Woollacott Wealth Management - Independent Financial Advisers

13/07/2026

◾Geopolitical tensions eased as Iran and the US continued peace talks.

02/07/2026

02/06/2026

𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭 𝐛𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐬 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭 ⏰📅📈

◾Financial markets are often volatile.

◾They can be hard to predict over the short term.

◾Staying invested over longer time periods can help avoid this volatility.

◾Trying to time the markets and getting it wrong can impact your wealth.

There’s an adage that claims time in the market beats timing the market. In other words, staying invested in the long run, through the ups and downs of the market, can deliver better outcomes than jumping in and out.

The expression is rooted in research and historical data. Research shows that those who stay invested over the long run in a well-diversified portfolio will generally do better than those who try to profit from turning points in the market.

Trying to predict exactly when to move in and out of the stock market, known as market timing, is extremely difficult, even for investment professionals. This strategy involves making investment decisions based on short-term market movements, with the goal of selling investments before prices fall and buying them again before prices rise. While it might sound simple in theory, in practice it requires getting two decisions right: when to exit and when to re-enter.

Emotions can also cloud judgment. During market downturns, fear can lead investors to sell at a loss, missing out on eventual recoveries. Conversely, after a strong rally, overconfidence may lead investors to assume markets will continue climbing indefinitely. These behaviours are often influenced by recency bias — the tendency to place too much importance on recent events rather than the bigger picture.

Perhaps the most significant risk of trying to time the market is missing out on the most profitable days — those sudden, often unpredictable surges that contribute disproportionately to long-term returns. By sitting on the sidelines during these rebounds, investors risk locking in losses and forgoing future gains.

For most investors, a more reliable strategy is staying invested over the long term. While markets do experience ups and downs, history has shown that time in the market beats timing the market – remaining patient and focused on long-term goals is often the most effective way to build wealth.

Missing just a handful of the best-performing days in the stock market can have a significant impact on long-term returns. This is because market volatility — sharp fluctuations in prices — often occurs in clusters. Some of the strongest daily gains tend to follow immediately after the worst declines. As a result, selling investments during turbulent periods can mean missing the rebound.

Research from Aviva illustrates just how costly this can be. Over the past 40 years, missing only the 15 best days in the market would have reduced total returns by more than half. In other words, staying invested — even during periods of heightened uncertainty — is usually the more effective long-term strategy.

https://woollacott-wm.co.uk/f/time-in-the-market-beats-timing-the-market

22/05/2026

Great day out of the office at The BIG Sheep Family Attraction ! 🌞🐑🏁

27/04/2026

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐢𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐚𝐧 𝐈𝐒𝐀 𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐨𝐧𝐞.

◾Investing at the start of the tax year can significantly boost long term ISA returns.
◾Early ISA investors could be around £25,000 better off than those who wait.
◾Higher dividend tax rates make using ISA tax wrappers more important than ever.

The new tax year is upon us, which means putting an investment plan into action. Putting it off until another day is a lost opportunity to make money. It’s not just about being organised with life admin, it’s also about giving an ISA more time to work its magic.

Research by AJ Bell found that someone who had put £5,000 into an ISA at the start of every tax year since 1999, and invested in a typical global equity fund, would now be £25,000 better off than someone who didn’t invest until the last day of the tax year.

Making the most of an ISA also brings tax advantages compared to leaving money in a general investment account, which is particularly important now that dividend tax rates have gone up. Putting money into ISA locks in generous tax benefits, so the investor pays nothing to the taxman on future capital gains or income for investments inside the wrapper.

AJ Bell ran scenarios that compared investing in a typical global fund every year since ISAs began in 1999.📋📊

An investor putting in £5,000 into their ISA on the first day of each tax year (6th April) and investing in a typical global fund, up until the end of the most recent tax year (5 April 2026), would have paid in £135,000 and is now sitting on a pot worth £462,028. 📈

But for an investor putting in £5,000 a year into their ISA - but leaving it until the last day of each tax year (5th April). The difference in returns is striking. Even though both investors have contributed the same £135,000 into their ISAs, the pot of the investor leaving it until the end of the tax-year is worth £437,035 – an astonishing £24,993 less. 📉

Early-birds benefit from having extra time in the market. Markets go up and down, but they generally rise more than they fall. Since 1999, the typical global fund has returned on average 8% from the beginning to the end of each tax year and has made a positive return in 17 out of 27 tax years. So around two-thirds of the time you would have been better off investing at the start of the tax year, rather than waiting until the end.

Source: AJ Bell, FE Analytics, total return of IA Global sector average in GBP to 5 April 2026.

𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘪𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘶𝘣𝘫𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘬(𝘴). 𝘐𝘵𝘴 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘺 𝘧𝘭𝘶𝘤𝘵𝘶𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘣𝘢𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘰𝘯 𝘮𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘦𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘤 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯(𝘴). 𝘊𝘢𝘱𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘭 𝘢𝘵 𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘬. 𝘊𝘶𝘳𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘺 𝘮𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘮𝘢𝘺 𝘢𝘭𝘴𝘰 𝘢𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘷𝘢𝘭𝘶𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘪𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴. 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘮𝘢𝘺 𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘪𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘥. 𝘗𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘢 𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘰𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘶𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦.

17/04/2026

𝐐𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭 𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞 📰

◾ US / Iran conflict drove oil prices higher, unsettling markets and shifting concern to inflation and growth risk.
◾ Bonds sold off sharply, as policy was expected to turn hawkish, while equity returns varied by region – with energy exposure providing support in the UK.
◾ High uncertainty reinforces need for diversification, with oil prices and political decisions central to the outlook.

March was dominated by the outbreak of conflict in Iran, which caused significant market upheaval and brought an abrupt end to what had been a broadly positive start to the year. Rising geopolitical risk had already been a defining feature of the early months of 2026 – first with the US intervention in Venezuela, and then with President Trump's posturing towards Greenland – but the escalation in Iran swiftly eclipsed both to command global attention.

𝐆𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐄𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 📊

Equity markets have been volatile throughout the quarter, responding to an unpredictable flow of news regarding the trajectory and potential escalation of the conflict. Whilst most markets have felt its effects, first-quarter returns have also been shaped by how individual markets were positioned heading into the crisis.

In the US, a softer start to the year somewhat obscures what has been a degree of relative resilience since the conflict began. Japanese equities delivered strong gains after a decisive election result provided a clear mandate for the continuation of economic reform. Within emerging markets, South Korea has been the standout performer, benefiting from growing appreciation of its role within the AI supply chain. Closer to home, UK equities have outperformed, supported by the market's heavyweight exposure to the energy sector, with the major oil companies buoyed by rising crude prices.

𝐁𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐬 📉

Bond markets have faced a challenging reversal in 2026. Expectations of inflation returning to 2% targets have required meaningful upward revision in light of sharply rising oil prices, and central banks have responded with a notably hawkish tone – moving swiftly to convince markets of their willingness to raise interest rates decisively. This has prompted a broad repricing across fixed income. Whilst the most pronounced volatility and yield rises have been concentrated at the shorter end of the yield curve, it is longer-dated bonds that have delivered the weakest total returns. The UK bond market has been the hardest hit, owing in part to the country's structural reliance on energy imports.

𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐨𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 📈

Commodities delivered substantial returns in the quarter with the S&P Commodities Index up 40%. The energy component soared amid disruption to Middle East production and shipping. The conflict effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, through which flows 20% of global oil supply as well as a significant proportion of liquified natural gas (LNG) and other commodities such as fertilisers. Saudi Arabia was able to divert some oil supply via its East-West pipeline. There was some damage to energy infrastructure, including to Qatar’s Ras Laffan LNG facility.

Elsewhere, the agriculture, livestock and industrial metals components registered smaller positive returns. Precious metals also registered a positive return for the quarter but saw sharp declines in March. Those falls in March may have partly been due to profit taking after a strong run previously for both metals. Additionally, expectations of higher interest rates weighed on the attraction of gold and silver which offer no yield.

𝐎𝐮𝐭𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤 👀

As with any event that dominates market attention, the range of potential outcomes is wide and largely contingent on political decisions that are, by their nature, difficult to forecast. Scenarios span from a relatively swift de-escalation – which would provide immediate relief to risk assets and take pressure off energy prices – through to a prolonged conflict that continues to weigh on growth expectations and keeps central banks in a difficult position. The latter would present the more challenging environment to navigate: one in which policymakers face the unenviable task of responding to inflation driven by factors largely outside their influence, whilst simultaneously managing the risk of tipping economies into recession.

In the near term, oil prices are likely to remain the key variable for both inflation and markets. Beyond energy, however, the conflict has reinforced a broader reassessment of supply chain vulnerabilities, defence spending trajectories, and energy security – themes that are likely to shape investment narratives well beyond the immediate volatility.

For our portfolios, this environment underscores the importance of genuine diversification – not merely across geographies, but across asset classes, duration, and the type of risk being taken.

Source: AJ Bell and Schroders

📧 [email protected]
🌐 www.woollacott-wm.co.uk

31/03/2026

𝐏𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 for the 𝐒𝐞𝐥𝐟-𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐲𝐞𝐝 are important as they help bridge the gap left by not having an employer-workplace pension plan.
Pensions have the potential to offer tax relief, compound growth, flexibility and financial security for the Self-Employed.

📊 Research from Which has found that only 7 in 10 of those who were mostly self-employed had at least one private pension, compared with 9 in 10 of those who were employed for most of their working life.

When you’re self-employed, you don’t have the advantage of an employer pension scheme — so preparing for retirement becomes your responsibility. While the State Pension may provide some support, it’s rarely enough on its own to fund the lifestyle many people hope for in later life.

⏳ 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐬𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲?

The earlier you begin contributing to a pension, the more time your money has to grow. Even modest monthly payments can build into a meaningful retirement fund over the years — helping you enjoy financial security rather than worry about money later on. For example, saving £150 a month with 4% growth could produce a significantly larger pension pot if you begin at age 30 rather than 45. Time in the market really matters.

𝐁𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟-𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐲𝐞𝐝;

✅ 𝟏. 𝐓𝐚𝐱 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐟 𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬
• You get 20% tax relief at source automatically (basic rate).
• Higher and additional rate taxpayers can claim extra relief (40% or 45%) through self-assessment.

✅ 𝟐. 𝐓𝐚𝐱-𝐄𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐭𝐡
• Growth within the pension (interest, dividends, capital gains) is tax-deferred until withdrawal.
• This allows your savings to compound more effectively compared to a regular investment account.

✅ 𝟑. 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭
• Unlike employees who may receive workplace pensions, the self-employed must create their own safety net.
• Building a pension ensures you won’t rely solely on state pensions or unpredictable business income in old age.
• Provides a predictable income stream when you stop working.

✅ 𝟒. 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐭𝐡
• Contributions invested over decades could benefit from Compound Growth, potentially growing much more than savings in a standard bank account.
• Starting earlier allows self-employed individuals to make smaller contributions that could potentially grow substantially over time.

✅ 𝟓. 𝐅𝐥𝐞𝐱𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬
Self-employed income can fluctuate. Pension schemes let you:
• Pay in lump sums when cash flow allows.
• Pause or adjust contributions during leaner months.

✅ 𝟔. 𝐑𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲
• State Pension alone (currently £241.30/week from April 2026 for those with full NI record) often isn’t enough.
• Private pensions give self-employed workers additional income security.
• At retirement age (currently 55, rising to 57 in 2028), you can usually take 25% tax-free lump sum and flexible income from the rest or an annuity providing a guaranteed income for life.

✅ 𝟕. 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠
• Pensions "lock in" retirement savings, preventing the temptation to dip into funds for short-term needs.
• Encourages consistent long-term planning.
• Pensions are ring-fenced from creditors (in most cases), which can be crucial if your business faces financial trouble.

Woollacott Wealth Management can help you understand your options, and build a retirement plan that suits both your lifestyle and your business goals.

📧 𝐆𝐞𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐨𝐮𝐜𝐡
Email - [email protected]
Website - www.woollacott-wm.co.uk