This week in MoneyWeek magazine we take a look at the aftermath of what was, frankly, a rather bizarre election – what it means for the country, for Brexit, and, most importantly, for your money.
Plus, we look at how you can get a better return on your money by turning to Sharia finance products; pick some of the best ways to invest in infrastructure, and propose three attractive investment trusts for the bold investor.
All that and more can be yours. Sign up now and you’ll get MoneyWeek magazine delivered to your door, full access to the MoneyWeek website, and our smartphone and tablet app.
How to invest in this topsy turvy political world
When the election was called, we all assumed it would be a walkover for the ruthlessly efficient Tory machine faced with the amiable but bumbling Jeremy Corbyn and his volatile party mix of Blairites and Trots. But it was not to be. It’s not so much that Corbyn ran a blinding campaign, more that May’s was utterly, utterly woeful. And so we have a hung parliament. And, as John Stepek says in this week’s cover story, all political assumptions made before 8 June have been consigned to the dustbin of history.
So where does that leave the humble investor? John, our executive editor, takes an in-depth look in this week’s magazine. John looks at what Brexit actually means (not “Brexit”, apparently), the bigger political picture, the worrying spectres of debt and inflation – and whether May’s government can survive at all. Of course, he suggests somewhere to put your money if you want to make the most of it – or at least, hang on to it as things get shaky.
It’s fascinating stuff. Sign up now.
What the election means for pensions
May’s bungling of the election has cast serious doubts about whether she can implement any of her manifesto promises, says David Prosser. But “big questions about the future of the pension system need to be resolved fast to give people certainty as they plan for retirement”. David sets out what was promised, and what the government needs to do to provide the necessary reassurance.
What May must do for business
After “one of the most catastrophic election campaigns in history” May needs to rebuild her relationship with business, says Matthew Lynn in his City View column. Matthew lays out five places for her to start. Sign up now.
Earn a better return with an Islamic savings account
Islamic savings accounts are designed to offer the estimated 2.9 million Muslims living in the UK a way of saving that’s compliant with Sharia law, says Emma Lunn. But they’re open to everyone, and in many cases they offer a much better return than conventional accounts. Instead of paying interest, Islamic accounts pay an “expected profit rate”, which often top the best buy tables. Emma explains how they work, and picks out the best accounts available at the moment.
A steady income from infrastructure, and three investment trusts for the brave
Investing in infrastructure can produce attractive returns for those looking beyond equities and bonds, says Max King. Infrastructure funds have become highly popular with investors lately, but it’s not too late to buy in. Max picks some of the best funds to buy now.
There’s been “frenzy of fundraising by investment trusts” lately, says David Stevenson, probably driven by “a fear that interest rates are on their way up, at least in the US”. David’s not so sure interest rates will rise by much, and thinks investment rusts are still an attractive buy, and picks three trusts for adventurous investors to buy now. Sign up now.
Elsewhere, John Stepek explains why you should always ask how much of their own money your fund manager has invested in their product – it can be a good indicator of outperformance. Ruth Jackson tells you how to avoid the “60% tax trap”, and Alex Rankine looks into the controversial court case that could cost HMRC tens of billions of pounds in tax refunds to big businesses.
Plus, there’s the usual news, views and comment from the rest f the UK;s financial press, a roundup of all t he best share tips, and six pages of holidays, cars, property and reviews.
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