If, indeed, this is the case, then we can expect a continuation of higher returns from the stock market than those achieved from other forms of investment. Higher, but not necessarily at the same level as those which have applied in the past.Double digit stock market returns may turn out to be the gold at the end of the investment rainbow that not enough of us unearthed in the Eighties and Nineties.* Brian Tora is Chairman of the Gerrard Asset Allocation Committee. Here’s your chance to win £1,000 in our Bulls and Bears competition. The competition is run in association with ProShare, the investors’ organisation, and Charles Schwab, the stockbroker. Here’s your chance to win £1,000 in our Bulls and Bears competition. The competition is run in association with ProShare, the investors’ organisation, and Charles Schwab, the stockbroker.
Each month we give away a £1,000 cash prize to the investment club that nominates the best performing share in percentage terms (“the Bull”) and the worst performer (“the Bear”) in a particular stock market sector The stocks will be drawn from the FTSE All Share Index. Entry is free to all clubs which have been members of ProShare Investment Clubs for at least two months.This month we have chosen the Construction and Building sector, listed on the page headed SHARES in the main section of today’s Independent.
From the sector choose the share whose price you think will go up by the greatest percentage between close of business on Friday 26 January and the close of business on Friday 9 February.You must also pick the share you consider will fall by the greatest percentage in the same period. Shares can be chosen only from those listed in this sector and published in today’s Independent. The club with the highest combined figure when their winner and loser percentages are added together will receive a cheque for £1,000. In the event of a tie the club judged to have offered the best reason for its riser choice will be given the prize.Judging will be by John Willcock, Personal Finance Editor, and his decision will be final.
Closing date for entries into this month’s competition is Friday 26 January.Your entry should include:The name of your club; the name of the “Bull” – the biggest percentage riser and the “Bear” – the biggest percentage faller; the reason for choosing the biggest riser (in no more than 25 words). And don’t forget your name and address, daytime and evening phone numbers.All entries must be received at ProShare’s offices before 5pm on that day. Entries received after that time will be invalid.You can send them by e-mail to jan proshare , fax to 020 722 01731, or on a postcard to ProShare, Centurion House, 24 Monument Street, London EC3R 8AQFurther information:ProShare: 0870 2645484 or www.proshare .Charles Schwab on 0870 601888. All ISA investment funds offer tax advantages, but corporate bonds offer slightly more than most. Their performance may have been pretty dismal of late, but many experts argue events are slowly moving in their favour, and now may be a good time to buy. All ISA investment funds offer tax advantages, but corporate bonds offer slightly more than most.
Their performance may have been pretty dismal of late, but many experts argue events are slowly moving in their favour, and now may be a good time to buy.
Corporate bonds are loans issued by companies to raise money for their expansion. They pay a fixed rate of interest on a lump sum and are traded on the stock market. They have been hugely popular recently, primarily among those approaching, or in, retirement who want to earn income on their investments greater than that paid by bank or building society accounts, but with a relatively low level of risk.Unfortunately, many investors have underestimated the risks they were taking with their money. “Corporate bonds have had a rotten time for the last two years, falling around 10 per cent in value, which is a large drop for a fixed-interest investment.