Investment Guide

Steve Weisner - Independent Financial Adviser Radcliffe & Newlands.  Ask Steve, our resident expert, for his Free and Impartial Advice.

Women could buy a  worth £30,656 for only £421

Women with less than 10 qualifying years of national insurance are entitled to no Basic Sstate Pension (BSP), but as soon as they reach 10 years they are entitled to 26 per cent of the full basic state pension. If a woman only has 9 qualifying years, the cost of buying Class 3 NI contributions to get an extra year and qualify for 26 per cent of the full pension is currently only £421.20....... Click here for more information.

Use your capital gains tax allowance

We all have an allowance before becoming liable for Capital Gains Tax (CGT). For the 2008/09 tax year this is £9,600. A couple will be able to make capital gains of £19,200 before they owe any CGT. Any profits you make from a sale over and above your allowance and after reliefs and exemptions are taken into account are now taxed at a flat rate of 18%...... Click here for more information.

There’s a revolution coming to financial advice: the Retail Distribution Review

For the last 1 18 months or so the Financial Services Authority (FSA) has been conducting the Retail Distribution Review (RDR). The RDR final proposal is published and implementation will take place over the next three or four years. It brings with it sweeping changes in the way financial advice and products will be delivered – and some of those changes are really good news...... Click here for more information.

How do you replace lost

Central banks across the globe are cutting interest rates in an attempt to stimulate the economy. Savers are being hit hard and those living off the interest on their savings are really suffering. There has even been a recent suggestion that the Government ought to tax savers to force them to spend or invest their money rather than save! Well, clearly that’s utter lunacy. We don’t expect for one moment that it will happen but it’s an illuminating example of how ill-advised government policy could so easily exacerbate the situation...... Click here for more information.

ISA - Use it or Lose it

Yes, it’s that time of year when we are all reminded, usually at the last minute, not to miss out on our annual ISA allowance. This time around it’s even more important to maximise all the savings or tax advantages that we possibly can. If you already have a well-balanced portfolio and a good financial plan then you probably know what you’re doing with your ISA this year...... Click here for more information.

Zen and the science of disciplined investing

Incredible as it may seem, one of the most important jobs of a financial adviser is simply to stop clients from making foolish decisions. You see the fact is that most investors portfolios perform considerably worse than the market average...... Click here for more information.

Are pensions worthwhile?

One of the comments I am starting to hear quite frequently is people questioning whether pensions are still worth doing. Goings on at Equitable Life and NPI in recent years certainly have certainly not helped and the stock market down turn in the first 3 years of the millennium lead to loss of confidence in some quarters. I would still say the answer is a resounding yes ...... Click here for more information.

I want to build a portfolio where do I start?

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Building a portfolio might sound confusing but what do you need to consider before starting? Portfolio is the term for a range of investments which is owned by a single person or organisation. It is generally spread across a variety of assets, including shares, bonds, property and cash, the allocation of which has been determined in relation to that investor's objectives..... Click here for more information.

Introducing Investment Bonds

Investment bonds are investment products offered by life companies, usually available for lump sum investments. Within the bond, investors can choose how that money is invested from a range of funds. Traditionally, the most popular have been with-profits, managed and distribution funds, each of which combine a variety of asset classes. Today, however, the range is much greater, as life companies offer links to various fund management houses alongside their own existing range....... Click here for more information.

Is a SIPP for me?

In the last couple of years there has been a lot written in the press about SIPPs, yet many people are still coming to us asking “what is a SIPP?”. Put simply, a “Pure” or “Full” SIPP is a tax-efficient wrapper that can be used to shelter a range of investments. You, the investor, choose what goes into the wrapper. The pension company merely follows your instructions, ensuring the investments are held securely and legally..... Click here for more information.

Little and often for a big reward

In the world of investment, timing is everything. However, no matter how much hype we hear to the contrary, it is a fact that no one can predict what the market will do or when. This makes it difficult, not only deciding when to invest but also when to pull those investments out of the market..... Click here for more information.

The Rise and Fall of the equity market

A £100 investment in equities in 1987 would be worth £364 today, assuming all dividends had been reinvested, according to the February (2007) Barclays Equity and Gilt survey.  This investment represents an almost quadruple gain on the original amount, it is worth remembering that the equity market has suffered two major downfalls during this time: 1987 and again from 2000 ...... Click here for more information.

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