Category archives: General Financial News

Market volatility is normal and often creates long-term opportunity Holding excess cash may hinder growth for long-term objectives Diversification and discipline help manage emotional investment decisions Investors are constantly navigating changing narratives. Last year markets rebounded to reach new highs following President Trump’s spring trade announcements, despite ongoing geopolitical and economic uncertainty. More recently, the […]

Rising property values and frozen thresholds are drawing more families into IHT scope Pension rule changes from 2027 may alter estate planning strategies significantly Early awareness enables better family conversations and long-term legacy planning Inheritance Tax (IHT) is often viewed as something to think about later on in life. It can feel distant, complicated and […]

A third of UK workers feel confident about achieving a comfortable lifestyle when they retire There are some significant disparities across income groups, age and gender 60% of cash Individual Savings Account (ISA) savers would consider moving to a stocks and shares ISA Confidence in a comfortable retirement on the up A positive trend is […]

UK workers, especially Gen X, increasingly want time away from work to focus on health and wellbeing Affordability and lack of employer support are cited as major obstacles Property accounts for a significant portion of estate value across the UK, particularly in London Sabbaticals on the rise with Gen X leading Research1 has highlighted a […]

74% of advised investors plan to increase contributions this year Emotional reactions to markets are more common among non-advised investors Professional guidance improves discipline and long-term investing outcomes How confident do you feel as an investor? There are so many factors that can impact confidence, from level of knowledge and experience to market movements and […]

Ordinary and upper Dividend Tax rates rise by two percentage points Dividend Allowance remains £500 per tax year outside ISAs Reviewing your combination of salary, dividends and pension can improve efficiency From April 2026, changes to Dividend Tax kick in. While most of the Chancellor’s tax announcements from her November Budget will commence towards the […]

Global growth is projected at 3.3% in 2026 amid cautious optimism Trade cooperation and AI investment are key economic drivers Policymakers must balance inflation control with long-term resilience After a long, cold winter, there are tentative signs that spring is arriving. With hope in the air – what lies ahead for the global economy? Uncertainty […]

UK dividends are projected to reach £88.8bn, up 1.5% year-on-year Underlying growth suggests resilience despite macroeconomic headwinds Global payouts are expected to rise 2.9% to $2.47trn Following growth of 1.3% in the fourth quarter and total headline payouts of £87.5bn in 2025, UK dividend expectations for the year ahead are positive, according to the latest […]

Up to 70% of family wealth can be lost by the second generation without structured planning IHT changes and pension reforms could accelerate gifting and estate restructuring decisions Open communication and professional guidance improve long-term wealth preservation outcomes The world is on the brink of an unprecedented transfer of wealth. A notable World Wealth Report¹, […]

Using your ISA allowance early increases potential tax-free growth opportunities Pension contributions attract relief and may reduce higher-rate tax exposure Early planning helps optimise capital gains and Inheritance Tax allowances A new tax year feels a bit like spring cleaning for your finances – a fresh start, new allowances and a chance to put good […]