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Growth pick up exposes nerves
 Creaking and grinding, the global economy accelerated during the summer months. Some of the Asian economies so badly hit by the 1998 financial crisis began to motor, and Germany's export orders responded to an improvement in global demand. The US economy, meanwhile, continued to roar ahead, fuelled by rampant consumer demand and strong corporate investment. ...more
INTRODUCTION TO TAX EFFICIENT SAVINGS:
Tax sense
"Never let the tax tail wag the investment dog" says the old saw. In other words, concentrating on the tax benefits of an investment rather than its fundamental quality is a sure way to lose money. That said, the government in its wisdom sees fit to grant investors any number of tax allowances and shelters. It is plain daft not to take them into account when you are planning your investments. ...more
INTRODUCTION TO DEBT:
Fit to bust
As a nation, we love debt. At the last count we Brits were in hock to the tune of £600bn, a figure that covers the gamut of "personal sector" borrowing - mortgages, credit cards, hire purchase, the lot. What's more, we appear to be getting further into debt. ...more
PROPERTY INVESTMENTS:
House bubble
Lettings agents in London report that investors are taking advantage of the strong sales market to off-load properties which have been struggling to find tenants. As the Halifax Bank reported earlier this month, house prices in London have risen 20 per cent in the last 12 months. Over the same period FPDSavills' London rent index has fallen by about 3 per cent. ...more
STAKEHOLDER PENSIONS:
A pint and a pension
Stakeholder pensions have been in the news again. But with good reason this time. Last month the government revealed plans to change what was originally conceived as a timid low to middle-income retirement scheme into a mass market product. ...more
GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE:
On the rebound
After the strong recovery in equity markets in the first half of the year, the third quarter was rather a disappointment for investors. The FT/S&P World Index dipped 1.4 per cent in dollar terms. The problem for the markets was the rebound in world economic growth. ...more
ZERO DIVIDEND PREFERENCE SHARES:
Capital income
For investors who want income, there is a bewildering array of choice from corporate bonds right through to high income bonds. But zero dividend preference shares, usually referred to as zeros, often get overlooked. ...more
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