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Fixed income in focus as investors eye future IHT changes

Bond markets offering income levels not seen for a decade as yields reset after years of rising rates. Risk-adjusted returns from fixed income have strengthened, creating a rare window of opportunity for longer-term investors. Next year’s IHT changes are reshaping wealth planning, particularly how investors balance capital versus income when passing on assets. Tax year end is prompting investors to secure current yield levels.
Posted on Wednesday Mar 25

FCA to help people with simplified advice plans

More people could access financial advice, under proposals set out by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). The FCA is consulting on how to make it easier for firms to give more simplified forms of individualised financial advice to consumers.
Posted on Wednesday Mar 25

Februarys inflation snapshot shows the calm before the storm

The Consumer Prices Index rose by 3.0% in the 12 months to February 2026, unchanged from the 12 months to January. Clothing made the largest upward contribution to the monthly change, while motor fuels made the largest, offsetting, downward contribution. Core CPI (CPI excluding energy, food, alcohol and tobacco) rose by 3.2% in the 12 months to February 2026, up from 3.1% in the 12 months to January. Oil and gas prices remain highly elevated despite President Trump’s claims of progress in negotiations and a partial reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
Posted on Wednesday Mar 25

Inflation holds steady but figures pre-date Iran conflict

Standard Life and IG comment as CPI holds at 3% for February, broadly in line with expectations. However, conflict-related rising energy and cost pressures are expected to push inflation higher in the months ahead
Posted on Wednesday Mar 25

1 year to go to Pensions IHT change but 9 in 10 in the dark

Standard Life modelling shows that if the nil-rate band had risen in line with inflation since the beginning of its freeze, it would now be around £200,000 higher than its current level. 9 in 10 (89%) UK adults have little or no awareness of the upcoming inheritance tax (IHT) pension changes. Just one in seven Gen X understand how IHT works, despite being the generation most likely to currently be dealing with inheritance issues. 30% of UK adults think their estate will exceed the IHT threshold
Posted on Tuesday Mar 24

M&G completes £140m Bulk Purchase Annuity for Panasonic

M&G plc (“M&G”) today announces a £140 million bulk purchase annuity (BPA), securing the pension benefits of around 650 members of the Panasonic UK Pension Plan for Panasonic Europe, which through its subsidiaries is a leading supplier of consumer and business-related electronics products.
Posted on Tuesday Mar 24

Stocks whipsaw and oil pares on Iran resolution hopes

Stock markets initially rallied as President Trump delays targeting Iran’s power supply in favour of truce talks. Iran denied talks have begun, causing whipsaw in markets. Brent initially fell below $100, but has subsequently risen – though at lower level than the beginning of the week. Gilt yields started Monday at GFC highs, but fell through the day – lower UK inflation due tomorrow expected to dampen yields further
Posted on Tuesday Mar 24

Fixed income an opportunity in a mispriced cycle

Elevated oil prices and rising inflation expectations from the Middle East conflict instinctively invite a parallel with 2022, when a supply shock met excess fiscal stimulus, causing breakevens to surge and developed market central banks to tighten aggressively.
Posted on Monday Mar 23

Canada Life completes buyin with Phoenix Medical Supplies

Canada Life has secured the future benefits for more than 145 pensioners and 80 deferred members of the Phoenix Medical Supplies Pension Scheme by delivering a £30 million full-scheme buy-in transaction.

Posted on Monday Mar 23

Focus on resilience as Iran war enters fourth week

FTSE 100 opens down. Spotlight on Wednesday’s UK inflation figures. US stock futures fall. Year to date performance leaders include energy and semiconductors. Brent Crude see-saws as Trump ups pressure to re-open strait
Posted on Monday Mar 23

IHT record £7.7bn in February now exceeds last year by £132m

Just Group and Utmost comment on this morning’s HMRC update shows that Inheritance Tax (IHT) receipts totalled £7.7 billion through the first eleven months of the 2025/26 financial year (April 2025 to February 2026), an increase of £132 million compared to the same period in 2024/25 (£7.6 billion).
Posted on Friday Mar 20

Energy prices retreat slightly but economies count the cost

Brent crude and natural gas prices have retreated from Thursday’s scorching highs but remain highly elevated. Caution is set to dominate sentiment at the end of the week.UK public borrowing figures highlight the government's tricky position and the limited fiscal support available. The US is considering lifting sanctions on Iranian oil in a bid to keep a lid on prices.
Posted on Friday Mar 20

Comments as BoE holds rates as stagflation clouds gather

Hargreaves Lansdown, Schroders, XPS Group, Standard Life and Hymans Robertson comment as Bank of England holds rates at 3.75% as policymakers adopt a cautious stance. Rising energy prices linked to Middle East conflict set to add inflationary pressure, complicating the path to rate cuts. Outlook remains uncertain, with some now warning a rate hike could still be possible later this year.

Posted on Thursday Mar 19

Research shows 1 in 3 do not know enough about investing

New research from Aviva reveals that more than half of Brits (55%) have no investments and a third of those who do not invest (33%) say it’s because they don’t know enough about investing.
Posted on Thursday Mar 19

Central Banks walk a tightrope as tough rate decisions loom

Ahead of this week’s key rate decisions from the Federal Reserve, Bank of England and European Central Bank, Ajith Nair, CIO of Isio Investment Management, highlights a common thread emerging across global markets. Policymakers are being forced into an increasingly delicate balancing act between lingering inflation risks, renewed energy market volatility, and signs of slowing economic momentum.
Posted on Wednesday Mar 18

Stocks in the green all eyes to the Fed and inflation

Oil has edged down as Iraq agrees to new export route. Stocks have rallied on the news, though pressure and volatility remains. US and UK futures continue positive momentum, with markets forecast to open up. Macro news will dominate the session, with the Federal Reserve expected to hold rates today. The Fed will also share its Outlook-at-Risk report. US PPI, an inflation measure, is also expected at 1.30pm UK time. NVIDIA prepares to re-enter the Chinese market
Posted on Wednesday Mar 18

Headline fee reductions do not tell the full story

LCP’s latest Investment Management Fees Survey, covering 53 asset classes and data from over 50 institutional investment managers worldwide, reveals that while headline fee rates continue to fall across most core asset classes, overall costs are often rising due to higher additional expenses.
Posted on Tuesday Mar 17

Pessimism sets in despite Trumps bullish stance on Iran war

President Trump claims the war with Iran will be ‘wrapped up very soon’, but concerns remain high that this will be a longer and more protracted conflict. Brent crude prices stay volatile, climbing higher to hover around $103 after Monday’s losses. NATO members push back on requests to help secure the Strait of Hormuz. The airline industry is left reeling from fresh attacks on the UAE, with British Airways cancelling Dubai flights until the end of May. The flight disruption will have a knock-on effect on the conference and hotel industry across the Middle East.
Posted on Tuesday Mar 17

BoE to stand firm as geopolitics rewrites rate path

With oil-driven inflation volatility, both BoE and Fed likely to prioritise credibility over speed, says Rathbones’ John Wyn Evans, Head of Market Analysis. Scars from Russia-Ukraine war will inform both central bank and investor mindsets as Middle East conflict continues
Posted on Monday Mar 16

IHT tax reforms drive demand for gifting with control

Rising inheritance tax exposure is prompting families to gift earlier but with safeguards over how wealth is used. Trust usage is rising fast with 121,000 registered in 2024/5, taking the total number to 835,000. Intergenerational strategies becoming an increasingly central component of financial advice and wealth planning
Posted on Monday Mar 16

Mixed start for stocks as central banks gauge oil prices

FTSE 100 edges up. Asian stocks fall despite positive surprises in China. Brent Crude at $104 per barrel. Fed, BoE, ECB, BoJ to set rates this week. Gold falls below $5,000 per ounce. US stock futures rise. NVIDIA GTC kicks off as tech investors assess what’s next for AI
Posted on Monday Mar 16

UK growth flatlines, US markets stumble, Oil stays elevated

UK economy flatlines in January, UK stocks open lower. US markets stumble as investors begin to price in a prolonged conflict. Energy markets see a rare moment of calm, but no sign of easing. Gold on track for back-to-back weekly losses
Posted on Friday Mar 13

BoE faces tough decision as spectre of stagflation looms

Bank of England faces tough decision on interest rates when it meets next Thursday (19 March). MPC members voted 5-4 to hold at the last meeting, with four members voting for a cut to interest rates. The Bank’s playbook is being re-written as the war in Iran impacts global energy prices. Airfares and fuel prices are already surging. Just weeks ago markets had been expecting at least two cuts in 2026 – now they’re eyeing a potential hike
Posted on Thursday Mar 12

Middle East dominates the narrative for investors

FTSE 100 opens down as oil price climbs back to $100. Buyer demand for UK houses dries up in February. Tech stocks hold their own – Uber partners with Amazon’s Robotaxi start up. Stable US CPI inflation offers markets a ray of light
Posted on Thursday Mar 12

Three financial planning tips for mums

As families across the UK celebrate Mother’s Day this Sunday, it is important to reflect not only on the essential role mothers play within their households and communities, but also be aware of the sacrifices they make and the financial disadvantages many can face in later life as a result.
Posted on Wednesday Mar 11