Investing is not as simple as chasing the highest returns possible. There is volatility to consider, charges involved, your personal views to factor in, and many different asset classes to explore.

It can be difficult to know if your current investments are working for you, so this is where our Investment Review Service can provide the answers you are looking for.

What makes a good investment?

Sometimes it’s difficult to assess if your existing investments are working for you? If you have received investment advice in the past is it still appropriate?

When reviewing your investments we believe that you should look at the following points to assess if your investments are correct for you.

Fair charges

The effect of charges on your portfolio is often overlooked, but charges can make a significant difference to the value of your plan in the long term. Having high charges is not always a bad thing, as long as you see the additional returns to cover these extra costs.

Investment Diversification

Ensuring you invest in a range of asset classes is vital to providing stability to your portfolio. For example, in times of economic difficulty, the fixed interest market can reduce the effect of large dips in equities. However, diversification is also important across other areas, such as investing in different countries. Combining all types of diversification can greatly reduce the risk involved in your portfolio.

Attitude to risk

Everyone reacts differently to the inevitable highs and lows of investing. Whilst one investor is comfortable with riding out large drops in their portfolio to chase high returns, this idea may fill another investor with dread and fear. Finding the balance of risk vs reward that suits your particular profile can give you peace of mind that your portfolio is working for you.

Time Horizon for Investing

The number of years until you need to take money from your investments is a crucial figure in calculating your ideal asset allocation. With the volatility associated with the stock market, it would not be prudent to invest largely in equities if you are looking to withdraw capital in the next 5 years. The risk is too great that the market is experiencing a low at that time and that your investments are worth less than at the start.

Our Investment Review Process

Step 1 – Review your current situation

We recognise that no two investors are the same, and nor are their personal situations. We will work with you to fully understand your position, and retrieve all necessary information about your existing investments. As part of this, we will take time to learn your investment objectives. We will make your goals our own, and these will be important factors when it comes to your review.

Step 2 – Assess your attitude to risk

Using our Financial Personality Assessment (FPA), we will use your answers to gain an understanding of your feelings towards various aspects of investing such as loss aversion,  volatility anxiety, and confidence in skill. As part of this, we will also learn about your attitude towards ethical investing, and if your portfolio should reflect preferences in this area.

Step 3 – Assess your existing investments

At this stage we will have sufficient information regarding you and your current portfolio in order to answer the following questions:

• • Are you getting value for money?
  • Are your investments in line with your attitude to risk?
  • Do they match your views on ethical investing?
  • How well diversified is your portfolio?
  • How does the past performance compare with the risk you are taking?
  • Is there an alternative solution that could be more optimal?

Step 4 – Provide detailed feedback 

Using various reports, tools and charts, we will cover our findings with you and answer any questions you may have.

Step 5 – Suggest an alternative approach

Depending on the results of the investment review, we will create a custom portfolio for you that matches your risk profile, time horizon, and ethical views. As part of this, we will compare this portfolio with your existing investment so that you have all the necessary information to decide on your next steps.

Investment Review Service

If you would like to find out more information about our investment review service and how we can help you please feel free to contact us. You can contact us by chat, email or phone.

Start your Journey…

Book your Initial meeting

Our initial meeting enables us to find out more about you and how we might be able to help you. The meeting is provided at our expense and there is no obligation on your part.