Insights and opinions
Expert opinions on markets, trends and financial planning.
The objective of this page is to present users with objective news, information, data and guidance on personal finance topics drawn from a diverse collection of sources including affiliated and non-affiliated financial services publications. Content is not intended to provide tax, legal, insurance or investment advice and should not be construed as an offer to sell, a solicitation of an offer to buy, or a recommendation for any security or investment by any Fidelity entity or any third-party. Please note that the views expressed may no longer be current.
Financial planning in a Covid-19 environment
By Donald Manning, Retirement & Savings Development Manager for FundsNetwork
Talking with Jackie Boylan
Jackie Boylan spoke to Richard Romer-Lee of Square Mile to discuss her views on the future of the UK platform market, gender and diversity and much more.
The annual allowance charge and Scheme Pays requests
Paul Squirrell takes a step-by-step approach to calculating client’s annual allowance charges.
When the playbook stops working
Paras Anand, CIO Asset Management Asia Pacific at Fidelity, analyses the coronavirus market sell off. He assesses what happens next and outlines why the traditional playbook response from policymakers might not be quite so effective this time around.
Natural income even for growth investors – has the argument just got stronger?
Steve Hunter, Head of Business Development at Seneca Investment Managers, explores whether investing in income generating investments can make a difference for advisers and their clients ahead of any market downturn.
The geopolitics behind oil
Fidelity’s Ayesha Akbar takes a look at the impact if we see a more meaningful gain in the oil price over time.
How facial recognition tech could prompt new business opportunities
Newton Investment Management Portfolio Manager Paul Markham, considers the facial recognition debate and its potential applications.
Will a general election in the UK solve the Brexit impasse?
The UK population are returning to the polls, in a bid to resolve the Brexit impasse. Abundant uncertainties about the election result argue against significant positioning in sterling assets in either direction.
The case for free cash flow value opportunities
In an environment potentially moving towards slowdown and recession, Nick Davies of Polar Capital explains why dividends and free cash flow yields are increasingly compelling alternatives to growth.
The rise of China’s local leaders
Hyomi Jie, Portfolio Manager for the Fidelity China Consumer Fund, looks at how dynamics of China’s consumer story are changing due to tremendous growth in wealth through better paid jobs.
Why defence makes sense
Jason Borbora-Sheen and John Stopford of Investec Asset Management, look at why, even outside of periods of increased recession risk, defence strategies that emphasise drawdown management makes good sense for investors.
Active management and the predictability of markets
With passive funds becoming increasingly popular with investors, Peter Elston of Seneca Investment Managers talks about the predictability of financial markets, the basis of active management and some of the key protagonists.
Why the insurance sector is not all about meerkats and nodding dogs
Nick Martin, Fund Manager of the Polar Capital Global Insurance Fund, looks at the role insurance has provided as the bedrock of some of the world’s most successful companies − a sector often overlooked by investors due to bad experiences.
Liquidity matters
Solomon Nevins from Architas discusses the buying and selling of investments, the impact a lack of liquidity can have and how Architas strive to avoid the pitfalls of investing in illiquid assets.
How AIM could mitigate Inheritance Tax on ISAs
Sam McArthur, of Puma Investments, explains how accessing an AIM portfolio service can offer the potential growth opportunities of AIM stocks combined with the benefits of Inheritance Tax mitigation.
Why H&M is one of my High Street heroes – Newton’s Clay
Nick Clay, Lead Manager of the Newton Global Equity Income strategy, explains why he has held Hennes & Mauritz (H&M) for several years – a company whose ESG credentials are streets ahead of its peer group.
Making a difference (and a return)
John William Olsen of M&G Investments, reflects on the scale of challenges the world is facing and the need to act now to protect the future of the planet. He believes that impact investment should increasingly help drive solutions.
Retail therapy
Martin Foden, Head of Credit Research at Royal London Asset Management considers the challenges of investing in the retail sector and how to be protected if things go wrong.
Investing in US equities late in the cycle
Michael Bell, Global Market Strategist for J.P.Morgan Asset Management, explores how carefully selecting value stocks for a portfolio can be similar to managing a football team.
Demystifying the technical aspects of pensions
With incessant industry change from a regulatory, legislative and technical perspective, Paul Richards, Head of Sales, reflects on how FundsNetwork offers advisory firms comprehensive technical support.
The State Pension: two separate systems
Paul Squirrell looks at the differences between the old and new State Pensions and the options open to clients should they wish to boost their entitlement or defer their State Pension.
Making the most of an investment edge
Peter Elston, CIO at Seneca Investment Managers, reflects on the fact that investment success, very much like skill or luck games, depends on understanding your edge and profiting from it.
Modi: not out?
Ewan Thompson of Neptune Investment Management discusses the Indian growth story. Here he explains why India remains one of the most attractive long-term markets.
The lifetime allowance: the devil’s in the detail
The pension lifetime allowance (LTA) was introduced as part of ‘pension simplification’ back on A-Day in April 2006. LTA planning, however, can be far from straightforward given the constant changes made to the allowance over the years.
The perils and potential of investing in the UK stock market
George Godber and Georgina Hamilton, Fund Managers at Polar Capital, look at the over-riding emotions around investing in the UK.
Income: the engine that drives returns
John Stopford of Investec explains why he sees income like a dependable engine, able to drive returns through the ups and downs of the investment cycle.
Listed infrastructure: investing in society’s essential services
Alex Araujo of M&G explains that infrastructure holds an important place in the fabric of modern society and why the private sector will play a significant role in its restoration.
Five themes for 2019
Karen Ward of J.P. Morgan Asset Management, looks at five key themes for markets this year and reminds investors that this is not a time to be distracted by turbulence.
A look into the asset leasing sector
Mayank Markanday of Architas explains what he believes are the benefits of alternative investments. Here he reviews the aircraft leasing sub-sector.
2019 Investment outlook – European equities
Jeffrey Taylor, Invesco’s Head of European Equities, looks back at what investors had to deal with in 2018 and how pessimistic they have become. He also looks forward to 2019 and feels the outlook for domestic demand looks good.
Don’t wait for good news to buy UK equities
Alex Wright from Fidelity International explains why 2019 could turn into a surprisingly positive year for investors brave enough to buy UK equities before the good news.
We’re all going to die… wealthy?
The 2015 pension reforms changed the way you take income in retirement. But with freedom comes responsibility. You now have to work out how to make your pension last, so you don’t run out of money.
Out with the new and in with the old?
As rock-bottom interest rates draw to a close and US short-term real yields return to positive territory, Dr Niall O’Connor of Brooks Macdonald, looks at what the end of quantitative easing means for investors.
Unconstrained investing – The freedom to perform
Thomas Moore of Aberdeen Standard Investments tells us why volatility in the UK equity markets has created numerous investment opportunities and why his investment approach is ideally suited to capture these opportunities.
Nowhere to hide from volatility?
Stuart Canning of M&G Investments reflects on how 2018 has been a volatile year across regions and asset classes. As a result, absolute return funds have emerged as a likely solution.
An alternative option
Mayank Markanday of Architas explains why he believes that assets offering something different to investors could become increasingly attractive. Here he puts two different sub-asset classes under the microscope.
The Connected Farm: How AgTech is utilising data to change the future of agriculture
Jeneiv Shah, of Sarasin & Partners, looks at why investing in food and agriculture is attractive with the ‘food economy’ currently on a structural upward growth trajectory.
The lure of renewables
After years of debate over costs versus rewards, has renewable energy finally come of age? Paul Flood surveys the market landscape.
Growth & income investing in emerging markets
Julian Mayo discusses the increasing dividends that emerging market companies are offering shareholders.
How flexible is flexible?
Andrew Harman explores the pitfalls to avoid in order to stay true to your investment process.
Five points about active management
Peter Elston outlines five key points he believes are key when considering actively managed solutions.
High Yield – Bifurcation creating opportunities in the retail sector
Thomas Moore explores opportunities for bond investors, with many household names coming under scrutiny.
Infrastructure – investing for growth
Steven Kempler on how underinvestment in infrastructure affects global listed infrastructure as an asset class.
Actively allocating to an improved UK outlook
George Godber on how investors can make the most of opportunities against an improved UK outlook.
Are defensive assets a safe bet?
Bill McQuaker discusses why we’ve seen an atypical response from traditionally ‘defensive’ assets.
New technology and long-term economic growth
A look at the effect of technological change on the global economy and labour force.
Keeping the lid on risk
Thomas wells explains why volatility isn’t necessarily a very good measure of risk.
Where should investors look for opportunities in 2018?
Hugh Young of Aberdeen Standard Investments Asia, reflects on the fact that after a turbo-charged 2017, investors have become nervous of a market sell-off. But while the bull cycle is ten years old, its end is not necessarily imminent.
A guide to ‘defensification’
John Stopford and Jason Borbora of Investec Diversified Income Fund reflect on how investors can protect themselves against the risk of a market sell-off now.
The good, the bad and the ugly
Torcail Stewart of Baillie Gifford explains that in this buoyant market, the preferred vehicles tend to be Exchange Traded Index funds (ETFs), funds that seek to replicate and track the market.
How to protect cautious investors against the threats of normalisation
Sam Liddle of Church House Investment Management, explores how Floating Rate Notes provide a hedge against rising interest rates, as well as a higher return than deposit cash, with full liquidity and low volatility.
Innovative companies
Ian Mortimer of Guinness Global Innovators explains that innovative companies can maintain a competitive edge which translates into superior financial and stock performance. That’s why assessing innovation is key when assembling growth stocks.
