What Investment articles from December 2003

What Investment archives from December 2003

Unwrap your new rates.(Comment)
December 1, 2003... The most significant news for UK savers and investors this month was the widely anticipated 25 basis points rise in the Bank of England's base rate. This was the first interest rate rise in almost four years, and it takes the base rate back up...

Going green.(News)
December 1, 2003... The Investment Management Association has updated its guide to ethical and socially responsible investment funds. The guide includes advice on how to choose the right ethical fund and how to understand the difference between positive and...

Online research.(News)
December 1, 2003... Online sharedealer Self-trade has launched an online research website which allows investors access to daily share tips, broker ratings, detailed news reports and performance trackers. Visit www.selftrade.co.uk for further details.

Clubbing together.(News)
December 1, 2003... Proshare Investment Clubs has joined forces with information provider Digital Look to expand the services it offers to investment club members. The new range of services includes a revamped website, www.proshareclubs.co.uk, to provide full...

Reversion warning.(News Round-up)
December 1, 2003... Investors should beware the dangers of 'misleading' reversion plans, says Key Retirement Solutions, an independent financial adviser specialising in home equity release schemes. The IFA says that it will no longer sell reversion plans from...

Dazed and confused.(News Round-up)
December 1, 2003... Terms and conditions on UK savings accounts are leaving consumers confused, according to a survey for ING Direct. The survey, conducted by The Consumer Analysis Group on behalf of ING Direct, found that the combination of 'catches', conditions...

'Perfect storm' calms.(News Round-up)
December 1, 2003... The technology sector is set for a period of consistent steady growth, according to SG Asset Management's technology manager Alan Torry. "The boom and bust of the last five years was triggered by a series of factors that came together to...

Wrong to fix it.(News Round-up)
December 1, 2003... ISIS Asset Management has questioned the recent rush to launch equity and bond funds that fix the bond commitment at 60 per cent of the portfolio. Such funds are being regarded as a 'must-have' for the ISA season because from April 2004 funds...

Rate increases.(news)
December 1, 2003... National Savings and Investments has increased the interest rates it offers on most of its fixed-rate products--for the third time in two months--following further increases in gilt yields. The increases, of between 0.15 and 0.25 per cent,...

Gartmore acquisition.(news)
December 1, 2003... Gartmore Investment Management has acquired the majority of the management contracts of Govett Investments. Gartmore will acquire 1 billion [pounds sterling] of assets under management across onshore and offshore mutual funds, investment trusts...

Enhanced online service.(news)
December 1, 2003... TrustNet, the online fund research company, has revamped its website, www.trustnet.com. The website is now offering users an extensive range of additional features and enhancements that include specialist financial market information on the...

Taking issue: Nic Cicutti reports on the latest issues rocking the world of finance.(News)
December 1, 2003... Here's a tip: if you really, really want to insult a fund manager, call him (or her) a "closet tracker". For many professionals within the fund management industry, there are few terms of abuse as resented as this one. Ironically, I think...

Top ten funds.(News)
December 1, 2003... Unit trusts One year 1 Framlington Japan 181.22 2 HSBC GIF Indian Equity 180.00 3 BWD UK Micro Cap Growth 176.23 4 Aberdeen Progr Growth 171.24 5 New Star Zero Portfolio ...

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.(news)
December 1, 2003... * Co-operative Insurance Co-operative Insurance Society (CIS) has launched the Corporate Bond Income Trust, a unit trust for investors with a balanced attitude to risk who are looking to generate a monthly income. The fired has a current...

First State.(Product of the month)
December 1, 2003... First State is launching the Asia Pacific Leaders fund and the Global Emerging Markets Leaders fund to supplement its existing Leaders fund range. The funds will aim to achieve long-term capital growth by investing in mid to large-cap companies...

West Bromwich Building Society.(Also launching this month ...)
December 1, 2003... West Bromwich Building Society has launched the Guaranteed Combination Bond and the Guaranteed Capital Plus Bond. The Combination Bond has a five-year term, is linked to the performance of the FTSE 100 and the Halifax Price Index and provides...

Newcastle Building Society.(Also launching this month ...)
December 1, 2003... Newcastle Building Society has launched a three-year Stepped-Rate Bond paying a fixed rate of interest which changes each year, starting at 4 per cent for the first year, 5 per cent the second and 6 per cent in year three. The product is...

Friends Provident.(Also launching this month ...)
December 1, 2003... Friends Provident has added an external funds facility to its Investment Portfolio Bond. The bond now includes access to funds from Baillie Gifford, Fidelity, Investec, Lazard's, Merrill Lynch, Schroder's and Threadneedle as well as the...

Surrenda-link.(Also launching this month ...)
December 1, 2003... Surrenda-link has launched the Endowment Release Plan (ERP), an alternative for investors considering selling or surrendering an endowment policy. Surrenda-link will provide a cash lump sum to the policyholder equivalent to around 70 per cent...

Legal & General.(Also launching this month ...)
December 1, 2003... Legal & General has launched Capital Protection Plus, a six-year investment plan offering capital protection plus a minimum of 18 per cent growth at maturity or 50 per cent growth in the FTSE 100 at the end of the term, whichever is greater....

Managers on the move: should you stay or should you go? What Investment looks into the reasons behind recent fund manager moves.(Fund managers)
December 1, 2003... We start this month with not so much a fund manager on the move as a fund that may soon be taking on several new managers. Last month, Witan Investment Trust announced that it is looking to appoint a chief executive, who will hopefully take up...

Which way for income? Harvey Jones examines the best options for income-seekers in a low interest rate, low inflation market.(Investing for income)(Cover Story)
December 1, 2003... It has been a dismal few years for investors looking to earn income from their portfolios. Falling stock markets, tumbling interest rates and with-profits bond woes have left income-seekers scraping around for decent returns. Corporate bonds...

Older and wiser: experience counts when it comes to fund management, which is why when searching for a fund, investors would be well advised to assess who is managing their money.(Fund managers)
December 1, 2003... Hardly a day seems to go by without at least one fund manager changing jobs. And the pressure to deliver, although seemingly in the best interest of investors, creates a problem for those looking for a good long-term home for their money. After...

Beneath the surface: how does a fund's structure affect its ability to perform in certain markets?(UTs, ITs, OEICs)
December 1, 2003... Many investors will recently have received letters telling them of a change in the structure of their investment funds. So what's going on? Well, the big shift going on in the UK at the moment is away from the traditional unit trust structure...

A case for wine: What Investment looks at the liquid options for investors looking for an alternative investment this Christmas.(Investing in wine)
December 1, 2003... Wine is, arguably, one of the greatest collectables of all time. It is made in fixed quantities, there are numerous vintages that allow for the creation of sets and the quantity available declines over time as people consume it, pushing up...

Trusting times: Simon Hildrey examines the use of trusts in inheritance tax planning.(Q & A)
December 1, 2003... Inheritance tax used to be a problem only faced by the wealthy. The rapid increase in house prices over the past few years, however, has led to an increasing number of consumers being confronted with inheritance tax (IHT) bills at a rate of 40...

The best and the rest: is cheap always cheerful in the world of online sharedealing? What Investment investigates.(Technology)
December 1, 2003... In the world of investment, most people would agree that having a choice without the pressure of having to choose is the perfect state of affairs. And never more so than in the world of online sharedealing. Despite the recent consolidation in...

United Kingdom: a modest recovery: each month, What Investment speaks to the top-performing fund managers in six global markets and asks them to reveal the key issues currently driving their stock-selection decisions.(World Markets)
December 1, 2003... Valuations remain undemanding, especially when yields on equities are compared to those available on fixed interest "Global economic growth has undoubtedly picked up, led by the US and Asia, whilst recent data releases in the UK have been...

United States: a difficult balance.(World Markets)
December 1, 2003... The Fed left US interest rates at 1 per cent and warned that inflationary and deflationary pressures are finely balanced US economic data is painting a confusing picture. Gerrard's chief analyst, Jim Wood-Smith, observes that the most...

Europe: exorcising its demons.(World Markets)
December 1, 2003... There are signs that European economies have bottomed and that the region is on the road to recovery "We believe that Europe is exorcising its demons and that the social grip which has dogged the markets is losing its power," says Paul...

Far East: positive prospects.(World Markets)
December 1, 2003... The key to absolute returns in the short term may depend more on trends in the global economy than local influences Jonathan Asante, Framlington's chief economist, says his firm is currently neutral with regard to the Asian markets....

Japan: the outlook is improving.(World Markets)
December 1, 2003... Cost-cutting and strong corporate earnings should continue to stimulate investor interest in Japanese equities "Positive economic data, a rise in the Japanese yen and strong earnings releases have combined to provide encouragement about the...

Emerging markets: Russia dominates.(World Markets)
December 1, 2003... Russia remains attractive, reflecting the government's increasing commitment to prudent fiscal and debt-management policies Perhaps unsurprisingly, events in the Russian market have dominated the emerging markets sector news in recent...

Market insider: emerging markets: continuing our series providing a fundamental analysis of a region from an economic and political perspective. This month, Michael Wilson considers the outlook for China.(World Markets)
December 1, 2003... Let's face it, it's been a bit of a disappointing year on the whole. When the market in London and New York finally turned, back in March 2003, most of us thought we were in for an outstanding period of growth and a chance to romp back into...

Market view.(UK Shares)
December 1, 2003... In October, the bears told us we would see a crash. Well so much for history repeating itself. Instead, markets around the world continued their six-month winning streak. The FTSE 100 ended 3 November at 4,332.57--a gain of 1.37 per cent on the...

UK stock performance.(UK Shares)
December 1, 2003... UK STOCK PERFORMANCE Rank Company Weight in 1 Month Name Index Return TOP 20 FTSE All-Share 1 Intec Telecom Systems 0.00% 59.62% 2 Mothercare ...

FTSE 100 index.(UK Shares)
December 1, 2003... FTSE 100 INDEX Stock 1 month Rank 1 year Rank 3i Group Inv Trust 104.16 59 125.96 26 Abbey National 113.92 13 88.32 85 Alliance & Leicester ...

Index constituent rankings FTSE 100.(UK Shares)
December 1, 2003... INDEX CONSTITUENT RANKINGS FTSE 100 Rank Stock Price Dividend Dividend Yield (%) Cover 1 HSBC Hldgs 885 ...

Oil and gas sector view.(UK Shares)
December 1, 2003... There is a long tail of quoted oil and gas companies, but when it comes to the performance of the FFSE Oil & Gas sector only two companies count: BP and Shell T&T. With market capitalisations of 92.4 billion [pounds sterling] and 36.2 billion...

Oil and gas share view.(UK Shares)
December 1, 2003... The major oils on both sides of the Atlantic suffered a weak Q3 earnings season. It was not that results were bad--BP's quarterly post-tax profits soared by 25 per cent to $2.9 billion, but with crude prices trading at or around $30 the markets...

European sector review: Hilary Cook, director of investment strategy at Barclays Private Clients, examines the prospects for the European Chemicals sector.(Stock Market Review)
December 1, 2003... A number of stocks in the Chemicals sector currently provide some interesting opportunities for investors. Chemicals are a sub-group of the wider Materials sector which, after underperforming during the first half of 2003, rebounded strongly in...

European stock performance.(Stock Market Review)
December 1, 2003... European stock performance Rank Company Weight in 1 Month Name Index Return Top 20 FTSE World Europe 1 B'ische Hypo-Und V'sbank 0.17%...

Unit trust best buys: What Investment asks three independent financial advisers to recommend their favourite unit trusts for a cautious, a balanced and an aggressive investment.(Unit Trusts Monitor)
December 1, 2003... CAUTIOUS OPTION Stephen Marriott, fund analyst at Bestinvest Brokers, suggests BWD UK Equity Income for investors who want to invest in the stock market without taking too much risk. The fund is ranked 29th out of 67 funds in the UK Equity...

Unit trust performance tables.(Unit Trusts OEICs)
December 1, 2003... What the tables show The figures show the value of 100 [pounds sterling] over six months, one, three, five and ten years to 31 December 2003, on an offer-to-bid basis with net income reinvested. Funds are listed by sector so that you...

Mud, mud, glorious mud: Edward Bonham Carter tells Keiron Root how to deal with a hippopotamus market.(Fund Manager Profile)
December 1, 2003... Like many fund managers running a portfolio of UK shares, Edward Bonham Carter is faced with a dilemma. "We are in what I describe as 'a hippopotamus market'," he opines, "which is halfway between a bull market and a bear market. We could very...

Investment trust best buys: What Investment asks three independent financial advisers to recommend their favourite investment trusts for a cautious, a balanced and an aggressive investment.(Investment Trusts Monitor)
December 1, 2003... CAUTIOUS OPTION Charles Cade, head of investment trust research at Close WINS, reminds investors of the attractions of one of the stalwarts of the investment trust sector. Foreign & Colonial Investment Trust's shares are ranked 19th out of...

Investment trust performance tables.(Investment Trusts)
December 1, 2003... What the tables show The figures show the value of 100 [pounds sterling] over six months, one, three, five and ten years to 31 October 2003, on an offer-to-bid basis with net income reinvested. Funds are listed by sector so that you...

Divorce or murder?(Money clinic)
December 1, 2003... What a ridiculous nanny state we live in! Legislation to improve pensions over the years will result in my losing a substantial part of my pension from a company money purchase scheme. Because I contracted out of SERPs, now when I buy an...

Who's in charge?(Money clinic)
December 1, 2003... In 'Money Clinic' of April 2003 it states that investment trusts held in PEPs (and presumably ISAs) are subject to FOS jurisdiction even if acquired by direct purchase. My case against the Exeter Selective Assets IT was rejected entirely on the...

Rates and breaks.(Money clinic)
December 1, 2003... Could you please clarify the main tax rates and allowances that apply in the UK for the current tax year (2003-2004). T Fraser Bournemouth What Investment replies: Yes, the main tax rates and allowances are as follows: ...

Correction.(Money clinic)(Correction Notice)
December 1, 2003... In the September 2003 Money Clinic, it was incorrectly stated that capital gains were taxed at a rate of 40 per cent. Capital gains are taxable at 10, 20 (the basic rate applied to capital gains) or 40 per cent, depending on how much taxable...

Best ways to save.(Money Facts)
December 1, 2003... Best ways to save Telephone Account Number Instant Access Branch Accounts Scarborough BS 0845 458 4458 Easy Saver Alliance & Leicester...

Personal pension annuity rates.(Reference)
December 1, 2003... An annuity is a financial product that converts capital into income. You can buy one with any lump sum of money or you can buy one with accrued pension funds. Currently, for money purchase pension funds, you must buy an annuity by the time you...

Top-performing unit-linked pensions.(Reference)
December 1, 2003... Top-performing unit-linked pensions Five years to 31 October 2003. Results of 100 [pounds sterling] invested on an offer-to-bid basis with gross income reinvested. Name Value Rank ...