Defaults in the property development sector have shone a fresh light on the need to de-risk with good due diligence and having awareness of marketing tricks used on investors. This article provides guidance on how investors can de-risk opportunities. Before that, let’s recap and clarify how “volatility” is different to “permanent loss”… Investment Risk… Read More →
Why Markets are Selling-off and How to Play it …
** Your Capital is at Risk ** This is not investment advice. Markets have been in correction mode, particularly since the start of April. I wanted to update investors with my thoughts along with any potential action points – together with what I’m personally doing. What caused the volatility? With inflation remaining persistent, central… Read More →
Inflation. How to BENEFIT from it … (Wealth Leakage #3)
Long-standing readers will be aware of my views on inflation – i.e. how the official data is a joke. Back when inflation was running at 2%-odd, I suggested baking in 7%. With the official rate now reaching that level I still don’t believe it! I’d say it’s safe to assume double-digits. Wealth Leakage #3 of 3: Inflation We previously… Read More →
How to Slash your Investment Fees – Keep More of Your Own Wealth (Wealth Leakage #2)
In a previous article we discussed how to avoid leaking your wealth to the taxman – for example, by simply using your annual ISA allowance to keep your investment gains tax-free-forever. Tax is leakages #1 of 3. In this article, we cover Leakage #2 – Investment Fees. Plugging this hole is fairly easy and will… Read More →
How to make Great Returns – HELPED by sell-offs …
Warren Buffett says “The stockmarket is a device for transferring wealth from the impatient to the patient”. It sounds strange but sell-offs enable positive returns. Without the occasional sell-off, everyone would invest all their money at once, meaning no marginal new buyers, meaning no upside. So don’t be afraid of sell-offs. When you embrace them, you increase your… Read More →
Passive Investments – my areas of focus in 2022
2021 proved to be some year, with strong returns across popular asset classes. Very few people would have expected these kind of returns, particularly after a reasonably strong 2020 too … The risk warning: past performance should not be relied upon to indicate future performance remains as… Read More →
Passive Investments – My areas of focus in 2022
2021 proved to be some year for investment performance. We saw strong returns across most popular asset classes (see chart). Very few people would have expected these types of returns, particularly following a reasonably strong 2020 … The risk warning to not rely on past performance to indicate future performance is as valid as ever. … Read More →
Turning Inflation into your Advantage
The thought of inflation usually evokes anxieties about interest rates, higher cost of living, becoming worse-off or just general uncertainty. These are all valid concerns but in economics and investing, you can often find beneficiaries amongst all the uncertainty. Investors can turn pain into gain – as many on our Investment Academy programme have done… Read More →
Inflation Beneficiaries
The post-Covid global recovery brings opportunities – and problems – as economies normalise. The notable issues right now are shortages and inflation: prices of everyday items such as food, fuel, timber and energy have accelerated upwards. This has reflected in official inflation data which is recording multi-year highs in the UK and around the world…. Read More →
Are we looking at the correct valuation measure?
September 2021. This week, we began our latest Investment Academy with an initial session around diversification of asset classes, compounding your returns and how to beat the inflation monster, amongst other things. During the Q&A session we had a lively discussion around equity valuations … which I thought would be useful to articulate further here…. Read More →
Why Investors should get to know the REAL inflation rate …
There are numerous inflation measures but only three to really care about. Spoiler alert: Investors need to worry most about #3 … #1 The Official Rate – the one shown in the chart below – aka the “pretend rate”. It’s what the government tries to dupe us into believing. Don’t believe it – it’s… Read More →
Tina … Stocks, Compounding, Secured Loans
2020 was a year of true unknowns. Rather than dwell on what-was, investors should use the new knowns for guidance in 2021. Since the Covid lows back in March, stockmarkets rallied strongly – global equities rebounded more than 50% with the US market rising over 60%. UK property has posted gains with prices reaching record highs. … Read More →
Fame and Fortune
This article appeared in the October 2020 issue of Property Investor News magazine. To receive a sample copy visit www.property-investor-news.com Warren Buffett and Ray Dalio are two of the world’s greatest professional money managers – no question. Both have a huge global following and people hang on to their every word. Based on their accomplishments… Read More →
What Are The Markets Telling Us ?
4th June 2020 Markets have continued to extend their rally, alongside improving sentiment across most asset classes including stocks, property and secured loans. This improved sentiment has been met with surprise by many. ** Your Capital is at Risk ** This is not investment advice and these investments are not covered by the FSCS What… Read More →
Investing in the Coronavirus Crisis
23rd March 2020 We are living in truly unprecedented times. Over the last few days and weeks I’ve had a number of conversations with investors, borrowers and lending partners – about equity markets, property and, of course, Coronavirus. I wanted to share some of those conversations and my thoughts with… Read More →
Secured Loans v Property v Stocks
This article appeared in the February 2020 issue of Property Investor News. To receive a sample copy visit www.property-investor-news.com. 4 February 2020 As a professional investor, I’m often asked about where to invest. I enjoy having these conversations and… Read More →
Why We Must Question Everything … for better investment decisions
As a trainee fund manager studying for my CFA, I found myself on a steep learning curve. Analysing company accounts, valuation metrics, risk management and diversification were some of the things I needed to learn, fast. Although the technical knowledge was available through various resources, the other side was about acquiring experience and mindset. That… Read More →
Outstanding Returns with Low Risk – 10 Reasons Why Secured Development Funding is a Growing Part of My Portfolio
2018 was a year to forget for stockmarkets as they declined globally, with the UK’s FTSE100 one of the worst performers – see chart. UK residential property was a mixed bag with small gains at the national level balanced by a fall in London. But Secured Development Funding provided handsome returns in 2018. In fact,… Read More →
Don’t Forget the JV Agreement – 5 Top Tips from a Lawyer
If you’ve followed my other articles you would know that proper evaluation and due diligence is essential before making investment decisions. We have covered the process on how to select investment partners (developers), steps to evaluate whether a project *really* stacks up and, to further reduce your risk, how to construct a diversified balanced portfolio… Read More →
Secured Investments: Why You Need More Than Just a Personal Guarantee (PG)
A couple of days ago I sat down with a developer (i’ll refer to him as Ben) to discuss his forthcoming project. I’ve known Ben a while and have previously invested with him, together with my circle of investors. His team’s projects have generated great returns for us (30-40% pa on equity). And we score them highly on our developer… Read More →
