Hannah joined AJ Bell in 2025 as an investment writer. She was previously a journalist at Portfolio Adviser Magazine, reporting on multi-asset, fixed income and equity funds, as well as macroeconomic impacts and regulatory changes within the industry.
Hannah earned a degree in journalism from the University of Texas at Austin before beginning her career in London. Before joining the finance industry, she covered state politics in Texas and worked as a sports reporter.
14 August 2025
Is dividend tax taking a toll on your gains?The number of people that will pay tax on their dividends across all income brackets has doubled over the past four tax years as the dividend allowance shrinks.
While the allowance used to be £2,000, it has now fallen to just £500, with the rest categorised as income. Now, 3.7 million people are paying tax on their dividends, and it’s not just...
7 August 2025
FTSE hits a new high: how to invest in the UK stock marketThis summer, the UK has been enjoying its time in the sun. Not just through good weather but also for the stock market, which reached an end of day high on 24 July and an intraday high on the 31st. Some investors may be considering how to get a piece of the pie.
Adding to the appeal of the home market is a weakened US dollar, creating currency risk...
5 August 2025
Is it the right time to climb on the property ladder?Rising home prices coupled with high mortgage rates have made buying a home increasingly out of reach for many in recent years. But a loosening of mortgage regulations, falling interest rates, and a drop in house prices could mean that a more achievable path to homeownership is opening.
According to July’s property market data from Rightmove, the...
30 July 2025
Do you need more in your portfolio than shares and bonds?There is a growing debate as to whether the traditional 60% shares and 40% bonds strategy is outdated. There is a suggestion that gold, property and private equity also deserve a place in an investors’ portfolio, to provide more balance.
A key reason why investment experts are reappraising portfolio construction is the failure for bonds to behave...
24 July 2025
Three bits of news that might affect your wealthThere has been a flurry of information this week about spending, saving and managing your money.
In a double whammy, one government review highlighted that many Brits are not saving enough into their private pensions, and a second review revealed the rising cost of the state pension.
We had the news that certain people might have to wait until...
17 July 2025
Different ways to generate an income in retirementInvestments can be someone’s main source of income once they retire, swapping a salary for dividends to pay the bills. This reliance on a pension emphasises the importance of having a good spread of income-generating investments.
There’s lots to choose from, and your selection will depend on your risk appetite and time horizon, among other factors...
17 July 2025
Want to improve your investing skills? Don’t make these three common mistakesGetting ahead with investing isn’t simply down to picking the best stocks, funds or bonds. It’s also about not falling into various traps that catch out individuals time and time again.
Here are three mistakes that all kinds of investors make. If you’re aware of them, and understand why they should be avoided, it can help to keep you on the right...
17 July 2025
Fancy cutting £500 off your council tax bill and investing it instead?If you feel that your council tax is too high for where you live, you might be right.
Council tax is projected to cost households an average of £1,740 for the 2025-2026, according to the Office for Budget Responsibility, an increase of 6.1% from last year.
But you may be able to reduce your council tax bill by proving that your residence is in the...
8 July 2025
The link between economic growth and stock market performanceIf a country’s economic growth slows down or speeds up, many assume that its stock market will mirror that performance. There is a close relationship between the two, yet it is not as simple as saying the rate of GDP will be the precise amount you will make from a fund tracking a particular country’s stock market.
Investor expectations drive...
3 July 2025
Can you afford to take time off work?Taking an extended break from work has become increasingly popular in the past few years, whether as a solution for burnout, the chance to make a career shift, or simply to take some time to explore.
But if you’re taking leave from work, it usually means giving up, at least temporarily, the salary that comes with it. This can mean a big hit to your...
