FEATURES:
Thanks to an exemption that applies to some small companies, Aim portfolios can escape inheritance tax. That's just one more reason to invest in some of the great businesses to be found on the UK's junior market. In our main feature this week John Ficenec creates an IHT-free Aim portfolio.
■ How safe is your stockbroker?
We explain what happens if your stockbroker goes bust and what you need to know about the security on offer from your broker.
SEVEN DAYS:
■ All you need to know about investing in the past seven days: what's rising, what's falling and what's making the headlines, plus the key market statistics this week.
NEWS:
■ Differing fortunes on Africa's energy frontiers, BP break-up talk resumes, boardroom shenanigans at carpet manufacturer Victoria and US QE3 set to power equities, plus following Burberry's profit warning, it is time to reassess the lure of luxury.
ECONOMIC OUTLOOK:
■ ECB does half a job - The ECB's plan to buy bonds does more to strengthen banks than it does to bolster the euro area's economy.
COMMENT:
Our columnists offer in-depth analysis and investment ideas:
■ The Editor - The truth about tax: calls for a tax raid on the wealthy are wide of the mark - only lowering taxes will rescue the economy.
■ No free lunch - Lock 'em up: the most essential bank regulation of all would be to introduce 'strict liability' clauses into senior bank management contracts.
■ Mr Bearbull - The weather for cocoa.
■ Simon Thompson - Seeking alpha: our companies editor reveals some of the smart investment techniques he employs in his successful trades.
■ Chris Dillow - All in the mind: neuroscience sheds light on how investors respond to earnings surprises.
■ Smart Money - Retiring in health means below-par income.
YOUR MONEY:
Financial planning, tax and investment wisdom:
■ Sipp portfolio - Planning for short-term volatility.
■ Financial planning - Avoid this common pensions mistake.
SHARE TIPS OF THE WEEK:
■ You might find it hard to believe your eyes - but we're tipping a bank. But this US bank has shaken off its problems and the shares are loaded with recovery potential.
■ With a bullish signal coming from the world's biggest user of titanium dioxide, this specialist miner should be home and dry given the tight market fundamentals governing supply.
■ Housebuilders have emerged from a difficult period fitter and leaner. This one has been buying cheap land and enjoying solid sales growth. We think there's still mileage in the share price ahead of results next month.
■ This miner has underlying problems - the location of the valuable assets it's trying to dig out of the earth are at such a deep level, it will be exceptionally difficult, and costly, to develop them.
FUND TIP OF THE WEEK:
■ If you're searching for a decent income source and safe steady returns, this fund has to be a strong candidate.
SHARE TIP UPDATES:
■ Hansteen
FUNDS:
■ Fund news - Performance fees in decline.
■ In the doghouse - JPMorgan Cautious Total Return.
■ The big theme - ETFs face ban on lending for profit.
■ Feature: VCTs under threat: the regulator's efforts to protect less knowledgeable investors could come at a high price for knowledgeable ones if plans to restrict access to VCTs and EISs are implemented.
SHARES:
The lowdown on the latest company results:
■ Abcam
■ Ashmore
■ Cyprotex
■ Go-Ahead
■ Tikit
■ Sector focus - High-flying investments: airlines may be held in scorn by the market, but investors overlook these companies at their own risk.
■ Stock screen - Ten new momentum stars: our momentum portfolio shares performed strongly over the last quarter; we've now selected the shares for the coming quarter.
■ Directors' dealings - Notable transactions at Phaunos Timber Fund, plus a table of all boardroom share trades.
■ Week ahead - A summary of key company announcements expected in the coming week.
TAKEOVERS:
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TRADING:
■ Trading news - Silver regains its sparkle.
■ The Trader - New highs: The Trader sees markets heading higher, but warns about letting emotion dictate your views of which direction markets are going.
