Advice on cash surges nearly 50 per cent in three years
Two thirds (66 per cent) of UK independent financial advisers and wealth managers are now advising on cash – a 47 per cent increase on the number that advised on cash only three years ago, according to new industry research by Flagstone.
The UK’s InvestEngine hits GBP500m milestone as demand for ETF investing continues to grow
ETF investment platform InvestEngine has announced it has passed GBP500 million in assets under management (AUM), a 70 per cent increase in assets in the past four months, with the firm writing that this comes as the company’s growth trajectory reaches new heights.
Hargreaves Lansdown launches four ready-made index portfolio funds
The UK’s HL has announced that it is launching four new multi-asset index portfolio funds in response to the rise in index investing.
Wealth managers uncertain over inflation path for this year
Rising inflation has become a significant headwind since the latter part of 2021, it would appear that the peak of the price rises has been reached as they have fallen by a considerable margin over the past year, and if this trend continues for this year it will have an effect on portfolios and investors.
Major awareness gap revealed as research finds only a third of UK retail investors have heard of responsible investing or ESG: AXA IM
Only a third of UK investors have heard the term ‘responsible investing’ or ‘ESG’, according to research by AXA IM Select.
Can we embrace modern portfolio construction with ETFs?
Julia Khandoshko, CEO at the European broker Mind Money writes thatin recent years, interest in ETFs has been at the highest level ever. According to statistics, inflows to active US ETFs exceeded previous records in both monthly and quarterly terms, above USD750 billion. Investors infused USD65.6 billion in active ETFs in the three months to the end of March—more than 50 percent higher than the previous record of USD41 billion in the fourth quarter of 2023.
Confidence in base rate hold declines among UK bank savings professionals and financial advisers: Flagstone
New data published by Flagstone shows that the proportion of financial advisers and savings professionals at UK banks who believe the base rate will continue to hold at 5.25 per cent has fallen significantly in the last six weeks.
Level acquires Tower Street Finance
Level, a UK-based and FCA regulated lender within the family and private client law sectors, writes that it is targeting growth in the probate lending sector with the acquisition of Tower Street Finance. Level has also secured new investment from Kendal Capital and additional funding from Correlation Risk Partners to support its growth plans. The announcement comes as Level sees demand for loans to pay family law legal fees and advances on settlements increase as the cost-of-living crisis hits individuals and families.
Legal & General completes GBP16 million buy-in with John Graham (Dromore) Limited Pension and Life Assurance Scheme
Legal & General Assurance Society has announced that it has completed a GBP16 million buy-in with the John Graham (Dromore) Limited Pension and Life Assurance Scheme (“the Scheme”), securing the benefits of 172 retirees and deferred members.