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Investment Advice

Choosing what and where to invest can be a daunting process as, broadly speaking, when you make the decision to invest rather than save, you are agreeing to take on a higher level of risk with the aim of achieving higher levels of return over time. When it comes to planning for the financial future of you and your family, how you choose to invest will depend entirely on your personal circumstances and what you want to achieve in the future. For example, if you’re investing for your retirement you will need to employ a different strategy than if you’re aiming for a shorter term goal. With so many investment options available there are a multitude of products that could help you to achieve your medium and long-term objectives. We will work with you to create an investment plan that balances your key objectives with your attitude to risk, accounting for your current and potential tax position. We will also develop the best investment management plan for you, to help ensure that your money is working as hard as possible to help you achieve your goals. We have access to our centralised experienced network of investment analysts who are completely independent and can help you access the whole investment market, advising on the most appropriate choice for you and your family. The value of investments can go down in value as well as up, so you could get back less than you invest. It is therefore important that you understand the risks and commitments.
When planning for the future of your business it is imperative that you consider what would happen in the event of the sudden death of a shareholder. There could be significant financial implications on your bottom line if the beneficiaries inheriting the shares have an immediate need for the funds. Similarly, remaining shareholders may wish to purchase the shares but aren’t in a positon to do so. Whilst planning for the unexpected may form part of your businesses articles of association, depending on the specific circumstances of your business, it may be wise to have a separate document that clearly outlines what would happen in the face of the unexpected.
Open-Ended Investment Companies (OEICs) and Unit Trusts are seen by many as the most popular investment funds available. Both are a type of collective investment where you invest your money alongside other investors, spreading the risks involved. When investing in an OEIC you buy shares in the company itself. The company uses the pooled funds from all the investors to buy assets on your behalf, such as stocks and shares, gilts, and property. It is important to understand the level of risk involved in investing in and OEIC as different investments involve more risk than others. It is always a good idea to have an understanding of the types of assets the OEIC invests in to make sure they fit in with your investment plan and your preferred level of risk. In a unit trust, you can buy or sell ‘units’ of a fund that’s run by a fund manager. As a unit trust invests in a range of different assets, the risk to your money is spread, however, it is always important to remember that the value of your investment can go down as well as up.
Investment bonds are single premium investments which usually offer an open-ended term and a variety of different investment options can be accommodated within this tax efficient wrapper. You can invest in both onshore and offshore investment bonds. An Investment bond operates under special rules which give the opportunity to plan income and defer potential income tax liabilities and any gains made are not subject to capital gains tax on the policyholders. This investment vehicle can be used as a valuable tax and investment planning tool as part of a portfolio of personal investments or investments made on behalf of a Trust.
Investment trusts are listed companies with shares that trade on the stock market that have always been popular amongst savers.Although more recently they have arguably been overshadowed by higher-profile unit trusts and open-ended investment companies (OEICs). Investment trusts buy shares in other companies, pooling their assets to build portfolios in specific sectors, reducing the risk for investors. Trusts invest in the shares of other companies and are closed-end, meaning the number of shares or units the trust’s portfolio is divided into is limited. Investors can buy or sell these units to join or leave, but new money outside this pool cannot be raised without formally issuing new shares.