http://squareonefinancial.co.uk/blog Tue, 13 May 2008 08:34:06 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Japan’s reputation as a major economic power is long established – but now other Far Eastern countries are making the jump from “developing” to “developed”. In particular, the last two decades have seen China evolve from bystander to economic superpower and its growing economic influence has led some commentators to ... http://squareonefinancial.co.uk/blog/the-rise-of-the-east/ Sovereign wealth funds have been in the news recently amid rising concern about their activities. But what are sovereign wealth funds, who is behind them, and why are people worried about them? Sovereign wealth funds are government-controlled investment funds, created when countries with surplus cash elect to invest some of ... http://squareonefinancial.co.uk/blog/taking-a-stake-for-the-future/ It’s a tough time to be a borrower at the moment. Until relatively recently, credit was cheap and easily available, and mortgage lenders were all but fighting each other to win business. However, the boot is now on the other foot. Since the credit crunch took hold last year, it ... http://squareonefinancial.co.uk/blog/the-vanishing-mortgage-market/ Prospects for US interest rates remain firmly in the spotlight. An unscheduled and drastic cut in US rates in January was swiftly followed by an additional and substantial reduction at the Federal Reserve’s scheduled January meeting. In March, another 0.75% cut was announced as markets reacted badly to the takeover ... http://squareonefinancial.co.uk/blog/a-delicate-balancing-act/ The price of gold has reached new highs recently, boosted by ongoing speculation over further cuts in US interest rates. Many investors view gold not only as a “safe haven” in times of stock-market turmoil, but also as a way to mitigate the effects of rising inflation and a weak ... http://squareonefinancial.co.uk/blog/going-for-gold/ A: In January, Mervyn King warned that 2008 could be a tough year for the UK economy. He forecast a slowdown as consumers tighten their belts and reduce their spending. This fuelled expectations of an interest rate cut. However, fuel prices and energy bills are high and King predicted “a ... http://squareonefinancial.co.uk/blog/why-is-making-a-decision-on-interest-rates-so-difficult/ Gifting your houseIf your estate is above the inheritance tax threshold, it can seem a good idea to gift away your house to your children now. As long as you survive 7 years from the date you give it, it’s theirs, right? Not exactly. There are a few things you ... http://squareonefinancial.co.uk/blog/gift-your-house-and-stay-put-not-likely/ Credit fallout leads to turmoil  After an eventful end to 2007, investors are looking at 2008 with apprehension. The last few months have seen the collapse of the US sub-prime mortgage market, the credit crunch, and the first “run” on a UK bank for over a century. Speculation over the possible length and ... http://squareonefinancial.co.uk/blog/market-turmoil/ No - the IHT threshold didn't increase to £600,000 as many seem to think. That's just if you're married or in a civil partnership.   Divorcees, unmarried parents, co-habitees and carers are among the groups left out in the cold by the recent announcement on inheritance tax. Chancellor Alistair Darling's announcement meant that ... http://squareonefinancial.co.uk/blog/iht-con-millions-miss-out/ UK bank Lloyds TSB has announced it is selling its Abbey Life insurance business for £977m to Deutsche Bank. Abbey Life is a subsidiary of Lloyds' Scottish Widows unit and has been closed to new business since 2000. Lloyds TSB concluded that the sale of Abbey Life was in the "best ... http://squareonefinancial.co.uk/blog/do-you-have-an-abbey-life-policy/