Editions
Navigating Inheritance Tax Planning
The inclusion of pension wealth in Inheritance Tax (IHT) from April 2027 is set to reshape the financial planning landscape. As clients seek guidance on the implications for their financial plans, advisers have an opportunity to demonstrate their value, strengthen long-term relationships and help clients deliver a ‘tidy legacy'.
Explore our insights, articles and expert perspectives to help you navigate the evolving landscape and support clients with confidence.
Practical steps to get ahead of IHT and pension changes
Prepare for the 2027 pension inheritance tax changes and their impact on wealth transfer and estate planning.
How the future IHT changes can reshape the value of advice
How advisers can help clients leave a tidy legacy, demonstrating their value as pension IHT changes reshape intergenerational planning.
Futureproofing your bereavement proposition
Prepare for the 2027 pension inheritance tax changes and their impact on bereavement propositions, estate administration and adviser support.
Inheritance tax planning – what does the future hold?
Recorded in May 2025, this vodcast explores the proposed 2027 inheritance tax changes and their implications for advisers and clients.
Investment perspectives: July 26
In this edition of Investment Perspectives, Matt Brennan, Head of Asset Allocation, takes a closer look at bonds, how they work in multi-asset portfolios, and what investors need to consider.
With changes to the cash ISA ahead, Mithesh Varsani, Head of Investment Solutions, explores the opportunity this presents for new client conversations. In that same vein, we review the latest Scottish Widows research into investor attitudes to responsible investing and how this presents a chance for advisers to add value to existing clients and future prospects.
In addition, we feature our Q2 market review and Q3 outlook, as well as third-party contributions on the benefits of AI, updated views on market fundamentals, and a deeper look at Asian equities.
Global investment market review: Q2 2026
Over the second quarter of 2026, the MSCI ACWI Index, a representative measure of global equities across developed and emerging...
Shorter-term market outlook: Q2 2026
Though we manage funds for the long term, here are our thoughts on markets as we look forward over the...
Responsible investing – what retail investor attitudes could mean for advisers
New Scottish Widows research into more than 2,000 UK retail investors and first-time investment considerers suggests that many clients now...
Beyond the Cash ISA changes: helping clients rethink the role of cash
The announced reduction in the annual Cash ISA allowance from £20,000 to £12,000 for under-65s from April 2027 has brought...
Bonds aren’t what they used to be. Or are they?
Bonds have traditionally been a source of defensiveness, predictable income flow, portfolio diversification, and some capital appreciation for conventional well-balanced...
Asian equities need more than a good story
Everyone loves a good story, and almost nowhere more so than in Asian equities, where investors are drawn to themes...
Multi-Asset: Boring is still beautiful for the second half of 2026
Looking ahead to the next six months, Richard Bernstein, Global Head of Macro & Customized Investing, explains why it may...
Beyond hype: AI benefits taking shape
A recent research-driven investment trip by Columbia Threadneedle Investments reinforced how AI is delivering real efficiency and productivity gains –...
Investment perspectives: June 26
In this edition of Investment Perspectives, Matt Brennan, Head of Asset Allocation, explores the record-breaking SpaceX IPO and why not all IPOs soar to such heights.
We consider how emerging EMEA markets can help advisers broaden their portfolio diversification. And turning to AI and its intensive resource use, we look at what companies and investors should consider int terms of decarbonisation planning.
In addition, we feature a May market review and third-party contributions on the changing US market, find value in India, and why monthly rebalancing can be an adviser’s competitive edge.
Global investment market review: May 2026
In May, the MSCI ACWI Index, a representative measure of global equities across developed and emerging markets, added 6% in...
Emerging EMEA: the overlooked diversifier?
Global equity investing has become increasingly concentrated in recent years, with the strength of US markets – particularly large-cap technology...
Watch this Space: An IPO for the ages?
In the wake of the SpaceX IPO (initial public offering) in June – the biggest in history – Matt Brennan,...
AI energy and resource use
As AI drives up electricity demand, companies and investors face tough questions: are net zero plans adapting to the reality...
Beneath the surface, the US market is changing
Royce Investment Partners: Co-CIO Francis Gannon looks at how recent performance may be subtly announcing a turning point in market...
Why monthly rebalancing is your competitive edge
Here's a question for your practice: how often are your clients' portfolios being realigned? If the answer is ‘quarterly’ or...
India’s quality, at a discount
Avinash Vazirani and Colin Croft set out why their approach to finding reasonably priced stocks has important lessons for active...
Investment perspectives: May 26
In this edition of Investment Perspectives, Matt Brennan, Head of Asset Allocation, takes a timely look at inflation and the influence of energy costs on price rises.
We consider the role commodities can play in multi-asset portfolios and how the Iran war has driven different outcomes across energy, metals and agriculture, underlining the importance of careful allocation. And we take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of the Asia Pacific ex Japan region for investors.
In addition, we feature our April market review and third-party contributions on Asian fixed income, multi-asset investing, and the importance of investment processes.
Global investment market review: April 2026
In April, the MSCI ACWI Index, a representative measure of global equities across developed and emerging markets, added 6.9% in...
Unlocking diversification and growth opportunities
The Asia Pacific ex Japan region has emerged as an important element of some multi-asset portfolios. Incorporating Asia Pacific ex...
Energy and inflation
In this article, Matt Brennan, Head of Asset Allocation, considers the different types of inflation and the influence of energy...
Considering commodities in multi-asset portfolios
Commodities can seem like a specialist area of the market, but they tend to come into sharper focus when inflation,...
Why the time is right for multi-asset investing
Multi-asset investing is all about diversification. Diversification – sometimes referred to as the only free lunch in finance – embeds...
The resilience of Asian fixed income
Confronted with ongoing geopolitical tensions, we believe Asia’s fundamental strengths should underpin the resilience of its fixed income markets. Supported...
When markets test conviction, trust the process
In highly volatile markets the pressure to act can be overwhelming. A disciplined investment process helps resist costly reactions.
Retirement report 2026: Saving for retirement
Part One of the 2026 Scottish Widows Retirement Report focuses on the nation’s readiness for their financial future and brings together new evidence on how prepared the UK is in a period of economic change, rising living costs and health challenges. Drawing on our National Retirement Forecast - which looks at the retirement lifestyles different groups are on target for - the report explores who is most at risk of falling short in retirement, why these risks persist and what could make the greatest difference over time.
The findings highlight both the scale of the challenge and the policy choices that will shape future retirement outcomes.
Planning your future in a changing world
Scottish Widows CEO Chira Barua introduces the first part of Scottish Widows’ Retirement Report 2026, examining financial pressure, health and...
Summary and policy recommendations
In this video, Pete Glancy, Head of Pensions Policy at Scottish Widows, outlines the key findings from the Retirement Report...
National Retirement Forecast
New National Retirement Forecast data shows 12.2 million people still face pension poverty in the UK despite recent improvements.
Scenario Modelling: Time to increase default contribution rates?
New modelling compares higher pension contributions with working longer, showing that contribution increases deliver for savers.
Living for today versus saving for tomorrow
New research examines how short‑term financial pressures influence retirement saving decisions, particularly for vulnerable groups.
Health, saving & retirement
Health challenges are affecting people’s ability to work, manage money and save for retirement, increasing long‑term risk.
Recommendations
In our policy recommendations we call for changes to auto-enrolment to benefit more workers, including self-employed people, and closer links...
Investment perspectives: April 26
In this edition, we review Q1 market performance and look ahead to Q2 trends, we also explores energy security and investment risk, highlighting how portfolios can build resilience, explain why AI‑related companies are driving equity markets and examine why the Middle East crisis hasn’t derailed the emerging market recovery, despite ongoing tensions.
Global investment market review: Q1 2026
Over the first quarter of 2026, the MSCI ACWI Index, a representative measure of global equities across developed and emerging...
Global investment market outlook: Q2 2026
Despite the pullback in March because of the conflict in Iran, we believe equities remain relatively fully valued. In our...
Why AI-related companies are driving equity markets
Artificial intelligence (AI) has moved rapidly from a niche technology theme to a material driver of equity market performance. In...
Developed equity market allocations
In this article, we look at the attributes of developed market (DM) equities and consider the pros and cons of...
Energy security and investment risk
Recent geopolitical developments have placed energy security at the centre of policy discussions across Europe and beyond. Previously, energy security...
Steadying the course: The role of smoothed funds in navigating volatility
Many clients may feel anxious when confronted with market volatility, which can lead to hasty decisions about their investment portfolios....
Why the Middle East crisis hasn’t derailed the emerging market recovery
As markets digested the impact of the first waves of conflict in Iran, the focus quickly moved onto energy and...
Happy Birthday, MSCI World!
The MSCI World Index, launched on 31 March 1986, has, over four decades, been one of the most important and...
Investment perspectives: March 26
Global investment market review: Feb 26
In February, the MSCI ACWI Index, a representative measure of global equities across developed and emerging markets, rose 3.4% in...
Beyond the ten at the top
Eva Cairns, Head of Responsible Investment, explores why good governance depends on more than just a proactive board, and contends...
Paying dividends
Albert Einstein reputedly referred to compound interest as `the 8th wonder of the world'. Equity dividend reinvestment has a similar...
REITs or direct property funds?
Explore the differences between REITs and direct property funds, including liquidity, volatility, income and how advisers use them in multi‑asset...
Understanding gold and its role in portfolios
Gold has surged to record highs amid geopolitical tension and rising reserve demand. Discover what’s driving the rally and how...
Why Emerging Market Equities now?
Discover what’s driving renewed strength in emerging market equities, the outlook for 2026, and where opportunities may lie across regions...
Is AI really behind a global hiring slowdown?
AI is widely blamed for the global hiring slowdown, but the data tells a different story. Explore the real drivers...
Investment perspectives: February 26
In this edition of Investment Perspectives we discover how global markets performed in January 2026. We also have an article from Mithesh Varsani Head of Investment Solutions at Scottish Widows who takes a look at Modern multi-asset portfolios and rise of alternative investments.
We also feature Heather Coulson Head of Portfolio Management and Implementation, Scottish Widows who takes a look at the longer-term impact of geopolitical tensions on markets.
Market volatility in the wake of conflict in the Middle East
We’ve seen market fluctuations on the back of unfolding news in the Middle East, we believe it is important for...
Global investment market review: January 2026 – performance & highlights
Discover how global markets performed in January 2026. This review covers key data across equities
Modern multi-asset portfolios: The rise of alternative investments
Explore how alternative investments are being used within modern multi‑asset portfolios to improve diversification, resilience and risk‑adjusted returns.
Emerging market debt: A useful tool for multi-asset portfolio diversification
We run through the types of emerging market debt (EMD) and discuss the pros and cons of having the asset...
Longer-term impact of geopolitical tensions on markets
Geopolitical tensions have dominated headlines in early 2026, from US-Europe tariff threats to developments involving Iran, Venezuela and the Arctic...
DeepSeek one year on: separating fundamentals from noise
One year after DeepSeek’s launch, assess China’s AI momentum, market sentiment and what has genuinely changed for investors.
Absolute return: why discipline matters in today’s market
After a decade defined by ultra low rates, markets have shifted decisively into a new regime. The cost of money...
How likely is a recession in 2026?
2025 was a strong year for investors across major markets. But it was also a year where talk of recession...
Tax year end
As the end of the 2025/2026 tax year draws near, here is some Insights and Guides to help support your clients effectively.
Know your limits – Pension and ISA allowances FAQs
Tax Year End brings a lot of questions around pension and ISA allowances. Find the answers to some of the...
Tax year end planning
Discover tax year end planning strategies for 2025/26, including maximising pension contributions, using carry forward, and making the most of...
Emergency tax and reclaims
Understand how emergency tax applies to pension withdrawals, when clients may overpay, and how to reclaim tax using HMRC forms...
Salary, dividend or pension contribution?
Explore the pros and cons of salary, dividends, and pension contributions for shareholding directors. Learn how to optimise profit extraction...
Unlocking the future of estate planning: Adapting to new inheritance tax rules for pension funds from April 2027
Prepare for the 2027 inheritance tax changes affecting pension funds. Explore estate planning strategies using cash and investments, including trusts,...
Investment perspectives: January 26
We kick 2026 off with an article from Matt Brennan, Head of Asset Allocation, looking at what the year ahead could mean for investment markets. Meanwhile, our Head of Portfolio Management, Heather Coulson, shares her thoughts on the key areas to watch out for in 2026.
We also look at the hidden costs of investing and how you can manage and reduce those costs for your clients. And our Head of Responsible Investment, Eva Cairns, considers the key responsible investment trends for 2026 and how you can navigate them.
In addition, we feature our Q4 market update and third-party contributions on China’s franchising landscape, the importance of considering physical climate risks, and how the AI economy could play out.
Global investment market review: Q4 2025 – performance & highlights
The MSCI ACWI Index, a representative measure of global equities across developed and emerging markets, increased 3.4% over the fourth...
2026 Outlook: Keeping a weather eye upon markets
Sunny skies or cloudy with a chance of rain? Matt Brennan, Head of Asset Allocation at Scottish Widows, considers some...
Investment Outlook 2026 – areas we’re watching
In this short film, our Head of Portfolio Management, Heather Coulson, shares her thoughts on the year ahead and the...
Uncovering the hidden costs of investing – and how to limit them for your clients
When managing money for clients, the focus is of course on portfolio performance and resultant financial returns. Yet fund transaction...
Responsible investment trends for 2026
As we enter 2026 following a year of increased polarisation for sustainable finance, the responsible investment landscape continues to evolve...
Follow the smart money franchises: Why China’s best franchise models will define its economic future
As China rebalances toward a service-driven model of growth, franchising may become one of the country’s most consequential institutional innovations...
Why physical climate risk demands investor attention
For years, investors have focused on climate transition risk – policy shifts, regulatory changes and technological disruption. But the story...
AI economic scenarios: revolutionary growth, or recessionary bubble?
Investors’ focus into 2026 is turning increasingly to AI-related risk: is it a stock market bubble that is about burst,...