Investing

Articles

Financial strategy

Fancy a Joined-Up Financial Plan?

A financial plan is made up of many working parts which should all fit together seamlessly. When most people think of financial planning, they might think about investments or pensions. But these are simply the tools we use to work towards your goals rather than the end result.  A good financial plan combines risk management, …

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Investing

Why is Diversification Important?

Diversification is a common term in investment circles, but what does it mean, how do we implement it, and why is it important? A well-diversified portfolio can be the difference between weathering the storm in a financial crisis, or sustaining irrecoverable losses.  What is Diversification? In certain market conditions, the various asset classes behave in …

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Investing

Investor Risk Profiles – Which Are You?

Risk means different things to different people. To some, it means opportunity and excitement. To others, it means danger and is best avoided. In investment terms, risk is a spectrum. Most people recognise that at least some risk needs to be taken to achieve investment growth.  But there are different kinds of risk. A share …

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Investing

How to Spot a Dog Fund

Investing has never been easier, even for beginners. We have detailed information and analysis accessible at the touch of a button. Investment platforms are widely available and provide access to funds and shares across every asset class, world region, and business sector. But all this choice can make investing seem impossibly complicated. We all know …

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Financial Independence

How Much Should You Save for Retirement?

We all know that we should be planning for retirement. The State Pension is a useful starting point, but would fall short of providing a comfortable retirement for most people.  Workplace pensions can partially bridge this gap. These require a minimum level of contribution from both the employee and the employer. But over the course …

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Investing

Active and Passive Investing – What You Need to Know

When you pay someone to manage your money, the promise of ‘active management’ can be reassuring. It assumes a level of insight and expertise not available to the amateur investor.  But active management is not the only option, and sometimes a passive strategy can meet your requirements equally well, and at a lower cost. Active …

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Financial strategy

6 Key Pillars of a Financial Plan

Financial planning can be complex, and the best solution for one person often doesn’t work as well for someone else. It’s easy to become focused on investment returns, when really, this forms only part of the picture. The first step is to decide what you would like to achieve. Once you have clear goals in …

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Investing

5 Investor Biases to Avoid When the Market is Volatile

In times of volatility, it is all too easy to be led by our emotions when it comes to investing. Investment decisions based on fear, greed and overconfidence in our own judgement are not likely to lead to the best outcome. While most investors would not regard their dealings as emotionally-led, it is important to …

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