Investors turn their back on UK shares

Investors turn their back on UK sharesSeptember saw the sales in investment funds fall to the lowest levels since the recession, however those people who did invest in the UK have been rewarded with record performance during October. Figures released by the IMA (Investment Management Association) show that sales of investment funds fell in September to £568 million, the lowest figure since October 2008 when the UK was in the grip of a severe recession, and around £2 billion lower than the same time last ...

Housing round up: Fall in house prices predicted & 90% mortgage deals

Housing round up: Prices fall, new high loan to value mortgage dealThis week saw figures released which showed house prices have fallen over the past year and also predictions that prices will continue to fall for the next couple of years. At the same time Barclays has joined other lenders in offering deals which require only a 10% deposit. House prices fall over the past year Data released by the Land Registry has shown that house prices in England and Wales ...

Survey highlights lack of financial planning amongst families

Survey highlights lack of financial planning amongst familiesA new survey has found that many parents in the UK have no cover should they die or become ill and have done no tax planning. The ‘Why family matters survey’ from HSBC questioned 1,042 adults in the UK and found significant financial planning gaps: 52% of parents with dependent children have no financial plan in place 48% of parents said they have no life cover 32% of people in their 50’s do not have retirement savings factored into a ...

Pensions: What will you do with your tax free lump sum?

How will you spend the tax free lump sum from your pension?How do you intend to spend yours? We are of course referring to the tax free lump sum from your pension. In our experience most people take the tax free cash from their pension, but what do they do with it? The options are almost limitless but some seem far more popular than others, we’ve done a quick poll of our advisers and put together a list of what we ...