Investment strategies

Some years ago, as my wife and I contemplated the transition to full retirement, we decided to take charge of our future and opted to manage our own pension. One of the primary reasons for this was to ensure that the assets reflected our very conservative nature; that is 100% shares. This may sound contradictory to many but after more than 45 years in the financial services … [Read more...] about Shares are a conservative investment

The battle to break the Brexit deadlock is intensifying on both sides with the culmination that a General Election by year end is inevitable (2019 General Election odds are 1/4, source Paddy Power). Despite the somewhat desperate actions by Boris including the ousting of some well thought of Conservative MP’s his “do or die” attitude has struck a chord with at least some of the … [Read more...] about The BREXIT puzzle

Looking at the headlines over the last two years, you could be forgiven for thinking that investors have experienced poor returns. It has been a rocky ride for sure as the trade dispute between the US and China has escalated, the chances of a no-deal Brexit have risen with the rise of Boris Johnson, and more recently the protests in Hong Kong threaten to undermine an important … [Read more...] about Three simple tips on how to invest in uncertain times

We live in a world where the pace of change is rapid. Disruption is omnipresent, accelerated by low interest rates and easy credit. Often, it has a “winner takes all” dynamic, with early movers grabbing the lion’s share of the spoils. It can also be explosively fast, particularly where innovation combines with enthusiastic consumer demand to pave the way for blockbuster … [Read more...] about How innovative companies gain a powerful edge on rivals

For the past 10 years, I have been positive about the prospects for equities. But at the end of May, I downgraded my view to neutral as the trade war between the US and China escalated. The rhetoric between the two superpowers was becoming more hard-line, and I foresaw the risks for equities rising. It appeared to me that the Chinese had decided to take a firmer line in … [Read more...] about US/China trade war undermines the outlook for equities