Our Views on the Markets and the Economy
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In 2024 we again helped to put things in context by writing about the investment, financial planning and economic themes that matter to people – and to help them to make better financial decisions. The articles below are among those that have been read and shared the most.
As we approach the Self-Assessment deadline on January 31, 2025, we should be vigilant against the ever-evolving threat of fraud. HMRC’s recent press release underscores how important this is, revealing a significant increase in scam attempts targeting Self-Assessment customers. With nearly 150,000 scam referrals reported in the past year alone, the stakes remain high and persistent.
Winter is often a time when we try to protect ourselves from feeling poorly, and there are also steps you can take to better safeguard your financial health. Many of us take time to review and adjust our plans – with some attributes being more relevant than others – especially where they can make a meaningful difference to your future.
What is driving the outlook for interest rates, and how is this likely to unfold? One of the characteristics of the last year has been the extent to which there have significant swings in expectations about policy rates, driven largely by events in the US but echoed elsewhere.
China's economic landscape has undergone a profound transformation over the past few decades. Once defined by rapid industrialisation and export-led growth, the nation now faces structural adjustments, demographic shifts, and rising geopolitical pressures. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed vulnerabilities, particularly in the property sector, and policymakers are working to stabilise growth through a mix of monetary and fiscal measures.
Our CEO Charlotte Ransom regularly answers questions for readers of the i paper – helping them to better understand their investments and how to effectively plan their finances to achieve their long-term goals. Many of these questions are also highly relevant for Netwealth readers.
This column by our chief economic strategist Gerard Lyons appeared in The Times on Wednesday 20th November, 2024.
Throughout our lives we don’t always make the best decisions, especially when it comes to money. Cognitive and emotional biases often influence our financial choices, steering us away from making rational decisions. These biases, sometimes called ‘thinking traps’, can have long-term impacts, which is why it’s important to understand them and learn how to manage their effects.
After a hard fought race, the US electorate delivered their verdict on the last four years of a Democrat administration, with an emphatic win for the returning Donald Trump and the Republican party. Yet what does this victory mean for US assets? Will it be an echo of Trump’s first presidency from the 2016 vote, and how should investors respond to the impending change of leadership in the world’s leading economy?
Ahead of last week’s budget there was significant speculation as to what it could mean for financial plans and, in particular, pensions. This led to some people taking pre-emptive action.
Team Contributors
Gerard Lyons
Charlotte Ransom
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“I have a £1m house and £500k pension. How can I shield my children from inheritance tax?”
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“How can we limit the tax we pay when taking my partner’s £700k pension?”
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“My wife and I have £200k in our pensions. Are we on track for a good retirement?”
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I’m 68 and retiring soon. How can I limit taxes when I take out my pension?
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“How do I get the highest return taking the lowest risk on my £540,000 pension?”
Thomas Salter
Iain Barnes
Simon McConnell
In The Press
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Read what the press have to say about Netwealth
