Financial Planning Archives

Data from economies around the world indicate business output and confidence could be slowing. Read on to find out what influenced the investment market in July 2023.

Despite some data suggesting there could be a downturn in some areas, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has lifted its global growth forecast for 2023. The organisation now expects the global economy to grow by 3%, up from its previous prediction of 2.8%.

Globally, both households and businesses could face pressure as energy prices may rise in the colder months. The International Energy Agency warned that, if China’s economy rebounds this year, energy prices may spike in winter.

UK

The pace of inflation in the UK is slowing. Yet, it remains stubbornly high and above many other economies at 7.9% in the 12 months to June 2023. The latest inflation figures prompted the Bank of England (BoE) to hike its base interest rate again – as of July 2023, it stands at 5%.

The IMF predicts the BoE will need to keep interest rates high for longer than expected due to economic challenges.

Further rises could cause market volatility – the FTSE 100 hit its lowest closing level of 2023 ahead of the July BoE announcement at the start of the month.

The interest rate increases have led to mortgage rates soaring. In July, the average five-year fixed-rate mortgage deal exceeded 6% for the first time since 2008. In fact, by the end of 2026, the BoE predicts that 1 million households will see their monthly mortgage repayments increase by £500.

While many borrowers have been affected by interest rates increasing almost immediately, saving rates have been lagging. The Financial Conduct Authority set out expectations for “fair and competitive savings” during the month, and savers may have started to see the earnings on their savings rise as a result.

The latest release from the Office for National Statistics shows that between February and April 2023, the average wage increased by 7.2%. While growth is good news, the figure is below inflation and so wages are falling in real terms.

As well as soaring mortgage costs, food inflation has significantly affected household budgets. So, it may be of little surprise that a survey for i newspaper found 67% of consumers would back the idea of a price cap on essential goods.

Data suggests many businesses are struggling too.

According to a Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) UK factories shrank at their fastest pace in six months in June. Output, new orders, and employment levels all fell and could signal the challenges will continue into the medium term.

As businesses struggle with rising costs, insolvencies are expected to rise. Figures released by the Insolvency Service show business bankruptcies were 27% higher in June when compared to the same period in 2022.

Begbies Traynor, a business recovery and financial consultancy, believes insolvencies will rise over the next 18 months due to interest rate hikes. The firm added that “zombie” businesses have been able to continue operating due to cheap borrowing costs but will now struggle to service debts.

While there have been ups and downs in the market throughout July, the pound hit a 15-month high after all major UK banks passed BoE stress tests.

Europe

Inflation in the Eurozone fell to 5.5% in the 12 months to June 2023. While still above the long-term average, it’s lower than the 8.6% recorded in June 2022.

In response, the European Central Bank increased interest rates to its highest level in more than 20 years. The deposit rate is 3.75% as of July 2023.

PMI data indicates businesses in the Eurozone are facing similar challenges to the UK. Overall business activity fell and moved into negative territory. Factory output was also weak in June, particularly in Austria, Germany and Italy, and employment fell for the first time since January 2021.

US

Steps taken by the Federal Reserve have successfully slowed inflation in the US. In the 12 months to June, it was 3% – a two-year low.

According to PMI data, the US factory sector took a “sharp turn for the worse” in June. The results mirror the situation in Europe, with new orders falling. It’s increased concerns that the country could slip into a recession in the second half of the year.

While there may be worries about the US economy, official data indicates businesses are still confident about their future. American companies added half a million jobs to the economy in June and US wages increased by 4.4%.

In company news, Twitter’s rebrand to X is estimated to have wiped billions off the company’s value.

Since Tesla owner Elon Musk took over the social media platform in October 2022, he’s made a raft of changes. In July, Musk revealed a new name and logo for the platform, which have drawn criticism. According to Fortune, changing the name has wiped out between $4 billion and $20 billion in brand value.

Please note:

This blog is for general information only and does not constitute advice. The information is aimed at retail clients only.

The value of your investment can go down as well as up and you may not get back the full amount you invested. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.

It can be difficult not to let your emotions influence the decisions you make. When investing, emotional decision-making could be harming your portfolio’s performance and your ability to reach your goals.

While you try to make investment decisions based on logic and facts, it can be easy for emotions, from fear to excitement, to play a role at times. And a survey of financial advisers reveals it could be costing you more than you think.

According to a report in FTAdviser, financial advisers believe emotional decision-making costs investors at least 2% each year in foregone returns. They believe two of the biggest mistakes investors make are:

Being too influenced by the news (47%)
Taking too little risk (44%).

If you’ve been guilty of these mistakes in the past, you’re certainly not alone. The good news is that there are things you can do to reduce the effect emotions have on your investments. Read on to find out how you could tackle these two mistakes.

1. Tuning out the news to focus on your long-term plan

Market volatility is part of investing. Unfortunately, sensational headlines about markets “soaring” or “plunging” sell. However, they often don’t show the bigger picture – that even after volatility, markets have, historically, smoothed out over the long term and delivered returns.

On top of providing a snapshot, rather than an in-depth look at markets, remember that the news isn’t tailored to you. An investment opportunity that is perfect for one person, may not be right for another.

If you read about markets falling sharply or the latest “must invest” tip in the newspaper, it’s natural to think about what it means for your investment portfolio. Perhaps you’re scared that volatility could mean the value of your assets will fall and you won’t be able to retire when you intend? Or maybe you feel a thrill at the thought of investing in the next big technology firm?

Tuning out the noise can be difficult, but it may reduce the chance of emotions affecting your decisions.

Working with a financial planner may help you reduce the effect the news has on your mindset. It means you have someone to turn to if you have concerns or would like to pursue an opportunity. Speaking to a professional about your options could prevent knee-jerk decisions you might regret later.

Creating an investment strategy that’s tailored to your goals and circumstances with a financial planner may also give you the confidence to dismiss the news.

At times, your portfolio may dip but understanding why investments have been selected and how it fits into your overall plan could put your mind at ease.

2. Balancing how much investment risk you should take

It’s common to hear that investors are worried about taking too much risk. After all, too much risk could mean you’re more likely to lose your money, and it could affect your progress towards your life goals. Yet, nervous investors can take too little risk.

While you may feel comfortable taking less risk as your money is “safer”, you could miss out on potential growth. Taking too little risk for your circumstances may mean falling short of your goals, even though you had an opportunity to achieve them.

Setting out a risk profile is an essential part of understanding which investments are right for you.

It can be difficult to understand how much risk is appropriate. A financial planner could help you here. By considering a range of areas, from what assets you hold to your investment goals, we can create a risk profile that suits you.

By understanding risk and what’s appropriate for your circumstances, you could reduce the effect emotions like fear have on your decisions. You may feel confident enough to take greater investment risk if it’s right for you and find yourself in a better position to reach your goals.

Want to review your investments? Contact us

Tailored investment advice may help you reduce the effect emotions have on your decisions so you can focus on what’s right for your circumstances.

Whether you want to start investing or would like a portfolio review, please contact us. We can work with you to create an investment strategy that you have confidence in and provide ongoing support so you have someone to turn to if you have any questions or concerns.

Please note:

This blog is for general information only and does not constitute advice. The information is aimed at retail clients only.

The value of your investment can go down as well as up and you may not get back the full amount you invested. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.

Since the government introduced pension auto-enrolment in 2012, millions more workers have started saving for their retirement. Now, the government has confirmed plans to extend auto-enrolment to encourage a savings boost. The changes could have implications for both employees and business owners.

In a publication, the government has revealed key announcements following a review of auto-enrolment that started in 2017. The reforms are forecast to increase pension contributions by £2 billion a year.

3 key auto-enrolment changes to be aware of

1. The minimum age of auto-enrolment will fall from 22 to 18

Young workers could start saving into a pension much sooner. The government intends to lower the minimum auto-enrolment age from 22 to 18.

For employees, this could be a positive step. Saving for retirement from the outset of their careers could help establish positive money habits among workers. In addition, compound growth means early contributions have the potential to grow significantly.

For business owners, it could mean their outgoings will increase as they’ll also need to make pension contributions on behalf of eligible workers.

2. The lower earnings limit will be removed

At the moment, workers must earn at least £6,240 to be eligible for auto-enrolment. The government plans to remove this lower earnings limit, so workers will receive contributions from the first pound they earn.

This will boost pension contributions among those that are already paying into a pension. It will also mean low-income workers that haven’t previously benefited from a pension, such as those who work part-time while caring for children or older relatives, will automatically start paying into a pension and receive employer contributions too.

While more people saving for retirement is a positive step, there are concerns it could lead to an increase in the number of employees opting out.

Speaking to FTAdviser, Tom Selby, head of retirement policy at AJ Bell, said: “Ratcheting up contributions during a cost of living crisis could be the straw that breaks the camel’s back for some savers, who might decide they simply cannot afford to put money to one side for retirement.”

From an employer’s perspective, this change could, again, increase the amount they are contributing to employees’ pensions.

3. There could be a maximum limit on pension pots

As most employees are entitled to a pension through their employer, frequent job hopping could lead to individuals holding numerous small pensions. This may make it difficult to manage pensions effectively and understand if you’re on track to reach your retirement goals.

In its report, the government sets out initial plans to help savers manage multiple pots. Among the proposals is a maximum limit on the number of pensions a person can have. The report also suggests a central clearing house to make it simpler to consolidate pensions.

3 omissions from the auto-enrolment expansion

1. There is no timescale for the proposed changes

While reports suggest the government plans to implement the changes by the mid-2020s, the official document doesn’t set out a timescale. So, while young and low-income workers are set to benefit from auto-enrolment, it could be several years before they start contributing to pensions.

2. The minimum pension contribution will not be increased

Research suggests that minimum contribution levels are not enough to afford a comfortable lifestyle in retirement. A recent Scottish Widows report indicates a third of Brits could struggle in retirement because they’re not putting enough away during their working life.

Under the current rules, the minimum contribution is 8% of qualifying earnings, made up of 5% from employees and 3% from employers.

There have been calls for the government to increase the minimum pension contribution level to help close the gap.

3. Auto-enrolment won’t be extended to cover self-employed workers

Some organisations have called on the government to extend auto-enrolment to encourage self-employed workers to save for their retirement. However, support for the self-employed has been overlooked in the latest report.

Research from the Institute for Fiscal Studies suggests the number of self-employed workers paying into a pension has fallen over the last decade.

It also found self-employed workers that pay into a pension rarely change the amount they contribute. The analysis suggested a form of auto-escalation, such as a direct debit that increases in line with inflation, could help self-employed workers save more for their retirement.

Take control of your pension and retirement

While the change to auto-enrolment could mean more people are on track for a financially secure retirement, there are still challenges. If you want to reach your retirement goals, engaging with your pension sooner, rather than later, could allow you to identify the steps you need to take.

Please contact us to discuss your retirement aspirations and how we could help you create a tailored financial plan.

Please note:

This blog is for general information only and does not constitute advice. The information is aimed at retail clients only.

A pension is a long-term investment not normally accessible until 55 (57 from April 2028). The fund value may fluctuate and can go down, which would have an impact on the level of pension benefits available. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results.

The tax implications of pension withdrawals will be based on your individual circumstances. Thresholds, percentage rates and tax legislation may change in subsequent Finance Acts.

Visiting the supermarket to pick up a few items or do your weekly shopping is so common it can be difficult to imagine life without this convenience. Yet, it wasn’t too long ago that the first supermarket was opening its doors in the UK. And looking back offers an interesting insight into how money and shopping habits have changed.

The London Co-operative Society opened its doors for the first time in 1948.

It offered a very different service to other shops of the time. Shoppers were used to chatting with the shopkeeper while an assistant picked the items for them. In fact, shoppers wouldn’t have handled the goods at all until they paid.

So, walking into a “self-service” supermarket – where customers picked up their items themselves and took them to a till – was a very different experience. On top of that, there were all kinds of goods under one roof and competitive prices. It’s easy to see why supermarkets became popular.

Today, there are thousands of supermarkets across the UK, from the “big six” to independent stores. And “self-service” has gone one step further with many shops installing checkouts customers can use themselves.

In the 75 years since the first supermarket opened, how we use money, the value of it, and shopping habits have changed enormously. Looking at inflation and how it’s calculated offers a glimpse into this transition.

£1,000 in 1946 has the same value as almost £34,500 today

The UK first started tracking retail prices a year after the first supermarket opened. It shows how prices have changed over seven decades.

Data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) demonstrates how inflation influenced prices between 1947 and 2023. While there have been times retail prices have dipped, overall, it’s been an upwards trend.

Source: Office for National Statistics

In fact, according to the Bank of England’s inflation calculator, £1,000 in 1946 would be equivalent to almost £34,500 today.

The ONS measures inflation by tracking a “basket of goods”. This basket is filled with common goods and services to understand how the cost of frequent purchases changes. Currently, there are around 700 representative consumer goods and services in the basket. As well as groceries from the supermarket, it also includes items like clothing and electronics.

The items are regularly reviewed. So, not only does it track prices, but trends and spending habits.

When the first supermarket opened, rationing was still in place. In the post-war era, the ONS included items like condensed milk, which was often used to make rations stretch further. Condensed milk remained in the basket until 1987 when fresh, pasteurised milk became more widely available.

Fast forward to 2023, and new additions to the basket include frozen berries and free-from products.

3 interesting comparisons that show the power of inflation

1. The average salary was 126 shillings, 9 pence

Before the government introduced decimalisation in 1971, there were 20 shillings to a pound and 12 pence to a shilling. According to the House of Commons library, the average worker earned 126 shillings, 9 pence a week in November 1946.

Inflation means the average earnings in April 2023 are significantly more. Data from ONS shows the average weekly salary is £603, excluding bonuses.

2. A weekly grocery shop was just 45p

According to the Northumberland Gazette, the average person needed just 45p to pick up a week’s worth of groceries in the 1940s. In today’s money that would be less than £20.

However, food inflation and changing habits mean the average adult spends around £44 a week on food in 2023.

3. A property “boom” led to prices quadrupling in some areas

Soaring property prices are often discussed in newspapers today, and it’s not a new phenomenon.

A 1947 article in the Guardian states there was a “boom in house property prices”. In 1939, houses went for around £500. Just eight years later, aspiring homeowners could expect to pay up to £1,500, or even up to £4,000 in select residential districts.

Over the next seven decades, house prices outstripped inflation. The Halifax House Price Index suggests the price of an average house in June 2023 was more than £285,000.

Have you considered how inflation could affect your finances?

Since the first supermarket opened its doors, inflation has affected the value of money. This is something you may need to consider when managing your finances.

For example, if you’re planning for retirement in 20 years, how will the income you need to maintain your lifestyle change? How can you grow your assets to keep up with the pace of inflation?

A financial plan that incorporates inflation could help you understand how it may affect your wealth and the steps you might take to protect it. Please contact us to arrange a meeting to discuss your financial plan.

Please note:

This blog is for general information only and does not constitute advice. The information is aimed at retail clients only.

Humans are hard-wired to make poor financial decisions. It’s just in our DNA.

Financial wellbeing is a broad topic, covering all aspects of the relationship between money and our long-term happiness. It covers a wide variety of subjects, including how to manage money better, and how to use money to generate wellbeing.

In some ways, financial wellbeing is about getting out of the bad habits we have acquired by linking money with success.

If you want to improve how you make financial decisions, this guide covers six steps to take:

Understanding why you are bad with money
Understand the sources of wellbeing
Identify your objectives
Don’t be a financial wellbeing junkie
Connect with your future self
How to give.

Download your copy of “Financial wellbeing: 6 ways to help you make better financial decisions” to learn more.

If you have any questions about your financial plan and how to improve your wellbeing, please contact us.

The FIRE movement is a small but growing lifestyle movement. It stands for “financial independence, retire early”, and challenges the traditional path of working until you’re in your 60s before retiring. While the steps FIRE members take can be extreme, it does share some of its core principles with financial planning.

In essence, the FIRE movement involves extreme saving and investing to create a passive income that aims to allow members to retire far earlier than a typical person would. Over the years, several different variations of FIRE have emerged but the goal for all of them is to provide financial freedom which means members can live the lifestyle they want.

Here are five ways FIRE is similar to financial planning.

1. It encourages you to review your spending now

As part of the financial planning process, you will need to look at what your expenses are now. This can help you understand where your money is going and what steps you can take to reach your goals. This may include paying into your pension, adding to your savings, or creating an investment portfolio.

FIRE is an extreme example of this. Members are encouraged to evaluate every expense and purchase they make in terms of the number of hours they’ve worked for it. A common goal of the FIRE movement is to save 70% of your income. This will typically mean adjusting your lifestyle significantly now to secure the future you want.

While both financial planning and FIRE assess what you’re spending now and the effect it will have on your future, financial planning has a greater focus on balance. That means finding a way you can reach short-term goals and live comfortably now, from going on holiday to enjoying hobbies, while still building long-term financial independence.

2. It puts long-term goals at the centre of your finances

The FIRE movement is all about thinking long term, and setting out your goals is part of financial planning too.

In the case of FIRE, the end goal is typically to retire as early as possible while still ensuring you have enough savings to last the rest of your life. For some members, this means they have a goal of retiring in their 30s or 40s and their financial decisions keep this in mind.

When financial planning, thinking long term is an essential part of the process. Your long-term goals may include retiring early, but other things may be important to you too. This could be supporting loved ones financially, travelling the world, or moving into your dream home. Financial planning helps you put these goals at the centre of your financial decisions.

3. It considers retirement early

When should you start thinking about retirement? While most employees will now automatically be paying into a pension, many don’t think about their contributions, or what kind of lifestyle they will enable until retirement is near.

The sooner you engage with a pension, the more likely you are to secure the retirement lifestyle that you want. Even a relatively small increase in your pension contributions while you’re younger can add up.

You may also find you’re missing out on opportunities for your employer to contribute more to your pension or that changing the way your pension is invested makes sense for you.

One of the positive things about FIRE is that it encourages people to start thinking earlier about what they want their retirement to look like.

4. It can provide members with more freedom

Financial independence can give you the freedom to focus on what you want. Having a passive income can mean you’re able to give up work or reduce your hours to spend more time on what’s important to you.

FIRE encourages financial independence through an aggressive saving and investment programme. Members will often have a significant target in mind when building up wealth, such as £1 million or 25 years of income, and will then manage these assets to take a small income that will last throughout their lifetime.

Financial planning can also help you secure greater financial independence. A financial plan helps you reach the goals you’ve set out, but it also considers your financial resilience. This can help protect you from financial shocks and provide you with greater freedom.

By working with a professional, you can have confidence in the steps you’re taking and have someone to talk to if you want to change your lifestyle.

5. It looks at ways to make your money work harder

With such large goals, the FIRE movement has a strong focus on making your money work as hard as possible to build up wealth and then deliver a passive income. This may mean actively reviewing savings accounts to find those with the highest interest rate, and will often mean investing aggressively.

Both of these things can help your wealth grow, but it’s important to review what level of risk is right for you when investing. Financial planning can help you balance risk with potential rewards – all with your goals in mind.

While investments with potentially high rewards can be enticing, they will typically come with higher levels of risk that may not be appropriate. We can help you build an investment portfolio that reflects your risk profile.

Financial planning can help you achieve financial independence and retire sooner if that’s one of your goals while striking a balance to deliver an income that means you can enjoy your life now. If you’d like to talk to us, please get in touch.

Please note: This blog is for general information only and does not constitute advice. The information is aimed at retail clients only.

The value of your investment can go down as well as up and you may not get back the full amount you invested. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.

When you’re making financial decisions, who do you speak to? One of these people is likely your partner. Yet, despite seeking financial advice from a partner, research shows it’s often not acted on, particularly when it comes to investing.

Investing is a big decision and there are a lot of factors to consider, from the amount of risk to take to which product to invest through. It’s natural to want to discuss some of these aspects with someone. Almost half (48%) of Brits consult their partner when making investment decisions, but only a fifth act on the advice offered, according to research from Barclays.

Instead, the research shows that potential investors value professional advice. Some 44% of investors said investments were an essential area to seek expert support with. This compares to 41% that said health was an essential area on which to seek expert advice.

Clare Francis, director at Barclays Plan & Invest, said: “While we tend to lean on our partners for emotional support in most aspects of our life, relying solely on their advice when it comes to money and investments can be a little nerve-wracking.”

Expert advice can help you understand investment options and how they suit your goals. However, you don’t have to choose between discussing it with a partner and talking to a financial planner. Working with a financial planner as a couple when investing can be beneficial. Here are three reasons why.

1. It can help you understand you and your partner’s priorities

Priorities play a big role in financial decisions. What you want to do with your money and your long-term goals will affect which investment options are right for you. Part of the financial planning process involves looking at what your long-term aspirations are.

Going through this process as a couple can help bring both your aspirations together and you may realise you’ve overlooked some areas. For example, you may want to invest for early retirement, while your partner is thinking about how you could provide a financial helping hand to children in the next few years.

Investment decisions should focus on what you want to achieve. As a result, an open conversation with a partner about short-, medium-, and long-term goals is essential. In many cases, you can create an investment strategy as part of a wider financial plan that reflects a variety of goals.

2. It can help ensure you both feel comfortable with investment risk

All investments come with some risk and volatility at times. However, not all investments carry the same level of risk and it’s important both you and your partner feel comfortable with the risk that is being taken. Investment risk should link to your goals and other factors, such as the timeframe and other assets you hold.

A financial planner will be able to create an investment portfolio that reflects your risk profile. If you’re making financial decisions as a couple, it can provide added confidence about your financial security and that of your partner. It can also help you answer “What if?” questions about the future, such as what to do if investments perform poorly over the next few years or whether you need to stop regular contributions, for example.

3. It can make investing part of your wider financial plan

You shouldn’t make investment decisions in isolation. Instead, they should be a part of your wider financial plan, but it can be difficult to know how they fit in. Discussing your goals with your partner and a financial planner can help you build a blueprint that suits you and brings together all your assets. It means all your assets are helping you work towards aspirations, whether that’s early retirement, paying off the mortgage, or leaving a legacy for your family.

Please contact us if you’re thinking about investing or would like to review your current investment portfolio. We’re here to help you make investment decisions that reflect your goals and those of the people most important to you.

Please note: This blog is for general information only and does not constitute advice. The information is aimed at retail clients only.

The value of your investment can go down as well as up and you may not get back the full amount you invested. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.

The 2020/21 tax year hasn’t even finished yet, but it’s the perfect time to start thinking about the next 12 months. While this time of the year is often associated with using up allowances before the deadline, getting a head start on 2021/22 can be just as beneficial.

The new tax year starts on April 6, with the weeks before the deadline often associated with making financial decisions to use up allowances. From moving money into an ISA, to investing through Venture Capital Trusts, using allowances can help reduce tax liability and make your money go further. In some cases, leaving decisions until the last minute can make sense, but there are reasons to set out a plan at the start of a new tax year. Here are six of the most important:

1. Avoid last-minute decisions

Leaving your financial decisions until the last minute can mean you need to rush, which could lead to mistakes being made or not fully exploring all your options as you simply don’t have the time.

In some cases, how you use allowances will have a significant impact on your finances. If you decided to use your pension Annual Allowance, for instance, you would not be able to withdraw this money until you reached pension age, which could be decades away. It’s important you consider how making use of allowances will affect your short- and long-term plans. Thinking about your plan for 2021/22 now means you have plenty of time to consider your options.

2. No worries about delays

Sometimes things outside of your control can have an impact on plans. Delays with providers and other parties are one example. If you decide to invest through an ISA with just a few days to go until the new tax year, there is a risk that you’ll end up missing the deadline. In some cases, that could mean paying more tax than you need to.

Deciding how you’ll use allowances over the next 12 months means you can minimise the impact of delays or other factors that you can’t control.

3. Spread your contributions across the year

If you plan to put a significant sum of money away, whether in an ISA, pension, or an investment portfolio, spreading out contributions across the full year can make it more manageable.

The ISA annual allowance, for example, is £20,000. If you want to make full use of this, adding around £1,650 per month from your income or other assets can mean it becomes part of your regular outgoings rather than a lump sum you need to find at the end of the tax year.

The same is true for pension contributions. It’s also worth noting that your employer may match or increase their contributions in line with your own when it’s coming straight from your income, but are unlikely to do so if you make a one-off contribution.

4. Benefit from interest and the compounding effect

Not only can spreading out contributions make managing your finances easier, it can also be financially beneficial. If you’re using a cash account, such as a Cash ISA, you’ll receive interest on your contributions. Depositing money sooner in the tax year, whether as regular contributions or a lump sum, means you have more time to benefit from interest. The compounding effect means the longer your money is held in an account, the greater the interest it will deliver over time.

Although interest rates are low, over time the process can deliver sizeable benefits, especially if you’re making full use of allowances.

5. Drip feeding investments could make sense for your financial plan

Much like a cash account, spreading investments across the tax year or adding a lump sum at the beginning can mean you have longer to benefit from potential returns and the compounding effect. However, with investing, spreading your contributions throughout the year can also provide some protection from market volatility.

Investing regularly with smaller amounts means you’ll buy stocks and shares at different points in the market cycle. Timing the market is impossible to do consistently, so drip-feeding investments mean you’ll buy at high and low points, which can balance out over time.

6. Take the opportunity to set goals

Finally, a new tax year provides a good opportunity to review what you want to achieve in the next 12 months and beyond. It can help ensure your financial plan reflects your wider goals and will help you reach them.

Please contact us to discuss your financial plan and the steps you should be taking in the 2021/22 tax year.

Please note: This blog is for general information only and does not constitute advice. The information is aimed at retail clients only.

Stock markets in 2020 have been characterised by volatility and uncertainty. If you’ve made financial decisions based on your feeling towards this, it could have cost you money.

Whenever we make a decision, we have to weigh up the different options. While reasons and facts should be the basis for any decision you make, emotions play a role too. Where this happens when making financial decisions, this is called financial bias. It can mean you end up making decisions that aren’t appropriate for you.

In recent months, as markets have experienced volatility and economic uncertainty has featured in the news, this may have affected the decisions you’ve made too.

Moving to cash due to Covid-19 cost investors 3%

According to behavioural finance experts Oxford Risk, investors that responded to Covid-19 uncertainty by moving more of their wealth into cash could have missed out. By switching to cash for ‘emotional comfort’ it’s calculated that investors have missed out on returns of 3% or more a year.

Separate research also suggests that investors moved more of their wealth into cash in response to Covid-19. In the first half of 2020, UK households put away £77 billion in cash, taking the total amount saved in cash accounts to £1.5 trillion. While a cash account to cover emergencies is advisable, it’s estimated that nearly £1.2 trillion of this cash isn’t needed for contingencies.

With cash accounts currently offering low-interest rates, it’s estimated that UK households have missed out on £38 billion in potential investment returns.

While investing does come with risk, it can help your money grow at a faster pace than when using a savings account. However, you need to invest with a long-term time frame, a minimum of five years. This provides an opportunity for short-term volatility to smooth out. Investing for a short period means there’s a higher chance that you could lose money due to short-term downturns.

There are many reasons investors held more of their money in cash during the first half of this year. But for some, financial bias will have played a role.

For example, information bias occurs when investors evaluate information, even if it doesn’t relate to their situation. It makes it difficult to assess what information is relevant. The sheer amount of information can be overwhelming. During the pandemic, investors have been bombarded with news, forecasts and opinions about what will happen. With much of this coverage negative, it’s natural that some investors will have had an emotional reaction and decided that cash was safer.

Trying to time the market provides an opportunity for financial bias

It’s not just a trend that is having an impact due to Covid-19 either. When the markets are performing well, it can be tempting to increase how much of your wealth is invested. In contrast, it’s common to want to move your money to ‘safety’ at times when markets are performing poorly or experiencing volatility.

However, this can mean you end up buying assets while prices are high and selling at low points. Oxford Risk estimates this type of financial bias can cost investors an average of 1.5% to 2% a year over time. Over a long-term investment strategy, financial bias can end up costing you significant sums.

While it can be tempting to move money in and out of investments to maximise returns, trying to time the market is difficult. As the above averages show, you’re more likely to miss out on returns than to increase your portfolio’s value. For most investors, a long-term investment strategy is appropriate.

Minimising financial bias: Stick to your long-term plan

Creating a long-term plan based on your goals and sticking to it can help you minimise the impact of financial bias. That can be easier said than done, though, especially at times of uncertainty. Working with us can help you here. A financial planner will be able to help you understand your long-term financial positions and act as a second pair of eyes when you want to make changes. It can mean financial biases can be highlighted and discussed.

That doesn’t mean you should never make changes to your financial plan. After all, circumstances and goals do change, and your financial plan may need to change to reflect this. However, this should be driven by long-term aspirations and be based on evidence.

Please contact us, if you’d like to go through your financial plan and investment strategy.

Please note: The blog is for general information only and does not constitute advice. The information is aimed at retail clients only.

The value of your investment can go down as well as up and you may not get back the full amount you invested. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.