Recommendations
Making money
US small caps still strong 28 August 2008
American smaller companies continue to outperform large caps but it may not last, according to Threadneedle Investment Services.
- The never-ending commodities story 27 August 2008
- Preserving wealth 27 August 2008
- Investors benefit from sliding sterling 26 August 2008
Top 10 Life Funds, 1yr%
| JPMLAL D&A 30 YEA... | +32.5 | ||
| NU INVESTEC GLOBA... | +26.9 | ||
| ABBEY HS TAR GOLD... | +26.3 | ||
| STAN LIFE INVESTE... | +26.2 | ||
| FNW INVESTEC GLOB... | +25.3 | ||
| ZURICH STG INVTEC... | +25.3 | ||
| L & G INVESTEC GL... | +24.2 | ||
| ZURICH LATIN AMER... | +23.8 | ||
| SKANDIA INVESTEC ... | +23.8 | ||
| ZURICH STG LATIN ... | +23.5 | ||
Saving money
Statutory legacy to increase 29 August 2008
Married couples and civil partners whose spouse or civil partner dies without leaving a will are to benefit from an increase in the statutory legacy under new Government proposals.
- ISA transfers set to warp speed 29 August 2008
- Banking on improvement 28 August 2008
- Instant access savers suffer 26 August 2008
Tools
Community
Q&A forum
Downsizing option 25 July 2008
We have lived in our very large house in a very small village for nearly 25 years, where we have built a life and are very happy. The house now has a very high value in financial terms.
However, we are now looking at the prospect of having to make a downsize move, mostly because of the financial implications of owning a house of this size, such as higher heating bills, council tax, insurance and other essential expenditure.
We have looked into the area of equity release schemes but have constantly been told that it is more cost effective to downsize to a smaller property. However, even if we did downsize to such a property, it would still be of a high value in this area.
Additionally, it would be very expensive to make this move, considering the potential costs involved in moving home. We have calculated that it will cost us close to £100,000 to move, taking into account estate agent fees, legal fees, stamp duty and various moving costs. This £100,000 is immediately wasted and, on a personal note, we would have to start a new life in our retirement.
These factors therefore bring us back to equity release. We would require an additional income of up to £20,000 per annum for possibly a ten-year period before we need to move. If the calculation was for a property valued at £1.5 million, we would only need an increase in the property value of around two per cent a year to cover the withdrawal of £20,000 for income and the interest payments. Would this be the preferable solution in investment terms for our situation, rather than taking the money out of the property by downsizing, especially in view of the current outlook for house prices, and then investing the funds elsewhere and paying more tax on the funds we have released?
G Boot, Kent
- Suspended animation 22 August 2008
- Disappearing trust 15 August 2008
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Investors blog
Brighter later 26 August 2008
Andy Parson, fund manager at The Share Centre, suggests that the financial arena will get much worse before it gets better, in his latest blog for www.whatinvestment.co.uk
Latest news
Share dealing
Halaal savings product launched 19 August 2008
UK Islamic home finance provider, alburaq, has announced the launch of its Halaal Savings Plan offering investors exposure to the stock market in harmony with ethical Islamic principles.
- Banking on good news for investors 11 August 2008
- Seeking value 28 July 2008
- Following the trend 25 July 2008
Investment funds
Aiming for income 18 August 2008
LV= Asset Management (LVAM), the fund management arm of mutual insurance and investment group LV=, has launched its new Diversified Income Fund.
- Focus on quality, says Threadneedle 18 August 2008
- Cutting costs for investors 12 August 2008
- F&C hunts for hidden treasures 8 August 2008
Alternative investments
Investors ignore India 7 August 2008
Current stock market activity in India is not reflective of the investment opportunities in the region, says JPMorgan Asset Management.
- iShares add to ETF range 5 August 2008
- Gulf ETF launched 4 August 2008
- Superior alternatives 31 July 2008
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Light bulb time! 26 August 2008
The next big wealth-building opportunity is sitting under your nose, says Knowledge to Action, providers of Traders University.
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