Insights
Outlook for 2016
We expect global economic growth to gradually strengthen over the course of 2016 as consumption in the developed markets picks up, especially in the US, and as China and other emerging economies stabilise. However, growth is likely to stay below longer-term trend levels for a number of cyclical and structural reasons. These include the ongoing…
Continue readingMarket Overview for Q4 2015
The final quarter of 2015 ended the year on a positive note, with many markets reversing the declines they suffered in the preceding period. However, 2015 was a tumultuous year, characterized by diverging regional economic fortunes and policy trends, where positive currency-adjusted returns were difficult to achieve. In regional terms, the best performing equity…
Continue readingAnnuity Freedom For Millions Of Retirement Savers
Five million people trapped in poor paying annuities can sell them as a result of a new government plan. The measure is aimed at helping out millions of retirement savers who had to cash in their pension pots before new flexible access rules came in during April 2015. From April 2017, they will have the…
Continue readingSavers Scared They Will Run Out Of Pension Cash
Only half of retirement savers believe they have enough money to finance a comfortable retirement, according to a new survey. The other half are concerned their pension pots will run out too quickly, says the research by Citizens Advice. Six out of 10 retirement savers aged over 50 years old confessed their best hope for…
Continue readingTravel Claims For Expat Contractors Scrapped
Offshore contractors and consultants face a massive tax shake-up next year as the government scraps their right to claim travel expenses. From April 2016, anyone working through a personal service company or an umbrella company who cannot prove they are self-employed will lose the cost of travelling from their home to a workplace. This will…
Continue readingWealthy Expats Shunning A Move To The UK
The number of wealthy expats looking to settle in Britain has plunged since the government doubled the amount of cash they need to invest to buy a visa. The drop in applications coincides exactly with the change of policy. At the end of 2014, expats wanting to come to the UK needed to show they…
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