Money Marketing
Gregor Watt Editorial
Gregor joined Money Marketing as features editor in 2006 becoming deputy editor in 2009. He started his career as a trainee at the Sunday Times and has also worked for Pensions Management and as a freelance journalist.
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Face value
9 February 2012
Last week’s news that Facebook will list on the US stockmarket has again raised questions about the valuations of the latest generation of technology companies but, away from the headlines, many tech funds have been quietly generating decent returns.
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Cash on delivery
6 Feb 2012
The economic outlook means dividends are providing an even greater portion of total return on equities. Gregor Watt reports
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Dividend data
February Retirement Strategy
Gregor Watt, Deputy editor, Money Marketing
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Holding pattern
February Retirement Strategy
Advisers and their clients face stark drawdown choices but the answer could be to hold back some assets until rates improve, Gregor Watt reports
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What are the best funds for income?
30 Jan 2012
Using total returns to assess equity income fund performance does not always identify the best sources of income.
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AS 2011: EU financial transaction tax rejected
1 December 2011
Chancellor George Osborne has warned that a financial transaction tax would hit individual savers rather than the banks.
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Blake's progress
December Retirement Strategy
Cass Business School’s David Blake has an abundance of views on the state of the pension arena and his belief that there are fundamental problems in the DC model should stir up plenty of debate Report by Gregor Watt
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AS 2011: Osborne brands FTT a tax on pensions
29 Nov 2011
Chancellor says a financial transaction tax would damage the City and would unfairly target savers
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Feast or famine
24 November 2011
The dearth of mortgages available to first-time buyers is allowing professional investors to binge on buy-to-let, making the sector the one growth area this year. Gregor Watt reports
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Room at the top
27 October 2011
A new report on the housing sector claims that older people are blocking up the market by refusing to downsize from homes that are bigger than they need.
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Can PPI be patched up?
18 Oct 2011
Gregor Watt reports on moves to reinforce safeguards on payment protection insurance as a new wave of PPI complaints hits the ombudsman.
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Qe2 could be the start of a new £200bn wave
17 Oct 2011
Gregor Watt reports on reaction from investment business professionals to the new £75bn QE programme
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Twist of fate
10 Oct 2011
Last month, the US Federal Reserve announced its latest attempt to boost the faltering US economy, Operation Twist.
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Quality street
15 September 2011
Gregor Watt reports on fund managers’ views on property internationally
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MetLife replaces Living Time with enhanced fixed-term annuity
8 Sep 2011
MetLife is launching a fixed-term annuity to replace the Living Time product it has been distributing.
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The trouble with annuities
September Retirement Strategy
The turbulent markets make buying an annuity a tricky proposition and getting it wrong could mean losing thousands in the long term.
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Farley Thomas
25 August 2011
HSBC global head of ETFs says a shift in the market towards low-cost, passive management is driving the phenomenal growth of exchange-traded funds and he believes the company can become a top 10 player in the European market by keeping its offering small and simple Interview by Gregor Watt
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Is this an equities bargain?
22 Aug 2011
Gregor Watt reports that the recent swings of the stockmarket have brought out investors eager to snap up what they believe to be bargain equities.
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Will the RDR be the salvation of protection?
2 Aug 2011
CWC Research’s Clive Waller believes the protection market is gently dying but the RDR could be the catalyst needed for a revival
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ECB move focuses on Germany at the expense of the periphery
14 July 2011
The European Central Bank has raised its main interest rate for the second time this year with a rise of 0.25 per cent to 1.5 per cent.
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A touch of Genius
Online - July 2011
In the relatively short time since I left formal education, the act of learning has changed dramatically.
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Hornbuckle: RDR has seen Sipp orphans double
2 Jun 2011
Hornbuckle Mitchell says the number of Sipp holders that have become orphan clients has more than doubled in the last 18 months as a result of the RDR.
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Forward march
June Retirement Strategy
New carry forward rules are an opportunity for higher earners to maximise pension contributions and for advisers to create business. By Gregor Watt
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The first shall be last
27 May 2011
Gregor Watt reports on the parlous state of the first-time buyer market
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The btl bounce
26 May 2011
With buy-to-let lending hitting levels last seen in October 2008, Gregor Watt charts the sector’s return to good health
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Caught in the IHT net
19 May 2011
IHT seemed to have been taken off the political agenda until the Mirrlees report recommended an overhaul. Gregor Watt looks at he political debate around IHT
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Will power
19 May 2011
A properly thought out will is the biggest single way to mitigate against the impact of IHT. Gregor Watt reports
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Treasury shuts Hong Kong Qrops loophole
14 April 2011
The Treasury has closed a Qrops loophole that allowed individuals to use schemes registered in Hong Kong to avoid paying tax while remaining in the UK.
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Treasury closes Qrops loophole
6 Apr 2011
The Treasury to introducing clause in the Finance Bill to stop Qrops being used for tax avoidance.
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Good intentions stumped
1 Apr 2011
My disappointing start to the year continues. The new approach to the exams, of getting an examination date in the diary in order to force me to find time to study in preparation, looked to be working. I had cleared some time for study and managed to make a start on reading the course material.
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Window dressing
1 Apr 2011
There is a widely held opinion within the industry that the Government’s attempt to get the property market moving by way of the FirstBuy scheme announced in the Budget will barely even scratch the surface. Gregor Watt reports
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Budget 2011: NS&I to re-introduce index-linked savings certificates
23 Mar 2011
NS&I to re-introduce inflation-linked savings following new issuance target for 2011/12
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Budget 2011: Corporation tax reduced by 2%
23 Mar 2011
Chancellor George Osborne says tax cut is not an opportunity for banks to pay less, as bank levy will rise.
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Take the break
10 March 2011
Gregor Watt looks at the growing advantages of Isas at a time of rising tax rates
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A push in the right direction
March Retirement Strategy
Pica chairman Tom McPhail says tweaking the annuity rules and nudging people towards shopping around would help to mend a broken system.
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Gender agenda
March Retirement Strategy
The European Court of Justice ban on using gender in underwriting could have far-reaching effects on annuities and other products By Gregor Watt
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Special delivery
March Retirement Strategy
Rowanmoor’s Ian Hammond sees the lion’s share of business shifting from SSASs to Sipps but does not want to be a one-trick pony By Gregor Watt
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Doug Crawford
3 March 2011
The chief executive of Personal Touch Financial Services is diversifying the business in a bid to create a greater sense of community and a different kind of relationship between advisers, networks, product providers and membersInterview by Gregor Watt
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Pressure point
3 March 2011
Countries across Asia take action as rising inflation becomes a reality, with China in particular feeling the pinch. Gregor Watt reports
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Advance warning
24 February 2011
Gregor Watt, Deputy editor Money Marketing
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The moving baseline
17 February 2011
Interest rates are staying where they are for now but for how much longer? Some fixed-income managers are already positioning their funds for what they believe is an inevitable increase. Gregor Watt reports
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Drill down for dividends
7 Feb 2011
Gregor Watt considers the effects of events such as BP suspending dividend payments on a heavily concentrated sector
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Fund Focus: UK equity income funds can deliver on yield promises
7 Feb 2011
Gregor Watt says demand for income means that UK equity income funds are still the biggest draw in town despite other alternatives starting to appear.
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Special delivery
February Retirement Strategy
Rowanmoor’s Ian Hammond sees the lion’s share of business shifting from SSASs to Sipps but does not want to be a one-trick pony By Gregor Watt
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Standard Life launches online direct personal pension
31 Jan 2011
Standard Life launches online, execution only pension to appeal to non-pension savers.
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Martin Andrew
27 January 2011
The chief executive of Close Brothers Asset Management is in the midst of a five-year £20m investment programme which could include further acquisitions Interview by Gregor Watt
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Drawdown annuitants under 55 are saved from tax charge
6 Jan 2011
The Treasury is to allow people in unsecured pensions who are below the new minimum retirement age to buy an annuity without incurring a tax charge.
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Treasury to allow early USP clients to buy annuities
4 Jan 2011
The Treasury will allow clients in drawdown but below age 55 to buy an annuity without unauthorised payment charge
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Andy Clark
20 Dec 2010
Emerging markets are the leading topic for HSBC Global Asset Management’s UK and Mena wholesale managing director who feels investors should be looking far more towards emerging sectors while fund companies need to take the opportunity of changing regulation to make the move to full transparency Interview by Gregor Watt
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MM Profile: Peter Chadborn
14 Dec 2010
The principal of Plan Money says he has restructured the firm and changed its name from CBK to offer differing levels of service.
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Clarity begins at home
December Retirement Strategy
Gregor Watt reports on the impact of spending cuts and pension reform on equity release
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National disservice?
December Retirement Strategy
Gregor Watt gauges opinion in the industry on scrapping ’cumbersome and ramshackle’ National Insurance contributions
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Safety factors
December Retirement Strategy
Gregor Watt, Deputy editor, Money Marketing
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The long view of advice
December Retirement Strategy
Living Time’s Dave Harris says advisers need to position themselves now to secure a slice of the lucrative retirement sector. By Gregor Watt
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It takes two to contango
25 November 2010
Gregor Watt reports the ETF market covers some esoteric areas and advisers are wary of products that are difficult to understand
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Sense of relief at pension solutions
18 November 2010
Despite pressure on the Government to save money wherever it can to address the budget deficit, the Treasury has decided to let pension tax relief continue at the saver’s marginal rate.
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Time is not on my side
18 November 2010
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Time management
18 November 2010
Money Marketing deputy editor Gregor Watt continues his journey towards QCF level four and realises that he is going to have to make sacrifices to fit in study time
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MetLife looking to be a world power
4 November 2010
MetLife is scrapping the Alico brand and launching a number of new products as it focuses on international growth following its acquisition of Alico.
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Basic principles
November Retirement Strategy
Pensions minister Steve Webb gets his way with a £140 basic state pension which removes the need for means-testing. By Gregor Watt
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Big Mac and sighs
2 Nov 2010
Gregor Watt’s exam diary: QCF level 3 is too low for new entrants but grandfathering is a different matter.
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Alico brand scrapped as MetLife completes acquisition
1 Nov 2010
Alico brand dropped and UK wealth management products to be streamlined as MetLife completes acquisition.
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Osborne rocks the housing structure
28 October 2010
Chancellor George Osborne spoke of rebuilding and sustainable foundations in his comprehensive spending review last week but social housing is facing one of the biggest cuts and the housing and property markets have been quick to criticise his plans. Gregor Watt reports
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Outsource of opportunity
28 October 2010
The Chancellor’s cuts did not send tremors through the markets and instead there was good news for investors on transport and outsourcing. Gregor Watt reports
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Lee Travis
21 October 2010
New Model Business Academy head of business Lee Travis is an ex-Royal Marine and is training to run in the London Marathon next year which will stand him in good stead as he says the academy is in it for the long haul too Interview by Gregor Watt
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Resolution set to acquire Bupa Health Assurance
15 Oct 2010
Resolution has announced plans to acquire Bupa Health Assurance.
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Fear of failure on Sipp due diligence
14 Oct 2010
James Hay managing director Tim Sargisson claims that a lack of due diligence among smaller Sipp companies risks damaging the Sipp brand.
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IPS will come under James Hay brand
14 Oct 2010
James Hay and IPS Partnership Sipp businesses are to be streamlined and marketed under the James Hay brand from 2011.
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Easing the burden
14 October 2010
Gregor Watt reports on why providers see opportunities for the outsourcing of investment management
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Tim Sargisson
14 October 2010
IFG Group has bought several companies in the pension sector, notably Sipp specialist James Hay, and is looking to build up IFA business and strengthen its wrap. Interview by Gregor Watt
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Bean counter
October Retirement Strategy
BoE deputy governor Charlie Bean has come under heavy fire for his comments on spending, with many saying it gives the wrong message By Gregor Watt
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Check pension input time to avoid charges
30 Sep 2010
Skandia is warning IFAs to review pension input periods to prevent clients being hit with tax charges when pension tax relief rules change.
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95% Of staff want advice on retirement
30 September 2010
Scottish Widows says 95 per cent of employees would like either financial advice or general information on their retirement savings options.
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Goodbye to the golden age
30 September 2010
Gregor Watt contrasts the views and figures coming out of the mortgage and property sectors which indicate strongly that the so-called gilded age of homeownership is over with the optimistic opinion of housing minister Grant Shapps who believes we are at the door of the Age of Aspiration
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Government urged to keep annuity income simple
23 September 2010
LV= and the Investment Management Association have called on the Government to keep simplicity at the heart of changes to retirement income rules.
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Mid-earners to subsidise rich in pension changes
23 September 2010
Altmann: Wealthy will benefit
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Protection firms fear offset review
23 September 2010
The impact of a combined Treasury and HMRC review of protection offset tax rules could see £350m of commission taken out of the market, according to Aviva.
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Aegon says cuts won't hit support for brokers
17 Sep 2010
Aegon says cuts are not a kneejerk reaction.
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'55% Tax charge will put people off saving'
16 Sep 2010
Applying a tax charge of 55 per cent on unused pension assets on death will put people off saving, according to pension advisers.
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End of age 75 rule could boost scheme pensions
16 Sep 2010
Scrapping the age 75 annuitisation rules could boost the market for scheme pensions by offering wealthy savers a way to sidestep the proposed cap on retirement income.
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Metlife opts for flexible over fixed-term annuity
16 September 2010
Grinstead: ‘Look at new solutions in at-retirement area’
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Mind pension reality gap, warns Sun Life
16 September 2010
High net-worth customers may have the biggest expectation gap between what they have saved for retirement and the size of pension they will receive, according to Sun Life Financial of Canada.
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Tony Vine-Lott
16 September 2010
The director general of the Tax Incentivised Savings Association has come from a structural engineering background and is now building a structured argument at Tisa on tax issues over the RDR, child trust funds and pensions Interview by Gregor Watt
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Centre stage for pension reform
September Retirement Strategy
Centre for Retirement Reform director general and co-founder John Jory tells Gregor Watt that the thinktank was formed to drive sweeping changein the pension market and top of the list is raising the retirement age to 70
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Losing the will
26 Aug 2010
Gregor Watt reports on moves to regulate the business of willwriting
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How PPI missed the point
17 Aug 2010
Gregor Watt reports that now Lloyds has pulled back from the PPI sector, many feel other banks will follow and signal the end of the road for PPI.
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An open and shut case
16 Aug 2010
Gregor Watt finds that some financial advisers say they are steering clear of structured products because they believe they are too opaque to understand easily and to explain to their clients
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Life after Lehmans
16 Aug 2010
Gregor Watt surveys the structured product scene still in the shadows of the big counterparty collapse.
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Altmann wants a total rethink
12 August 2010
Independent pension analyst Dr Ros Altmann says a total rethink is needed on the approach to retirement and retirement saving in order to restore fairness to the system and reinvigorate pension savings.
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Long-term care cash could be next crisis
12 August 2010
Funding of long-term care is going to be the next public policy crisis, according to independent pension analyst Dr Ros Altmann.
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Pension tension as coalition cracks appear
12 August 2010
Nigel Waterson says political tensions in the coalition means the new Government is working to a reduced timescale for pension reform.
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Pressure weighing down on annuity rates
12 August 2010
Pension savers have to brace themselves for poorer annuity rates as growing demand from defined-benefit schemes and demographic pressures further depress rates.
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Phil Howcroft
29 July 2010
The Oddfellows Friendly Society chief executive considers himself ’a luck fella’ to be at the head of the society, where he has worked for 22 years. He describes how it made the move away from financial services to social care and advice Interview by Gregor Watt
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Nest predicted to boost Omo and shake up annuity market
22 July 2010
Pensions minister Steve Webb says Nest will encourage take-up of the open market option if it goes ahead.
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Paul Kennedy
22 July 2010
The director of tax and trust planning at Fidelity International admits that tax can be boring but is on a mission to make IFAs see it can add value to their business and clients will willingly pay a fee for the service Interview by Gregor Watt
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Pension and Isa worlds should merge
2 Jul 2010
Michael Johnson, author of a new reform paper, explains the radical steps he believes need to be taken to stimulate the savings market.
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Cable warns against 'new interventionism'
10 June 2010
Business Secretary Vince Cable has promised to cut business regulation, reduce Government spending and develop policies to stimulate growth.
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Increasing state pension age to save £2bn a year
10 June 2010
The Pensions Policy Institute says that the Government’s proposals to increase the state pensions age could save £2bn a year.
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Bric alternatives
7 Jun 2010
Gregor Watt and Lee Jones consider the potential of lesser-known emerging markets as doubts arise over the continuing performance of Brazil, Russia, India and China.
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Howorth predicts Nest opt-outs of up to 40%
3 Jun 2010
Opt-out rates for Nest could rise to 40 per cent, almost double Govt forecasts, according to Society of Pension Consultants president.
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Peter Hicks
3 June 2010
Fidelity head of retail distribution has overseen a period of great change for the IFA industry and as further change is on the horizon, he remains optimistic for the industry’s prospects.
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Access roads
June Retirement Strategy
Society of Pension Consultants outgoing president Duncan Howorth says early access to pensions would be instrumental in changing the savings mindset and outlines policies to achieve this goal Gregor Watt reports
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Goodbye mr hips
28 May 2010
The Government’s decision to suspend home information packs has prompted optimism in the industry. By Gregor Watt
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Heir cut from coalition plans
24 May 2010
Gregor Watt and Lee Jones assess the taxation situation with the coalition Government dropping the Tories’ election pledge to raise the inheritance tax threshold to £1m
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Guy Morrell
10 May 2010
The HSBC Global Asset Management head of multi-manager talks about launching his open global property fund in turbulent times for the market but he has no regrets. Interview by Gregor Watt
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Slipping up on Greece
6 May 2010
Gregor Watt reports that the Greek economic debacle could be the canary in the mineshaft for wider problems
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Leader
May Retirement Strategy
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The joy of text
29 April 2010
“Two exams down, three more to go to reach the certificate in financial planning before the quest for QCA level four and the real fun begins.”
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'Advisers are sleepwalking towards fines'
15 April 2010
FSA pension-switching advice review
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Karen Barrett
8 April 2010
IFA Promotion’s chief executive is looking to put IFAs on the same page in the public eye as accountants and solicitors and believes the RDR will bring clarity for consumers Interview by Gregor Watt
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Leading questions
April Retirement Strategy
Laith Khalaf
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The age of longevity
April Retirement Strategy
The rapid rise in life expectancy is also bringing about a change in people’s attitudes and how they live their lives. Lee Jones and Gregor Watt report
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West End buoys
26 Mar 2010
Gregor Watt reports that London is leading the way with a rental recovery
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March of the markets
25 Mar 2010
It is a year since the UK stock - market sank to a dismal low with stunning falls in some share prices but 2009 saw a remarkable turn-round with huge gains. Gregor Watt finds out if we can expect further growth
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Turn ash into cash
19 Mar 2010
Gregor Watt smokes out the savings that can be made on insurance premiums by giving up tobacco
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Eagle says scrap retirement age
18 Mar 2010
Pensions minister Angela Eagle believes that the default retirement age should be scrapped, even though the Labour party has yet to reach this conclusion.
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Pensions in the wilderness
March Retirement Strategy
Ros Altmann declares that politics is bereft of pension ideas and innovation and the only way to resolve the crisis is to completely overhaul the system and bring in a flat-rate residents’ pension. Interview by Gregor Watt
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Clare Brook
25 February 2010
Disheartened by the tendency of many ethical funds to lose sight of their prime motivation, the joint founder of WHEB Asset Management is pioneering a more focused approach - and is trying to change the face of socially responsible investing in the process Interview by Gregor Watt
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Euston, we have no problem
25 February 2010
MM deputy editor Gregor Watt ruins Valentine’s Day to pass his first exam on the road to QCF level 4.
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Feathering nest
February Retirement Strategy
Pensions Policy Institute director Niki Cleal warns that getting the investment options right for Nest will be a huge challenge and shows that there is plenty to debate in the run-up to the general election. By Gregor Watt
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Forced measures
February Retirement Strategy
Do you agree with the Conservatives’ proposal to scrap forced annuitisation at age 75? Interview by Gregor Watt
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Mark Jones
25 Jan 2010
LV=’s head of protection believes people need to be made aware of their need for protection but the industry also needs to shake up its attitude to make it easier for consumers to take out cover Interview by Gregor Watt
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Leader
January Retirement Strategy
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Conservatives would fast-track auto-enrolment
14 January 2010
Conservative Shadow pensions minister Nigel Waterson says the Tories would make auto-enrolment into existing workplace pensions a priority if they win the general election and he has reaffirmed a plan to review personal accounts immediately after an election win.At an industry dinner this week, he said: “We are signed up to a cheap, accessible workplace scheme. Whether this particular model is the right one remains to be seen. The present plan is to sign the contracts by ...
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Backing for ABI plan to raise the annuitisation age to 80
07 January 2010
The Association of British Insurers’ proposal to increase the age of forced annuitisation to 80 has been warmly received by the industry.
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Equities back on the march
17 December 2009
Gregor Watt rounds up the year in investment
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Protection push failed at the cash point
17 December 2009
The protection sector began the year in subdued form. As the housing market continued to suffer, sales of mortgage-related protection also fared badly.
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‘NI increase will hit employment’
10 December 2009
Employers have attacked the increase to National Insurance contributions, saying it will damage economic recovery.
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PBR: CBI criticises headline grabbing speech
9 Dec 2009
The CBI says increasing National Insurance will hold back growth and plans to tax bankers bonuses are just an attempt at ‘headline grabbing’.
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PBR: Public sector pay and pensions restricted
9 Dec 2009
The Chancellor has unveiled changes to public sector pay and pensions which he says will save the taxpayer £1bn per year.
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Halfway house
26 November 2009
While some industry experts say a rise in first-time buyers is breathing life back into the mortgage market, others argue it is too early to celebrate. Gregor Watt reports
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Time management
26 November 2009
Money Marketing deputy editor Gregor Watt continues his journey towards QCF level four and realises that he is going to have to make sacrifices to fit in study time
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Default dynamics
19 November 2009
Pension Income Choice Association chairman Tom McPhail talks to Gregor Watt about the aims and ambitions of the new body
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Sense of expectancy
19 November 2009
“If mortality continues to improve, many people working today will spend almost as long in retirement as they do in employment and this raises real questions on how people pay for their retirement.”
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The green gap
19 November 2009
Gregor Watt says people’s professed interest in ethical choices can evaporate when it comes to actually making an investment
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James Edgedale
12 Nov 2009
The chairman of JM Finn & Co believes in a sense of traditional business values and is looking to help overstretched IFAs meet the demands of the RDR. Interview by Gregor Watt
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Put to the test
27 Oct 2009
Money Marketing deputy editor Gregor Watt embarks on the road to QCF level 4
