Investing | Ross Naylor

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Should I Have a Structured Note in My QROPS?

When planning for retirement, the goal is to ensure that your investments not only grow but are also protected. For expatriates, Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Schemes (QROPS) offer a potential solution for pension transfers abroad. However, the decision to include structured notes within a QROPS requires careful consideration. While structured notes can offer attractive features, there are compelling reasons why they might not be the best fit for your retirement planning. Here’s why:

Why Is My Structured Note Performing So Poorly?

Structured notes are complex financial products that often attract expat investors with their promise of higher returns and protection against downside risks. However, like any investment, their performance can sometimes fall short of expectations. If you find yourself wondering, “Why is my structured note performing so poorly?”, here are some potential reasons and factors to consider.

Expat Investing: A Guide To Structured Notes

When it comes to expat investing, the array of options available can be both exciting and overwhelming. Among the plethora of investment vehicles, structured notes have gained considerable attention. But what exactly are structured notes, and more importantly, should you consider investing in them? Let’s dive in.

Selling Property as a British Expat? Don’t Forget About Capital Gains Tax!

Did you know that selling a UK residential property while living abroad can trigger a capital gains tax (CGT) bill, even if you are a non-resident? According to a recent survey conducted by Experts for Expats at the end of last year, 23% of British expats are considering selling their UK property, with the majority looking to use the equity to support their retirement.

8 expat investing lessons from Morgan Housel

Morgan Housel’s book, “The Psychology of Money,” is one of my favourite books about money and investing. It is a must-read for any expat looking to gain a better understanding of their personal finances. Here are some of the key lessons to take away from it:

Unpacking Millionaire Expat by Andrew Hallam: Your Passport to Financial Independence

Welcome to my comprehensive review of “Millionaire Expat: How to Build Wealth Living Overseas” by Andrew Hallam. He is a staunch advocate for financial independence and international living. In this ground-breaking book, he takes us on a captivating journey that challenges conventional wisdom and explores the possibilities of achieving financial independence while living abroad. Let’s get stuck in!

Five ways to invest a bonus

When anticipating an annual bonus, it is natural to envision all the things you want to purchase or start planning a lavish vacation. However, it is worth taking the time to step back and contemplate how you intend to use such a windfall before it lands in your bank account. Consider how your bonus can best serve you and your objectives in both the short and long term, regardless of the amount you earned.

How to use margin lending to maximize your retirement fund (+ 5 key benefits)

There has been much chatter in the media recently about Elon Musk’s purchase of Twitter. One of the less-covered aspects of the story is the fact that he is funding a large part of the deal through margin loans. But, what are margin loans and how can we mere mortals use them to our benefit too? Margin loans (also known as lombard loans) are an effective way for individuals to borrow low cost, short term money.

A deeper look at inflation

With UK inflation at 5.5%*, quite simply, if you are saving for retirement your money is going to have to work harder to keep its value Let’s say you were planning to retire on savings of £500,000. If prices go up by 10% before you retire, you’ll need to save an additional £50,000 to have the same retirement you had planned for. This means that either you will have to save more or you will need to delay your retirement.

Reflections on Russia, Ukraine and the Markets

As I sit in Warsaw writing this, a few hours drive from the Ukrainian border, it does feel that the world is in a very uncertain place. What is not uncertain, is the fact that the response from the people here in Poland to the flood of refugees has been absolutely incredible. All around, people are using their time, talent and treasure to help; I feel very proud to be able to call this place home.

Expat ISA Rules: What can be done with an ISA when living overseas?

We all know that Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) are incredibly tax-efficient savings and investment vehicles for UK residents. However, for those of us who leave the UK, things become more complex. Here are answers to some of the most common expat ISA questions that I have come across.

The danger of home country bias and how to avoid it

Home country bias occurs when investors concentrate their portfolios in shares and bonds from their home country. For example, while the UK stock market now represents only 3.2% per cent of the value of global equity markets (in 2006, it was 10.4%), British investors tend to allocate considerably more than this to UK stocks. It is a phenomenon that can often be detrimental to investment returns. Especially as the UK has lagged other world market in recent years.

How to protect yourself from “clone firm” investment scams

According to Action Fraud, over £78 million was lost to ‘clone firm’ investment scams in 2020 with victims reporting average losses of just over £45,000. Clone firms imitate genuine investment firms to trick people into putting money into investments that don’t actually exist. They use the name (or a name that is very similar to), address and reference number of a real, properly authorised, investment company.

What is investing? Making great businesses around the world work for you

When you invest in a globally diversified portfolio, you are harnessing the profits from thousands of companies around the world. You are investing in the company that makes the toothpaste that you use to clean your teeth in the morning, the company that makes your breakfast cereal, the company that makes the satellites that allow the Uber driver to find you via your cutting edge smartphone, the company that makes your office chair and the company that makes the pillow…

Should politics influence your retirement plan?

It is hard to avoid politics these days. Whether it is Brexit, Trump, BLM or the merits of how different governments have responded to the pandemic, the political coverage is relentless. With widely polarised opinions and 24-hour news reporting, it is natural to wonder whether political considerations belong in your retirement plan.

Who gets left holding the bag? An investing lesson from GameStop

I’ve been following the GameStop (GME) story over the past week. I don’t think that I have even seen anything like it in all of the years that I have been watching markets. The story has taken on a life of its own and as usual, when so many people are paying attention, there has been a fair amount misinformation and misunderstandings. In case you haven’t been following it, here is some background.

Investment lessons from a pandemic – Markets in a time of COVID-19

Of all the 25 years that I have been a financial adviser, 2020 goes down as the most challenging so far. To be fair, a large part of the reason for that is that it is still so fresh. In reality, the terrorist attacks of 9/11 and the financial crisis in 2008/2009 were probably equally challenging. However, the passing of time has lessened their impact on my psyche.

What Experience Tells Us About Markets and US Presidential Elections

The upcoming US presidential election is my 7th as a professional financial adviser. If I have learned anything from the previous 6, it is that, despite the protestations of many to the contrary, no one has a clue how markets will perform, react or move in the coming weeks. They may go up, they may go down, they may even stay the same.

Are Premium Bonds a good investment?

I was tidying my documents the other day and came across an old Premium Bond certificate that I received as a gift around the time that I was born. With fingers firmly crossed I checked the website to see if I was a lucky winner, and…… I wasn’t. Which means that in the past 46 years that I have held them, I have won absolutely nothing in Premium Bond prizes.

The Basics of Good Expat Investment Advice

Historically, expat investment advice has been characterised by the focus on the sale of a financial product, e.g. a pension plan or an investment fund. While products are, obviously, a necessary feature of a wider holistic financial planning strategy, good quality expat investment and retirement advice encompasses much more than simply selling products.