Bloomsbury Financial Planning

Cashing in on banking mayhem

Inflation and increased volatility in world stockmarkets are leading investors to seek a good home for their cash.

Our latest article identifies a number of options for short and long term cash investment.

Life Settlement Funds

Our article gives the low down on this relatively new and growing asset class.

An investment which produces a steady 8% annual return, is non correlated with equities and is not affected by economic woes sounds too good to be true. Read our article to find out if it is.

Tax Wrap

Getting the right tax wrapper needs careful analysis of the facts

Bloomsbury takes a look at how to minimise investment taxation with the use of different tax 'wrappers',

Salary Sacrifice

Bloomsbury examines a tax saving opportunity for employees in 2008/09

As salary sacrifice for those on the margins of higher rate tax becomes more attractive over the next year, employees should be speaking with their employers now to look at the way forward.

Should your pension retire abroad?

Our latest article explains how you can take your pension overseas and unlock benefits.

If you are thinking of retiring abroad and you have significant pension benefits, you might be able to take advantage of the Qualified Recognised Overseas Pension Scheme (QROPS) regulations. Our latest article explains the issues.

Don't let the kids blow it!

The dilemma of transferring wealth to younger generations

Wealthy individuals have a real problem. If they hold onto their wealth the taxman will take up to 40% on death. If they give it to younger generations they run the risk of seeing it frittered away. But there is a third way and in our latest article we explain how to minimise tax whilst also protecting against reckless spending.

The Frog Investor

Apparently if you drop a live frog into a pan of boiling water it will jump straight out and will suffer no adverse consequences. If, however, you place it into a pan of cold water and very gradually turn up the heat, the frog will not jump out. Instead the frog will boil to death, oblivious to the changing temperature of the water until it’s too late for it to muster enough energy to escape. Investors are sometimes a bit like frogs in water and from time to time will be either (or even both) a jumping frog or a sitting frog.

Crisis? What crisis?

Was August really so bad for investors?

With all the talk of financial Armageddon in August we decided to look beyond the headlines and review what effect this had on stockmarket indices. Read the article now.

Index commodities funds

New fund launch gets Bloomsbury's seal of approval

In the past year or so several funds have been launched which allow access to passive exposure via a diversified commodity futures index at relatively low cost. The latest of these is the Lyxor ETF Commodities CRB (GBP). Read why we like this fund over all others.

Asset class portfolios - 3 years on

There's one thing having an investment philosophy but how does it work in practice?

Read our latest review of asset class investing and the importance of dynamic rebalancing

Too good to be true?

Private equity appears to offer attractive returns or does it?

Read our analysis of the facts behind the hype and our conclusions about this asset class.

When less is more

Investment fund companies are quietly raising their charges

We've reviewed the independent research on what's happening with charges on investment funds and the news isn't good. Read our summary and conclusions of what this means to investors

Barclays Capital Equity Gilt Study 2007

Bloomsbury's review of this annual study geared towards institutional investors

Read our cogent review of thsi interesting document

Here we go with the pension transfer status quo!

Legislation anticipated in April 2008 following DWP's new proposals announced on 18 January 2007.

Following two years of consultation, the DWP intend to legislate on rules as to how defined benefit pension schemes should calculate transfer values.

Pre-budget update

Changes proposed to Individual Savings Accounts and Pension Accounts

The recent pre-budget report set out a number of proposals which will affect ISAs and pensions. Read our new summary.

Understanding Enterprise Zone Syndicates

Can something that costs more really save money?

There are a number of benefits to buying property in an Enterprise Zone - the main argument being that the eventual cost of the property is less. Discover further compelling reasons for buying in to an EZS.

Back to the Future

A story for our investing times

The early 1970s were uncomfortable times for all investors. It couldn't be about to happen again.. could it? Read our new article which takes a lighthearted look at what happened then and the parallels with the present day.

Investors behaving badly

The emotional side of investing explored

Why are we unable to make rational decisions when it comes to investing? Read our latest article which explores the academic research underpinning the little understood field of behavioural finance.

Asset allocation - a consistent view of risk and reward

There are a number of ways to approach asset allocation, we believe the key is to clarify and commit to your strategy so all clients are advised in a consistent and effective way.

Pure asset class portfolios - two years on

Two years into the process of running our clients’ portfolios on an asset class basis, we look at the performance of the components and, more importantly, the portfolios as a whole.

An investment approach to charitable giving pays dividends

Charitable giving can be very tax efficient but is it always effective?

Many of our clients are increasingly thinking about more than just giving; they are also thinking about how to ensure that their giving creates real impact. Read how we help improve 'returns' on our clients' charitable donations.

Learning to Love Risk

Traditional thinking is that risk in investment is something to be avoided

In this article we dispel this idea and suggest that risk, far from being a bad thing, is something that investors should embrace. After all, with risk comes reward, and by avoiding some common pitfalls we believe investors can learn to love risk.

Rebalancing portfolios: science and emotion - Part 2: The Optimal Approach

Devising an asset allocation policy is one thing but maintaining it is quite another

How often should a portfolio be rebalanced back to the agreed asset allocation? We bring you the second part of our detailed investigation into this important aspect of investing.

Rebalancing portfolios: science and emotion - Part 1: Why Rebalance

Devising an asset allocation policy is one thing but maintaining it is quite another

How often should a portfolio be rebalanced back to the agreed asset allocation? Read the first part of our detailed investigation into this important aspect of investing

Budget suprises in the small print

Certain trusts will be hit by new rules announced in the budget

Read our latest article on the implications of proposed changes to taxation of trusts

Beware charging dinosaurs

We all know you get what you pay for but some pay more than others

Robert Lockie explains Bloomsbury's views on charging for advice and portfolio management

Pre Owned Assets Tax

Campbell Edgar explains the new POAT charge and what this means for UK individuals

Risky business

Carolyn Corless explains how Bloomsbury evaluates risk with its clients

Risk is the source of investment returns, otherwise capital markets wouldn't exist. But just how does one evaluate risk and uncertainty when it comes to investment? Read this article to find out.