Showing 1 - 10 of 10
A boom or a bubble?
Spectrum, Andrew Wood, Published on 27/07/2014
» The world seems to be in a state of fervour with appreciating investment assets. Could the apparent nascent global economic recovery be disrupted by mere interest rate rises or even geopolitical threats? On the one hand everything appears to be chugging along very nicely in the boom. However, there are other influencing factors which many opt to overlook as most of the world joins the ever-growing herd stampeding onwards in their quest for wealth accumulation. Or are they really inflating a bubble?
Year the snake bit, but not fatally
Spectrum, Andrew Wood, Published on 29/12/2013
» The Year of the Snake, 2013, has been mixed in many ways. We have witnessed some unexpected surprises while certain expectations have not come to fruition. Will this uneven trend continue into next year and beyond? Here is a recap of current trends and a look ahead.
Peaking Dow: Will history repeat?
Spectrum, Andrew Wood, Published on 24/03/2013
» Recent advances in stock markets are pointing to a brighter future, reflecting improvements in the US economic outlook. But are we really basing expectations on solid fundamentals, perhaps treading on thin ice? Markets reflect recent volatility, yet the fear factor is declining. Where are we heading?
Expats beware: Your taxman never sleeps
Spectrum, Andrew Wood, Published on 03/02/2013
» Taxation rules for expats are becoming more complicated as their home governments make increased efforts to raise revenue and improve tax compliance. If governments had acted in the same manner as financially prudent individuals, we might not have landed in the mess we have been facing for the past few years.
Ground rent-an attractive alternative investment
Spectrum, Andrew Wood, Published on 25/11/2012
» The feedback from my two articles on alternative investments was surprisingly enthusiastic. This tells me that investors are actively looking for higher-yielding investment options during the current low fixed-income environment.
Put your faith in trusts to protect your financial future
Spectrum, Andrew Wood, Published on 05/08/2012
» Today we will take a look at the features and advantages of trusts, one of the least understood and least appreciated forms of asset protection.
Lifting the fog on financial options open to expats
Spectrum, Andrew Wood, Published on 08/07/2012
» As expats, we need to be financially self-reliant, yet we often tend to look the other way when it comes to planning our futures. Maybe we need a kick-start. For most of us, it is imperative to make arrangements for our investments because there will be little in the way of state provisions when we get older and wish to stop working.
Offshore bonds complex but rewarding
Spectrum, Andrew Wood, Published on 01/07/2012
» Last week we talked about offshore personal portfolio bonds (OPPBs) and how they assist with currency management. Since then a number of readers have enquired about the uses of OPPBs and how they may benefit from such an account. There is obviously a lot of confusion out there.
Portfolio success a complicated equation
Spectrum, Andrew Wood, Published on 04/03/2012
» Last week, we looked at portfolio diversification and how you can manage your existing nest egg and capitalise on performance while broadening your overall balance to suit your risk appetite and time horizon.
Finding balance in shifting sands
Spectrum, Andrew Wood, Published on 08/01/2012
» Happy New Year! Welcome to 2012. It's that time of year when many of us say "out with the old and in with the new". But is it really that practical or even possible to achieve this with regard to financial matters?