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AJ Bell to host adviser seminars focusing on diversity in financial services
AJ Bell Investcentre has announced two unique Luminary 2018 seminars for advisers and paraplanners this June.
The active funds most recommended by advisers in May
The active funds most purchased by retail investors in May
AJ Bell launches Developer Hub to link in to Open Banking
AJ Bell has today become the first investment platform in the UK to launch a Developer Hub through which banks and other financial apps will be able to request to link to the AJ Bell Youinvest platform.
AJ Bell passes fund cost savings back to investors
AJ Bell has reduced the price investors pay for its Passive Balanced fund by 6% as part of a wider commitment to passing economies of scale back to investors as it grows its fund business.
Interim results for the six months ended 31 March 2018
Continued strong growth at AJ Bell boosts profits by 24% ahead of potential IPO
AJ Bell signs title partnership with ITU World Triathlon Series in Leeds
AJ Bell has signed a multi-year deal with British Triathlon to become title partner of the AJ Bell World Triathlon Leeds.
AJ Bell appoints Laura Carstensen as non-executive director
AJ Bell, one of the UK’s leading investment platforms operating in both the direct-to-consumer and advised markets, has appointed Laura Carstensen to its Board as non-executive director as it prepares to list on the London Stock Exchange.
AJ Bell launches four new income portfolios
AJ Bell has launched four new portfolios within its Managed Portfolio Service (MPS) that are targeted to provide a specific level of income. The income portfolios have been launched in response to the ongoing demand for income solutions from advisers and their clients and will be particularly relevant to income drawdown clients.
AJ Bell launches active management version of its Managed Portfolio Service
AJ Bell has launched an active management version of its Managed Portfolio Service for financial advisers. The new portfolios, which are available exclusively on the AJ Bell Investcentre platform, give advisers greater flexibility to meet differing client needs by mirroring AJ Bell’s existing passive MPS but with the new portfolios implemented via a choice of actively managed funds.
AJ Bell tops the Platforum Investor Experience Leaderboard and is voted Best Direct Platform
AJ Bell Youinvest has overtaken Hargreaves Lansdown to take the top spot in Platforum’s annual Investor Experience Leaderboard and was voted Best Direct Platform at the awards ceremony held on 13 February.
AJ Bell reduces MPS fees and bring asset allocation in house
AJ Bell has reduced the management charge on its Managed Portfolio Service (MPS) by 40%. The price cut came into effect on 1 February 2018 and sees the annual management charge reduce from 0.25% + VAT to 0.15% + VAT. The change makes the AJ Bell MPS one of the cheapest in the market for financial advisers and their clients.
AJ Bell workplace sets global standard
AJ Bell’s new head office at 4 Exchange Quay (EQ4) has been independently recognised as a high-performance workplace, ranking it as the highest rated office in Manchester.
Three “Black Swans” that could ruffle calm markets in 2018
The statistician and philosopher Nassim Nicholas Taleb gave the name “Black Swan” to an unpredictable, even highly improbable event that could have an unforeseen extreme impact, and with global financial markets enjoying a period of remarkable calm investors need to be on the look-out for possible shocks to make sure they are not caught off guard in the year ahead.
FTSE 100 dividend cover remains thin for 2018 but the yield is tempting
FTSE 100 to break new ground in 2018 and threaten the 8,000 mark
The FTSE 100 could launch a concerted attack on the 8,000 mark for the first time in 2018, according to investment platform AJ Bell
AJ Bell profits up 29% following year of strong growth
AJ Bell has seen profit before tax increase by 29% to £21.7 million for 2017 (Full Year 2016: £16.8m) as the investment platform continues its strong growth of customers and assets under administration (AUA).
Andy Bell: Five pension issues that need addressing in 2018
After a relatively quiet year for pensions in 2017, Andy Bell, chief executive of AJ Bell outlines five areas of the pension system that policymakers need to address in 2018.
Five walls of worry for investors to climb in 2018 and five slopes of hope for them to treat carefully
“The old saying ‘markets like to climb a wall of worry’ proved spot on in 2017,” comments Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell.
Five changes savers need to be aware of in 2018
“The start of a new year is always a good time to take stock of your finances but this year there are a number of specific changes coming into effect in April 2018 that people should be planning for,” comments Tom Selby, senior analyst at AJ Bell.
AJ Bell's top fund picks for 2018
2017 has been an interesting year for retail investors. With equity markets hovering around record levels many portfolios will be looking very healthy but this also raises the question of whether we are reaching the end of the bull-run and are moving into bubble territory.
Is the Trump trade a turkey?
A relentless series of new all-time highs for the main US stock market indices will be welcomed by investors in American shares and funds but it also raises questions about the outlook for 2018.
Mike Morrison receives Personal Finance Society lifetime achievement award
Pensions legend Mike Morrison has been given the prestigious lifetime achievement award at the annual Personal Finance Society awards, which took place last night (Wednesday 22 November) at the Roundhouse in Camden.
Hammond’s hamstrung budget
Budget 2017 – potential impact of rumoured changes
Professional financial advice outweighs Pension Wise 3:1
As the Work and Pensions Committee today continues its probe into the pension freedoms and how to engage the public with pension planning, new research suggests UK consumers entering income drawdown are three times more likely to seek professional financial advice than they are to use the Government’s free Pension Wise service.
Budget giveaways and money savers - Hammond’s fiscal high-wire act
AJ Bell appoints Kevin Doran as chief investment officer
Kevin Doran has been appointed chief investment officer and managing director of AJ Bell Investments with immediate effect.
New research suggests over 8 million UK consumers don’t understand pension freedom death benefits
AJ Bell calls for provider discretion on death benefits to be abolished
Nearly half of those using pension freedoms are worried about running out of money
Engagement gap could be leading to poor decisions.
Pension Annual Allowance most likely target in the Budget
AJ Bell believes a cut to the pension Annual Allowance is the most likely outcome in the Budget, rather than more radical reform of the pension tax relief rules.
FCA should consider protections for workplace savers - Retirement Outcomes review
AJ Bell appoints Simon Molica as fund manager
AJ Bell has further strengthened its investment team with the appointment of Simon Molica as fund manager with immediate effect.
AJ Bell launches first ever customer voted fund awards
AJ Bell has launched the first Fund and Investment Trust (FIT) awards where the winners are voted for by users of its platform, both customers and financial advisers.
FCA acknowledges failings of point of sale disclosure regime
FTSE 100 dividend cover is thin and concentration of pay-outs is high
AJ Bell to take on 6,000 customers from the Scottish Investment Trust Savings Scheme
AJ Bell has been selected by Scottish Investment Trust to take over the running of 6,750 ISA and Dealing Accounts from its Savings Scheme on behalf of 6,000 investors.
Neil Woodford, Mark Barnett, Edward Bonham Carter and Andy Bell all take to the stage at AJ Bell's Investival 2017
Leading investment platform provider AJ Bell has announced the date and speaker line up for its Investival 2017 event.
AJ Bell appoints Peter Hopkins - the architect of pension simplification
AJ Bell has appointed Peter Hopkins to the role of Technical Director, with responsibility for overseeing the platforms’ technical support for financial advisers and its involvement in industry consultations.
AJ Bell appoints Gary Dale as Sales Director
AJ Bell has appointed Gary Dale as Sales Director of its adviser platform, AJ Bell Investcentre.
Majority of advisers reject DB pension transfer assumptions
The vast majority of financial advisers say they disagree with the current Transfer Value Analysis (TVAS) assumptions used to assess Defined Benefit (DB) to Defined Contribution (DC) pension transfers, as the regulator prepares to launch a major review of its rules.
HMRC should allow refunds of pension contributions that exceed the annual allowance
Ambiguity around the level of the Money Purchase Annual Allowance (MPAA) means HMRC should make the rules regarding refunding pension contributions more flexible, according to AJ Bell.
How the major political parties stack up for people’s personal finances
As voters prepare to head to the polls, Tom Selby, senior analyst at AJ Bell looks at the key Conservative and Labour manifesto pledges on personal finance issues, as well as the major policy initiatives that went unmentioned.
AJ Bell announces record business growth, with profit up 27%
New business inflows at AJ Bell grew 68% to £3.6bn during the first six months of its financial year (1 Oct 2016 – 31 March 2017) up from £2.1bn in the prior year.
AJ Bell launches online Due Diligence Hub for advisers
AJ Bell has launched an online Due Diligence Hub that outlines the key areas advisers should focus on when selecting the right investment platform for their clients’ needs.
Three reasons why investors need to be careful about the Trump tax plan
Stock markets are bubbling up again, with America’s NASDAQ, the UK’s FTSE 250 and Germany’s DAX all setting new record highs this week. Hopes for some details this week on President Trump’s long-awaited tax cuts are one reason why.
Three sectors to consider if sterling stays strong
The most startling market reaction to Theresa May’s decision to call a General Election is sterling’s rally to around $1.28 and movements in the currency markets may well shape short-term market movements in the run-up to 8 June.
Stocks to consider if the market totally loses its nerve around the General Election
AJ Bell launches new capital gains tax tool
AJ Bell has launched a new capital gains tax (CGT) tool to help advisers monitor and manage clients’ CGT liabilities.
Thousands of people haven’t reclaimed overpaid pension freedoms tax
Five ways to test if the FTSE 100 is keeping (or losing) its fizz
“The FTSE 100 is trading only marginally below its March all-time high of 7,430 and volatility is still very subdued,” comments Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell.
Woodford Income Focus fund powers into AJ Bell’s top ten most purchased
The Fundsmith Equity fund was the most purchased fund via the AJ Bell Youinvest platform during Q1 2017 but the new Woodford Income Focus fund entered the top ten at number two, despite the offer period only opening on 20 March 2017.
AJ Bell launches ‘Favourite Funds’ list and fund selection tool
AJ Bell has launched a 72 strong Favourite Funds list and an online filtering tool to help DIY investors find the right funds for their portfolio.
Government should allow adviser charging via Lifetime ISAs
AJ Bell is calling for the Government to allow adviser charging to be facilitated via Lifetime ISAs as new research suggests this would encourage take up of the product amongst advised clients.
£10,000 still up for grabs from the Government before tax year end
There is only one week to go until the end of the tax year but it is not too late for investors to make use of six variations of pensions and ISAs that could net them almost £10,000 from the Government.
Three trends that will help determine the direction of the oil price
Four issues explain why two big shareholders oppose the Tesco-Booker deal
It is two months since Tesco and Booker announced their merger and the combination of a subsequent 9% slide in Tesco shares (taking them back to where they started before the deal became public) and opposition from two key shareholders is raising the question of whether the transaction is a good one for shareholders or not.
AJ Bell to launch low-cost multi-asset funds designed to control risk
Article 50 green light raises fresh questions over state pension benefits
The Lifetime ISA – how long will it take to save for a house purchase and does it work for retirement?
Seven lesser known tax-year-end financial tips
With tax year end just around with corner, Tom Selby, senior analyst at AJ Bell, looks at some tips that people might be less familiar with.
Impact of the dividend allowance cut for retail investors
What investors are buying this ISA season
We've analysed the top selling investments via AJ Bell Youinvest (www.youinvest.co.uk)
Six things to look out for in next week's Budget statement
With one week to go until the Chancellor’s final spring Budget statement, Tom Selby, senior analyst at AJ Bell, considers six personal finance issues to keep an eye out for.
FTSE 100 sleepwalks its way through January and February (though this has usually been a good sign)
For all of the noise generated by the FTSE 100’s record-breaking run that began 2017, the UK’s headline index is up by just 1.6% so far this year amid remarkably placid trading and while such a sleepy start to the year has many market-watchers on edge, history suggests it is normally a good rather than bad sign.
AJ Bell's response to the money purchase annual allowance consultation
View AJ Bell's response to the HM Treasury consultation on reducing the money purchase annual allowance (MPAA), which closed on 15 February 2017.
Fund picks to protect against rising inflation
Pension freedom customers face shock tax bills under Government plans
Unsuspecting savers that have taken advantage of the pension freedoms risk being hit by surprise tax bills under reforms set to be introduced by the Government in April
Three pitfalls first time buyers need to know about the Lifetime ISA
Millions of potential first time buyers will be considering taking out a Lifetime ISA (LISA) to build a deposit for their first home when it launches in less than two months’ time.
1% cap on early exit penalties will unshackle £10 billion of pension investments
Over £20bn of pension money locked in expensive, outdated products could be set free when a 1% cap on early exit penalties comes into force in April, new analysis suggests.
The next US interest rate hike could be a testing time for the stock market
New analysis shows the US Federal Reserve needs to tread very carefully when implementing the next interest rate hike if it wants to avoid unsettling a buoyant stock market.
Record high for SOX index is a positive sign for global markets
“It may not be a household name but the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index (known as the SOX) exerts a strong pull on stock markets around the world,” comments Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell.
The week ahead – Paddy Power Betfair, Unilever and Sky
Reporting season continues at pace, so below are some of the key points to keep an eye out for in the trading updates from Paddy Power Betfair, Unilever and Sky, from Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell.
What might Trump’s inauguration mean for stock markets?
“Markets need to be careful what they wish for if they see Trump as the new Ronald Reagan, at least in 2017,” explains Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell.
Pearson’s dividend to be cut as publisher’s problems look structural rather than cyclical
“Yet another profit warning from Pearson is hammering the share price today, down by more than a fifth at the opening, as the education publisher reveals more problems in the USA and admits it will have to cut its dividend in 2017,” says Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell.
Lifetime ISA in high demand as it receives Royal Assent
Savers are set to flock to the new Lifetime ISA, new research suggests, but a significant number remain blind to the risk of an exit charge slashing the value of their fund by thousands of pounds.
FSCS budget highlights the need for a Permitted Investments list for SIPPs
The £36m supplementary levy from the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) to fund SIPP related claims this year highlights the urgent need for a Permitted Investments list to be re-instated in the SIPP market.
The week ahead – inflation, British Land and EU interest rates
Tomorrow we will see whether the weak pound continued to stoke UK inflation during December and later in the week we get the latest decision on interest rates from the European Central Bank. Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell, looks at some of the key points to keep an eye out for.
The leaders and laggards in the FTSE 100’s winning streak
The FTSE 100 ended last week above the 7,300 mark for the first time, having set a record 14 straight daily gains and 12 new all-time highs.
US corporate reporting season begins just as the ‘Trump trade’ encounters first difficult questions
Pension charges comparison regime ‘not fit for purpose’
The current regime for comparing pension and investment product charges is not fit for purpose and must be radically simplified, platform provider AJ Bell says.
Next starts reporting season with a seasonal stink bomb
Brexit and Trump drive record trading volumes in 2016
AJ Bell saw record trading volumes on its www.youinvest.co.uk platform during 2016, with the number of trades carried out since the EU referendum in June being 55% higher than the same period in 2015.
The Fed finally moves on US interest rates but will it stick to the 'dot' plot
Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell, comments on the Fed’s decision to raise US interest rates.
FTSE 100 dividend cover looks thin for 2017
AJ Bell’s latest Dividend Dashboard report shows that dividends paid by firms in the FTSE 100 are forecast to increase to £78.4 billion in 2017, but that dividend cover still looks worryingly thin at 1.46.
FTSE 100 to set a new all-time high in 2017, ending the year at 7,340
AJ Bell 2017 outlook – platforms, pensions and investment themes
As an eventful 2016 draws to a close, AJ Bell’s experts outline what they believe will be some of the key talking points of 2017 in the worlds of platforms, pensions and investments.
Five takeover targets for 2017
The week ahead – inflation and interest rates
This week we have a number of important economic indicators both here and in the US. Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell, looks at some of the key points to keep an eye out for.
Six further measures to tackle pension scams
The Government’s proposed ban on pensions cold-calling will deter scammers but must be just the start of a concerted effort to drive fraudsters out of the market, AJ Bell says.
European Central Bank embarks upon its own taper caper
Investors sp-oiled for choice if they believe crude’s price gains can be sustained
“OPEC’s first production cut in eight years, talk of non-OPEC members also applying some output discipline and a second consecutive drop in US weekly oil inventories are taking oil above $50 a barrel,” says Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell.
Four oil trends underpinning OPEC deliberations
Pensions cold-calling ban - how AJ Bell played its part in protecting savers
We are delighted by the Government’s recent decision to protect savers by banning pensions cold-calling as part of a wider crackdown on retirement scams.
AJ Bell react to the Autumn Statement 2016
Andy Bell and AJ Bell's experts comment on the Autumn Statement.
Autumn Statement checklist
With one week to go until Chancellor Philip Hammond’s first Autumn Statement, AJ Bell’s experts consider the major announcements savers and investors should look out for next Wednesday:
Government inflation shift could bloat public sector pensions bill
The Government’s public sector annual pensions costs could rocket by hundreds of millions of pounds if it switches to the Office for National Statistics’ preferred inflation measure, AJ Bell analysis shows.
The stocks and funds that could prosper under President Trump
Stockmarkets have traditionally reacted badly when a Republican replaces a Democrat as president with an average fall in the Dow Jones of 8.8% in the first year of office (see table 1 below). However, Donald Trump is not likely to be a traditional president and there could be a number of UK based firms and funds that stand to benefit over the longer term in the infrastructure, defence and pharmaceuticals sectors.
Trading volumes three times higher than normal following shock US election result
Trading activity is three times higher than normal at investment platform AJ Bell Youinvest this morning as retail investors react to the shock victory of Donald Trump in the US presidential election.
Contested US election? Three charts that show what could happen to markets.
The FBI’s decision not to investigate Hillary Clinton is reviving claims from Donald Trump that the election is fixed and raises the prospect of him contesting the result, something he hinted at in the TV debates. If the US election does go to the courts, dollars, real ‘stuff’ and bonds may be worthy bolt-holes for investors based on past experience.