Deck Chair Shuffle

Governments come and Governments go. One promises what the other doesn't and is convinced they can fix what the last lot got wrong. In recent years, it has sometimes felt like we've changed Prime Ministers almost as often as the weather.

Focus on the bigger picture

The headlines can make it feel as though every political change should trigger a financial decision. Politics affects our daily lives. Taxation, inflation and interest rates all matter. But when it comes to pensions and investments, the bigger picture is often global rather than local.

Many of the companies within UK investment portfolios generate revenues across the world, so international events, economic growth and changing industries often have a greater influence on long-term returns than whichever party is in power. That's why reacting to headlines is rarely a successful investment strategy.

Keep your investments working

At Beacon, we believe investments should be actively managed, not left on autopilot. Markets change and economies evolve, which is why our in-house investment team continually reviews changing conditions and adjusts client portfolios with long-term goals in mind. We cannot control elections or world events, but we can help ensure your investments remain aligned with your objectives and appetite for risk.

Over the last 17 years, our five most popular risk-rated portfolios have consistently outperformed their industry benchmarks. It’s worth asking whether your financial adviser has an in-house investment team with discretionary permissions. If they don't, it's a fair question to ask why.  

Make your money work harder

The size of your pensions and investments will help decide when you can retire and the quality of life you enjoy when you get there. I still meet people holding significant amounts in cash, waiting for the "right time" to invest.  Unfortunately, markets don't ring a bell when opportunities arrive. They do say the best time to invest was yesterday.

We've lived through COVID, wars, political upheaval and market shocks. Markets have fallen, but they've also recovered. Investing is never without risk, but a disciplined strategy and ongoing oversight can help you stay focused when headlines become distracting. The deck chairs in Westminster will continue to shuffle. Your financial plan should not have to.

Speak with our local experts by calling us on 01480869466 for a complimentary, no obligation chat.

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