2016 Analyst Survey are in, showing a maturing cycle in which growth is becoming scarcer. For investors, this means understanding who will be the winners and [...]
Passive investors are on the rise, according to new research into Sipps and Isas March 22, 2016 There has been a rise in passive investors in the current tax year, according to new research into self-invested personal pensions (Sipps) and Isas. Interactive Investor said that among its clients passives make up three of the five most popular funds in Sipps. Meanwhile, the online investment service said the top five Isa collectives held are all [...]
The Investment Association reveals productivity plan aimed at bolstering the UK economy through long-term investment March 22, 2016 The Investment Association has today unveiled its plans to boost the UK's productivity through long-term investment. Among the Productivity Action Plan's key areas of focus for removing barriers to long-term investment are improving investor engagement, enhancing company reporting to better show to what extent firms are contributing to the economy and contributing more to the debate on tax [...]
Private equity firm Ardian is selling its majority stake in Novacap to two French buyout firms for around £500m March 21, 2016 Paris based private equity firm Ardian is set to offload its majority stake in chemicals and cosmetics company Novacap to French buy out firms, Eurazeo and Mérieux Développement for around £500m. Novacap, maker of everything chemical from sun creams to baking powder, was bought by Ardian in 2011 for a deal that valued it at €240m (£188m). The deal is the latest in a raft of [...]
High net-worth, older UK investors most cautious in Europe, while millenials more likely to invest in riskier assets March 21, 2016 Older UK investors are the most cautious in Europe, with more than a third of their portfolios invested in cash to avoid asset risks from the volatility affecting global markets. Cash made up 36 per cent of the older investors' portfolios, classified as investments owned by those the age of 40. This figure was up from 29 per cent [...]
The Investment Association: FTSE 100 firms told to scrap quarterly reporting March 20, 2016 The investment industry's leading trade body is gearing up to tell Britain's blue-chip companies to scrap quarterly reporting. The Investment Association (IA) will make the move in an attempt to shift companies' focus towards more longer-term goals, a spokesperson confirmed. It's one of a string of measures contained in a landmark report which is due to be released next [...]
Wealth manager Brooks Macdonald’s share price up after delivering 12 per cent funds under management growth in “uncertain markets” March 17, 2016 The share price of Brooks Macdonald rose nearly two per cent today after the investment manager reported a 12 per cent growth in discretionary funds under management (FUM). The figures The company’s results, for the six months to 31 December 2015, showed it increased its FUM value to £7.82bn, up from £6.95bn the year before. [...]
