FTSE poised for monthly loss as hit from insurers leads to technical fall March 28, 2012 BRITAIN’S blue-chip index ended lower yesterday as disappointing US economic data pushed investors to cash in their quarterly gains, setting the index on course for its first monthly loss of the year. The FTSE 100 closed 60.56 points, or one per cent, lower at 5,808.99 points, extending losses in the afternoon after breaking below its [...]
Drop in oil and metals prices sparks sell-off March 28, 2012 US stocks declined yesterday as sliding oil and metals prices gave investors a reason to sell commodity-related shares. A sharp fall in US crude oil futures hit energy stocks, prompted by talk of a release of some US and European strategic oil reserves. Materials shares dropped as well. A weaker-than-expected report on US durable goods [...]
Smash open your Isa’s full potential March 28, 2012 INDIVIDUAL savings accounts (Isas) are a success story of financial marketing. Most are aware of them, many use them, and a great number understand their tax benefits. As the tax year ends on 5 April, everyone should now ensure they take full advantage. Despite Isas piercing the public consciousness, some investors don’t make the most [...]
Isa millionaires: A guide to building tax-free prosperity March 28, 2012 There is a split between the chancers that struck it rich through a risky strategy and those investors that applied more reasoned judgements THE end of another tax year looms, but it seems from figures released by HM Revenue and Customs for 2010/11 that as far as investment Isas are concerned, we’ve seen more talk [...]
Don’t panic: Parking your cash will buy you some extra time March 28, 2012 Driving your Isa allowance into an Isa park can be very useful – but don’t forget to move it AS THE Eurozone crisis rumbles on and Chinese growth starts to slow, many people are understandably concerned about the state of UK and world stock markets. When equity markets are volatile, bonds tend to be where [...]
Vital statistics on what some investors think of Isas March 28, 2012 ANDREW Lang, the nineteenth-century the Scottish poet, was onto something when he observed: “An unsophisticated forecaster uses statistics as a drunken man uses lamp-posts – for support rather than for illumination.” With this in mind it would be a mistake to lean too hard on the statistics garnered from Interactive investor’s website survey. Yet, there’s [...]
Income versus growth isn’t the crunch choice March 28, 2012 MOST funds can be broadly classified as either income or growth oriented and most managers focus their abilities on one to the exclusion of the other. There is plenty of debate about which investors should favour, and although there are good reasons to lean towards one or the other, ultimately investors should focus on diversification [...]
Save like a superhero – what to do to protect your children’s future March 28, 2012 COLUMN inches are being racked up, extolling the virtues of getting your child a Junior Isa. And surely nobody could decry a tax wrapper that aims to build a stash of cash for the next generation? However, there is a potential problem – and it’s not the abolition of the £250 cheque the government handed [...]
Contract work is a lucrative option for IT professionals March 28, 2012 IT PROFESSIONALS in contract work may seem to have it easy. Daily rates are high, they regularly move between jobs and, when their skills are in demand, they can select projects that suit their interests and professional development. They have loyalty to their industry, but not always to any one firm. But IT contracting rests [...]
