It has taken a very long time but it does seem that Quantitative Easing now comes to a stop. It will not be overnight but this surely means that interest rates are on the rise. It is very hard to see equities going ahead in this climate. ***** One feature of life has not however…
After buying a house, many people feel a desire to try to repay their mortgage as quickly as possible. This may be because overpaying a mortgage each month will reduce the amount repaid in the long run, or because it means the person in question is mortgage-free sooner than they otherwise would be. However, the…
Corporate collapses: when Arthur Andersen went down 15 years ago over Enron the problem was that the liabilities of one branch of that firm spread right across the world. This is different to the collapse of Bell-Pottinger where no liabilities (at least as matters stand) are due. Here the firm which specialised in managing reputations…
In recent decades, governments and central banks have come under fierce criticism for the way they manage our most important commodity – money. Money is supposed to be a simple and neutral way of facilitating the financial interactions necessary in all our lives; but it has become somewhat of a burden, and has often been…
One of the best options for long-term investors looking for higher risk/return opportunities is the Emerging Markets. The region offers huge potential upside as the various countries develop, although there are many challenges for them to overcome along the way. A well-diversified regional fund offers the safest way for people to profit from this area,…
Hurricane Harvey brought biblical floods to Houston. Ten days later, Hurricane Irma devastated the Caribbean. Were these freak storms the direct consequence of man-made climate change? What lessons can we learn to prepare for extreme weather events in the future? Who will be the key players in a world of freak weather? And can the insurers cope with this…
With inflation moving back up to 2.9% in August, obtaining a real return may become more difficult for investors. Certainly, there are a number of popular income shares which are likely to offer income returns in excess of inflation. However, they may become more in-demand if inflation keeps rising, and this may cause their yields…
Commodity-related stocks have had a difficult time of it in recent years with the main sector indices still trading well below their pre financial crisis levels. Funds that specialise in this area can provide a useful source of diversification and protection against inflation. They also offer huge upside potential if you can get the timing…
As dividend stocks go, life insurance companies have a mixed track record. On the one hand, they operate in a sector which is relatively immune to the economic cycle (people don’t typically cancel their life insurance just because there’s a recession). On the other hand, dividend cuts are fairly common within the sector, despite its…
So you have decided to consider peer-to-peer (P2P) lending as an alternative asset class, forming part of a balanced portfolio? It is important to note that diversification of an investment portfolio can bring the potential of a higher income yield, but also that higher returns come with higher risk. Therefore, as a starting point, you…
