Client Update - Issue 1 futurefinancial Newsletter
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In this issue
Things could be worse ... and could get much better soon

Undervalued markets

Protecting your income

Pension statements

Property as an investment



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futurefinancial is a trading name of Synergie Financial Planning Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.
June 2009

Welcome to the first edition of our regular e-newsletters. In the future I intend to send you a regular client update like this 3-4 times per year. These newsletters are designed to give you an overview of what is happening in the financial world, as well as some articles which you may find of interest.

Our aim as always is to keep you informed of all of the latest news and developments in the marketplace.

It certainly has been an "interesting" and eventful 12 months, but there are some glimmers of light at the end of the tunnel. With this in mind, I am keen to review clients' portfolios to ensure that they are positioned to gain the maximum benefit from the upside when it finally comes. If I haven't reviewed your portfolio with you in the last 6 months and you would like a review, please contact Marie or Jenny to arrange a meeting.

Also if you have any comments or questions regarding any of the articles below, or just in general, I would be keen to hear from you.

Yours sincerely,

Keith Tadhunter Dip PFS
Director

futurefinancial
Things could be worse ... and could get much better soon
One of the wealthiest investors in the world, Warren Buffett has made his money-and, to be fair, lost some too-by not following the investment 'herd' but by being prepared to be different. Things could be worse ... and could get much better soon
Find out more here.
Undervalued markets
Despite the best efforts of the press to scare us all with tales of doom and gloom, not all the news is bad if you take a long term view.

The long term is, after all, what investments are all about. The FTSE100, which covers the largest companies in the UK, has been running in its current form for just under 25 years now. Starting in April 1984 at a base of 1,000, it ended December 2008 at 4,434, well down from its high point of 6,930 at the very end of 1999.
Find out more here.
Protecting your income
The first casualties of the credit crunch were those within the financial services community, where banks quickly started to lay off people in an effort to cut costs.

Unfortunately, this trend is likely to expand into the 'real world' as businesses find they can no longer get adequate finance from the
banks to sustain them through the downturn.		 Protecting your income
Find out more here.
Pension statements
About now, many people receive a statement of benefits relating to their pension benefits.

Members of defined benefit (final salary) schemes-most of whom are in taxpayer-funded government schemes-have nothing to worry about; for the rest of us, there is an 'opportunity'.

If your pension benefit statement shows that, despite you (and possibly your employer) having invested good money this year, your scheme is actually worth less than last year you are likely to be disappointed. But in fact, things are not necessarily as bad as you may think, unless you are just about to retire. Even then, you have some options that may make matters easier for you.
Find out more here.
Property as an investment
With house prices having plummeted recently-and commercial property being no better-what are the options for property investment?
As with equity markets, low prices could well be creating buying opportunities for those who are able to arrange suitable finance.		 Property as an investment
Find out more here.
© futurefinancial

This publication represents our understanding of law and Inland Revenue practice as at the date of publication. It does not provide individual tailored investment advice and is for guidance only. Rules may vary for Scotland and Northern Ireland. We cannot assume legal liability for any errors or omissions it might contain. Levels and bases of, and reliefs from taxation are those currently applying or proposed and are subject to change; their value depends on the individual circumstances of the investor.

The value of land and buildings is generally a matter of a valuer’s opinion rather than fact. The value of investments can go down as well as up and you may not get back the full amount you invested. The past is not a guide to future performance and past performance may not necessarily be repeated. If you withdraw from an investment in the early years, you may not get the full amount you invested. Changes in the rates of exchange may have an adverse effect on the value or price of an investment in sterling terms if it is denominated in a foreign currency.

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. Loans are subject to status and written details are available on request. Always seek independent advice from a qualified financial adviser. Think carefully before securing other debts against your home. Fees for mortgage advice maybe charged and for details of these please contact us. The Financial Services Authority does not regulate all the activities undertaken by the company, including taxation advice and overseas mortgages.