As you may or may not be aware, the end of the tax year is looming and with it ends this years ISA allowance.

This, along with many others, are valuable allowances that should be utilised to maximise the tax efficiency of your savings and investments.

You are entitled to save £7200 each tax year into an ISA, either £7200 into effectively a stocks and shares ISA, or £3600 into a cash ISA and in addition, £3600 into a stocks and shares ISA. Either way, a husband and wife can effectively invest a combined total of £14400, and in fact, over the next 6 weeks it is possible to invest a total of £28800 as you will also be able to utilise the 2009/2010 allowance after the 6th April 2009.

Whilst interest on deposit savings is being affected dramatically by the cuts in interest rates, you may want to consider alternative investments. This of course depends entirely on your attitude to risk, which as Independent Financial Advisers here at Kirk Ella Investments Ltd we are able to spend time ascertaining the level of risk you as a client are willing to take.

If you would like to contact us to arrange a review, then please contact us on 01482 658989, or fill in our contact form here http://www.kirkellainvestments.co.uk/contact.asp

Shane Beardsley
Managing Director / Independent Financial Adviser

Well as the week draws to a close it has seen more slumps and rallies in a single week since 1987, and at close the FTSE 100 had gained 3.3% in the week, while the Dax rose 5.5% and the Cac 40 gained 4.8%.  

The FTSE seems to be toying to and fro with the 4000 mark, but one thing is for certain the last two weeks have seen a number of investors come forward and invest reasonable amounts of money back into equities.

There is no certainty that the volatility will end any time soon, but for those looking to invest over the medium to long term surely buying when the market is at 4000 appeals to certain individuals more than when it is at 6000.

As they say though, past performance isnt a guide to the future, but if you want to arrange a financial review of your existing investments, or want to look at new investments then please give is a call on 01482 658989, or email me on shane@kirkellainvestments.co.uk

Shane Beardsley
Managing Director / Independent Financial Adviser