Six things we will get more of when RDR is introduced July 13, 2011 WHETHER investors are aware of it or not, the Retail Distribution Review (RDR) will shake up investing. Expect more regulation, professionalism, transparency, low-cost investments and investment trusts – but you should also assume we will get some unforeseen outcomes. 1. REGULATION Even though it is soon to be abolished, the Financial Services Authority (FSA) is [...]
RDR must face up to the law of unintended consequences July 13, 2011 THE process of implementing the Retail Distribution Review (RDR) is gathering momentum. Over the next few months, expect it to leap into public consciousness. The impact for investors will be significant – but does RDR have staying power beyond the 31 December 2012 implementation deadline? Front and centre of RDR are three core aims: improving [...]
Hedge forex within your pension pot July 13, 2011 THE reasons for currency hedging with a portfolio are fairly straightforward. Any purchase of an international asset requires the equivalent investment in the foreign currency in which that asset is denominated. According to Mark Hogg, director of forex product development at RBC Dexia: “FX risk is an investment risk like any other and needs to [...]
Five tips for those on the partner track July 13, 2011 YOU’VE done all the hard work and managed to qualify as an accountant – congratulations. So what’s next? If you have decided to remain in the profession, many of you, quite rightly, will be aiming for the top and that coveted partnership. So how do you go about getting noticed by the powers that be [...]
FTSE extends losses as Eurozone debt fears grow July 12, 2011 FINANCIALS and commodity stocks led a sharp fall on Britain’s FTSE 100 yesterday as investors extended a recent sell-off on worries that Europe’s debt problems would spread beyond Greece, Portugal and Ireland. Eurozone finance ministers on Monday promised cheaper loans, longer maturities and a more flexible rescue fund in an effort to prevent debt contagion [...]
European fiscal worries push US stocks down July 12, 2011 US STOCKS closed lower for a third straight day yesterday as Europe’s fiscal woes and a weak start to tech earnings gave investors little reason to buy even after the recent losses. Moody’s downgrade of Ireland’s credit rating late in the session provided the latest jolt to stock investors, reminding them of the scope of [...]
Belgium may be the next domino to fall in crisis July 12, 2011 WHILE most of the focus of the Eurozone crisis has been on Portugal, Greece and Ireland, more countries are being drawn into the fray. Italy’s bond yields are spiking and governmentless Belgium seems overdue for a government bond rating downgrade. With a lack of faith in the euro, these worries are driving the Swiss franc [...]
A NEW PLAN FOR EUROZONE DEBT IS VITAL July 12, 2011 THERE is no doubt that the currency market is now at the mercy of the credit market. Fears about the growing contagion in the Eurozone have sent euro-dollar to fresh three month lows at the start of this week’s trade, with the pair dropping below $1.3850 in yesterday’s chaotic market open. Italy has become the [...]
THE TIPSTER July 12, 2011 STERLING isn’t faring well against the dollar and its case hasn’t been helped by the fact that UK house prices didn’t really improve in June. The pound is trending lower, and has broken through its previous support level of $1.5850, which is a negative signal. Capital Spreads quotes sterling-dollar at $1.5834-$1.5836. Risk aversion has been [...]
