ANALYSIS: Time for active funds to adapt or die
The active funds industry must shrink, cut prices, better-align itself with investors and differentiate if it wants to compete against a passive onslaught, according to a report by Morningstar.
Analysis
-
-
ANALYSIS: The Bank of England’s inflation conundrum
Hot on the heels of the US, the UK has reported weaker than expected inflation data and like its opposite number on the other side of the pond, the Bank of England is now faced with a quandary over rate rises.
-
Property back in the black, but have lessons been learnt?
Some 12 months on from the carnage open-ended property funds experienced in the wake of the Brexit vote, investors seem to be returning to the sector once more.
-
UK pension transfer changes – what are the risks for advisers?
The FCA has proposed overhauling the rules for advising on DB to DC pension transfers. Rob Morris, partner at RPC, looks at the risks these changes create for financial advisers and their insurers.
-
Offshore bond top-slicing – the devil is in the detail
Advisers and clients could be caught unaware by a little-known change to offshore bond top-slicing, warns Rachael Griffin, financial planning expert at Old Mutual Wealth.
-
Analysis: Are performance fees a fair deal?
Performance fees are often seen as a necessary evil. But the unambitious hurdle rates most funds employ mean fund managers also get rewarded for underwhelming performance. Is that fair?
-
ANALYSIS: Will wealth managers avoid scrutiny on charges?
Has the FCA asset management review missed a trick by not expanding its demands for transparency to wealth management?
-
ANALYSIS: Is it the right time to be piling into bonds?
Portfolio advisers have been looking at equity market valuations rather nervously for some time, tilting towards less risky assets, taking profits and holding more cash.
-
ANALYSIS: In the world of ESG how easy is it being green?
With melting ice caps and dwindling fossil fuel reserves, it’s easy to see why some £87bn (€99bn, $112bn) of assets have been funnelled into ethical and sustainable funds – but how wary should investors be when opting to put money into these strategies?
-
ANALYSIS: Income investors on alert as dividend cover plummets
UK income investors are on high alert after research revealed that dividend cover for companies listed in the FTSE 350 has fallen 18% in the past year, hitting its lowest level for seven years.
-
Top planning opportunities two years on from pension freedoms
There are exciting new market opportunities for the taking, two years after the UK pension freedoms were introduced that raised customer awareness of the need for pension planning, says Matt Ward, communications director at AKG Financial Analytics
-
ANALYSIS: Time for Carney to change the rate record
It turns out Mark Carney is a man for turning after all, and it’s about time the bank governor realised the time has come to change tack with the UK economy.