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FCA review to drive higher standards in growing MPS market

Daniel Nilsson, Senior Portfolio Manager at Isio Investment Management, comments on the FCA’s ongoing review of the Model Portfolio Service (MPS) market: “As the FCA's review of the Model Portfolio Service (MPS) market continues, the focus on governance, oversight, value for money and investment propositions has become increasingly important.
Posted on Monday Aug 10

The impact of the tech correction on EM allocation

AI has been the dominant driver in markets this year. For Emerging Markets, this has played out in an extraordinary demand for those stocks that produce the ‘picks and shovels’ of the AI gold rush. Memory chip manufacturers have been in the vanguard of this rally. The recent correction has been a reminder that this historically cyclical business is still sensitive to the supply/demand dynamic. So where to next?
Posted on Monday Aug 10

7 steps to protect finances from whatever the Budget holds

Budget speculation season has started after Chancellor John Healey last week announced that he will hold his inaugural Budget on 28 October 2026. AJ Bell has warned that speculation around pension tax relief and tax-free cash can force people into making expensive mistakes. Seven sure-fire steps you can take ahead of the Budget – with no regrets
Posted on Tuesday Aug 4

Pensions IHT ripple effect 22% have less trust in pensions

New research shows over a fifth (22%) of adults have less confidence in pensions due to the upcoming pensions IHT change. However, official figures show around 7% of estates are expected to be financially affected in the first year of the change. Overestimation of future IHT liabilities poses risk to retirement income: individuals in their mid-20s could lose out on £5,014 at retirement from pausing pension contributions for just one year – rising to £24,715 for a 5-year contribution break.
Posted on Tuesday Aug 4

Tax charges on pension savers surge 22%

Private pension statistics from HM Revenue & Customs last week showed that both the number of charges against the pensions annual allowance (AA) and the value of contributions in excess of the AA, reported via self-assessment (SA), increased significantly between 2023/24 and 2024/25:
Posted on Monday Aug 3

Touching records on both sides of the pond

Richard Hunter, Head of Markets at interactive investor, commented “US markets ended a rollercoaster month on a high, as investors looked through rising bond yields and persistent AI spending concerns.
Posted on Monday Aug 3

Aviva completes £300m buy-in with Elementis Group Pension

Aviva has completed a £300 million bulk purchase annuity buy-in with the Trustee of Elementis Group Pension Scheme, securing the benefits of 4,500 members. The transaction covers defined benefit liabilities and enables a subset of members to access additional voluntary contributions as a primary source of tax-free cash through Aviva’s integrated DB&C Master Trust solution.
Posted on Monday Aug 3

IHT impacting higher proportion of families

HMRC's latest Inheritance Tax liabilities statistics show that 4.72% of UK deaths resulted in an Inheritance Tax (IHT) charge in 2023/24. It marks an increase compared with 4.62% in 2022/23.
Posted on Monday Aug 3

Inheritance tax liabilities hit record ahead of IHT reforms

In 2023/24 we paid a record £7.03 billion in inheritance tax. This is up £0.33 billion (5%) in a year – partly because of frozen tax thresholds and rising asset values. 4.72% of UK deaths led to an IHT bill – up 0.10 percentage points in a year. This is the highest level since the all-time peak of 5.96% in 2006-07. There were 30,400 IHT-paying estates – a decrease of 3.6% in a year.
Posted on Thursday Jul 30

Six reasons the FTSE 100 has hit a record high

The FTSE 100 reached a new all-time high as its low technology weighting insulated it from the global semiconductor sell-off. Energy, mining, and banking heavyweights have turned higher oil prices, firm commodity markets and an elevated interest rate into relative strengths. Cheaper valuations and higher dividends are helping UK shares stand out as investors look to diversify away from concentrated technology exposure
Posted on Thursday Jul 30

Royal London secure £208m BPA transaction with Hickson Group

Transaction secures the benefits of over 1,250 members. Third largest external BPA transaction completed by Royal London to date. Demonstrates continued strength in the mid-sized bulk annuity market
Posted on Thursday Jul 30

Aviva completes £180m full buy-in with Aston Martin Lagonda

Aviva has completed a £180 million bulk purchase annuity buy-in with the Trustee of the Aston Martin Lagonda Pension Scheme, securing the benefits of around 540 pensioners and 1,050 deferred members. The Scheme is sponsored by Aston Martin, the luxury high-performance car manufacturer.
Posted on Wednesday Jul 29

Tensions flare in Middle East and AI sell off continues

Middle East tensions reignite as hopes of diplomatic breakthrough fade. Oil prices edge higher, reviving concerns about inflation and interest rates. FTSE 100 stays resilient, with energy stocks gaining ground. AI sell-off deepens as investors reassess chip valuations and competition. Fed meeting in focus with markets watching for September rate hike signals. Greggs profits rise 20% as value offering continues to tempt cash-conscious consumers.
Posted on Wednesday Jul 29

Scots could save £46k in income tax by living in England

Rathbones has warned that without reform of Scotland’s income tax regime, higher and more complex taxes will drive out high earners. Higher rates of top income tax in Scotland are driving high earners to consider commuting to well paid jobs from England, according to Rathbones Group, the largest wealth management firm in both the UK and Scotland.
Posted on Tuesday Jul 28

AI jitters hit chip stocks but FTSE 100 proves resilient

AI-powered market enthusiasm is being tested as chip stocks slide amid concerns over competition, valuations and the next phase of the AI infrastructure boom. The FTSE 100 is proving more resilient thanks to its lack of heavyweight technology exposure.
Posted on Tuesday Jul 28

HMRC collects £1.36bn from IHT probes in last five years

£247 million in Inheritance Tax (IHT) recovered by HMRC in 2024/2025 aloneAmount collected from investigations falls by £38mIHT threshold frozen at £325,000 since 2009, will remain unchanged until at least 2031
Posted on Monday Jul 27

Savers turn to gifting as an IHT fix as pension changes loom

New research from HL shows that nearly a quarter of people said they would gift their pension tax-free cash to loved ones to reduce their inheritance tax liability. Just over a fifth said they would draw an income from their pension and use allowances to gift to loved ones. The same number said they would use different assets such as ISAs to gift to loved ones to reduce the value of their estate. But a fifth said they would spend assets other than their pension to reduce the value of their estate. More than a quarter said they would access financial advice before deciding.
Posted on Monday Jul 27

Oil prices drop as France and Spain count cost of wildfires

Footsie on front foot in early trade as hopes grow that Iran talks could resume, pushing oil prices lower and easing fears of a prolonged energy shock. AstraZeneca shares rise after stronger-than-expected second quarter results. UK borrowing costs retreat slightly, but investors remain cautious as the Burnham administration faces major spending challenges. Wildfires sweeping through France and Spain threaten tourism, agriculture and public finances, while accelerating the case for climate resilience investment. Shein’s profit slump highlights growing pressure on ultra-low-cost fashion models as governments tighten rules on low-value imports.
Posted on Monday Jul 27

Mapfre to acquire the Safety Insurance Group for $1.54bn

Mapfre S.A. ("Mapfre") today announced that Mapfre U.S.A. Corporation (“Mapfre USA”) has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Safety Insurance Group, Inc. ("Safety"), a leading property and casualty insurer with a leading position in Massachusetts and a presence in a number of states throughout the Northeast.
Posted on Friday Jul 24

FTSE100 slips, energy fears and AI spending sparks caution

Oil prices surge above $97, heading towards $100 a barrel as Middle East tensions escalate, with fresh fears over disruption to key energy routes including the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea. easyJet shares rise despite a sharp profit fall, as investors focus on resilient demand, the growth of easyJet Holidays and the potential for further takeover interest. No Burnham bounce for pub operators with Wetherspoon and Mitchells & Butlers facing margin pressure from higher costs, changing consumer habits and renewed oil price concerns. Wall Street is set to open lower as Alphabet’s AI spending plans reignite debate over whether the huge investment required to power the AI revolution will deliver returns quickly enough.
Posted on Thursday Jul 23

Standard Life completes £260m buy-in with ReAssure

Standard Life has completed a £260 million bulk purchase annuity (BPA) transaction with residual risk cover with the ReAssure Staff Pension Scheme, securing the benefits of around 2,750 members.
Posted on Thursday Jul 23

Global mutual insurance hits record $1.61tn in premiums

Mutual and cooperative insurers generated a record USD 1.61 trillion in premium income in 2024 and maintained a 26.1% share of the global insurance market, according to the latest Global Mutual Market Share (MMS) report published today by the International Cooperative and Mutual Insurance Federation (ICMIF).
Posted on Wednesday Jul 22

Future beneficiaries banking on ‘essential’ inheritance

43% of people say an inheritance is essential to their financial security, but most (60%) don’t know how much they will get. 20% don’t plan to discuss their plans with their children. 13% would challenge a will if they felt it was unfair
Posted on Wednesday Jul 22

Comments on Inflation boost for the new PM

Standard Life and Schroders comment on UK CPI falling from 2.8% to 2.6% in June, providing welcome relief for households and a favourable economic boost for Andy Burnham’s new administration. However, the slowdown may be temporary with inflation at risk of increasing as a result of higher energy bills, global uncertainty, and the new government’s future spending decisions.

Posted on Wednesday Jul 22

Inflation cools but escalation in Middle East and Black Sea

UK inflation eased to 2.6% in June, helped by lower transport and fuel costs. Core inflation remained at 2.6%, highlighting persistent underlying price pressures. Services inflation eased only slightly and remains stickier than expected. Renewed conflict in the Middle East has sent Brent crude higher to around $93 a barrel, raising the risk of higher fuel and freight costs. The Bank of England is still expected to hold rates steady this month, but policymakers will be watching geopolitical risks closely. A £2 cap on bus fares is the latest reveal in the Burnham administration's cost of living package, but may end up being offset by higher energy prices.
Posted on Wednesday Jul 22