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Exclusive Fund Focus BNY Multi-Asset Moderate Think Differently This Month’s Fund in Focus BNY Multi-Asset Moderate Three Years Old, Platinum Rated, and Growing Up Nicely There are some fund anniversaries that pass with little more than a date on a factsheet. This one deserves considerably more attention. The BNY Multi-Asset Moderate Fund is celebrating its third birthday this month, and we think that provides the perfect opportunity to make it our latest Fund in Focus. We have been strong supporters of the wider BNY multi-asset range for some time. Strategies from the range are important building blocks within our Flagship portfolios because we believe Newton brings together many of the characteristics we want from a genuinely active multi-asset manager: experienced investment teams, substantial research resources, flexible asset allocation and an investment process that places as much emphasis on managing risk as it does on identifying return opportunities. However, this month is specifically about BNY Multi-Asset Moderate. Three years matters. It marks the point at which a relatively young strategy begins to develop a sufficiently meaningful live track record for investors and researchers to examine not simply what the managers said they intended to do, but how the portfolio has actually behaved through different market conditions. And, after completing that assessment, we have awarded the fund our Platinum rating, QuantQual’s highest rating. Why Do We Rate It So Highly? At its heart, BNY Multi-Asset Moderate is designed to achieve long-term capital growth without requiring investors to accept the degree of equity-market exposure associated with more adventurous strategies. That sounds straightforward. Doing it consistently is considerably harder. What impresses us is the flexibility Newton has within the portfolio. This is not simply an equity allocation sitting alongside a predetermined bond allocation. The managers can consider opportunities across equities, fixed income, convertibles, currencies, geographies and different parts of the capital structure, adjusting the portfolio as valuations and prospective risk and reward change. That freedom is particularly valuable within a moderate strategy. Equities can remain an important engine of long-term growth, while bonds, cash and other diversifying exposures can make a meaningful contribution to portfolio resilience. The objective is not to remove volatility, which no genuinely invested portfolio can do, but to create a better-balanced investment journey in which returns are not dependent upon one market or one economic outcome. Three Years of Evidence The third anniversary is also important because we can now look beyond the investment proposition and examine a full three-year period of live performance. Over its first three years, the fund has delivered a cumulative return of 33.12%. Performance alone, however, is never enough for us to award a Platinum rating. Our research process considers how returns have been generated, the risks taken to achieve them, the quality and experience of the investment team, portfolio construction, downside behaviour, diversification, repeatability of the process and our confidence in what is likely to happen next. Quantitative analysis is therefore the starting point rather than the conclusion of our research. It is that combination of quantitative evidence and qualitative conviction that gives us confidence in BNY Multi-Asset Moderate. Why It Matters Now The current investment environment also provides a particularly interesting backdrop for a strategy like this. For much of the period following the Global Financial Crisis, exceptionally low interest rates made the defensive side of a traditional multi-asset portfolio considerably less useful. Today, fixed income once again has the potential to provide both meaningful prospective returns and genuine diversification alongside equities. At the same time, differences in valuations, interest rates and economic conditions around the world are creating opportunities for active managers willing and able to move capital as those opportunities change. For a moderate investor, that matters. There is no need to make an all-or-nothing decision between pursuing growth and protecting against risk. A properly diversified multi-asset portfolio can seek participation when markets rise while maintaining assets capable of providing greater resilience when conditions become more difficult. That is precisely the role we believe BNY Multi-Asset Moderate can perform. Happy Third Birthday Perhaps the strongest compliment we can give the fund is that we do not see it as an isolated success. It sits within a BNY multi-asset range that we rate extremely highly and already trust sufficiently to use as building blocks within our own Flagship portfolios. The Moderate strategy occupies an especially useful position within that range, providing meaningful growth exposure while retaining considerably more emphasis on diversification and capital resilience than an equity-dominated solution. Three years ago, investors were being asked to place confidence in a relatively new strategy backed by an established investment process and substantial resources. Today, there is something more. There is a three-year live record to examine, an increasingly established portfolio, a team and process in which we have considerable conviction and, following our latest research, a QuantQual Platinum rating. So this month we are doing more than naming BNY Multi-Asset Moderate our Fund in Focus. We are wishing it a very happy third birthday. And, at three years old, we think it is only just getting started.

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Stay ahead in retirement planning with our Centralised Retirement Proposition. Tailored solutions and expert tools to help your firm meet FCA guidelines effectively. QuantQual Simplifying Complexity for Financial Advisers Example Centralised Retirement Propistion Centralised Retirement Proposition The FCA's Thematic Paper on retirement income represents one of the most significant shifts in retirement planning in a generation. Navigating these changes can be challenging for businesses striving to stay ahead in this evolving landscape. Solution Focused At QuantQual we understand the complexities of this new era and have developed a comprehensive Centralised Retirement Proposition (CRP) tailored to meet your firm's unique needs. Our CRP is designed to seamlessly integrate into your business, offering a structured approach to retirement planning that aligns with the latest regulatory expectations. Our Centralised Retirement Proposition includes a range of services and tools to support your firm: Retirement Questionnaires: We provide expertly crafted retirement questionnaires to help assess your client's needs, goals, and risk tolerance, ensuring that their retirement plans are personalised and compliant with FCA guidelines. Cash Flow Modelling: Our guidance on cash flow modelling empowers your firm to project and manage clients' retirement income, helping them achieve a secure financial future. We offer insights into best practices and tools that can be directly implemented within your operations. Comprehensive Solutions: From investment strategies to drawdown options, we offer a variety of solutions to address your clients' diverse needs. Our proposition is designed to be adaptable, allowing your firm to offer tailored advice and services that meet each client's specific requirements. By embedding our Centralised Retirement Proposition into your business, you'll be better equipped to navigate the complexities of retirement planning in a way that enhances client satisfaction and ensures regulatory compliance. Useful links FCA Thematic Paper FCA Cashflow Modelling FCA RIAAT

Discover QuantQual's fund ratings, from Gold to Green, guiding investors toward long-term value. Explore Hold and Sell recommendations for a clear, strategic approach to investing. QuantQual Independent Analysis, Trusted Outcomes Fund Ratings QuantQual is committed to providing clear, concise fund ratings that reflect qualitative and quantitative analysis. Our ratings give you a straightforward guide to understanding a fund’s potential to deliver value over time. Hold and Sell Recommendations In addition to our ratings, QuantQual issues hold and sell recommendations for funds that no longer meet our criteria. A hold recommendation suggests that while the fund may not currently add significant value, it could remain a stable option in a portfolio. A sell recommendation indicates that we believe the fund no longer aligns with the standards investors should seek. For in-depth insights on each fund’s rating, our analysts provide comprehensive reports available on request. QuantQual guides you through smart, data-backed investment choices for a resilient portfolio. Gold Rating: Exceptional Value Potential The Gold rating is our top-tier recommendation, reserved for funds demonstrating a well-structured, consistent process supported by robust business resources. Highly capable teams manage these funds, and we have a strong conviction that they will continue to add value over time. Gold-rated funds represent the highest standards and offer solid potential for long-term growth. Silver Rating: Strong Choice, Minor Reservations Funds awarded the Silver rating are also strong options, though they may exhibit minor concerns regarding personnel, process consistency, or business alignment. Despite these reservations, we believe these funds maintain a positive likelihood of delivering value, making them a strong choice for investors who prioritise stability with growth potential. Bronze Rating: Potential with Reservations The Bronze rating signifies a fund with some reservations, typically due to identified improvements needed in areas like team stability, process enhancements, or business backing. Some Bronze-rated funds have moved from Green to Bronze, reflecting initial promise but with the expectation that they can refine their performance. While these funds show potential, investors should be aware of the current limitations and follow developments closely. Green Rating: Early-Stage Potential A Green rating applies to newly launched funds with teams we are confident in, even if the funds haven’t yet achieved their full potential. These teams are committed to meeting our rigorous standards, and we anticipate their growth and development in the coming years. This rating reflects our optimism about the fund’s future performance.

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Search Results Blog Posts (2) Other Pages (10) 2 items found for "" Sort By: Best Match Retirement: what is it good for Over the last few months, I have studied the FCA Thematic Review into Retirement. It has challenged my thinking about retirement and the challenges facing financial planners. So, we ask, "Retirement: what is it good for?". Below are two case studies: Case Study One Imagine a financial planning firm that operated without a clear retirement strategy. As clients approached retirement, they were left to navigate their retirement income with their existing risk profile, relying on selling units for income. This lack of a clear strategy led to potential pitfalls and challenges. Case Study Two Consider a couple I recently encountered trying to determine if they had enough money to retire. The financial planner, however, was only considering a solution for one of the pair, neglecting to account for their combined assets and needs. This case underscores the importance of comprehensive financial planning that includes both partners. It's important to note that the complexity of retirement planning is not to be underestimated. Even in the cases I've presented, where all the facts may not be fully disclosed, the intricacies of retirement planning are evident. This underscores the need for professional advice in navigating this increasingly complex landscape. Why Is the FCA Concerned? As I have developed propositions for financial planners, it has become clear how complicated retirement planning is and the opportunities to demonstrate value. In this blog, I want to touch on some of these. I call it the retirement conundrum. I often use this to illustrate what we face at retirement: We live longer, are worried about whether we can afford to retire, and the golden age of guaranteed pension schemes has passed. Navigating and making the right decisions is becoming increasingly complicated. Looking at this and the two scenarios at the start, we can see why the FCA is concerned. Inflation, longevity and tax Inflation (the silent killer) is crucial because it erodes what we can afford to buy. When I started managing defined benefit schemes in the late eighties, a lady was receiving a pension of £60 per annum. She began receiving this in the early sixties, and it never increased. What she could afford then, she couldn’t afford now. Just because inflation has been low for the last ten years doesn’t guarantee a path into the future. The second factor is longevity . Today, a male 60-year-old has a 1 in 4 chance of living to 92. This means any savings to provide income must last a long time. There is also tax , which is the most efficient way to receive income in retirement. Delivering on income in retirement Far from being negative about the FCA paper, I believe this is a defining moment for retirement planning. It also provides opportunities for financial planners to demonstrate value within their proposition. Before we even start, a couple entitled to the entire state pension will receive circa £23,000 p.a. A recent report by the IFS showed that expenditure goes down in retirement. The point is that managing needs and expectations is becoming increasingly complicated. Switching income on and off to reflect different needs at different times is a crucial element of retirement planning. Managing Income One of the other aspects is how do you manage income: Annuities : Buying a guaranteed income from your fund. Selling Units : Selling down units within your fund to provide an income supported by many academic papers. Natural Income : Taking an income from natural income. There are probably a hundred more you can add. New solutions are coming to the market every day, and tax also plays a big part in ensuring the right solution is delivered. Conclusion We started with two scenarios that reflect some people's approach to retirement planning. The latest FCA paper is good for consumers and financial planners. Financial planners have a massive opportunity to really help consumers in retirement. Consumers, in turn, should be able to feel comfortable knowing that they will be okay in retirement. Disclaimer: Please note these are my thoughts. There are no recommendations within this. I am not regulated, nor can I provide advice. I would always recommend seeking advice from a financial planner before making any investment decisions. Investments can also fall and go up, and past performance is no guide to the future. Navigating Market Volatility: Lessons from the MSCI World Index and Investor Sentiment Over the long term, investing in the stock market has consistently proven rewarding, but navigating market volatility is challenging. Historical data from the MSCI World Index , spanning from January 1999 to July 2024, supports this with an average return of 7.39% and volatility of 14%. However, the journey to achieving these returns is far from smooth, as recent fluctuations in the stock markets show. One insightful tool that captures the emotional rollercoaster of investing is the Fear and Greed Index , which gauges investor sentiment in the US. Over the past year, this index has swung from extreme greed to fear, illustrating how quickly market sentiment can shift. Timeless advice is to imagine setting aside £10,000 for a decade without monitoring market news. Would we be satisfied if that investment grew to £15,000? Likely, the answer is yes. However, the value could have been significantly higher or lower during that period. We might not notice these fluctuations without the emotional tug-of-war from watching daily market swings. This underscores the importance of focusing on the long term rather than being swayed by short-term volatility. Here are three key takeaways from the current market swings: Markets Go Up : While it’s thrilling to watch investments grow, it’s essential to remember that past performance doesn’t guarantee future returns. Staying grounded during bullish periods helps prepare for eventual downturns. Markets Go Down : Downturns are not a reason to panic. With cash reserves, market dips can be like a sale, offering the opportunity to buy quality investments at lower prices. History shows that good investments typically recover and appreciate over time. Time in the Market : As the chart from the FTSE (sourced from Fidelity ) highlights, spending time in the market is more beneficial than attempting to time it. Trying to buy low and sell high often leads to poorly timed trades and diminished returns. In conclusion, despite the hype surrounding certain high-flying stocks and the anxiety that accompanies market downturns, it’s crucial to maintain a long-term perspective. Holding nerves through market swings is often the best strategy for navigating marketing volatility and achieving investment goals.