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Tax efficient retirement income

For many people in retirement, pensions will form the foundation of their income. For those with sufficient qualifying years, the full State Pension now provides an income equivalent to just under £12,000 per annum, and most retirees can access pension income from workplace and personal pensions accrued during their lifetime, which covers the essential costs of living. Pension income alone may, however, leave little spare for discretionary expenditure or unexpected outgoings.

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Six Themes for 2026

2025 proved to be another broadly positive year for both equity and bond markets. Global indices closed out the year close to record highs, and investors in fixed income and alternative assets also enjoyed strong returns throughout last year. Despite ending the year in good spirits, prevailing market conditions present a challenging conundrum for investors. We look at six key themes that are set to shape market direction during 2026.

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Will 2026 be the year when active management is back in fashion?

We have previously commented on the growing popularity of passive investment across the industry, and the dangers of relying on a passive only approach when constructing an investment portfolio. This year has, to date, seen major global indices advance, leading to reasonable outcomes for those investing in tracker funds. With global equity indices becoming more concentrated, and the S&P500 and Nasdaq looking fully valued, 2026 could well be the year when active fund management can provide superior performance.

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Are we reaching peak complacency?

Investor confidence remains strong as global markets continue to march higher; however, we feel that the balance of risk may be shifting, and investors may wish to consider reviewing their current portfolio asset allocation. We look at the factors that could cause the positive sentiment to fade.

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FAS Investment Committee Performance Update

Prudent investment advice and management have been the cornerstone of the service FAS have provided clients for more than 30 years. Our advisory proposition, where bespoke investment portfolios are created to suit individual clients’ needs and objectives, has been developed and refined over decades, with the same principles providing the foundation for the range of CDI discretionary managed portfolios. These portfolios are exclusively available to clients of FAS/MGFP and have proved a popular solution for individuals, trustees and businesses alike.

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Why Bond Yields matter

Amidst growing concerns over Government debt levels, UK Gilt yields have remained stubbornly high so far this year, despite moves by the Bank of England to reduce overnight interest rates. We look at the implications of higher Gilt yields on investors and public finances.

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Why investors need to be aware of currency risk

Changing travel money for holidays abroad may be the only direct interaction many will have with currency exchange rates on a day-to-day basis; however, exchange rates between currencies have far reaching implications for investment markets, the prospects for the global economy and our financial prosperity.

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Testing times for ethical investment strategies

Ethical investment strategies have seen significant growth over recent years, as more investors aim to align investments with their own values. According to data from Morningstar, total assets in global sustainable funds have climbed to US$3.2 trillion at the end of 2024, almost double the total assets held in similar funds at the end of 2020.

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The benefits of regular investment

One of the simplest ways of investing for the longer term without committing a lump sum is to make regular investments. In fact, many of us do this without thinking, as employer and employee contributions are paid into personal pension plans monthly via payroll.

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