The Treasury Committee made a recent call for evidence on the future of the Lifetime ISA, which has got everyone talking. They're asking big questions, like whether the account needs a bit of a makeover, some tweaks, or even if it should be scrapped entirely. With more than 750,000 people putting nearly £1.9 billion into Lifetime ISAs in the 2022/23 tax year, it's clear this account is popular.

I have worked in the public sector for most of my life and since I retired, I am receiving a pension. I also have a small SIPP which I have not yet touched.My husband has a good pension of his own plus his state pension. When I die he will receive my share of our joint assets and will have enough money to live on.Instead of leaving my small SIPP to him when I die, I would like to pass it onto char

Stock prices in London were in the green at midday Wednesday, as investors cheered lower-than-expected consumer price index inflation, ahead of US consumer price index inflation data.The consumer price index in the UK rose 2.5% in December from a year before, slowing from a 2.6% annual increase in November. The FXStreet-cited market consensus had expected inflation to pick up to 2.7%.'A surprise p

Completions above forecastProfit seen top end of rangeStrong base to build on for 2025With its shares trading at 12-month lows, there was little optimism surrounding the 2024 trading statement from housebuilder Persimmon (PSN) but the firm delivered a positive surprise with completions ahead of market expectations and a forecast of pre-tax profit towards the top end of estimates.The stock responde

Blue chips in London, Paris and Frankfurt opened lower on Monday as UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves failed to lift the mood in the UK with her China trip, amid a modest investment deal.'Surprise! The US economy added more than [250,000] new nonfarm jobs in December, some [90,000] more than expected, and the unemployment rate fell to 4.1%,' explained Swissquote's Ipek Ozkardeskaya. 'If it's any comfort

Funds play a really important role in most investors' portfolios. Many of us may not have the time or the inclination to research our own investment ideas and would rather entrust a professional to pick stocks (and other investments for us).The strength of broad market indices, particularly global and US ones, has made it difficult for actively managed funds to outperform over the last decade and

Nationwide price index hits a two-year highHalifax survey seen confirming positive trendBuyers still boycotting housebuilding stocksShares in UK housebuilders received an early New Year's lift after the latest Nationwide price survey showed the market ended on a high note last month with particular strength in northern England.However, the rally didn't last long with Barratt Redrow (BTRW), Berkele

Specialist business services firm FRP Advisory (FRP:AIM) is one of those businesses which many investors may have heard of but few are sure exactly what it does.Put simply, FRP helps companies through each stage of their development, giving advice on raising capital, managing debt, acquisitions, corporate finance and forensic accounting. It is probably best-known for 'crisis management' where it h

Spare a thought for Laszlo Hanyecz. You may not have heard of him, but in 2010 he spent 10,000 Bitcoins on two pizzas, in one of the first ever 'real world' crypto transactions. The market value of those Bitcoins is now $950 million. Hanyecz is pretty stoic about it, but deep down he must know that no amount of melted cheese can make up for the vast fortune he might have had. Hanyecz, a computer p

I was really disappointed to learn pensions will fall into inheritance tax.I have several different pensions schemes. One is a defined benefit scheme with my employer, and I also have an additional voluntary contribution section. But I also have a SIPP.Could you tell me if these pensions are treated differently when working out the inheritance tax?ChrisRachel Vahey, AJ Bell Head of Public Policy,

Quarterly index changes this weekThree new names to join FTSE 100Four new stocks to join FTSE 250This Wednesday, FTSE Russell ? part of the London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) ? will announce the results of its latest quarterly index review.This includes potential changes to the FTSE 100, FTSE 250 and FTSE Small-Cap indices which will become effective from the start of trading on 23 December.WHO'S

Equities in Europe ended higher on Thursday, overcoming some earlier uncertain trade, as comments from a US official calmed some geopolitical worries which kept a lid on investor enthusiasm.Nonetheless, Brent remained above the $73 mark, supporting oil majors.Moscow's ambassador in London said Thursday Britain was 'now directly involved' in Russia's war with Ukraine, following reports Kyiv had fir

Recent changes to the UK's listing rules should lead to a host of new names joining the FTSE 100 and FTSE 250 indices in the new year, generating more interest in the UK stock market and putting more companies on the radar of investors.This matters to investors whether they own UK stocks directly, have exposure via actively-managed funds or simply track certain parts of the market through an excha

Full-year guidance reducedChina to remain a dragStronger margin gains from 2025Smith & Nephew (SN.) sank to the bottom of the FTSE 100 index, falling 13% to a new six-month low of 956.78p after the knee and hip implants maker lowered full-year revenue growth guidance on China headwinds.The shares are down around 11% for the year, compared with a 5% gain for the blue-chip FTSE 100 index. CEO

Paul's very first taste of investing came when his employer, aerospace and defence company Rolls Royce (RR.), introduced an employee share scheme which gave him what seemed to be a low-risk way of getting exposure to its shares.It seemed low risk, explains Paul, because the scheme allowed employees to save a monthly or four weekly amount for five years and at the end of the period the savings and

European equities were on the decline early Friday, with water utilities hurting the FTSE 100, but NatWest limiting the damage.The FTSE 100 index traded down 6.76 points, 0.1%, at 8,262.62. The FTSE 250 was down 22.47 points, 0.1%, at 20,768.08, and the AIM All-Share was up just 0.12 of a point at 725.81.The Cboe UK 100 was down 0.1% at 827.45, the Cboe UK 250 was down 0.3% at 18,324.35, and the C

One of the most important things in investing is risk management. Howard Marks, co-founder of high-yield bond firm Oaktree Capital Management, believes managing risk is the ultimate test of an investor's skill.In this feature we explore the nature of risk, which may surprise you, and reveal how professional money managers like Marks manage it.It may be comforting to believe your fund manager is ac

In a sign UK companies are in a mood to see off overseas predators, Rightmove (RMV) has successfully batted off interest from Rupert Murdoch-backed rival REA Group (REA:ASX).The latter says it will no longer pursue the online UK property portal after having its fourth offer rejected.Rightmove shares reacted negatively to the news on the day (30 September), falling 8% to 613p, though year-to-date t

Prime minister Keir Starmer and chancellor Rachel Reeves have made no bones about making 'painful' decisions in order to stabilise public finances and grow the economy, so investors are right to be nervous over what might be included in the Labour party's first Budget since 2009 at the end of this month.Top of the list of investor concerns is that rather than raising income tax, national insurance

Stocks in London ended mixed on Wednesday, but the FTSE 100 held on to finish in the green, despite oil prices tailing off and trade in mainland Europe being slightly less convincing.The FTSE 100 index ended up 14.21 points, 0.2%, at 8,290.86. The FTSE 250 closed 130.92 points lower, 0.6%, at 20,783.78, and the AIM All-Share shed 2.50 points, 0.3%, at 734.30.The Cboe UK 100 ended 0.1% higher at 82