Investment market update: March 2026

Conflict in the Middle East caused market volatility throughout March 2026. Find out what other factors may have affected your investments. While the ongoing uncertainty may feel unsettling for investors, remember that your strategy reflects your long-term goals and considers periods of volatility. Oil prices rising and ongoing uncertainty led to stock markets falling On…

4 ways you could pass on wealth and protect your chosen family

Estate planning isn’t always as straightforward as leaving everything to a spouse or direct descendant. In fact, many people in the UK are opting to leave some or all of their wealth to their “chosen family”. Research cited by Today’s Wills and Probate (29 January 2026) found that, of those surveyed, 1 in 8 have…

The importance of managing your pension withdrawals to protect your retirement lifestyle

Managing your pension doesn’t stop once you retire and start to draw an income from it. In fact, your pension still needs careful attention in retirement – just as much as when you were contributing – to ensure you don’t deplete it too quickly. Research suggests that many retirees aren’t taking professional advice and are…

5 ways a cashflow model could support your estate plan

Deciding how you’d like your assets to be managed later in life and after you pass away may be intimidating. However, a cashflow model could help you answer both financial and emotional questions, so you’re in a better position to tackle your estate plan. According to a survey conducted by Aegon (5 March 2026), 1…

What past market volatility has taught us about investor behaviour

The current situation in the Middle East has led to market volatility. While it might seem new, similar movements have happened before, and looking at how these events have affected investor behaviour could be useful. At the end of February 2026, the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran, which have further escalated. The uncertainty…

How psychology might affect your view of cash and safety

How your brain works can affect how you view wealth and different assets. For many, this can mean cash feels like a safer option than alternatives, but it’s not always the right one. Indeed, sometimes choosing to hold cash could mean you miss growth opportunities. 3 reasons why cash might feel like the “safe” option…

5 tips for overcoming the fear of investment uncertainty

Investing money can feel daunting because you can’t be sure what your returns will be or whether you’ll suffer a loss. While you can’t eliminate uncertainty from investing, there may be things you can do to overcome the fear of the unknown if it’s affecting your financial decisions. According to an article from Financial Planning...

Explained: Why your pension could become liable for Inheritance Tax

Next year, a significant change to how pensions are treated when calculating Inheritance Tax (IHT) could mean more families become liable for the tax. Here’s what you need to know to understand if your estate could be affected and how you might mitigate a potential bill. Currently, pensions are usually outside your estate for IHT...

How cashflow modelling can act as an early warning system for financial shocks

Financial shocks can have a devastating effect on your short- and long-term finances. While you can’t remove the unexpected from your life, it is possible to be prepared, and a cashflow model could help you identify how. A cashflow model could help you visualise changes to your wealth A cashflow model is a powerful tool...

The positive psychology of clear financial goals

A survey has identified an “ambition gap” in the UK, with millions of adults admitting they have no financial aspirations for the coming year. Not only can a clear goal mean you’re more likely to achieve your aspirations, but it can also have a positive effect on your wellbeing. The article in IFA Magazine (13...

How to be a successful investor: The importance of patience

Once you’ve set out your investment goal and strategy, what comes next? Often, it’s time to test an important investment skill – your patience. The average investor might benefit from a long-term approach When you think about the most important skills in investing, you might consider the ability to choose the “right” investments or understanding...

Investment market update: February 2026

In February 2026, ongoing uncertainty around trade tariffs and concerns about the impact of AI adoption on business profits affected the markets. Read on to discover some of the factors that may have affected your investment portfolio. Markets reached record highs but were affected by AI concerns and trade tariffs The FTSE 100, an index...