Investing

The week began with the news that despite a bounce back in fund sales in March, retail investors remained cautious overall, cutting their equity weightings and placing more in multi asset, absolute returns and bond funds. Keeping with the multi asset theme, Miton’s multi asset manager David Jane revealed he is raising his equity exposure to emerging markets, at the companies in more developed stock markets. Finally we explored whether following the old saying of ‘Sell in May and go away’ was worthy of any merit.

Retirement 

In the same week that it was announced that 12% of the UK population are now ‘retirement ready’ (up from 7% in April 2015), a more startling study suggested that one in seven people retiring this year have no pension and will be either totally or heavily reliant on the State Pension to provide a regular income in later life. For those who retired following the pension freedoms, a survey showed that eight of 10 people have already spent some of the money redecorating or renovating their home.

Household bills

After the announcement that BHS and Austin Reed filed for administration, we explained your consumer rights when it comes to vouchers, warranties and refunds. Live in Hull? Well if you do research revealed you are lagging well behind other towns on your current broadband speeds, while Middlesbrough topped the table. The week ended with good news for those about to travel abroad with the announcement that from tomorrow using your mobile in the EU will become much cheaper.