If there’s one prevailing theme facing the world as we bring you this latest edition of IFA Magazine, it’s probably uncertainty.
The devastating war in Ukraine, now in its third month, is clearly taking its toll and leading the feelings of uncertainty and insecurity. Although most of us around the world are, thankfully, onlookers to the physical impacts of this tragic invasion, the economic impacts are starting to hit home.
Then there’s the cost of living crisis with inflation rising to 30 year highs, hikes to interest rates and now NICs. With costs and prices rising apace, businesses and consumers alike are feeling the pinch. April’s ONS report covered the period from November 2021 to March 2022 and painted a very dark picture about the growing UK cost of living crisis. The ONS revealed that almost nine out of ten people surveyed reported a rise in the cost of living whilst 43% said they would not be able to save money in the next 12 months. And we won’t even mention the potential instability looming within UK politics as the Partygate farce continues to unravel, with its threats to the PM’s tenure.
To all those concerns we must remember the continuing worries about the Covid-19 pandemic and, of course, the climate crisis. And Advisers and planners trying to manage clients’ financial plans in such an environment have certainly got a tough job on their hands.
#Investinourplanet
Environmental and ESG concerns are always high on our agenda here at IFA Magazine, as indeed they are across the financial services spectrum. World Earth Day on April 22nd, with its theme of #investinourplanet, certainly reminded us of the gravity of the situation we face and why it is of crucial importance for governments, business and individuals to work together in the fight for net zero.
ESG and sustainable investing is one of the subjects you’ll find covered in a number of articles within this edition of IFA Magazine.
We’ve also been busy gauging IFA Magazine readers’ views with recent surveys on ESG investing and also on smoothed investments. Keep turning the pages to find out what our readers told us.
Talking the talk
We also love a chat here at IFA Magazine. This month, we’ve had a great conversation with M&G’s Alex Araujo about global listed infrastructure and also with the inspirational Belton Flournoy to get his views on where we’re heading as regards boosting diversity and inclusion in financial services.
Sell in May and go away?
With stockmarkets around the world plagued by volatility, it leads us to wonder whether the old investment adage of ‘sell in May and go away and come back on St. Leger’s Day’ might come to resonate a little more this year than in recent Covid-impacted years. As with everything, only time will tell.
In the meantime, we hope that you’ll find plenty of thought-provoking ideas as you turn the pages of this edition. Don’t forget there’s a whole lot more great content on www.IFAMagazine.com
See you there!
Sue Whitbread
Editor
IFA Magazine
