Moneyextra Investments & Stock market News

This little piggy came to market - commodities investing

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 11:26:54 GMT

Graham Tuckwell, Chairman, and David Shrimpton, Head of Product Development, ETF Securities - with investment!Investors looking to take advantage of what's claimed to be a roaring long-term bull marke

Guaranteed capital with Zurich

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 11:26:54 GMT

Insurance outfit, Zurich, has launched a new version of its Guaranteed Capital Account, a deposit account that combines a money-back guarantee and interest linked to stock market growth. The Zur

AA hits legal market

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 11:26:53 GMT

AA, through its AA Legal Services unit, is now offering will writing, inheritance tax planning and conveyancing services, making it the UK's first major non-legal brand to enter the market. Whil

City bonus mortgage from Woolwich

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 11:26:53 GMT

In anticipation of what are expected to be record 'City' bonuses this year Woolwich has launched a mortgage exclusively aimed at those expecting big bonus payments in the new year but who want to buy

Instant access savings, with a catch

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 11:26:53 GMT

There is a growing trend for savings account providers to attach withdrawal terms and conditions to instant access savings accounts. In the traditional definition of an instant access savings account,

Skipton launches 7 year mortgage fix at 4.99%

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 11:26:53 GMT

Skipton Building Society, the UK's seventh largest building society, is offering a new 7 Year Fixed Rate Mortgage. There are two options for this mortgage: the first offers a rate of 4.99% with a comp

Long-term mortgage fixes make tentative return

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 11:26:53 GMT

Lenders have been slow to respond to the Treasury's call for a greater volume of long-term fixed rate mortgages made back in 2003, according to research from Moneyfacts. Despite the recent bout of

Subsidence claims to swell after a 'cracking' summer

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 11:26:53 GMT

The number of subsidence-related home insurance claims is expected to rise, according to American Express Insurance Services, as homeowners pay the price of one of the warmest and driest summers on re

Teachers not learning of helpful housing schemes

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 11:26:53 GMT

News of the Governments recently-launched shared equity scheme, Open Market HomeBuy, is not reaching the ears of those key workers who it may benefit the most. An online poll conducted on 200 educatio

Watchdog censures financial adviser

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 11:26:53 GMT

City watchdog, the FSA (Financial Services Authority), has publicly censured financial adviser GD Tancred Financial Services Limited (GDT) for not clearly explaining and documenting the risks of i

Don't hit slopes with invalid cover

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 11:26:52 GMT

With 1.3 million people set to jet off to the white stuff this snow season, thousands could travel with invalid or inadequate insurance if they take out winter sports cover with their travel agent whe

Regulator bans ICM Group activities

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 11:26:52 GMT

City watchdog, the FSA (Financial Services Authority), has removed ICM Group Ltd's permission to carry on regulated activities after it found the firm had failed to pass on client premiums to insu

RICS calls for rate rise

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 11:26:52 GMT

RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) is calling upon the Bank of England to raise interest rates when its rate setting committee convenes this week, in order to dampen down the housing

Bonding with NatWest

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 11:26:52 GMT

NatWest has launched a new limited issue one-year Fixed Rate Bond paying 5.25%. Minimum investment is £1,000 with no withdrawals permitted during the term. Maximum investment is £25,000.

The high Costa buying

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 11:26:52 GMT

32% of Brits would consider buying a property abroad just to get onto the housing ladder, according to new research out from MRI Overseas Property. The pressure of the UK housing market is h

600 new free cash machines for poorer areas

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 11:26:52 GMT

More than 600 free cash machines will be provided in low income areas as a result of the deal reached by the ATM Working Group. The ATM Working Group also agreed that crystal clear signage should be p

Inheritance tax planning tool from Bank of Scotland

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 11:26:52 GMT

Bank of Scotland has launched a new Loan Trust that will allow people to reduce an inheritance tax liability by making lifetime gifts of capital that reduce the overall value of a taxable estate while

Safe to drive?

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 11:26:52 GMT

New cars are much safer than they used to be. But Which? says it's still finding basic safety problems with many models. The consumer organisation has been testing cars since 1983 when the situa

Brits set for record financial hangover?

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 11:26:52 GMT

Almost 30,000 personal insolvencies are expected in the first three months of 2007, of which 10,000 will be as a result of excessive Christmas spending, according to Grant Thornton's personal insol

Fidelity European Fund switches funds to healthcare

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 11:26:52 GMT

As the economic outlook for Europe deteriorates, Tim McCarron, manager of the £4.4billion* Fidelity European Fund, has taken a more defensive stance, increasing his exposure to the healthcare sector w

Financial compensation service handles 22,000 claims

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 11:26:51 GMT

The Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) improved its service to consumers while cutting its costs during 2007/08, according to its annual report out today. At the same time, the Scheme passe

Halifax unveils market leading student account

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 11:26:50 GMT

Halifax today announces details of its new market leading Student Current Account offering. Applications for the new account can be made from Monday 4th August 2008. The account is available to both

Britannia launches new inflation linked bond

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 11:26:50 GMT

Britannia has launched a new range of Guaranteed Capital Bonds, including a brand new inflation-linked product. Available from 26 July, the new five year Inflation Linked Guaranteed Capital Bond (ILG

Mortgage lenders respond to Crosby report

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 11:26:50 GMT

Responding to today's release by the Treasury of Sir James Crosby's interim review of the mortgage finance markets, the Council of Mortgage Lenders welcomes the analysis and the recognition that a shortage of mortgage funding will persist for years without intervention.

Advisers warn clients to come out of insurance bonds

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 11:26:48 GMT

Almost half of all advisers with clients who have Insurance Bonds are considering reviewing their policies with a view to switching them where appropriate into Mutual Funds, according to a recent surv