To assist clients understand the technicalities of wealth management and to gain insight into the answers and solutions we offer we will publish current questions being asked during meetings with our proposed solutions on this page. Whilst this can never replace the individually tailored advice we advocate we are sure clients and prospective clients will find the commentary useful. Should you require specific advice please contact us in any of the usual ways.

Which currency for my portfolio?

This will depend on many factors but the main consideration is typically which currency you expect to draw income or capital from the portfolio in.  We are able to offer clients multi and single currency portfolios.  However, caution should be exercised here as although it is possible to generate extra returns via what is in effect currency trading within a portfolio it is actually very difficult to do so consistently.  Also, equity performance gains can be wiped out by currency movements.  Therefore, the bulk of our client portfolios are sterling denominated.  We are very willing to discuss requirements in this area.

Why do you not offer passive investment models?

This is actually incorrect.  We can and do offer this approach as every client is different and some of our clients wish this approach.  This subject is actually part of a much wider debate which rages eternally within the investment community about passive versus active.  We feel that we take a pragmatic approach and whilst we accept that the running charges on passive portfolios are lower and that over the longer term many investors will be satisfied by market returns we feel that for our clients who wish active management our investment process and strict selection and rebalancing criteria does assist them in gaining outperformance via tactical asset allocation.

Are you altering your investment strategies with the current market uncertainties?

In terms of fundamentals no but tactically yes.  We operate a robust research and selection process for any funds and investments we commit to client portfolios and further detail can be found on the Intelligent Wealth page.  As of 28th July 2008 we are holding larger percentages of tactical cash within portfolios and have also leant towards index linked gilts.  New monies are being committed to the markets on a structured 'drip-fed' basis to assist in protecting from sudden market falls.  We are always mindful however of the gains available when positive sentiment returns to markets so we do feel that clients should be aware that investment capital is invested for the medium to long term and should be available for commitment to markets in order that long term objectives are met.