Expert comment archive

Return to expert comment

• Previous page 
• Page: 1 2 3 4
• Next page

France loses AAA credit rating

By Ben Yearsley | Mon 16 January 2012
Friday's downgrade of France (and Austria's) credit rating by Standard & Poor's, the ratings agency, should come as no surprise, argues Ben Yearsley, Investment Manager.

Market outlook: China

By Rob Morgan | Mon 16 January 2012
Following a difficult 2011, could the Chinese stock market turn a corner in 2012?

Mixed week for the FTSE

By Richard Hunter | Fri 13 January 2012
Richard Hunter looks at the week's news, including a tough time for Tesco. He also previews the key economic and company announcements due next week, including updates from Dixons and Burberry.

Child Trust Fund and Junior ISA - you can help change the rules

By Danny Cox | Wed 11 January 2012
Over 6 million children have been excluded from the new Junior ISA by virtue of their birth date. Children who hold a Child Trust Fund (CTF) - virtually everyone born between 1 September 2002 and 2 January 2011 - are not eligible for Junior ISAs.

Will the euro's slide continue?

By Chris Saint | Tue 10 January 2012
Sterling has climbed against the euro by more than 6% since late October to reach €1.21. The pound's gain has come from a weaker euro, with the single currency also slipping to a 15-month low against the US dollar ($1.2663) and to its lowest point against the yen (¥97.265) in the past ten years.

Shell final salary pension closure - end of an era

By Tom McPhail | Mon 09 January 2012
Shell is the last FTSE 100 to announce the closure of its final salary scheme to new members. Why is this relevant to investors? What actions could they consider?

Strong economic data boosts global markets

By Richard Hunter | Fri 06 January 2012
Richard Hunter looks at the key events that have helped global markets start the year on a positive note. Richard also previews next week, including trading updates from Marks & Spencer and Home Retail group.

Five income drawdown mistakes to avoid

By Tabitha Reed | Tue 03 January 2012
If you have an income drawdown plan it's important your plan offers you the best deal. Here are some of the pitfalls to avoid.

Investment risk - deciding what is right for you

By Danny Cox | Thu 29 December 2011
Assessing the right level of investment risk is at the cornerstone of portfolio planning, it is a very personal decision and there are no definitive answers.

Review of 2011

By Mark Dampier | Fri 30 December 2011
I've spent 28 years in finance and I can't remember a period as volatile as the past four months. Daily stock market movements of between 1% and 5% have been common.

Market outlook: India

By Rob Morgan | Wed 28 December 2011
The Indian stock market has been one of the worst performing this year, down around 20%. So what are the prospects for 2012?

European Central Bank loans boost the FTSE 100

By Keith Bowman | Fri 23 December 2011
Markets rose this week after news that the European Central Bank (ECB) was offering loans to euro zone banks in a bid to boost the fragile economy.

What next for sterling?

By Chris Saint | Thu 22 December 2011
Sterling is approaching the end of 2011 at similar levels to where it began the year against the euro and US dollar.

Is the time right to invest in gold?

By Mark Dampier | Tue 20 December 2011
Mark Dampier explains why he believes the recent fall in the gold price could be a temporary setback rather than the end of the bull market in bullion.

Income opportunities in the US and beyond

By Richard Troue | Mon 19 December 2011
The UK stock market is popular with investors seeking income, but there are also significant opportunities abroad.

Markets lose patience with Europe

By Richard Hunter | Fri 16 December 2011
In light trading volumes, markets began to lose some patience with Europe. The FTSE 100 was down 2.6% for the week at close on Friday and is now down 8.4% in the year to date. In the US the Dow Jones slipped 1.7% by Thursday's close.

Will the stock market see a Christmas rally?

By Rob Morgan | Thu 15 December 2011
Reading the financial press at the moment can turn you into the investor equivalent of Ebenezer Scrooge. So to provide some balance, here are some reasons why we might see some buoyancy in the markets over the festive period.

Inflation eases

By Ben Yearsley | Tue 13 December 2011
The latest inflation figures released this morning showed inflation as measured by the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) falling from 5% to 4.8% and the rate of increase in the Retail Prices Index (RPI) falling from 5.4% to 5.2%.

Investments to avoid: Traded Life Policy Investments (TLPIs) - aka life settlements

By Danny Cox | Tue 13 December 2011
At first sight, you may not think that a recent FSA warning against the marketing of life settlement funds in the UK to retail investors will affect you. However an estimated 25,000 people have invested around £1 billion in these products.

A New Year review that might affect your annuity

By Ruth Richards | Mon 12 December 2011
It's not only mere mortals that review lifestyle come the first of January. Annuity insurers also do the same and this could affect your annuity.

• Previous page 
• Page: 1 2 3 4
• Next page

Return to expert comment