Statutory minimum auto-enrolment pension increases: April 2019
Mandatory minimum contribution increases took place on 6 April 2018 and a further rise will take place on 6 April 2019.
Equitable Life to transfer to Reliance Life
The board of Equitable Life has recently agreed to transfer its business, and all of its policies, to Reliance Life, a specialist European life assurance group responsible for approximately £24bn of assets for its policyholders.
Pension contributions and sick pay
NW Brown often gets asked what happens to pension contributions when an employee is in receipt of statutory sick pay (SSP).
Stocks in Focus: Franklin UK Mid Cap Fund
This week Harry Scargill of NW Brown looks at Franklin UK Mid Cap Fund, a fund which focuses on investing in what the managers believe to be the best investment opportunities in the FTSE 250 index.
Financial planning for school fees
Several studies have found that over the past couple of decades, private school fees rose more than twice as fast as consumer prices or average salaries.
Points of View: UK market review
This week Jason Butler of NW Brown takes a look back over the period since 1 January and considers the relative attractions of the UK market.
Stocks in Focus: Aberforth Smaller Companies Trust Plc
This week Danielle Gibson of NW Brown looks at Aberforth Smaller Companies, a UK-focused investment trust that invests predominantly in smaller quoted companies.
Cambridge Index jumps 2.3%
The Cambridge Index advanced 2.3% or 652.4 points to settle at 29,431.5, as eight of the top ten Index heavyweights posted weekly gains to their share prices.
Cambridge Index adds 0.8%
The Cambridge Index rose 0.8% or 231.6 points to settle at 28,779.1, as heavyweights such as Johnson Matthey and AVEVA Group posted weekly gains to their share prices.
NW Brown offers advice on pensions and inheritance tax
Since 6 April 2015, it has been possible to pass on retirement savings to your loved ones without an Inheritance Tax charge.
Point of View: US/China trade
This week saw a step back from the brink of a US/China trade war.
Ten steps to improve your finances
Now we are beginning a new tax year, why not treat this as an opportunity to improve your financial situation? NW Brown suggests ten ways to help you get your affairs in order.
University Superannuation Scheme - what has happened?
Paul Fox of NW Brown provides some guidance to the issues around the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS), a brief explanation of the scheme, and the causes of contention.
Cambridge Index surges 2.6%
The Cambridge Index advanced 2.6% or 692.4 points to settle at 27,578.3, as heavyweights such as Johnson Matthey, DS Smith and AVEVA Group posted weekly gains to their share prices.
Stocks in Focus: J Sainsbury Plc
This week Laura Davies of NW Brown looks at Sainsbury’s, which recently agreed terms with Walmart to merge with its subsidiary Asda.
Points of View: Schroder Asia Pacific
This week Harry Scargill of NW Brown looks at Schroder Asia Pacific, an investment trust which invests in equities listed in the Asia Pacific region excluding Japan.
Cambridge Index jumps 3.9%
The Cambridge Index advanced 3.9% or 952.5 points to settle at 25,688.1, as seven of the top ten Index heavyweights posted weekly gains to their share prices.
Points of View: US/China trade April 2018
This week Jason Butler of NW Brown focuses on the escalating trade fight between the US and China.
Cambridge Index jumps 2.4%
The Cambridge Index rose 573.5 points or 2.4% to close at 24,735.7, as nine of the top ten Index heavyweights posted weekly gains to their share prices.
March 2018 Market Review
This edition of the NW Brown Market Review considers the key drivers of recent market weakness before reviewing outlook and strategy.
Stocks in Focus: Unilever Plc
This week Trina Yates of NW Brown focuses on Unilever.
Lifetime ISAs explained
Similar to its predecessor, the Help to Buy ISA, the LISA is intended to encourage those below the age of 40 to save, with incentives provided if the savings are used in a particular way. NW Brown gives the details.
Cambridge Index eases 2.3%
The Cambridge index dropped 562.2 points or 2.3% to close at 24,320.7, as the top six index heavyweights posted weekly losses to their share prices.
Stocks in Focus: Marks & Spencer
This week Neil Trickett of NW Brown looks at Marks & Spencer.
Check out this end of tax year checklist
As 5th April approaches, NW Brown offers a brief guide to the allowances and exemptions you could potentially take advantage of for the 2017/18 tax year.