Category: Financial plan

Artificial intelligence is the story which has propelled markets this year. Where to from here? There’s no doubt AI innovators – and technology companies generally – are highly priced in relation to company earnings, by comparison with long-term averages. But is it an AI bubble? Markets move in cycles, and investor enthusiasm for AI could … Continued

In March we delved into investing in gold. It’s up more than 25% since that time. After a blistering run, what role should gold play in your portfolio? Many people’s exposure to gold has significantly increased as its price has rocketed. Other major precious metals (that is, silver, platinum and palladium) have experienced similar rises … Continued

Everything you need to know to make a last-minute pension contribution ahead of the 2024 income tax deadline Making a lump sum pension contribution is a great way to rapidly increase your pension provision and secure your financial future. And now is a great time to top up your pension – sometimes called an Additional … Continued

Are you are a 1980s child remembering carefree summers listening to your mixtapes? On the face of it, the answer to when can you retire is some way off. In order to receive the State pension in Ireland, you’ll be waiting until at least 2046. But by making some changes now and taking charge of … Continued

When it comes to investing for retirement, target-date funds (also called lifestyle funds) promise a neat, no-fuss solution. You simply pick a fund aligned with your intended retirement year – say 2035 or 2045 – and the fund takes care of the rest, automatically adjusting its mix of stocks, bonds and whatever else over time. … Continued

Pensions are built for the long haul, to provide a decent income when you stop working. So accessing your pension early needs to be approached with care. In recent years, there is international evidence that more people are considering dipping into their retirement savings early. In the US, Vanguard found one in 20 pension savers … Continued

I’ve owned shares in Diageo for many years.  I inherited them from my father who used to work in Guinness.  But with the stock down by more than a fifth this year, and the chief executive leaving, is it past time to sell?  The rest of my money is mainly in cash and a couple … Continued

Investing your money in the first half of 2025 was a lesson in the basics.  If you chose to spread your money among different geographies, asset classes and industries, and stuck to your plan, you’ll have done all right. If you made major changes, things could have gone either way. On any given day, things … Continued

Tensions in the middle east are high despite the announcement of a ceasefire this morning.  With them, the price of oil has moved significantly in June. For investors, that raises a vital question: what next for oil prices, and how will they affect your investment portfolio? The price of Brent crude — a key international … Continued