Taking the emotion (and colour!) out of investment decisions
The psychology of investing is fascinating. There are so many behavioural traps that investors may find themselves falling into as markets fluctuate and knee jerk reactions take hold. The anchoring trap is a prime example, where investors over rely on their perceptions of an investment which may be totally incorrect, rather than being flexible in […]
Economic Review – August 2021
Strong second quarter growth The latest gross domestic product (GDP) figures showed that the UK economy grew strongly in the second quarter, although more recent survey evidence does suggest the recovery is losing momentum. Data published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed the economy grew by 4.8% in the second quarter of this […]
Social media and the younger investor
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is concerned about the influence social media is having on younger investors, who it believes are taking on significant financial risks. This younger, more diverse group of investors, it said, is highly reliant on social media platforms such as YouTube, Instagram and TikTok for investment tips and advice, but lacks […]
Property Market Review – August 2021
Investment in student accommodation nears £2bn in H1 The latest data from Knight Frank shows that investor appetite for purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) was strong in H1, despite the sector being adversely impacted by the pandemic, with restrictions limiting international travel and disrupting study for a large proportion of students. The sector is in a […]
Keeping up with the Joneses? – your personal goals matter more
Did the way some people tend to crave and display material success all start with yuppies and Harry Enfield’s ‘Loadsamoney’ character in the 1980s? No, it goes back much further, to 1913, when a New York Globe comic strip ‘Keeping Up With the Joneses’ first appeared and created an enduring, meaningful expression. Envy about others’ […]
Stay one step ahead
Nearly a third of homeowners (31%) would only consider purchasing protection insurance if they fell ill1 – too late to support them financially if they couldn’t work. Other triggers for taking out protection cover include a change in employment status (25%) or having an accident (24%), while 22% say there is no circumstance that would […]
Economic Review – July 2021
UK growth forecast upgraded The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has sharply increased this year’s growth forecast for the UK, although recent data does suggest the country’s strong economic rebound has begun to slow down. In its latest assessment of global economic prospects, the IMF highlighted a worrying divergence in fortunes between rich and poor nations, […]
Multi-jobbers – listen up!
Workers on lower salaries with more than one job are at risk of a poorer retirement, as they miss out on employer pension contributions, a new study has concluded1. Excluded from auto enrolment Auto enrolment was introduced to encourage people to save more in their pensions during their working years. Under the scheme, employers are […]
Property Market Review – July 2021
Moratorium on commercial evictions extended The government has announced an extension to the moratorium on commercial eviction due to rent arrears until 25 March 2022. The scheme has been extended to give hospitality businesses and nightclubs, which have operated under restrictions for the entirety of the pandemic, and which came under increasing pressure when the […]
In the News – Money
Holiday selfie could invalidate insurance With travel back on the agenda for many, think twice before posting a holiday selfie on social media. Your insurer may consider this as advertising the fact that you are away from home, leaving your property unoccupied and invalidating your insurance cover. Unfortunately, more and more criminals are using social […]