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September Financial Market 2024

Market Commentary September 2024

Introduction As inflation cools and interest rates look likely to come down over time, the world is expecting a gradual return to economic normality in the second half of 2024. However, it’s never quite that straightforward. Changes in government around the world create temporary blips as we wait to see if policy will change with …

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Your Tax Return

What Information Should You Collect For Your Tax Return?

For a tax return, particularly for those with complex financial affairs, having comprehensive and accurate data is crucial. Here is a list of the most important information and documents you will need: Personal Information National Insurance Number: Your unique identifier for tax and benefits purposes. Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR): Your personal tax reference number. Personal …

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Mastering The Art Of Budgeting

Mastering the Art of Budgeting

Times have been unusually tough for a lot of people in recent years. Even people with a decent income have been squeezed by inflation. For them, the process of budgeting extends beyond mere expense tracking. It’s about strategically managing resources to sustain and grow wealth, aligning spending with values, and preparing for future financial goals. …

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Financial Market Commentary August 2024

Market Commentary August 2024

Introduction July 2024 was a big month for politics with the UK election decided and some major twists and turns in both the US and France. The Bank of England have cut rates, the Fed kept the rates at the same level but there is an increasing expectation that they will cut them in September. …

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Pensions and Politics

Pensions and Politics

Pensions have been a big topic in UK politics for some time, nevermore so than in an election year. That’s no surprise to us given their crucial role in the financial security of millions of citizens, but not everyone is as interested and engaged in pensions as we are! Here’s a quick summary of why …

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Tax Implications of Gifting

Tax Implications of Gifting

Gifting is the act of giving money (or a ‘chattel’) to someone for nothing in return. It’s common for people to do this occasionally for family members, but there are specific tax rules to remember, especially concerning inheritance tax (IHT). Here are some key points to consider: Annual Exemption: Each tax year, you can gift …

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Financial Market July 2024

Market Commentary July 2024

Introduction June 2024 was a big month for global financial markets, marked by significant volatility and key economic developments. The interplay of geopolitical tensions, economic data releases and central bank policies shaped market sentiments across various regions. UK Inflation slowed to 2% in May, which is in line with the Bank of England’s target. However …

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Is the UK stock market in crisis

Is the UK stock market in crisis?

Cambridge-based tech company Raspberry Pi recently confirmed that it plans to list on the London stock market, which could see it valued at around £500 million. We’ve also seen reports that Chinese fast fashion brand Shein is considering floating on the London Stock Exchange instead of New York, following issues with US lawmakers. That’s great …

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Market Commentary June 2024

Market Commentary June 2024

Introduction The global financial markets continue to grapple with a complex mix of geopolitical tensions, inflationary pressures, and evolving central bank policies. The past year has seen significant shifts in market dynamics, with varying impacts across different regions. This commentary provides an overview of the key factors influencing financial markets in the UK, Europe, the …

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