INVESTMENTS
Build your financial future with expert investment advice from experienced financial planners.
All our clients share the key objective of building the value of their capital – but their approaches to savings and investments can vary considerably.
If you find yourself confused by all the options available, or simply concerned that your money is not working hard enough for you, your family, or your business, we highly recommend seeking investment advice from our Colchester-based financial advisers.
The process will always start with detailed Attitude to Risk profiling. By asking you to respond to a series of questions, we will be able to establish your attitude to risk versus reward, and your capacity for loss. If you are an Adventurous investor, for example, you will be happy to take a greater risk with your capital, with the hope of achieving greater returns; if you are a more Cautious investor, you would prefer lower returns with a better degree of security. Of course, you can opt for a mixture of the two, safe in the knowledge that all the products and funds chosen as part of your portfolio will suit your profile. We will then use this information to create an investment strategy that matches your outlook using professional fund sourcing systems and asset allocation tools.
For more experienced investors, we also offer the opportunity to build a portfolio of external managers and funds to meet your specific investment objectives.
WHAT TYPE OF INVESTMENTS ARE AVAILABLE?
INDIVIDUAL SAVINGS ACCOUNTS (ISAs)
ISAs offer tax-free interest payments for UK residents. There are three types of ISA: cash ISAs, stocks and shares ISAs, and lifetime ISAs. Each come with varying terms and allowances.
OPEN ENDED INVESTMENT COMPANIES / UNIT TRUSTS
Open ended investment companies (OEICs) and unit trusts are similar in that they consist of a manager who buys stocks and bonds for fund holders. However, they do offer different pricing structures.
STRUCTURED PRODUCTS
These are pre-packaged investments that often include assets that are linked to interest, plus derivatives. The risks associated with these products can be complicated, but issues can be principal-guaranteed.
ONSHORE AND OFFSHORE INVESTMENT BONDS
Onshore and offshore bonds each come with their own set of pros and cons, including tax benefits – but they both offer the potential for medium- to long-term growth on your capital over five to ten years.
DISCRETIONARY FUND MANAGEMENT
A professional investor will develop your investment portfolio. They can react quickly to changing markets by making buy and sell decisions on your behalf. Please note that AIC Financial will not manage your funds.
ENTERPRISE INVESTMENT SCHEMES (EISs)
This scheme provides tax relief to individual investors who buy new shares in an organisation. The money raised must be used to grow and develop the business as part of a strategy to generate healthy net returns.
VENTURE CAPITAL TRUSTS
VCTs are government-backed schemes that help small to medium sized companies find appropriate investment. Investors who hold shares or bonds will usually benefit from generous tax savings and strong returns.
Risk warning
Enterprise investment schemes and venture capital trusts invest in assets that are high risk and can be difficult to sell, such as shares in unlisted companies. These investments are only suitable for experienced investors. The value of the investment and the income from it can fall as well as rise and investors may not get back what they originally invested, even taking into account the tax benefits. Always seek professional investment advice.
Please note:
For ISA’s Investors do not pay any personal tax on income or gains, but ISAs do pay unrecoverable tax on income from stocks and shares received by the ISA managers.
Tax treatment varies according to individual circumstances and is subject to change.
The value of investments can fall as well as rise. You might get back less than you invested. You should only consider these products if you are willing to take some risk with your capital. We will consider whether such products are suitable for you before recommending an investment.
REGULAR REVIEWS AS STANDARD
At AIC Financial we offer regular reviews to ensure your current investments are suitable for your needs and are performing to your expectations. We will annually check your attitude to risk to ensure this has not changed, along with your capacity for loss and investment purpose.
You can also arrange an initial free, no-obligation protection insurance review by calling our office on 01787 222741 or emailing us on info@aicfinancial.co.uk