The world’s share markets were a profitable place to be in 2017. Index 2017 Change FTSE 100 +7.6% FTSE All-Share +9.0% Dow Jones Industrial +25.1% Standard & Poor’s 500 +19.4% Nikkei 225 +19.1% Euro Stoxx 50 (€) +6.5% Shanghai Composite … Continue reading →

National Savings & Investments have increased their interest rates – and boosted a chance of winning. National Savings & Investments (NS&I) beat many of its banking competitors by announcing a 0.25% increase in its variable rate products. These took effect … Continue reading →

The Autumn Budget included a raft of measures focused on venture capital schemes. The writing was always on the wall after a Treasury consultation issued in August posed the leading question, “Are there areas where the cost effectiveness of current … Continue reading →

The first Budget of 2017 in March hit a serious obstacle when the Chancellor attempted to raise national insurance contributions (NICs) for the self-employed. This time around he was subtler in his approach. When Mr Hammond announced an increase to … Continue reading →