2020 Newsletter April

The essential question is are you staying safe and well?

Life has become restricted in a way none of us planned for and you may not have too much interest in your investments at this time as other family challenges taking up your time and energy.

My newsletter, this month, is important to me as I want to give a view of the portfolios we manage.  Not individual valuations but an overall position.
Please ask if you want to have a current valuation of your own.

To put things in context, the portfolio with the biggest drawdown has reduced in value by 19.5% but most have reduced by less than 14%, after increasing from January 2019 to the current fall in February 2020 by 28.5%.
The fall was dramatic, and we may still see further falls as the markets are tested.

However, a 28.5% recovery in a single year demonstrates that markets recover and normally faster than anticipated during a crisis.

Your portfolio was designed to match your individual appetite for risk and should provide stability, providing better than cash returns and out pacing inflation.

Investments that help the world stay healthy, minimise waste of scarce resources and provide a sustainable return

The COP26 UN climate change conference set to take place in Glasgow in November has been postponed due to COVID-19.

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UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Patricia Espinosa
said “COVID-19 is the most urgent threat facing humanity today,
but we cannot forget that climate change is the biggest threat facing
humanity over the long term

Soon, economies will restart. 
This is a chance for nations to recover better, to include the most
vulnerable in those plans, and a chance to shape the 21st century
economy in ways that are clean, green, healthy, just, safe and more
resilient”

After 38 years of advising clients on their investments, investing in a sustainable way has never been this popular or more important. 

The water efficiency challenge

In an era of scarce resources and increased environmental awareness, businesses should do more than reduce their carbon footprint.

It’s essential they cut their water usage.

The world is waking up to the need to protect the environment for future generations.

Cutting carbon emissions is one step in the right direction
– one for which businesses are increasingly being held to account, whether that’s by regulators, consumers or shareholders.

But it is not the only step we need to take.

Water efficiency is another battleground in the fight for sustainability
Here is a graphic that shows the amount of water used to produce a cotton t-shirt .

Income Protection — during the emergency

So far, the evidence is that the insurance companies providing income protection are being supportive and often providing additional help, outside their contracted liabilities.

That is something I am delighted to hear.

At least one of the main providers is offering a three-month premium holiday. 

My next newsletter is due mid summer.
Let’s all hope life is more normal by then.

Stay safe and well.

 Jan