Anthony Bolton predicts better 2009 for Investors

Legendary investor Anthony Bolton has predicted a better 2009 for investors.

He said in the Sunday Times on 14th Decemeber, “Everything I need to see for a bottom is there. Valuations look cheap and you often get this kind of high intra-day volatility at a turning point,” he said.

“All the pieces are in place for a rally in the first quarter. The first stage of the bull market will be quite strong followed by a long period of consolidation. In the long run the market could return to its peak [6,930 in December 1999] but it could take quite some time.”

Does he know what he is talking about?

From 1979 until 2007, Bolton delivered average annual returns of 20.3% , compared with 7.7% from the FTSE All-Share index in that period,

A to Z of 2008...Credit Crunch, recession, Iceland

2008 was a busy year for everybody in financial Services & a new star was born in Robert Peston, the BBC's Mr Credit Crunch.

Money marketing have a useful A to Z of the year's events. (not online so far)

eg Z is for Zero : the number of banking jobs left in Iceland

10 Reasons to use an Independent Financial Adviser : 1

1 We are independent. We are not tied to any particular group. This means our recommendations are unbiased & impartial.

Many advisers only have ties to certain product providers. This can generate higher commissions for the advisers involved. Always check for independence.

The question to ask, "are you independent & whole of market?"

To be continued

Xmas Luxuries at Lidl

In this months Observer Food Monthly, Allegra McEvedy prepares a Christmas feast with luxury items bought at bargain price at Lidl.

Can vouch for the smoked salmon, rollmops and creme fraiche.

In Swindon, the store is in Gorse Hill, take a coat..the heating seems to be turned down!

http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2008/dec/14/cheap-christmas-dinner

VAT Reduction of 2.5%

Will Alistair Darling's 13 month reduction of VAT by 2.5% have any effect on an ailing economy?

A client remarked to me last week that they would not rush into a shop advertising a 2.5% reduction..

One problem for businesses is re-calculating their VAT bills.