Market Review – January 2025
We reflect on the recent performance of global markets and picks out some key economic and financial dates.
Are annuities part of your retirement income plans?
Recent research shows that annuity sales have reached a 10-year high. Michael Connolly, Private Client Adviser, explores the benefits of annuities as part of your overall retirement income plans.
Is your workplace pension scheme still suitable?
Following the introduction of auto-enrolment in 2012, the workplace pensions market has evolved and in that time there have been some significant changes in legislation and what support workplace pension providers offer to scheme members. This includes new default lifestyle funds to accommodate the change in legislation, new mobile phone apps and an assortment of […]
Is it time to embrace AI? Let’s ask it
Embracing the AI era Artificial intelligence (AI) has become prominent across the UK, with Chancellor Jeremy Hunt backing an AI and quantum computing strategy in recognition of the potential benefits to the global economy. However, AI is far more than robots and digitalisation. One key development is the public release of open-source advanced language models, […]
Is it time to embrace AI? Let’s ask it
Embracing the AI era Artificial intelligence (AI) has become prominent across the UK, with Chancellor Jeremy Hunt backing an AI and quantum computing strategy in recognition of the potential benefits to the global economy. However, AI is far more than robots and digitalisation. One key development is the public release of open-source advanced language models, […]
How market conditions are affecting consumer decisions
Unfortunately, there looks to be no imminent let up to the cost of living pressures being faced in the UK. Inflation is proving to be much less transitory than the Bank of England originally forecast, and rather than peaking at around the current 4.50% there is a growing market expectation that base rate could end […]
IFS report highlights the risk for future retirees and the need for retirement advice
“We need a major review of pension provision now in order to give us a chance of avoiding a future that looks worse than the present.” This is the stark warning that closes the executive summary of the IFS paper ‘Challenges for the UK pension system: the case for a pensions review’. For those of […]
IFS report highlights the risk for future retirees and the need for retirement advice
“We need a major review of pension provision now in order to give us a chance of avoiding a future that looks worse than the present.” This is the stark warning that closes the executive summary of the IFS paper ‘Challenges for the UK pension system: the case for a pensions review’. For those of […]
Making a commitment to the market
Over recent years, we have seen a significant contraction of the DB advice market. To give a brief history lesson, there were over 3,000 firms giving DB advice in 2018, a number which had fallen to 1,160 at the start of February 2022 and is almost certain to have fallen further since. In the face […]
Does looking back at 2022 help us look forward into 2023?
We have to take a deep breath when looking back at 2022. To give a very brief summary of some of the biggest events last year: Russia’s invasion of the Ukraine Soaring energy prices, inflation and rising interest rates around the world Political turmoil in ‘stable’ democracies; US Congress being invaded by an angry mob; […]
Special Update – December Mid Month Update
Introduction The first half of December was dominated by newsflow regarding inflation and interest rates. The UK and US saw an easing in the pace of inflation, with data suggesting the peak US prices may have passed. There were 0.5% increases in interest rates in the UK, US and Eurozone. Following the large gains at […]
Special Update – End of November 2022
Introduction The second half of November saw global equity markets finish broadly higher, with most developed and emerging markets ending the period with gains. Investor sentiment was driven throughout the period by hopes over whether there could be an easing in the US Federal Reserve’s (Fed) aggressive pace of interest rate rises. Whilst much of […]
Special Update – September Mid Month Update
Introduction Global markets were relatively volatile during the first half of September, with most regional indices ending the period lower. Persistent concerns over inflation, rising global interest rates and recession continued to weigh on investor sentiment. The European Central Bank raised interest rates by a record 0.75%, whilst comments from the US Federal Reserve reiterated […]
Update on Trust Registration Requirements
Update on Trust Registration Requirements With HMRC’s deadline for registering trusts with the Trust Registration Service (TRS) on 1 September 2022, HMRC has provided an update on their current position covering both the UK TRS and the Irish Central Register of Beneficial Ownership of Trusts (CRBOT) for offshore bonds. UK Trust Registration Service In recognition […]
Special Update – August Month End Update
Introduction Following the positive returns in the first half of August, global markets suffered a difficult second half of the month as they ended lower. Inflation data in the UK showed price rises exceeded 10%, whilst the economic outlook remained gloomy as fears mounted over the impact of rising interest rates on global growth. The […]
FCA proposes changes to DB advice redress process
In an important FCA update, the Regulator has published a consultation proposing changes to how redress is calculated for unsuitable defined benefit transfers advice. Redress aims to put consumers back in the position they would have been in had they remained in their DB scheme. The FCA’s recent review has led to a strengthening in […]
Inflation – the impact on PIE projects
Over recent months as inflation has soared, we have seen many people, both pre-retirement and in retirement, struggle with the sharp rise in prices for essential goods and services. The inflation forecasts provided by the Bank of England suggest this will certainly continue into 2023. With high inflation so prominent, we have been asked by […]
Origen Expected Investment Returns
For financial professionals only and not to be relied on by individual private customers. Origen has adopted Morningstar’s approach to annual investment returns as part of assessing a member’s attitude to investment risk when conducting PLM exercises. The figures below are based on Morningstar’s estimated returns for various asset classes, which they have calculated based on their […]
