What Investment articles from February 2006

What Investment archives from February 2006

Invoice Gordon.(Comment--the bigger picture)
February 1, 2006... In the end, I suppose the only people who truly benefited were the paper recycling companies. As of 5 December 2005, they should have a fair bit of new work on their books, dealing with an awe-inspiring range of publications about SIPPs that...

Falling bonuses.(News Round-up)
February 1, 2006... Almost 4 million people claim to have opened a savings account in the past 12 months that included a bonus, according to new research from Investec Private Bank. However, 16.1 per cent of these people could soon see their rates take a dramatic...

Keeping pace.(News Round-up)
February 1, 2006... The percentage of accounts now failing to provide higher rate taxpayers with positive real rates of return after tax and inflation now stands at 62 per cent--down from 69 per cent last month, according to the latest survey by IFA Bates...

Free book offer.(News Round-up)
February 1, 2006... We have five copies of a new book published by Kogan Page, entitled The Winning Investment Habits of Warren Buffett and George Soros, by Mark Tier, a professional investor who now lives solely from the returns on his investments. In it,...

Government "untrustworthy" on pensions.(February news)
February 1, 2006... New research into the public's attitudes towards their pensions and other savings for retirement highlights both a strong level of trust towards the financial services industry and a very low level of comfort that a government of any political...

Top ten funds.(February news)
February 1, 2006... UNIT TRUSTS One Year 1 dit-KOREA A USD 194.94 2 Melchior Japan Opps A JPY 178.59 3 Fidelity Funds Korea Fund 177.74 4 Investec Global Energy A Acc ...

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.(February news)
February 1, 2006... * Hiscox Investment Management The Hiscox Global Financials Fund will be managed by David Astor and Alec Foster on an absolute return bias. It is expected to be a concentrated portfolio initially comprising a core group of 25-30 stocks. A...

Zenith European Income Fund.(Product of the month)
February 1, 2006... The Zenith European Income Fund is a sub-fund of Zenith Investment Fund plc, a sterling-denominated umbrella open-ended investment company. The company has three other sub-funds: Zenith European Capital Growth, Zenith EU Growth and Zenith...

Defying logic: Keiron Root muses on the vagaries of choosing investment funds.(Lessons from history)
February 1, 2006... In my early days on this august publication (and we are going back nearly two decades here), we used to run a Portfolio Management Challenge, designed to test the fund-picking skills of a group of stockbrokers and IFAs who ran discretionary...

Why investors lose money: if your investments start to plummet, having a clearly defined contingency plan and an exit strategy could be your saviour, and is the reason why Warren Buffett and George Soros are such successful investors. Financial author Mark Tier shows how you can devise such a strategy.(Exit strategies)
February 1, 2006... When George Bush ordered the invasion of Iraq, his father George Bush Senior is reputed to have commented: "I hope he has an exit strategy." Bush did have one--but it was far from complete. He knew what he was going to do if everything...

Land of the rising sun: not since the boom time of the early 1980s have the prospects looked so good for Japan. But is this another false dawn or a real recovery?(Japanese funds)
February 1, 2006... It has been a long, hard road but, after 15 years of disappointments, the Japanese stock market once again looks to be full of Eastern promise. In the last 12 months, the key Nikkei 225 index has risen by over 30 per cent, moving above the...

Getting your money back: are investor compensation schemes a bit like state benefits--absolutely lovely in theory, but pitiful in practice? What do the schemes cover and what do they not? Are there limits to what you'll be compensated for? And are there any criteria such as eligibility to make a claim and time limits?(Investor compensation schemes)
February 1, 2006... When 84 people used Swansea-based financial consultant Graham Price in Wales, they thought they were talking to a regulated adviser from Halifax Bank. But Price was only an agent for Halifax and was not employed by the bank. Price...

Mine's a pint.(Money clinic: a panel of independent experts answer readers' financial planning and investment queries)
February 1, 2006... Earlier this year, Taverners Investment Trust was taken over by Midas and renamed the Midas Income & Growth Trusts. Since then, the share price has been static, give or take plus or minus 1p. Do you have any information on this trust and why...

A taxing question.(Money clinic: a panel of independent experts answer readers' financial planning and investment queries)
February 1, 2006... I believe the 2005/06 rate of tax above which the higher rate applies is 32,400 [pounds sterling] and the personal allowance is 4,895 [pounds sterling]. Does this mean you don't have to pay the 40 per cent tax until your income goes above...

Nice problem to have.(Money clinic: a panel of independent experts answer readers' financial planning and investment queries)
February 1, 2006... My wife and I are about to retire. We have company and state pensions but we also have a lump sum to invest-about 100,000 [pounds sterling], which is currently on deposit. We would like to invest for income to supplement our pensions. Our ISAs...

Fat cattery.(Money clinic: a panel of independent experts answer readers' financial planning and investment queries)
February 1, 2006... I intend to transfer my GMP and protected rights pension 'funds' out of the clutches of the hands of the present management, who reduced the GMP fund by more than half in just three years, whilst paying themselves and an IFA 'fat-cat' charges....

Association websites: association websites, such as the AITC, IMA, Proshare, the Financial Ombudsman Service, IFA Promotion and others: what do they offer the investor?(Technology)
February 1, 2006... George Bernard Shaw famously said that "every professional body is a conspiracy against the laity"--and any investor who has fallen victim to a mis-selling scandal will be inclined to agree. But now a number of professional investment...

Wrappers' delight? When the 'wrap account' was launched afes years ago, investors seemed underwhelmed and it aded into obscurity. but waht exactly is a wrap account? What unique features does in confer on the investor, how does it work, who offers them and how much does it cost?(Wrap accounts)(Cover Story)
February 1, 2006... Maybe one of the reasons why the wrap account didn't become the sensation it was expected to be a few years back is that there is no exact definition of what a wrap account is. In fact, depending on whom you ask, there are all sorts of...

Global equities slow train coming: each month, What Investment speaks to fund managers and analysts focusing on four different asset classes, and asks them to reveal the key issues currently driving their stock-selection decisions.(ASSET ALLOCATION)
February 1, 2006... John Richards, chief investment officer of Societe Generale Asset Management, argues that it's difficult to put a definitive number on market predictions for 9006 because of the resources sector being overextended. "However, we believe total...

Bonds: no reason to get excited.(ASSET ALLOCATION)
February 1, 2006... Theo Zemek, head of fixed interest at New Star, observes that 2005 was a surprising year for the bond markets. "Throughout the year there were increasing inflationary pressures in the system, but after initial uncertainty, it was clear the UK...

Commodities: on the side that's winning.(ASSET ALLOCATION)
February 1, 2006... Mark Mathias, managing director of Dawnay Day Quantum, argues that oil below US$60 per barrel is the best long-term buy in town. "We are forecasting oil to reach US$80 per barrel during 2006, but this does not mean 'Buy BP or Shell'," says...

Property: travelling in the North Country.(ASSET ALLOCATION)
February 1, 2006... In the residential market, Paragon Mortgages provides a novel take on the 'North/South Divide', reporting that the northern regions of the country have been experiencing increases in property values, rental incomes and rental yield and, as a...

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)
February 1, 2006... Irish eyes have lost none of their sparkle in the last couple of years, to judge by the latest results being published by the government. With an economy that's growing by very nearly 6 per cent a year, and with incomes rising much faster than...

Market view: Tom Winnifrith considers the outlook for UK shares.(UK SHARES)
February 1, 2006... Your esteemed editor reminds me (three days before Christmas) that I have yet to get out my crystal ball and make some forecasts for the outlook for 2006. I preface what follows with the words of Warren Buffett: "I spend an hour a year looking...

FTSE 100 index.(UK SHARES)
February 1, 2006... FTSE 100 INDEX Stock 1 month Rank 3i Group plc 99.94 86 Alliance & Leicester PLC 111.09 10 Alliance Unichem PLC ...

Share stats by market cap.(UK SHARES)
February 1, 2006... SHARE STATS BY MARKET CAP Name Yield Market Cap BP PLC 3.6 127864.5 HSBC Holdings PLC 4.8 105733.9...

Sector view: overview.(SHARES)
February 1, 2006... As I write, you can still buy more than 20 FTSE 100 stocks that are almost certain at least to maintain their dividends and that yield more than 4 per cent. Since I am envisaging pressure on corporate earnings (outside the resources...

Share view: Centamin Egypt.(SHARES)
February 1, 2006... Your esteemed editor, however, demands that I put some sex back into the market with a more speculative tip of the year. And, with a gun to my head, I will go for Centamin Egypt, an AIM-listed company, whose shares I do own in nay SIPP and...

European sector review: Hilary Cook, director of investment strategy at Barclays Private Clients, looks at several companies in the Oil and Gas sector.(STOCK MARKET REVIEW)
February 1, 2006... Winter has finally arrived, and, as macro-economic factors have been suggesting, US energy demand has been as robust. Demand from other regions, especially China and Japan, remains equally supportive. Supply is still not growing fast enough,...

Checking cheques.(News Round-up)
February 1, 2006... Banks and building societies have announced changes to the way they handle cheques that are payable just to a bank or building society, as a further measure to reduce cheque fraud. They are now embarking on a campaign to ensure customers' money...

Hokey-cokey pension.(News Round-up)
February 1, 2006... A majority (81 per cent) of IFAS have advised "at least some", "most", or "all" of their clients (39, 31 and 11 per cent respectively) to contract back into State Second Pension (S2P), according to the IFA Census survey on contracting out of...

Teenage rampage.(News Round-up)
February 1, 2006... Kids are causing thousands of pounds' worth of damage around the home, according to research findings by Barclays Insurance Services. The research reveals that 44 per cent of parents have suffered from their children's causing significant...

ARP wardens.(Personal Finance news)
February 1, 2006... Relying solely on advertised APR rates to choose the best deal on a loan could mislead borrowers into picking the most expensive product on the market rather than the cheapest, warns online financial data comparison site Moneynet.co.uk. ...

Pay-day blues.(Personal Finance news)
February 1, 2006... For the average British worker, pay day is no longer something to look forward to, with 78 per cent of their monthly pay packet already committed to bills, debts and essential living costs before it hits the bank account. With concern mounting...

What's in your wallet? It's that time of year again: the scale of your Christmas shopping and those January sale bargains hit home in the shape of your credit card bill. Sam Barrett looks at ways to minimise the interest you might have to pay and also how to navigate the balance-transfer minefield.(Credit cards)
February 1, 2006... Used correctly, a credit card can be your flexible friend, sticking by you wherever--and whenever--you want to spend and even lavishing you with gifts from time to time. Ignore the rules, though, or simply pick the wrong card, and they'll cost...

The money doctor.(Money doctor)
February 1, 2006... The Martletts Hospice in Sussex, like countless other charities, relies upon the generosity and goodwill of individuals and businesses in order to carry out its excellent work. But how many of you are, quite frankly, fed up to the back teeth of...

UK house price growth accelerates in final quarter.(UK HOUSE PRICES)
February 1, 2006... UK HOUSE PRICES UK house price growth accelerates in final quarter House price growth in the UK accelerated in the final quarter of 2005. Prices increased by 1.5 per cent between October and December, their fastest quarterly...

Money facts.
February 1, 2006... Lender Contact Rate Period 2 Year Fixed Rates, no extended redemption tie-in (Rate cannot go up or down during stated period) West Bromwich BS 0800 298 0008 4.25% to...

Unsecured personal loan selection.(Best buys performance tables)
February 1, 2006... Unsecured Personal Loan Selection Monthly payment Lender Contact APR 1,000--Over one year Northern Rock 0845 330 7130 ...

Credit card selection.(Best buys performance tables)
February 1, 2006... Credit Card Selection Contact APR Introductory Rates--Purchases Sainsbury's Bank 0800 032 1365 0.0% HSBC 0800 130130 ...

Buy-to-let mortgages.(Best buys performance tables)
February 1, 2006... Buy-to-let Mortgages Lender Phone Rate Period Coventry BS 0845 766 5522 5.10% (F) - Portman BS 0845 4545 900 3.99% (F) to 31.1.08...

Tax rate for 2005/06.
February 1, 2006... INCOME TAX Rates Starting rate 10% 1-2,090[pounds sterling] Basic rate 22% 2,021[pounds sterling]-32,400 Higher rate 40% 32,400.01+[pounds sterling] ...

Mortgage calculator.
February 1, 2006... Mortgage Calculator Cost per 1,000 [pounds sterling] of mortgage--remember to add the monthly cost of any repayment vehicle (endowment, ISA etc) to the total on an interest-only loan. Repayment figures assume a mortgage term of...

Inflation indicator.
February 1, 2006... Inflation indicator The rate at which prices rise and money loses its purchasing power Current rate 3.2% 1 year ago 2.6% 3 years ago 3.1% 5 years ago 2.3% 10...

Income/capital growth calculator.
February 1, 2006... Income/Capital Growth Calculator Annual Growth withdrawal % 1% 2% 3% 4% 5% 6% 7% 15% 7 8 8 8 8 8 9 14%...

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)
February 1, 2006... CAUTIOUS OPTION David Hambidge, investment director for pooled funds at Premier Asset Management, highlights the attractions of Rensburg UK Select Growth for cautious investors. This is ranked 31st out of 217 funds in the UK All Companies...

Unit trust performance tables.(UNIT TRUSTS OEICs)
February 1, 2006... 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 2005, on an offer-to-bid basis with net income reinvested. Funds are listed by sector so that you can...

The power of teamwork: Keiron Root discovers how Old Mutual's team-based approach pays dividends in the small and mid-cap sectors.(FUND MANAGER PROFILE)
February 1, 2006... As the fund management business becomes increasingly globalised, investment houses place greater emphasis on their investment processes and the strength of their fund management teams. While this is designed to reassure investors that they will...

Investment trust best buys: What Investment asks three investment trust specialists to recommend their favourite investment trust shares for a cautious, a balanced and an aggressive investment.(INVESTMENT TRUSTS MONITOR)
February 1, 2006... CAUTIOUS OPTION John Moore, manager of the collective investments service at Brewin Dolphin, suggests the Midas Income & Growth trust as an option for investors who don't want to take too much risk. This trust was reconstructed in August...

Investment trust performance tables.(INVESTMENT TRUSTS)
February 1, 2006... 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 2005, on a midmarket basis with net incm reinvested. Funds are listed by sector so that you can compare...

Personal pension annuity rates.(REFERENCE)
February 1, 2006... 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...

Best ways to save.(MONEY FACTS)
February 1, 2006... Best ways to save Telephone Number INSTANT-ACCESS BRANCH ACCOUNTS Lambeth BS 0500 200020 Stroud & Swindon BS 08457 252423...

Cash ISAs.(REFERENCE)
February 1, 2006... CASH ISAs Notice Minimum Company or term deposit MINI CASH ISAs 1,000 [pounds sterling] Newcastle BS 60 Day 500 [pounds sterling]...

Tessa-only ISAs.(REFERENCE)
February 1, 2006... TESSA-ONLY ISAs Notice Minimum Company or term deposit TESSA ONLY ISAs 3,000 [pounds sterling] Halifax None (H) 1 [pounds...

National savings & investments.(REFERENCE)
February 1, 2006... NATIONAL SAVINGS & INVESTMENTS/ Notice/ Minimum Product Term Deposit ACCOUNTS AND BONDS Easy Access Savings Instant 100 [pounds sterling] Investment Account...

Top-performing unit-linked pensions.(REFERENCE)
February 1, 2006... Top-performing unit-linked pensions Five years to 30 December 2005. Results of 100 [pounds sterling] invested on an offer-to-bid basis with gross income reinvested. Name Value Rank ...