What Investment articles from December 2001

What Investment archives from December 2001

How low can it go? (Comment).(Brief Article)
December 1, 2001... Are we in recession, aren't, we in recession? It's a question no-one appears to know the answer to. As we go to press, the latest round of interest rate cuts have been announced. And what a surprise for market analysts. Although the US Federal...

What a relief! (News Round-Up).(pension tax relief)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2001... Anyone wishing to take advantage of the opportunity to profit from seven years of unused pension tax relief should act soon before the final deadline of 31 January 2002 when the government loophole will be closed. By acting before this date,...

VCT season. (News Round-Up).(Friends Ivory and Sime)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2001... As the VCT Season gets underway, Friends Ivory & Sime is launching a fourth Baronsmead VCT to invest in selected growth sectors to maximise long-term growth from a portfolio of 30 to 40 investments. The minimum investment is 3,000 [pounds...

Investment seminars. (News Round-Up).(free from Bates Investment Services, What Investment)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2001... Bates Investment Services, in conjunction with What Investment, will be running a series of free investment seminars over the course of 2002. The seminars, which will be held at various locations across the UK, will cover key areas such as...

Top ten funds. (December News).(Brief Article)(Illustration)(Statistical Data Included)
December 1, 2001... Unit trusts/OEICs One year Performance 1 Merrill Lynch Gold & General 136.16 2 Govett US Bear 127.96 3 Ruffer Income Inc 117.58 4 Ruffer...

Rothschild Asset Management. (New offers: we examine what the latest savings and investment plans have to offer investors. Each product has been given a star rating representing its overall value for money, based on cost, terms and conditions and investment opportunity).(Brief Article)
December 1, 2001... Rothschild Asset Management has launched the Five Arrows Monthly Income fund. The fund is aimed at investors looking for income from funds invested in the UK Corporate Bond sector. The fund will have two classes of shares, `A' and `N', and will...

Jarvis Investment Management. (New offers: we examine what the latest savings and investment plans have to offer investors. Each product has been given a star rating representing its overall value for money, based on cost, terms and conditions and investment opportunity).(Brief Article)
December 1, 2001... Jarvis Investment Management has added ShareSave ISA - an investment vehicle designed for employees, once their employers' ShareSave contract has come to a close - to its product range. Minimum investment: N/A Charges: 20 [pounds...

Teather & Greenwood. (New offers: we examine what the latest savings and investment plans have to offer investors. Each product has been given a star rating representing its overall value for money, based on cost, terms and conditions and investment opportunity).(Brief Article)
December 1, 2001... Teather & Greenwood Investment Management has launched two OEICs -- TGIM UK Equity Growth and TGIM UK Equity Income -- in its first foray into the retail investment fund market. Both funds will focus on portfolios of around 50 predominately UK...

Product of the month: New Star Asset Management. (New offers: we examine what the latest savings and investment plans have to offer investors. Each product has been given a star rating representing its overall value for money, based on cost, terms and conditions and investment opportunity).(Brief Article)
December 1, 2001... New Star Asset Management has launched the UK Aggressive fund, a fund seeking aggressive capital growth through a relatively concentrated portfolio principally investing in the securities of UK companies. The fund will be managed by Tim Steer,...

Newcastle Building Society.(launches five-year equity bond)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2001... * Newcastle Building Society has launched a five-year guaranteed equity bond linked to the FTSE 100, Eurostoxx 50 and Nikkei 225. The bond offers guaranteed return of capital at the end of the term and growth of 85 per cent of the average...

Schroder Unit Trusts.(launches capital-protected fund)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2001... * Schroder Unit Trusts has launched a 100 per cent capital-protected fund designed for investors who want pan-European stock market growth, while protecting their original investment. The Schroder Secure Growth Formula is a five-year plan that...

Baronworth.(offers combination investment product)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2001... * Baronworth is offering Series 4 of its Combination Investment The product places half of the investment into the Pinnacle 3-Year Guaranteed Income Bond, which offers 5.75 per cent p.a. and half of the investment into the Legal & General...

Morley Fund Management. (New offers: we examine what the latest savings and investment plans have to offer investors. Each product has been given a star rating representing its overall value for money, based on cost, terms and conditions and investment opportunity).(Brief Article)
December 1, 2001... Morley Fund Management is offering two Focus funds, available as part of Morley's new OEIC. The UK and European Focus funds will aim for pure growth via a concentrated portfolio of 30 to 40 stocks that represent Morley's `best ideas' in their...

Managers on the move: continuing our series looking at fund manager moves and their effect on your investments, What Investment looks at how a change of manager can turn a fund's performance around. (Managers on the Move).(Brief Article)
December 1, 2001... Past performance is no guarantee of future return, particularly for a fund that has experienced a recent change of manager. While looking at past performance is a common way of choosing an investment, there is an argument to suggest that we...

Stocks away! Sally Wright surveys some of the top players in the private client stockbroker market. (Private Client Stockbroking)(Cover Story).(Statistical Data Included)
December 1, 2001... Have you ever found the idea of stock market investment daunting? Turbulent stock markets, lost fortunes... even the thought of having to deal with a stuffy stockbroker turns some people green. At the end of the day, however, if you want...

A fruitful investment: Keiron Root explains the attractions of CFDs for active investors. (Contracts For Difference).(Column)
December 1, 2001... One of the key benefits in the development of execution-only share-dealing, whether by phone or online, has been a significant reduction in the costs of trading. However, it is generally accepted that traditional forms of share-dealing will...

In good company ...: bonds have had a good run recently but David Harris explains why even the longer-term argument for bonds remains compelling. (Corporate Bonds).(Column)(Statistical Data Included)
December 1, 2001... The current uncertainty and volatility in global equity markets has, once again, highlighted the potential of investment into fixed interest vehicles for investors. Even before the horrific events of 11 September bond markets were...

Trust in it: Ian Wylie highlights the benefits of holding assets in trust and examines the impact new legislation has had on trust planning. (Trust Planning).(Brief Article)
December 1, 2001... They're not flashy or gimmicky and they don't come with any bells or whistles. But trusts can be an extremely useful way to line up money for your children or grandchildren and minimise your tax liabilities at the same time. A trust --...

Part two: finding an ethical IFA: What Investment highlights the benefits of using an ethical IFA and explains where you can find one. (Ethical Investing).(Brief Article)
December 1, 2001... Making any financial decision, whether it be the choice of savings, investments, pensions, or insurance, is a time-consuming and complex task. But when those investments must also meet additional ethical guidelines, the decision becomes...

The euro is coming: with the euro hard currency due for launch next year, what will the single currency mean for you? (European Currency).(Brief Article)
December 1, 2001... The first of January 2002 is "E" day, the day when 12 European currencies officially disappear to be replaced by the euro, the European single currency. Given that the UK is outside the Euro Zone, and looking likely to remain so for the...

Branching out: Nick Sudbury looks at the latest developments in online banking. (Technology).(Statistical Data Included)
December 1, 2001... Banks do not rank high in most people's affections. Whether it's the queuing at lunchtime, surly staff or just the sheer hassle, they are simply not amongst the most loved institutions. In today's busy society they can also be incredibly...

Reasons to be positive? As markets enter a period of consolidation, there are still some genuine reasons to be positive. (United States).(Brief Article)
December 1, 2001... Each month, What investment speaks to the top-performing fund managers in six global markets, and ask them to reveal the key issues currently driving their stock-selection decisions. It hasn't been a good month for the US equity market. The...

Waiting for the turn: cash levels are above average, but managers are beginning to drip feed money back into the market and take advantage of the weaknesses. (United Kingdom).(Brief Article)
December 1, 2001... Equities rallied in the early part of last month, with the FTSE 100 briefly breaching the 5,200 level. However, the rally which took it up from the low of 4,400 seems subsequently to have run out of steam. Like the US, the magnitude of the...

Cheap at half the price: bad news is already factored into share prices, and fund managers are anticipating a rally come 2002. (Europe).(Brief Article)
December 1, 2001... European equity markets rallied briefly in mid-October, but quickly ran into a wave of profit-taking. There has already been a modest amount of sector rotation with cyclical stocks gaining ground at the expense of non-cyclicals. As a rule,...

An easing opportunity: the ability of Asian economies to implement accelerated fiscal monetary easing will be key to their economic performance this month. (Far East).(Brief Article)
December 1, 2001... Market performance in the Far East continues to be poor as global economic conditions have deteriorated and confidence has plunged. However, stock prices in global markets, and in the Asia Pacific region especially, have fallen to...

Market insider: Ireland: continuing our series providing a fundamental analysis of a region from an economic and political perspective. This month, Michael Wilson considers the outlook for Ireland. (World Markets).(Brief Article)
December 1, 2001... If you still think of Ireland as a green and pleasant land where everything dawdles along at the speed of the village bus, then you've been watching too much television. These days it's a high-tech mecca with a growing worldwide reputation for...

Market view. (UK Shares Update).(Brief Article)
December 1, 2001... If September was the month of the biggest reversal in history, October was a tale of two markets. At the headline level it all looked rather dull. The FTSE 100 traded rangebound between 5,000 and 5,300, closing 5 November 3.4 per cent up on the...

FTSE 100 index. (UK Shares Update).(Illustration)(Statistical Data Included)
December 1, 2001... FTSE 100 INDEX Stock 1 month Rank 1 year Rank Yield FTSE 100 * 102.78 78.28 N/A FTSE All Share (xd adj) 103.48 80.63 0.00 FTSE...

Beverages sector view. (UK Shares Update).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
December 1, 2001... The UK beverages industry is dominated by two global giants: Allied Domecq and Diageo. The latter is much larger -- at 710p it is capitalised at 24 billion [pounds sterling], but it is less of a pure spirits player. Just 42 per cent of its...

Beverages share view. (UK Shares Update).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
December 1, 2001... Diageo was created as the result of the merger of Grand Metropolitan (dominant on the foods side) and Guinness, which, as you might expect, was dominant on the drinks side. The company owns brands including: Johnny Walker, Baileys, Smirnoff and...

Lock it in! (Unit trust monitor).(Brief Article)
December 1, 2001... When times are tough, a little bit of a guarantee on the investment front can't be a bad thing. With stock markets around the globe rising and falling with gay abandon, it's no wonder that one of the safest homes for your cash in recent months...

Performance tables. (Unit Trust/OEICs).(Brief Article)
December 1, 2001... WHAT THE TABLES SHOW The figures show the value of 100 [pounds sterling] invested over six months, ones, three, five and 10 years to 1 November 2001, on an offer-to-bid basis with net income reinvested. Funds are listed by sector so...

Home grown. (Investment trust monitor).
December 1, 2001... In times of uncertainty, many of us find it comforting to stay close to home. In your investment portfolio, that could mean moving your money to a solid investment trust with holdings you recognise and feel comfortable with. The UK Growth...

Performance tables. (Investment Trusts).(Brief Article)
December 1, 2001... WHAT THE TABLES SHOW The figures show the value of 100 [pounds sterling] invested over six months, one, three, five and ten years to 1 November 2001, on a mid-market basis with net income reinvested. Funds are listed by sector so that you...

Residential care. (Money clinic: a panel of independent experts answer readers' financial planning and investment queries).(Brief Article)
December 1, 2001... I am acting with enduring power of attorney on behalf of my 89-year-old mother who is about to enter residential care for the rest of her life. Her only income is her state pension plus any attendance allowance which has been applied for. Her...

Widower's pension rights. (Money clinic: a panel of independent experts answer readers' financial planning and investment queries).(Brief Article)
December 1, 2001... I am 62 years old, in full-time employment and a widower. My wife died a year ago when she was 55. I read that widows aged between 55 and 65 - when the husband dies and not already drawing their own basic state pension - qualify for a taxable...

At your discretion. (Money clinic: a panel of independent experts answer readers' financial planning and investment queries).(Brief Article)
December 1, 2001... I need to find a new discretionary portfolio manager and was hoping that you could tell me where I can get a comprehensive directory of such companies. J Dineen Sussex What Investment replies: You first port of call should be the...

A very diverse investment. (Money clinic: a panel of independent experts answer readers' financial planning and investment queries).(Brief Article)
December 1, 2001... In 1987 I invested 6,000 [pounds sterling] in the Blue Chip PEP run by the Bradford & Bingley Building Society. At that time it was pointed out to me that all fund assets would be invested in shares of UK blue chip companies. The investment...

Best ways to save. (Reference).(Brief Article)
December 1, 2001... NO NOTICE ACCOUNTS Company Account Gross Interest Name Rate Freq. Balance of 500 [pounds sterling] Abbey National (www. ...

Top-performing unit-linked pensions. (Reference).(Brief Article)
December 1, 2001... TOP-PERFORMING UNIT-LINKED PENSIONS Five years to 1 November 2001. Results of 100 [pounds sterling] invested on an offer-to-bid basis with gross income reinvested. Source: Standard & Poor's Australasia FP Australian (ex NM)...