Lowes Magazine Issue 115

INSIDE TRACK

10 years proof of Structured Products’ worth LOWES HAS PUBLISHED AN IN-DEPTH GUIDE ON THE structured product market, which looks in detail at the growth and performance of the market over the past decade. Lowes has been researching and utilising structured products in portfolios for over 20 years and has been instrumental in developing new products which have changed the market demonstrably. We are recognised by the industry as independent experts in this area and therefore, perfectly positioned to conduct this review. As you can imagine, it was no mean task to collate and review a decade’s worth of investment history covering over 4,000 investments. What the report reveals, quite clearly, is that investors who utilised structured products over the last decade have, with few exceptions, achieved favourable outcomes, very well aligned with expectations. We believe that structured products are under-valued by the market but that the sector can continue to deliver better outcomes than various other asset classes, throughout more turbulent market conditions than in the years which this review has covered. If you would like a copy of the report, you can find it at: Lowes.co.uk/SPdecade

Lowes wins another Best Investment Adviser award WE ARE DELIGHTED ONCE AGAIN TO HAVE won Best Investment Adviser at the 2020 Money Marketing Awards, adding to our growing list of accolades over the past few years. Lowes previously won this award in 2018 and this year we were finalists also in the Best Retirement Adviser category. The Judges’ comments included: “Lowes Financial Management once again stood out as leader of the pack for Best Investment Adviser. The company prides itself on being “fiercely independent” with experts and specialists in the field.” The judges added, they “were in awe at the progress made in the last 12 months” and also “pleased to see how satisfied clients are with the service they receive.” Lowes has won or been a finalist in 12 industry awards over the past three years, reflecting the considerable efforts of everyone at Lowes from our Consultants, through our Investment, Pensions and Technical teams, to all Lowes staff supporting the work we do for the benefit of our clients.

Lifetime ISA withdrawals HMRC RECENTLY ANNOUNCED THAT SAVERS and investors whose income has been affected by the Coronavirus and who withdraw from their LISA between 6 March 2020 and 5 April 2021 (inclusive) will only have to pay back 20%. The Lifetime ISA offers a 25% bonus, paid monthly, on up to £4,000 of savings each year. The early withdrawal fee was 25% of the amount withdrawn and was set to disincentivise people from using LISA funds for a purpose other than buying a first home or for retirement. However, care should be taken when withdrawing from stocks and shares LISAs, due to recent stockmarket falls. If the value of the ISA has been reduced, withdrawing now could mean there is less capital to grow when stockmarkets rise and any losses to date become permanent.

2 LOWES Issue 115 · Published July 2020 The content of the articles featured in this publication for your general information and use only and is not intended to address your particular requirements. Articles should not be relied upon in their entirety and shall not be deemed to be, or constitute, advice. Although endeavours have been made to provide accurate and timely information, there can be no guarantee that such information is accurate as of the date it is received or that it will continue to be accurate in the future. No individual or company should act upon such information without receiving appropriate professional advice after a thorough examination of their particular situation. We cannot accept responsibility for any loss as a result of acts or omissions taken in respect of any articles. Thresholds, percentage rates and tax legislation may change in subsequent Finance Acts. Levels and bases of, and reliefs from, taxation are subject to change and their value can go down as well as up and you may get back less than you invested. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results.

Covershot: Comet Neowise over Stonehenge 14 July 2020 Next passing will be in 6,800 years Photo: Declan Deval