Archive for category: SmarterInsight™

Smarter Insight™ | Crypto craziness

28 May 2021/in SmarterInsight™ /by Gail Miller

SmarterInsight™ is written, as usual, by Tim Hale, an investment expert who frequently informs our investment committee.

Being programmed to suffer from FOMO (fear of missing out) humans are never lacking in enthusiasm for crazy ‘investment’ ideas – which might have been an advantage in the days of being a hunter gatherer but can be especially dangerous when it comes to investing and ‘hot’ markets. In this note Tim discusses the risks of ‘investing’ in cryptocurrencies.

We hope you find it interesting. To view the full note, please click here.

Smarter Insight™ | Cash dividends: don’t bank on them

25 Aug 2020/in SmarterInsight™ /by LochFyneFinancial

Smarter Insight^TM is written, as usual, by Tim Hale an investment expert who frequently informs our investment committee.

This time round Tim has penned a brief note on dividend distributions from shares, and the fact that lower dividends does not necessarily mean lower returns.

For further insight, and to view the full note, please click here.

Smarter Insight™ | Warren Buffett: the exception who proves the rule

13 Jul 2020/in News, SmarterInsight™ /by LochFyneFinancial

I do hope that this note finds you and yours, all well.

Warren Buffett is a person that I have spoken about in glowing terms to many clients, over the last 25 years or more.

Indeed, I like what he has to say so much, that I actually travelled across to Omaha, Nebraska, with my son Andrew in 2009, to attend, and hear him speak at his annual Berkshire Hathaway AGM. A wonderful experience!

Smarter Insight™ | Financial Guides to help individuals and those running a small business

01 May 2020/in SmarterInsight™ /by LochFyneFinancial

Given the overwhelming impact of the Coronavirus on so many aspects of life in the last couple of months, coupled with the fact that it looks like things are going to be very different for a while to come, it is no surprise that almost all of us are reflecting upon our current financial situation, and seeking to ensure that we are making good use of all the resources available to us. Read more →

Smarter Insight™ | Some thoughts on bonds Edition

14 Aug 2018/in SmarterInsight™ /by LochFyneFinancial

Smarter InsightTM is written, as usual, by Tim Hale an investment expert who frequently informs our investment committee.

Bonds are a very important part of most investors’ portfolios, providing lower absolute levels of volatility than equities, and protecting portfolio values from periods of severe equity market trauma that occur from time to time. Owners of bonds should be prepared for unexciting returns going forward as we – potentially – move to a better world of higher yields. No one knows when or how quickly this will happen, so trying to second guess the guessers is a fool’s errand. Investors would be wise to remember the old saying: ‘You don’t need bonds, until you need them!’.

For further insight, and to view the full note, please click here.

Pension Reforms-The Challenges and Opportunities

03 Jun 2015/in News, Pension Reform, SmarterInsight™, Uncategorized /by LochFyneFinancial

Pension Reforms Challenges and Opportunities

This post is part of the SmarterInsight™ series and is written, as usual, by Tim Hale an investment expert who frequently informs our investment committee.

“The goal of retirement is to live off your assets – not on them” Frank Eberhart

The Chancellor has – in the main – done us all a big favour

New pension reforms came into being on 6th April 2015. The materially greater freedoms that now exist have much appeal, yet they come with greatly increased complexity both in understanding and in execution. On balance these reforms are welcome, but the need for high quality advice has never been greater, both to minimise the risks, but also to maximise the opportunities that they provide.

The British have had a love-hate relationship with pensions for many decades. After some years in the doldrums, the cycle is on the upswing – or certainly deserves to be – largely due to recent changes made by the Chancellor; more on that later. A potted history of pensions and pension reform provide a useful context to these new changes.

Download the full pdf version

If you would like more information about pension planning advice please do not hesitate to contact a member of the Loch Fyne Financial team.

What is the value of Financial Planning from your advisor?

27 Apr 2015/in News, SmarterInsight™ /by LochFyneFinancial

This post is part of the SmarterInsight™ series and is written, as usual, by Tim Hale an investment expert who frequently informs our investment committee.

It is always tempting to judge the value of your adviser on the recent performance of your investment portfolio. That is unfair as it fails to understand the true value that a good adviser delivers (leaving aside the valuable financial planning advice that they also provide) and the fact that no manager can control the returns that the market delivers. Their true value lies not just in the robust structuring of a portfolio, but as a foil to avoid the truly dangerous combination of investor emotions and bad, yet often tempting, investment ideas. A good adviser can earn their ongoing fee several times over, simply by helping clients to have patience, fortitude and discipline in their investing.

Download the full PDF version

Budget Bulletin 2015 from Loch Fyne Financial

26 Mar 2015/in Budget, News, SmarterInsight™ /by LochFyneFinancial

SPRING BUDGET – TAX TIPS AND YEAR END PLANNING

In this Bulletin we look at the impact of the main changes on different groups of taxpayers. Inevitably the categorisation is somewhat arbitrary, so it pays to read all sections. Similarly, some tax planning points – such as those listed below in our 12 Quick Tax Tips – are universal.

Collectables: Sensible Investments or Folly?

07 Oct 2014/in News, SmarterInsight™ /by LochFyneFinancial

As part of our SmarterInsight™ series, we look at whether it is really worth investing in collectables, and how to look at this objectively. The trappings of wealth such as beautiful art, fine wine, classic cars and old watches may have an aesthetic value, but are they good investments? It is wise to look at them in an unemotional light, in short, the answer is that their superficial allure and headline grabbing returns fail to match a hard-nosed practical reality. Own them only if you enjoy them!

Please contact any of our team and we will talk to you about your specific situation.

Loch Fyne Financial Glasgow Wealth Management

Budget Bulletin from wealth management firm, Loch Fyne Financial

24 Mar 2014/in News, SmarterInsight™ /by LochFyneFinancial

In this post Loch Fyne Financial, the Glasgow based wealth management firm, share their Budget Bulletin. It includes everything you need to know about the Chancellor’s recent announcement, including the action you should consider before the end of this tax year on April 5th.

Background to the 2014 Budget

A year ago, nobody – including Mr Osborne – expected the 2014 Budget to be set against such a relatively benign economic background for the UK. In March 2013 the talk was of a triple dip recession as the country had just recorded a contraction of 0.3% in the final quarter of 2012. Read more →