cash

The amount of private wealth held by households rose by 14% last year, fuelled by rising stock markets, analysis has found.

Growing adviser confidence in market performance and increased consumer desire for long-term financial planning are expected to bring beta back into client portfolios in the coming years, a BlackRock survey has suggested.

The mental strain of worrying about cash-flow and making ends meet can reduce people's IQ, according to scientific research.

CASH

Paltry returns on 'safe' investments such as cash and gilts have caused three out of five retirees lose out on around £2,400-a-year in real terms as inflation eats into the income they use to supplement their pensions.

Is cash now the go-to asset? Leading investors are rediscovering its attractions as market valuations reach breaking point and inflation levels drop to historic lows.

Advisers are experiencing frequent problems with risk-adverse clients holding large amounts of cash, despite the menace of inflation, according to J.P. Morgan Asset Management.

Financial services firm True Potential says the Budget has underlined the ineffectiveness of cash savings.

POSITIVE REAL RETURNS

Advisory firm Moneygate has received a cash injection of £18m with which it hopes to buy approximately 25 companies, according to reports.