GREEN-FINGERED INVESTORS MAY SEE THEIR PORTFOLIOS FLOURISH |
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Just as a garden will fail to thrive if it is neglected, an investment portfolio will underperform if investors take a laissez-faire approach to their finances. Like gardeners, investors must put time and effort into growing their portfolios and sowing the seeds for future success.
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RENEWED INTEREST IN MULTI-ASSET FUNDS |
| Multi-asset funds are enjoying a new vogue. Amid worldwide geopolitical instability, a volatile market and weaker growth, many investors are becoming more risk aware. To manage risk and protect capital whilst simultaneously exploring new growth opportunities, an increasing number of investors are turning to these types of funds.
Multi-asset funds appeal to many investors because they allow them to diversify their portfolios. They invest in a wide variety of asset classes, including but not limited to bonds, equities, and even property and commodities. A NEW BEST-SELLERRecent figures show an impressive upswing in the amount of new money being channelled into existing funds and a number of new funds have launched this year as well. According to investment researcher Morningstar, there are currently 1,027 UK-domiciled multi-asset funds available to UK investors. And, with net retail sales of £7.9 billion, multi-asset was the best-selling asset class of 2018, the Investment Association has reported. With an ever-increasing number of funds out there to choose from, investors would be wise to seek professional advice. |
INDIVIDUALS IN DRAWDOWN OBLIVIOUS TO FLEXIBLE INCOME |
 Pension provider Zurich2 has found that the majority of retirees taking an income in drawdown are unaware that they can reduce or even stop their withdrawals, meaning that they risk taking unsustainable levels of income that may not see them through retirement.
GOOD ADVICE PAYSDespite flexible income being one of the perks of drawdown, meaning that retirees can tailor their withdrawals to their spending, a YouGov survey commissioned by the provider has revealed that 52% of over-55s in drawdown are completely unaware of this fact. Unsurprisingly, awareness levels were shown to drastically increase among those who had sought professional advice. While 77% of those receiving ongoing financial advice were aware they could vary their drawdown income, a worryingly low 35% of those not seeing an adviser knew about this benefit. KEEPING YOUR SAVINGS SAFEBeing in the dark about this key detail could be dangerous; if stock markets fall, unsuspecting investors are at risk of draining their pension pots. Not to be confused with ‘pound cost averaging’, this is called ‘pound-cost-ravaging’, and occurs when individuals find themselves having to sell more investments to maintain unsustainable levels of income. We can help you to understand how your drawdown savings work to ensure they last through your retirement. 2Zurich, June 2019 A pension is a long-term investment. The fund value may fluctuate and can go down. Your eventual income may depend on the size of the fund at retirement, future interest rates and tax legislation. |
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IN THE NEWS… |
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PREMIUM BOND POPULARITYPartly due to the raft of Premium Bond rule changes, including the reduction in the minimum investment from £100 to £25, National Savings & Investments (NS&I) has seen a sharp rise in new customers under the age of 16. Further rises are also expected later this year when, for the first time, any adult will be able to buy Premium Bonds for any child.
WEB FRAUD CRACKDOWNFollowing a recent wave of internet scams, frequently targeting vulnerable pensioners, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has established a ‘war room’ to tackle suspicious investment schemes which are advertised online. Internet-enabled fraudulent schemes are often operated by small groups of criminals, which are defrauding consumers out of hundreds of millions of pounds; the FCA team has been set up with the intention of reducing the number of such schemes. UNKNOWN NUMBER OF FINES ISSUEDHMRC ‘hasn’t got a clue’ how many fines have been issued for breaches to pension tax relief rules, according to a Freedom of Information response obtained by Royal London1. If large numbers of people are being fined, Royal London urges, the industry needs to know so customers can be alerted to the issue. 1Royal London, July 2019 |
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BALANCING YOUR TIME AND MONEY |
| The average value of an ISA held by someone aged over 65 is £47,000, an increase of £4,500 on the previous year3. This data highlights that many pensioners are continuing to save for their future.
HMRC data suggests many pensioners are putting aside money to cover unforeseen costs and to buy more expensive one-off items, as opposed to relying on their day-to-day income. HABIT OF A LIFETIMEBreaking the saving habit is tricky for some it seems, as some over-65s are continuing to save through fear of running out of money. Whilst this is a good idea in many cases, some over-65s could be living unnecessarily frugal lives as a result. BALANCING ACTIt’s a fine balancing act ensuring that you plan for your future without forgetting to live in the present. We’re here to help you achieve the right balance. 3HMRC, April 2019 |
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KEEPING YOU POSTED – IHT |
During the summer, the Office of Tax Simplification (OTS) published a second report in relation to its Inheritance Tax (IHT) review, entitled ‘Simplifying the design of Inheritance Tax’. The report investigates the principal complexities and technical issues surrounding IHT and makes 11 recommendations which the OTS believes would make the tax easier to comprehend and navigate.
SIMPLE AND INTUITIVEIn an effort to streamline gift exemptions, four of the recommendations relate to lifetime gifts, to change the way the tax works in this area to make it simpler and more intuitive for all of us. Another recommendation focuses on the interaction between IHT and Capital Gains Tax. The accompanying recommendations consider IHT in relation to farms and businesses, addressing distortions in the operation and scope of reliefs such as those for agricultural and business property. WHAT NEXT?The report was commissioned by the Treasury, who will respond to the recommendations in due course. We’ll keep you posted on subsequent developments. |
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STORMY SEAS AHEAD?
The global economy took a knock during the second quarter of 2019, recent data has shown, affected by geopolitical events such as the US-China trade dispute and the UK’s upcoming Brexit deadline. Amid heightened fears of a global recession, policymakers have reacted, with the US Federal Reserve (Fed) cutting interest rates for the first time in over ten years.
ECONOMIC GROWTH
Most major economies saw weaker growth in the second quarter, gross domestic product (GDP) statistics reveal. China’s GDP grew at an annualised rate of 6.2%, the weakest growth the country has seen since records began in 1992. Meanwhile, the annualised growth rate of 2.1% in the US was significantly lower than the 3.1% recorded in the first quarter.
THE US REACTS
The Fed cut its benchmark interest rate by a quarter of a percentage point on 31 July, also indicating its willingness to provide additional support should the global economy decline further. US borrowing costs were last cut in 2008. The figures show a decline in global growth over the past months, with many countries facing an uncertain future. The US-China trade wranglings continue to hamper growth opportunities.
PORTFOLIO DIVERSITY
Many investors are getting used to a variety of political, financial and economic factors and learning to look through the ‘noise’ to focus on what really matters. Portfolio diversity holds the key to approaching your investments and managing risk. It is important to think about longer-term timescales instead of focusing too intently on short-term events and market fluctuations. Financial advice is essential to help position your portfolio in line with your objectives and attitude to risk.
The value of investments and income from them may go down. You may not get back the original amount invested.
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UK DIVIDEND OUTLOOK |
| The overall level of dividends paid by UK listed firms reached record levels in the second quarter of 2019.
Recent data from Link Asset Services4 shows that dividend payments rose by 14.5% to £37.8 billion during Q2, boosted by both sterling weakness caused by Brexit and some especially large special dividends. A weaker pound is beneficial for UK dividends, due to the fact that multinational companies make a significant percentage of their profits outside of the country. Half the underlying growth rate could be attributed to exchange-rate effects. The report concluded that the outlook for the economy and corporate earnings is worsening, with a weaker-than-expected underlying growth rate, suggesting that the outlook for future dividend payments will be more cautious. 4Link Asset Services, July 2019 The value of investments and income from them may go down. You may not get back the original amount invested. |
PENSIONS TERMINOLOGY BAFFLES BABY BOOMERS |
A recent survey5 that asked people over the age of 55 to define key words and acronyms relating to pensions found that a large percentage of the 2,002 respondents struggled to correctly identify and describe them.
DAZED AND CONFUSEDThe results of the survey revealed that many baby boomers were failing to grasp important pensions-related terminology. Even among those old enough to be able to access any defined contribution pensions savings they may have accumulated, knowledge was worryingly poor. Nearly two thirds of 55 to 75-year-olds could not define the Annual Allowance, while over half did not know what the term ‘income drawdown’ meant. It is apparent that complex jargon is hindering over-55s’ ability to understand key facts about their pensions. SHORT FOR WHAT?Pensions-related acronyms also stymied many respondents, with an overwhelming 99% unable to say what FAD (flexi access drawdown) stood for. Just under 5% of respondents accurately described TVA as being short for transfer value analysis. Amid this level of confusion, it’s hardly surprising that 4% of those surveyed also mistook the texting acronym ‘LOL’, as well as the shopping channel ‘QVC’, for pensions-related terms. ENDING THE PENSIONS PANICIf trying to keep on top of pensions jargon makes you anxious, then this research should reassure you that you’re not the only one! Many people are mystified by the seemingly incomprehensible range of words and letters used. We believe that explaining the facts in straightforward terms is the best way to help you get to grips with your pension and achieve the peace of mind you deserve. We’ll end the pensions panic and get you on the way to funding your future with confidence. 5Portafina, June 2019 A pension is a long-term investment. The fund value may fluctuate and can go down. Your eventual income may depend on the size of the fund at retirement, future interest rates and tax legislation. |
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| IF YOU WOULD LIKE ANY ADVICE OR INFORMATION ON ANY OF THE AREAS HIGHLIGHTED IN THIS NEWSLETTER, PLEASE GET IN TOUCH. |
| It is important to take professional advice before making any decision relating to your personal finances. Information within this document is based on our current understanding and can be subject to change without notice and the accuracy and completeness of the information cannot be guaranteed. It does not provide individual tailored investment advice and is for guidance only. Some rules may vary in different parts of the UK. We cannot assume legal liability for any errors or omissions it might contain. Levels and bases of, and reliefs from, taxation are those currently applying or proposed and are subject to change; their value depends on the individual circumstances of the investor. No part of this document may be reproduced in any manner without prior permission.
The value of investments can go down as well as up and you may not get back the full amount you invested. The past is not a guide to future performance and past performance may not necessarily be repeated. If you withdraw from an investment in the early years, you may not get back the full amount you invested. Changes in the rates of exchange may have an adverse effect on the value or price of an investment in sterling terms if it is denominated in a foreign currency. Information is based on our understanding of taxation legislation and regulations. Any levels and bases of, and reliefs from, taxation are subject to change. Tax treatment is based on individual circumstances and may be subject to change in the future. |