Roberts Keen Independent Financial Advisers Ltd

20/07/2026

📊 Monday Market & Money Briefing

Here’s your quick roundup of the key financial news from the past week and what to watch over the coming days.

🇬🇧 UK Economy & Mortgages
• The UK housing market remains subdued, with buyer demand still soft and Rightmove reporting a larger-than-normal fall in asking prices. Higher mortgage rates continue to affect affordability, although competitive mortgage pricing remains available for many borrowers. (Reuters)

📈 Investment Markets
• Global markets were driven by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, which pushed oil prices higher and increased market volatility.
• Higher oil prices raise concerns that inflation could prove more persistent, potentially delaying future interest rate cuts.
• Investors are also turning their attention to the US earnings season, with several of the world’s largest technology companies reporting this week. Their results could influence global stock markets. (Reuters)

💷 Pensions & Retirement Planning
• Rising market volatility is a timely reminder that pension investing is a long-term journey. Short-term market movements are normal, and maintaining a diversified investment strategy remains one of the best ways to manage risk.
• The pensions industry also saw continued progress on pensions dashboards and regulatory reforms designed to improve retirement planning and member engagement. (Sackers)

🏦 Financial Stability
• The Bank of England’s Financial Policy Committee highlighted ongoing risks from global events, higher levels of market leverage and geopolitical uncertainty, while confirming that the UK financial system remains resilient. (Bank of England)

👀 What to Watch This Week
📅 UK employment figures
📅 UK inflation (CPI)
📅 UK retail sales
📅 European Central Bank interest rate decision
📅 Major US company earnings, including several leading technology firms
📅 Continued developments in global energy markets and the Middle East, which could affect inflation expectations and investment markets. (Reuters)

💡 What does this mean for investors?
Markets rarely move in a straight line. While headlines can create short-term uncertainty, successful investing is built around long-term planning, diversification and regular reviews rather than reacting to daily news. For those approaching retirement, it’s particularly important to ensure your pension strategy remains aligned with your objectives and attitude to risk.

If you’d like to review your pensions, investments or mortgage arrangements, feel free to get in touch.

This post is for information only and does not constitute personal financial advice. Investments can fall as well as rise, and you may get back less than you invest.

17/07/2026

New Number for Walker & Walker & Lewis Estate Agents
📞

PLEASE SHARE!

WE HAVE A NEW NUMBER 🙌

We’re delighted to let you know that Walker & Lewis Merthyr Tydfil now has its very own direct telephone number!

You can now reach our friendly local team directly on 📞 01685 490399.

Whether you’re thinking of selling, buying or simply need some honest property advice, we’re only a phone call away. Having a dedicated direct line means it’s even easier for you to get in touch with the people who know the Merthyr Tydfil property market best.

As always, we’re here to help every step of the way and look forward to hearing from both familiar and new faces in our community.

☎️ Save our new number: 01685 490399

Thank you for your continued support – we can’t wait to speak with you!
The Walker & Lewis Merthyr Tydfil Team 💙🏡

17/07/2026

🗣️ Pension Friday | Your Pension Deserves a Regular Health Check

Many people pay into a pension every month… but rarely look at it.

If your pension has been sitting untouched for years, it’s worth asking yourself:

💬 “Is it still working as hard as it could be?”

A pension review isn’t just about checking the value of your fund. It’s an opportunity to consider:

✅ Are your investments still appropriate for your attitude to risk and retirement goals?

✅ Are you paying competitive charges?

✅ Have you changed jobs and built up several pension pots that could be easier to manage if reviewed?

✅ Are you contributing enough to achieve the retirement lifestyle you want?

This week, the Government published a roadmap for major workplace pension reforms, including a new Value for Money framework that will compare pension schemes on investment performance, charges and service standards. The aim is to help savers identify better-performing schemes and improve retirement outcomes over time. (GOV.UK)

💡 Why it matters

Your pension is likely to be one of the largest investments you’ll ever own. Small improvements made today—whether increasing contributions, reviewing investments or reducing unnecessary costs—can make a significant difference over the years leading up to retirement.

The key message? Don’t leave your pension on autopilot.

If it’s been a while since your last review, we’d be happy to help you understand whether your pension is on track to meet your retirement goals.

📞 Roberts Keen Independent Financial Advisers

Helping you plan with confidence for the retirement you deserve.

☎️ 07832 379381

Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

15/07/2026

💷 Wealth Wednesday | Time in the Market Beats Timing the Market

When markets become volatile, it’s natural to wonder:

💬 “Should I wait until things settle down before investing?”

History has shown that markets experience periods of uncertainty—but they’ve also rewarded patient, long-term investors who stay focused on their goals rather than reacting to short-term headlines.

📈 Here are three simple principles that can make a real difference:

✅ Invest regularly – Regular monthly investing can smooth out the highs and lows of the market over time.

✅ Make the most of tax-efficient allowances – ISAs and pensions remain two of the most effective ways to invest for your future while benefiting from valuable tax advantages. The Government continues to consult on future ISA reforms, making it even more important to understand how the rules may affect your long-term plans. (GOV.UK)

✅ Review, don’t react – Your investment strategy should be reviewed regularly, but it shouldn’t change simply because of a few days of market volatility.

💡 Why it matters

Whether you’re saving for retirement, building wealth for your family or investing for a future goal, the biggest driver of success is often having a clear plan and sticking to it.

The best investment decisions are usually made with years in mind—not days.

If you’d like a review of your pensions, ISAs or investment portfolio, we’d be delighted to help you understand whether your money is working as hard as it could be.

📞 Roberts Keen Independent Financial Advisers

Helping you build long-term financial confidence through clear, independent advice.

☎️ 07832 379381

Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

13/07/2026

We’re so glad we can be a small part of the fantastic community that has shown Liwsi so much love and support. ❤️

We’ve been lucky to have Liwsi come into our office and she is such an inspiration. A beautiful little girl who lights up the room.

💛 Sponsor Spotlight – Roberts Keen Independent Financial Advisers Ltd 💛

Today we're incredibly proud to shine a spotlight on the wonderful team at Roberts Keen Independent Financial Advisers Ltd, who have so kindly supported Liwsi's journey.

This year, Roberts Keen celebrates 10 years of helping people across Wales and parts of England plan for a secure financial future. With offices in Gorslas, Merthyr Tydfil and Miskin, they provide impartial, independent financial advice with a friendly, down-to-earth approach that has seen so many of their clients become lifelong friends.

Their services include:
• Savings and investment advice
• Inheritance tax planning
• Retirement planning
• Residential and Buy-to-Let mortgages
• Life and serious illness insurance
• Business protection advice

They are passionate about supporting families, individuals and local businesses to achieve their financial goals, and their reputation has been built on trust, honesty and genuine care for their clients.

When we asked why they chose to support Liwsi, Paul shared these beautiful words:

"As soon as Liwsi was brought to my attention by a local friend, I read her story with sadness. Then I saw her photo and could see just from an image how strong, courageous and determined she looked. She is also a little stunner, so we were all delighted to be able to help her.

Meeting Liwsi at our office in Gorslas was amazing! We were all smitten with her beauty, curiosity and fun personality. She is without doubt a local superstar!" 💛

Reading those words brought the biggest smile to our faces. It means so much when people see beyond Liwsi's diagnoses and recognise the happy, cheeky, curious little girl that she truly is.

The generosity and kindness shown by everyone at Roberts Keen will help us continue fundraising for the specialist equipment, private therapies and opportunities that make such a difference to Liwsi's quality of life.

If you're looking for trusted, independent financial advice, whether it's planning for your future, protecting your family or purchasing your home, we'd love it if you could support Roberts Keen by following their page or visiting their website to learn more about the fantastic work they do.

From all of us, thank you to Paul and the entire Roberts Keen team for believing in Liwsi and becoming part of . Your support means more than you'll ever know. 💛

💛

13/07/2026

Good morning and welcome to this week’s Monday Market Briefing.

Here’s a snapshot of what happened over the past week and what investors, homeowners and savers should be watching in the days ahead.

📈 Markets
Global markets remained resilient overall, although investor sentiment became more cautious as tensions in the Middle East pushed oil prices higher. Energy prices and inflation expectations remain key themes for investors. (⁠Reuters)

🏦 Mortgages
The Bank of England’s latest Financial Stability Report highlighted that the UK banking system remains resilient. However, higher market interest rates mean many borrowers coming to the end of fixed-rate mortgages could still face increased monthly repayments, although for many the expected increases are smaller than those seen over the last few years. (⁠Bank of England)

💼 Pensions & Investments
Recent market volatility is another reminder of the importance of staying focused on your long-term investment strategy. Pension and ISA investors should remember that markets naturally experience periods of uncertainty, and making decisions based on short-term headlines can often do more harm than good.

📊 The UK Economy
The Bank of England continues to monitor inflation, global risks and financial stability closely. Its latest report concluded that UK households, businesses and banks remain resilient, despite ongoing geopolitical and economic uncertainty. (⁠Bank of England)

👀 What to watch this week
• Inflation data from the US.
• Major company earnings announcements.
• Developments in global energy markets.
• Any further signals from central banks on the outlook for interest rates. (⁠Investopedia)

💬 Why it matters
Whether you’re buying your first home, reviewing your pension or investing for the future, economic headlines can influence confidence—but they shouldn’t distract you from having a well-considered financial plan.

If you’d like to review your mortgage, pension or investment portfolio, we’re always happy to help.

📞 Roberts Keen Independent Financial Advisers

☎️ 07832 379381

Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

10/07/2026

Congratulations to our winners!

All the winners (or their partners) from our recent giveaway have collected their prizes.

Thank you to all that entered, already looking forward to the next 😃

10/07/2026

👴 Pension Friday | Don’t Leave Your Retirement to Chance

Retirement isn’t just about reaching a certain age – it’s about having the freedom to enjoy the lifestyle you’ve worked hard for. 🌿

Many people assume they’ll “sort their pension out later”, but small changes made today can make a significant difference over the years thanks to the power of long-term investing and tax relief.

Here are three simple questions worth asking yourself:

✅ Am I contributing enough to my workplace or personal pension?
✅ Do I know where all of my pension pots are?
✅ Is my pension invested appropriately for my retirement goals and attitude to risk?

There has also been plenty of discussion recently around the future of pensions and retirement in the UK, including how people are funding retirement and wider policy debates. While governments and rules can change, one thing remains constant: taking control of your own retirement planning gives you more options and greater peace of mind.

💬 Why it matters:
The earlier you review your pensions, the more opportunity you have to make informed decisions, identify old pension pots, and ensure your retirement plan remains on track.

If it’s been a while since you last reviewed your pension, now could be a great time to take a fresh look.

📞 Roberts Keen Independent Financial Advisers
Helping you plan for the retirement you want, not just the retirement you hope for.

☎️ 07832 379381

Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

09/07/2026

💡 Thursday Financial Insight

🏡 Should you overpay your mortgage, or invest the extra money?

It’s one of the questions we’re asked most often—and the answer isn’t always straightforward.

If you have spare money each month, you generally have three options:

💷 1. Overpay your mortgage

* Reduce the amount of interest you pay over the life of the mortgage.
* Potentially become mortgage-free sooner.
* Improve your loan-to-value (LTV), which could help you access better rates when you remortgage.
* Many lenders allow overpayments of up to 10% of the outstanding balance each year during a fixed-rate deal without an early repayment charge—but always check your own mortgage terms first.

📈 2. Invest for the future
If you’re already making good pension contributions and have an emergency fund, investing through an ISA or pension could produce higher long-term returns than the interest you’re saving on your mortgage. Of course, investments can go down as well as up, so this depends on your attitude to risk and timescale.

🛟 3. Build an emergency fund
Before overpaying or investing, it’s sensible to have accessible savings for unexpected expenses. Having a financial safety net can be just as important as reducing debt.

🤔 So, which is best?

There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer.

The right choice depends on:

* Your mortgage interest rate.
* Your savings and investment goals.
* Your tax position.
* Your attitude to investment risk.
* How close you are to retirement.
* Whether your mortgage has any overpayment restrictions or early repayment charges.

For many people, the best solution is actually a combination—keeping an emergency fund, investing for the future and making affordable mortgage overpayments where appropriate.

If you’re unsure what’s right for your circumstances, we’d be happy to help you explore the options and build a plan that works for you.

📞 Roberts Keen IFA
Helping individuals and families make confident financial decisions for today and tomorrow. 💚

09/07/2026

Today’s market snapshot 🗣️

Asian markets retreated due to renewed US-Iran tensions, with the Hang Seng leading losses. US markets also fell, with the Dow Jones dropping 1.1% as higher crude prices raised inflation concerns. European markets experienced a sell-off, with the FTSE 100 declining 1.66%, but have since recovered slightly as hopes of renewed US-Iran diplomacy improve.