As the UK edges closer to its next fiscal budget announcement, speculation is mounting over possible changes to pensions tax policy. Former pensions minister Steve Webb has weighed in, offering insights that could have significant implications for retirees and financial planners alike.

We live increasingly in a world that often feels full of doom and gloom, amplified by the endless news cycle, echoed in social media comments, and exacerbated by a tendency to doomscroll on our mobiles.  This geopolitical, economic and social noise risks become deafening and unsettling.  What will Trump do or say next?  Will the West be able to contain Putin’s imperialistic ambitions?  Are taxes going to rise?  Is the economy heading for a slump?

In a move that could reshape how families manage wealth transfers, HMRC is reportedly considering a rule change that would affect UK households who gift money to family members. While the details are still emerging, the implications for estate planning, inheritance tax (IHT), and financial advice are significant.

If you own a home in the UK worth over a certain threshold, you might want to keep an eye on the latest developments in housing policy. A new proposal is making waves that could see higher-value properties subject to an additional tax, sparking debate among homeowners, economists, and politicians alike.

If you’re planning to pass on wealth to loved ones, new signals from the Treasury suggest it’s time to take a closer look at your strategy.

If you’ve been diligently saving into a Cash ISA or other savings account, recent news from Westminster might give you pause for thought.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has signaled support for a tax crackdown on savings accounts, sparking concern among savers and financial experts alike. The move is part of a broader effort to reform the UK’s tax system—but it could have serious implications for how much of your savings you get to keep.

If you’ve noticed your monthly budget feeling tighter lately, you’re not alone—and your pension might be paying the price.

New data reveals that average monthly pension contributions in the UK have dropped by 20% in just six months, falling from £65.10 to £53.40. At the same time, the cost of daily essentials has surged by 12%, with households now spending £52.14 per day—up from £46.40 just months ago.

Lately, investors may be having flashbacks to the early days of meme investing. Newly labeled meme stocks like Krispy Kreme (DNUT) have joined the meme menu with members of the original stack, including GameStop (GME) and AMC Entertainment (AMC)…

Investing is often framed as a numbers game - ratios, returns, and risk metrics. But beneath the surface lies something more human: behaviour. How we respond to market movements, uncertainty, and the passage of time can shape our experience far more than the structure of our portfolios - although, robust portfolio structure is still a key component of a successful outcome. This short note looks at the investor journey, and how time and temperament combine to influence outcomes.

Recent headlines have drawn attention to the fall in the US dollar, raising questions among investors and market watchers alike. At this stage, the recent decline is comparatively modest, at least in a historical context. The US dollar has seen several periods of both relative strength and weakness over the past five decades. Currency movements are nothing new.

The cryptocurrency (crypto) landscape, and that of other digital assets, continues to evolve. Recent headlines – coinciding with the rise in the price of cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin - have reignited interest. Technological innovations in the crypto space are, without a doubt, exciting. Yet, despite the noise, my message remains consistent: for most investors, there is no need to alter portfolios to gain exposure to this volatile and speculative investment opportunity.

It’s a pattern we see time and again. 

A fund manager delivers spectacular early returns, the press dubs them “the next Warren Buffett,” and the money pours in – often just before their performance falters, leaving investors disappointed and poorer.

Few stories illustrate this cycle more clearly than the rise and fall of Neil Woodford, Cathie Wood, and even Terry Smith. Their stories offer a stark reminder of why chasing star fund managers based on past performance can be a costly mistake.

The numbers confirm that. 

It’s easy to forget, after a decade dominated by US stocks, that investing is not about chasing what has just done well, but about building a portfolio that is robust across a wide range of possible futures. Emerging markets have, for some time, lagged their developed market counterparts - particularly the US. This has led some to question their place in a diversified portfolio. This underperformance is not a reason to abandon them. In fact, it’s precisely why they remain important.

In the ever evolving world of investing, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become a buzzword synonymous with innovation and the promise of high returns. But its integration into investment portfolios raises important questions: Should investors back companies adopting AI technologies (who isn’t, at this point?) because they might gain an edge? What about firms producing raw materials used to meet the increasing demand for infrastructure to power AI models? The list goes on.

Currency movements can affect investing outcomes. Investors owning overseas assets therefore are naturally concerned about what to do with this risk. The two options are to accept currency risk, or transfer it to another party willing to accept it, for a cost. The decision of what to do with currency exposure differs based on the role of the asset class in the portfolio.

As a financial planner, I often receive questions from clients about various trust structures and their benefits and I have observed a recent surge in snappy videos on Facebook and TikTok promoting these ideas under various guises and marketing gimmicks. One topic that has garnered significant interest is Asset Protection Trusts (APTs). In this blog, we'll explore what APTs are, how they differ from other trusts, and the potential risks and benefits associated with them.

Our Investment Committee, which is responsible for the ongoing oversight of the investment solutions my firm, Capital Asset Management offer, considers itself to be a risk manager, rather than a performance manager. What is meant by this is that we manage risks tightly, rather than building a solution based solely on what has performed well. Well understood, and tightly managed, risks should be compensated accordingly.

Rebalancing is the practice of realigning the components of a portfolio of investments back to a target allocation from which it has drifted away. Naturally, the process is contrarian and results in selling the things that have done well and buying more of what has done less well. To some, this may feel painful, but it is good practice and sensible behaviour your adviser can certainly support you with.

As the UK gears up for potential fiscal reforms, all eyes are on Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves and her possible plans for pension taxation. A recent report suggests that HMRC is exploring changes to salary sacrifice schemes—raising questions about whether a broader tax raid on pensions is in the works.