Page 33 - Phonebox Magazine December 2007

Finance Matters
brought to you by Advison Independent Financial Advisers
Are you paying for investment advice that you never receive?
The last few months have seen a level of volatility rarely experienced before by the stockmarket. Whilst in the past the market has seen both large falls and large gains over a six month period, it is rare to see both within the same period.
In mid June of this year the FTSE 100 was over 6,700 before falling 200 points in the following two weeks, only to rise above 6,700 again by mid July. Over the next month the market plummeted to be left below 5,900 in mid August – a fall of around 12% in a month. Despite fairly large movements both up and down, over the next couple of months it rose back up to 6,700 in October only to fall back again to 6,300 early this month. At the time of writing, the index is standing around 6,400.
It is at times like this that the need for advice and reassurance is often required. Certainly at our offices there has been a marked increase in the number of discussions we have been having with clients concerning their investments over this period.
Many investors do not receive this advice from their advisers and many also do not have a recognised adviser. This may be due to investing directly or because they have invested through an ‘execution only’ company that does not provide advice.
However, on many investments, and in particular on portfolios of Unit Trusts, PEPs and ISAs, a proportion of the Annual Management Charge (AMC) is payable directly to the adviser and is intended to cover the cost of ongoing servicing and advice. This is paid to an adviser even if no advice is being provided. If the investments are held directly, nothing is paid out to an adviser and the AMC stays the same, with the investment company retaining the whole of the annual charge.
As a consequence, there are thousands of investors who could currently be receiving advice on their investments and it would not cost them anything more than they are paying in annual management charges already.
Are you one of these investors? If so, why not contact Advison and see how we may be able to help you – possibly at no additional cost. What have you got to lose?
Advison has a wealth of experience in helping clients with different investment strategies and tax planning, ensuring that a well constructed portfolio provides the diversity required. We are also able to review your investments so that they remain in line with your personal circumstances and objectives. q
Unlike many IFAs, Advison not only provides the initial advice you require but also produces regular personalised reviews of your Investments, Pensions and Protection Policies, enabling us to ensure the assets you hold are still relevant to your circumstances. We would be pleased to discuss your specific situation and plan the most appropriate course of action for you. For full details about Advison please see our advertisement below.
advison
Independent Financial Advisers
Advison is a small, friendly and reliable firm specialising in Investments, Retirement Planning and IHT Mitigation.
We offer a return to the traditional values only a smaller company can offer, a service we find
is appreciated by the more discerning client. We are happy to see you in the comfort of your own home or at our peaceful and relaxed country offices, which have plenty of free parking.
All staff at Advison are either AFPC or FPC qualified.
----------------This is your opportunity to speak with the experts----------------
• Planned Savings Magazine – National Estate Planner of the Year
• Regularly quoted in the national press for over 10 years
• Used as financial planning experts on BBC, Sky, CNBC, Bloomberg, Simply Money and the Money Channel • Choice Magazine’s Pensions and Trusts expert
Call Kevin or Andrew for a preliminary chat or to arrange an appointment.
No 7, Water End Barns, Eversholt (Nr Woburn), Beds. MK17 9EA T: 01525 288488 E Mail: ifa@advison.co.uk
advison ltd is an appointed representative of IN Partnership the trading name of The On-Line Partnership Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Registered (England) No. 5009271
Phonebox Magazine 33