What Investment articles from July 2006

What Investment archives from July 2006

Internet to kill high street?(Comment--the bigger picture)
July 1, 2006... 'About 15 years ago, before the advent of even telephone insurance (let alone online) I used to buy my insurance from a bloke called Jack who ran an insurance broking business on a local high street in London. Conspicuously parked outside...

Endowment compensation calculator.(News Round-up)
July 1, 2006... A new online web service that enables consumers to calculate the level of compensation they would be entitled to if they complain to their endowment provider (providing their complaint is upheld by the company) has been launched by Exasoft Plc....

Elderly need advice.(News Round-up)
July 1, 2006... Over 70,000 homes are sold each year to pay for care, yet only 3,162 applications were made for care fee-payment plans last year, which in turn means that under 5 per cent of those selling their homes to pay for care sought professional...

In the dark.(News Round-up)
July 1, 2006... One in two investors does not know how all of his/her investments have performed over the last 12 months and does not know the total value of all of their different investments to the nearest 500 [pounds sterling], according to new research...

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)
July 1, 2006... # New Star Investment Funds New Star has launched the New Star Tri-Star Unit Trust. The fund will invest in approximately equal proportions in three main asset classes--UK equities, bonds and commercial property. Through active investment...

No guru, no method ...: Bob Beckman, Abby Cohen, Mrs Cohen, Jayesh Manek anyone? What happened to those gurus of yesteryear? And are there any equivalents today? And should investors follow such gurus slavishly, or use their insights as a stimulant to think more deeply? Stephen Spurdon goes in search of enlightenment.(Investment gurus)
July 1, 2006... Opinions are like noses: everybody's got one. But some opinions are more worthy of attention than others. It is only human to seek out those who appear to have 'all the answers'. Hence the title 'guru' is given to folk in the financial...

What Investment Awards 2006.(Fund awards)
July 1, 2006... Once again, the What Investment Fund Management Awards highlight those fund managers and investment houses that consistently outperform their peers. The What Investment Fund Management Awards, now in their 22nd year, are among the...

Unit Trust Management Group of the Year: a new name wins our premier unit trust award, as Rensburg, a small, regionally based investment house beats the big battalions.(Fund awards)
July 1, 2006... What INVESTMENT 2006 AWARDS Unit Trust Management Group of the Year WINNER Rensburg Fund Management The race for the title of What Investment Unit Trust Management Group of the Year was particularly close this year, with the top...

Specialist Unit Trust Group of the Year: GAM maintains its high profile in our awards by taking the Specialist Management category.(Fund awards)
July 1, 2006... What INVESTMENT 2006 AWARDS Specialist Unit Trust Group of the Year WINNER GAM The winner of our overall Unit Trust Management Group category in 2005 scores again, this time in the Specialist Group category. GAM--Global Asset...

Unit Trust Manager of the Year: after another hard fight, Standard Life's Harry Nimmo just holds off Old Mutual's Ashton Bradbury.(Fund awards)
July 1, 2006... What INVESTMENT 2006 AWARDS Unit Trust Manager of the Year WINNER Standard Life UK Smaller Companies The prize for individual fund manager of the year was another close-fought contest, with the top five funds all within a few marks...

Most Consistent Unit Trust of the Year: Investec UK smaller companies takes the prize, ahead of a clutch of funds that have benefited from the commodity boom.(Fund awards)
July 1, 2006... What INVESTMENT 2006 AWARDS Most Consistent Unit Trust of the Year WINNER Investec UK Smaller Companies It is perhaps a reflection of the steady--rather than spectacular--growth in investment markets in recent years that our most...

Investment Trust Group of the Year: Baillie Gifford's mix of generalist and specialist portfolios makes it a clear winner.(Fund awards)
July 1, 2006... What INVESTMENT 2006 AWARDS Investment Trust Group of the Year WINNER Baillie Gifford & Co While many of our performance award categories this year resulted in very close contests, it is hard to imagine a more clear-cut winner...

Generalist Investment Trust of the Year: a new name with an established pedigree beats some familiar contenders as SVM Global takes the prize.(Fund awards)
July 1, 2006... What INVESTMENT 2006 AWARDS Generalist Investment Trust of the Year WINNER SVM Global Another closely fought category saw SVM Global take the prize ahead of some established contenders for this award, including last year's second and...

Specialist Investment Trust of the Year: after two years in the doldrums, Merrill Lynch World Mining recaptures the top spot in the specialist category.(Fund awards)
July 1, 2006... What INVESTMENT 2006 AWARDS Specialist Investment Trust of the Year WINNER Merrill Lynch World Mining Trust The Specialist Investment Trust category produced another close finish, with the top two funds pulling well clear of the...

Most Consistent Investment Trust of the Year: for the third year running, TR Property underlines the consistency of its returns.(Funds awards)
July 1, 2006... What INVESTMENT 2006 AWARDS Most Consistent Investment Trust of the Year WINNER TR Property Investment Trust Plc You would expect a category that rewards consistency to feature some of the same funds year after year, but for the...

Best Unit Trust Management Group: the winner of the Best Unit Trust Management Group of the Year Award is Invesco Perpetual.(Readership awards)
July 1, 2006... Bob Yerbury, chief executive and chief investment Invesco Perpetual, says the What Investment award for Best unit trust management group was "fantastic news, we're absolutely delighted", but he refuses to rest on his laurels. "A fund manager is...

Best Investment Trust Management Group: JPMorgan Asset Management is What Investment readers' favourite this year.(Readership awards)
July 1, 2006... What INVESTMENT 2006 AWARDS Readership Awards Best Investment Trust Provider WINNER JP Morgan Asset Management David Barron, head of investment trusts at JP Morgan Asset Management, suggests three reasons why the group won favour...

Best stockbroker: Halifax Share Dealing comes out on top in this year's reader awards, followed by Barclays and Saga.(Readership awards)
July 1, 2006... Simon Longfellow, marketing and communications manager at Halifax Share Dealing, says the group is "thrilled" at its success, which it puts down to its blend of high quality service and value for money products. "Everything we do is about going...

Best IFA: a commitment to delivering the best information, best service and best price has earned Bristol-based independent financial adviser Hargreaves Lansdown the award for best IFA this year.(Readership awards)
July 1, 2006... What INVESTMENT 2006 AWARDS Readership Awards Best Independent Financial Adviser WINNER Hargreaves Landsown "We always strive to deliver," says Ben Yearsley, investment manager at Hargreaves Lansdown. "We try to cater for the...

Best pension provider: given the changes that have occurred in the pensions arena over the last year, it's no surprise that Prudential is pleased to pick up the prize for pension provider.(Readership awards)
July 1, 2006... What INVESTMENT 2006 AWARDS Readership Awards Best Pension Provider WINNER Prudential Colin Dilley, head of existing business at Prudential, believes that making complex information simple has helped the company secure this award....

Best customer service: being small but beautifully formed is the key to Marks & Spencer Money's customer service success, according to its commercial director David Mackay.(Readership awards)
July 1, 2006... What INVESTMENT 2006 AWARDS Readership Awards Best Customer Service WINNER Marks & Spencer Money "We have around 40 people in our customer services department in Chester so, unlike the big banks and financial services...

Global equities: defensive formations: 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.
July 1, 2006... While the attention of the world is focused on Germany and the football tournament it is hosting, there is little doubt investment strategists are starting to worry about the effects of what might happen in other parts of the world on the...

Bonds: waiting on the Fed.(ASSET ALLOCATION)
July 1, 2006... Worries over the return of inflation and possible future increases in interest rates have unsettled the bond markets. Max King, investment strategist at Investec Asset Management, feels that there are three possible outcomes. "The first is...

Commodities: liquid assets.(ASSET ALLOCATION)
July 1, 2006... One commodity that is attracting the attention of a growing number of fund managers is water, not least because of global concerns about restricted supply. Pictet Asset Management runs a Water Fund investing specifically in this sector and its...

Property: a global pursuit.(ASSET ALLOCATION)
July 1, 2006... Roger Dossett, manager of the New Star Property Unit Trust, confirms continued interest in the commercial property sector. He says: "Where is a strong net inflow into the fund which is allowing me to diversify the portfolio and to focus it in...

Market insider: India's ups and downs: continuing our series providing a fundamental analysis of a region from an economic and political perspective. This month, Michael Wilson considers the outlook for India.(WORLD MARKETS)
July 1, 2006... Ah, the seductive charms of the Orient! This time last year, every emerging markets pundit from Wall Street to Frankfurt was urging us to seize upon this remarkable opportunity while it lasted. India was the new China, we were being told. It...

Market view: Tom Winnifrith considers the outlook for UK shares.(UK SHARES)
July 1, 2006... May was not a good month for equities, with falls seen across the board. There was some bid speculation and indeed bid activity to offer support--Xstrata's $20 billion bid for Falconbridge and a renewed assault on BAA with Spanish conglomerate...

European sector review: this month, Henk Potts looks at the Mining sector.
July 1, 2006... Shares in the Mining sector have performed strongly over the past two and a half years--despite their recent volatility--and valuations continue to offer plenty of encouragement to investors. Though the prices of base metals are likely to...

Sector view: water companies.(UK SHARES)
July 1, 2006... When an industry is utterly reviled and loathed by the press it is almost invariably a good time to buy into it. On Fleet Street's hit list at present, right up there with paedophiles, asylum seekers and Rebecca Loos are Britain's water...

Share view: United Utilities.(UK SHARES)
July 1, 2006... United Utilities is, as noted above, now a water and electricity behemoth. It also has the distinction of being one of the highest yielding stocks in the FTSE 100. The company recently reported its results for the year to March 31st and...

Limiting risk with stop losses: Angus Campbell looks at how spread betting clients can limit their risk exposure by using stop-loss mechanisms.(Investment: On the margins)
July 1, 2006... "Financial spread betting is a risky business" This is a common perception about spread betting--especially by newcomers to this alternative investment tool. A large proportion of new spread betting clients may be dipping their toes in the...

Scheming schemes ... .(Money Clinic: A panel of independent experts answer readers' financial planning and investment queries)(Letter to the editor)
July 1, 2006... Scheming schemes... Can you tell me where I can get advice about my Employers' Group Life Assurance Scheme? I have been a member since 1992 and the Scheme terminates on my 65th birthday, but my Employer tells me if I go into retirement before...

Nursing home truths.(Money Clinic: A panel of independent experts answer readers' financial planning and investment queries)(Letter to the editor)
July 1, 2006... My father, who's 87, had a heart attack and stroke and needs to move into a nursing home. I having lived and worked in Australia since the mid 60's I've flown home to make the necessary arrangements. I know nothing of the long-term care system...

Missing bonds.(Money Clinic: A panel of independent experts answer readers' financial planning and investment queries)(Letter to the editor)
July 1, 2006... I have been a regular reader of What Investment for some time but have only just become a computer user. I am impressed with the site and have made my portfolio. Great! However, I have a couple of Bonds, namely Centrica and Stirling SG bond,...

Wrappers' delight.(Money Clinic: A panel of independent experts answer readers' financial planning and investment queries)(Letter to the editor)
July 1, 2006... A simple question: are the tax breaks on ISAs worth it? They seem miniscule and, when you take into consideration the annual investment limit, hardly worth the bother of using the ISA wrapper. T Morgan, Wolverhampton Paul Duckworth...

The money doctor: just when you thought pensions couldn't be tinkered with any more, along comes a Government White Paper. Most of the headlines focused on our having to work longer before receiving our state pension, but it was the treatment of contracted out money that caught the Doctor's eye.(Money doctor)
July 1, 2006... This has certainly been a pivotal year for pensions. In April we had 'A-Day', which dealt largely with private pensions and how we can use them. At the end of May came the Pensions White Paper, which was more concerned with our future right to...

Time for a change: after six years out in the investment hinterlands, growth funds are finally coming back into the warm glow of appreciation. Nick Sudbury gets out the welcome mat.(Value v growth)
July 1, 2006... Investment style has a critical effect on performance, yet rarely receives the attention it deserves. Where a fired manager adopts a strong bias in favour of either growth or value, it's bound to influence his final returns. The effect has been...

Market still ticking over.(UK HOUSE PRICES)
July 1, 2006... House prices remain sluggish at 0.2 per cent in May, giving an annual growth rate of 4.7 per cent, says Nationwide. The average UK home now costs 7,500 [pounds sterling] more than this time last year, which translates to a 20 [pounds sterling]...

Mortgages.(Moneyfacts.co.uk[R])
July 1, 2006... Mortgages Lender Contact Rate Period 2-year fixed rates with no extended redemption tie-in (Rate cannot go up or down during stated period) Portman BS 0845 845 7000 4.59% to 30.6.08...

Best buys performance tables.
July 1, 2006... Unsecured Personal Loan Selection Monthly payment Lender Contact APR 1,000 [pounds sterling]-Over one year Northern Rock ...

What Investment Book club: following many readers' requests for regular book reviews, we present a new regular monthly column, the What Investment Book Club.
July 1, 2006... * The eBay Business Handbook How Anyone Can Build a Business and Make Money on eBay by Robert Pugh In this new book top Powerseller Robert Pugh covers everything you need to know about succeeding on eBay; from the very first act of...

Taming the Lion.(Book of the month)
July 1, 2006... Taming the Lion 100 Secret Strategies for Investing by Richard Farleigh Richard Farleigh reveals the 100 secret strategies that he developed to enable him to succeed in the markets. During his time running a trading desk, Farleigh set...

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)
July 1, 2006... CAUTIOUS OPTION Justin Modray, head of communications at Bestinvest, suggests a fund that adopts an institutional approach for retail investors who want to limit risk. CF Midas Balanced Income is ranked 1st out of 39 funds in the Cautious...

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

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)
July 1, 2006... CAUTIOUS OPTION Tim Cockerill, head of research at Rowan & Co Capital Management, highlights the long-term attractions of Perpetual Income & Growth Investment Trust for cautious investors. Its shares are ranked 6 out of 17 in the UK Growth...

Investment trust performance tables.(INVESTMENT TRUSTS)
July 1, 2006... The figures show the value of 100 [pounds sterling] over six months, one, three, five and 10 years to 31 May 2006, on an offer-to-bid basis with net income reinvested. Funds are listed by sector so that you can compare them against trusts with...

Best ways to save.(REFERENCE)
July 1, 2006... Best ways to save Telephone Number INSTANT ACCESS BRANCH ACCOUNTS Post Office 0800 169 7500 Manchester BS 0161 833 8880 Leeds BS 0845 045 4048...

Personal pension annuity rates.(REFERENCE)
July 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...

Financial contacts ISA directory.(Directory)
July 1, 2006... FINANCIAL CONTACTS ISA Directory Maxi/ Cat/ Name & Address Name Of Scheme Type Mini Standard Abbey Investments ISA Stocks & Both No...