What Investment articles from January 2003

What Investment archives from January 2003

Method to his madness?(Comment)
January 1, 2003... 'When, on a blustery winter's day outside Liverpool Street Station in London, a young man in a cagoule thrusts a leaflet into your hands announcing the launch of a new fund management group bearing the unlikely name of Bedlam Asset Management,...

It's a bond thing.(January News)
January 1, 2003... Charles Schwab Europe is to enhance its services for UK investors in US markets as a response to an increase in demand for trading in US securities. The additions will initially focus on those areas of most use to investors in a volatile...

Making it work.(January News)
January 1, 2003... Norwich Union is sponsoring a new independent consumer guide to investing--Making Your Money Work. The guide contains all the main types of investments available, from savings accounts and fixed-interest products to pooled funds and investing...

Off the beaten track.(January News)
January 1, 2003... The Non-Exchange-Traded Securities Dealing Account has been launched by Jarvis Investment Management. The service, designed for active regular traders, offers trading in OFEX and other non-exchange-traded securities at a flat rate of 12.50...

Heirs and graces.(News Round-up)
January 1, 2003... A service to reduce investors' potential inheritance tax liabilities by investing in the Alternative Investment Market (AiM) and OFEX has been launched by Edinburgh Fund Managers Private Clients. Investors in the Edinburgh IHT Investment...

More cuts on the cards.(News Round-up)
January 1, 2003... Bonus rates on with-profits policies under the Prudential and Scottish Amicable brand names are to be reduced, according to Prudential UK. As a result of the continuing depressed levels of world stock markets, Prudential has announced that...

Shifting into neutral.(News Round-up)
January 1, 2003... Standard & Poor's has published its largest-ever assessment of the work of the investment professionals in charge of managed funds. In reports on 66 different managed funds, now available on www.funds-sp.com, the statistics agency charts...

Fund stalemate over.(January News)
January 1, 2003... The long-standing feud between fund supermarket giants Cofunds and Fidelity FundsNetwork is finally over, with the companies agreeing to offer each other's funds on their platforms. The move is a significant step in the continuing...

Free books.(January News)
January 1, 2003... The New Buffettology by Mary Buffett & David Clark has been published. In it, Warren Buffett's daughter-in-law Mary reveals the secrets behind Buffett's value-investing strategy. We have five copies of the book to give away. Write with your...

A gift that grows.(January News)
January 1, 2003... The Baillie Gifford Savings Plan, aimed at providing investors with a low-cost means of buying and holding shares in its range of six investment trusts, has been launched by fund management group Baillie Gifford. The plan is designed to allow...

Get your own back.(January News)
January 1, 2003... A legal service specialising in financial service disputes has been launched by Stuart Brothers, ex-managing director of the London Life group of companies. The Stuart Brothers Solicitors service is designed to deal with consumer cases in a...

Taking issue: Nic Cicutti reports on the latest issues rocking the world of finance.(January News)
January 1, 2003... Cast your mind back, if you will, to 1999 and early 2000. These were the heady days when anyone with an ISA mad PEP portfolio was virtually guaranteed to see vast increases in the value of their funds. It was a halcyon period--and never to...

Top ten funds.(January News)
January 1, 2003... top ten funds Unit trusts One year Performance 1 Merrill Lynch Gold & General 145.12 2 Schroder Seoul 114.09 3 JPMF New Europe Inc ...

Abbey National.(New offers)
January 1, 2003... The High Income Bond unit trust aimed at providing investors with income from the corporate bond market has been launched by Abbey National. The fund, which is available within an ISA wrapper, is designed to provide a regular supplement to...

Fidelity Investments.(New offers)
January 1, 2003... Fidelity Investments has added the Five-in-One Investment Trust ISA package to its range of products. The ISA includes five Fidelity investment trusts: Fidelity Asian Values, Fidelity Japanese Values, Fidelity European Values, Fidelity Special...

Goy Harris Cartwright.(New offers)
January 1, 2003... Stockbroker and investment manager Goy Harris Cartwright has launched the GHC Managed Portfolio with a choice of four portfolio strategies: UK Growth, High Income, Income & Growth and Global Growth. Existing portfolios, including PEPs and ISAs,...

Cavendish Unit Managers.(Product of the month)
January 1, 2003... Cavendish Unit Managers has launched the Cavendish Investment Funds OEIC that will combine the Cavendish Opportunities Fund and the Cavendish Worldwide Fund as subfunds. Both of these funds have a strong performance track record and are...

Standard Life Bank.(Also launching this month ...)
January 1, 2003... Standard Life Bank is offering a three-year fixed-rate escalator bond with a rate of 3.75 per cent gross in year one, 4 per cent in year two and 5.15 per cent in year three. There is a monthly income option available. Minimum investment is...

Midlands-based Tipton & Cosely Building Society.(Also launching this month ...)
January 1, 2003... Midlands-based Tipton & Cosely Building Society has launched three new fixed-rate savings accounts, The three options provide a guaranteed fixed annual interest rate of 4 per cent on a one-year savings account, rising to 4.25 per cent over two...

Premier Fund Managers.(Also launching this month ...)
January 1, 2003... Premier Fund Managers has launched the Protected Growth Plan, linked to the FTSE 100, offering 100 per cent capital protection over six years and providing 100 per cent exposure to any upside in the FTSE 100. The plan may mature early with a...

Panel of experts.(January News)
January 1, 2003... * Graeme Cumming is s financial adviser at Save & Invest * Patrick Connelly is an associate director at Chartwell Investment Management * Milena Atanassova is a financial adviser at Rickman Tooze * Philip Johnson is a director at...

JP Morgan Fleming.(Also launching this month ...)
January 1, 2003... The Fleming Russia Securities fund managed by JP Morgan Fleming Asset Management is to relaunch as an investment trust. The Company is being repositioned to appeal to a broader investor base interested in investing in Russia. It is proposed...

Managers on the move: should you stay or should you go? Keiron Root looks into the reasons behind recent fund manager moves.(Fund managers)
January 1, 2003... The trouble with being a good fund manager is that the company you work for invariably finds other things to fill up your time. So it's probably not surprising that the most high profile announcements concerning fund management changes over the...

The clock's ticking: as the pension timebomb ticks away, Stephen Pritchard looks at the issues troubling the industry and investors alike.(Focus: the pension timebomb)(Cover Story)
January 1, 2003... Now is not a good time to be thinking about retirement. The closure of a series of final salary pension schemes by big employers, the problems afflicting the insurer Equitable Life, and the battering the world's stock markets have taken over...

In pensions we trust: low cost and extremely flexible, investment trust pensions are certainly worth a second glance.(IT pensions)
January 1, 2003... The words 'dilly' and 'dally' lend themselves nicely to most people's retirement planning strategy. While the concept of having a pension is drummed into us from an early age, getting around to organising such a scheme usually takes us much...

Smooth operators: Amanda Harvey asks whether distribution bonds offer the low-risk returns that investors are craving.(Distribution bonds)
January 1, 2003... Investors wary of stock-market exposure in the current stomach-churning climate and depressed by puny returns on savings are looking for alternative homes for their money. Most want some degree of safety, a source of income and the chance of...

Go with the pro: are you wealthy enough? Chequebook in hand, David Burrows assesses the world of wealth management.(Wealth management)
January 1, 2003... Go back two years, and you'll remember the major high street banks and many established broker firms making an ambitious move into the imperious world of 'wealth management'. The phrase does have a nice ring to it (nobody is going to complain...

This year I promise to ... David Harris racks up a list of financial resolutions to help you on your way to a prosperous 2003.(Financial resolutions)
January 1, 2003... Around this time of year, many of us will be thinking about New Year's resolutions. In most cases these will range from predictable areas such as giving up smoking and moderating alcohol intake to deciding to eat more sensibly, lose some weight...

Forgotten funds: as ISA season draws near, What Investment argues that there are funds worthy of your 7,000 [pounds sterling].(ISA options)
January 1, 2003... Cast your mind back. Come on, way back. Back before technology pounced on the world of investment, chewed it up and spat it out. Before marketing gimmicks ruled supreme and bandwagons had shifted out of neutral. In these dim and distant...

A win-win opportunity? Employee shares have, in the past, made people small fortunes--but, in today's topsy-turvy market, are they worth having?(Q & A)
January 1, 2003... If you like to ride a roller coaster, you'll probably feel comfortable in today's stock markets. But if you prefer to keep your feet on the ground, investing in new shares right now--except for the occasional unmissable opportunity--may seem...

The long and the short of it: What Investment looks at why spreadbetting can be a great way to make money in a bear market.(Technology)
January 1, 2003... Gambling is often regarded as a dirty word. An addiction of the weak-minded, a fool's game. But gambling isn't all about world-weary men in smoke-filled rooms. In fact one form of gambling has taken the financial world by storm this year as...

United Kingdom: a defensive play: 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)
January 1, 2003... There have been few occasions where equities have looked as attractive relative to bonds as they do now "The final quarter of 2002 [was] an interesting case study in behavioural science as much as fundamental analysis, after a two-month...

United States: America fights back.(World Markets)
January 1, 2003... The corporate sector begins--at last--to pick up some of the consumption strain "Absolute valuations in the US look higher on average than they have for a while," says Tony Broccardo, chief investment officer at F&C Management. "Earnings...

Europe: how low can you go?(World Markets)
January 1, 2003... Europe remains pretty low on fund manager buylists despite the under-valuation argument "We are focusing the portfolio towards the mid cap end of filings as that's where we feel the best opportunities are in European markets," says Stuart...

Far East: the favoured few.(World Markets)
January 1, 2003... Growth in the Chinese market and a revival in other regional economies boost long-term prospects "Asia experienced a bubble that led to the crisis of 1997-98. Since then, many of the excesses have been dealt with," says Jacob Rees-Mogg,...

Japan: no news is bad news.(World Markets)
January 1, 2003... Lack of progress on much-needed reform and ongoing turbulence in global markets mean there could be more trouble ahead Japan has released some pretty bad economic data recently," says Tom Mernagen, senior portfolio manager at First State...

Emerging markets: profits keep emerging.(World Markets)
January 1, 2003... Returns on equity and foreign investment continue to rise across the region "Many stocks in emerging markets currently offer exceptional opportunities, with low P/Es and high dividend yields," says Jacob Rees-Mogg, manager of the newly...

Market insider: Mexico: continuing our series providing a fundamental analysis of a region from an economic and political perspective. This month, Michael Wilson considers the outlook for Mexico.(World Markets)
January 1, 2003... You'd probably suppose that the tenth anniversary of a major free-trade pact with the world's most powerful democracy might be a good excuse for popping a few celebratory corks, and as a rule you'd be right. But for President Vicente Fox, tire...

Market view.(UK Shares)
January 1, 2003... The markets defied the October gloomsters by rallying not crashing, and that trend continued throughout November. And the reason to buy stocks: a belief that the US economy had hit the second part of a double-dip recession in the late summer...

FTSE 100 index.(UK Shares)
January 1, 2003... FTSE 100 INDEX Stock 1 month Rank 1 year Rank 3i Group 119.24 9 68.93 81 Abbey National 98.11 67 69.98 77 Alliance & Leicester...

Index constituent rankings FTSE 100.(UK Shares)
January 1, 2003... INDEX CONSTITUENT RANKINGS FTSE 100 Rank Security Price Dividend Yield 1 BP 418.5 ...

Tobacco sector view.(UK Shares)
January 1, 2003... Tobacco stocks have had a wonderful couple of years, not only outperforming the All-Share but also actually rising in absolute terms. But, arguably, the party is coming to an end. The FFSE Tobacco sector started 2001 at just under 6000 and by...

Tobacco share view.(UK Shares)
January 1, 2003... One of the themes of global tobacco is consolidation. Since most companies are highly cash-generative they have only two options: pay bumper dividends or buy in growth. Since its demerger from the Hanson Group in the mid nineties Imperial...

Month-end performance: all sectors.(UK Shares)
January 1, 2003... [GRAPHIC OMITTED]

European sector review: Hilary Cook, director of investment strategy at Barclays Private Clients, examines the prospects for the European luxury goods sector.(Stock Market Rview)
January 1, 2003... When Burberry floated on the London Stock Exchange in July, it became the UK's first publicly quoted luxury-goods company. At the time of its flotation, a number of planned floats had recently been pulled due to poor stock-market performance,...

Britain betrayed (Again).
January 1, 2003... Since World War II, we have been betrayed time and time again. By government. By financial institutions. By the media. By institutions we are expected to trust. Except that now, this Establishment betrayal is threatening the future prosperity...

Cautious option.(Unit Trust Best Buys)
January 1, 2003... Richard Craven, financial adviser at HCF Partnership, highlights file attractions of the Investec Cautious Managed fund for investors who want a balanced approach to their holdings without taking too much risk. The fund ranks third out of 21...

Balanced option.(Unit Trust Best Buys)
January 1, 2003... Anna Bowes, savings & investments manager at Chase de Vere Investments, suggests Fidelity Wealthbuilder as a broadly based option for investors taking a balanced approach. The fired is ranked 13th out of 150 funds in the Global Growth sector...

Aggressive option.(Unit Trust Best Buys)
January 1, 2003... Martyn Ingram of investment consultancy The Investors Partnership suggests that more adventurous investors should look to the Ear East and that Lincoln Far East is a good way to play it. The fund is ranked second out of 59 funds in the Far East...

Performance tables.(Unit Trusts OEICs)
January 1, 2003... ZI-0BTC-2003-JAN00-IDSI-47-1.JPG 3 ZI-0BTC-2003-JAN00-IDSI-48-1.JPG 3 ZI-0BTC-2003-JAN00-IDSI-49-1.JPG 3 ZI-0BTC-2003-JAN00-IDSI-50-1.JPG 3 ZI-0BTC-2003-JAN00-IDSI-51-1.JPG 3 ZI-0BTC-2003-JAN00-IDSI-52-1.JPG 3...

Something special: Keiron Root asks Leon Howard-Spink what's so special about his special situations fund.(Fund Manager Profile)
January 1, 2003... The trouble with employing 'star' fund managers is that once they've established a reputation for themselves they tend to move elsewhere, tempted by the big bucks on offer. This has been the task confronting Jupiter over the past couple of...

Cautious option.(Investment Trust Best Buys)
January 1, 2003... Adrian Neave of stockbrokers Goy Harris Cartwright suggests the income shares of a self-managed trust called Equity Partnership as a solid choice for cautious investors. These shares are ranked fifth out of 35 in the Split Capital: Income...

Balanced option.(Investment Trust Best Buys)
January 1, 2003... Nick Greenwood, head of investment trusts at iimia, recommends Alternative Investment Strategies as a suitable investment for investors looking for a balanced investment trust. This trust is ranked first out of 31 in the Global Growth sector...

Aggressive option.(Investment Trust Best Buys)
January 1, 2003... Alan Beaney, investment manager at Principal Portfolio Managers, suggests that adventurous investors look again at TMT stocks--the technology, media and telecoms companies that led the last market boom--which have been recoveing recently. His...

Performance tables.(Investment Trusts)
January 1, 2003... Performance tables What the tables show The figures show the value of 100 [pounds sterling] over six months, one, three, five and 10 years to 30 November 2002, on an mid-market basis with net income reinvested. Funds are listed by...

One for the kids.(Money clinic)
January 1, 2003... My granddaughter has beer bequeathed 1,000 [pounds sterling] by a relative, and I would be most grateful for your advice on the investment of this sum. As she is 11 years of age I assume that the money, could be placed in a deposit account free...

Where to now with-profits?(Money clinic)
January 1, 2003... I have a significant part of my portfolio in with-profits investments and am concerned about the bad press surrounding them at the moment. Everyone seems to be saying that you shouldn't put new money into with profits policies but what should...

Who's right?(Money clinic)
January 1, 2003... In the latest edition of Invest It, autumn 2002, published by the David/Aaron Partnership I noticed a substantial variation between their version of the performance tables and those published in What Investment. Any thoughts as to why there...

Ways to trust.(Money clinic)
January 1, 2003... I am looking to make investments for my grandson who is two years old. I think that it would be appropriate for me to put these investments within a trust but don't really know where to start. Can you give me an idea of when it is appropriate...

Best ways to save.(Reference)
January 1, 2003... Best ways to save NO-NOTICE ACCOUNTS Company Account Gross Name Rate Balance of 500 [pounds sterling] Abbey National ...

Personal pension annuity rates.(Reference)
January 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)
January 1, 2003... TOP-PERFORMING UNIT-LINKED PENSIONS Five years to 30 November 2002. Results of 100 [pounds sterling] invested on an offer- to-bid basis with gross income reinvested * Name Value Rank...