Planning for the future involves more than setting money aside with financial investments and savings; it requires consistency and commitment. Yet, life's unexpected events, like illness or injury, can disrupt your investment journey. These curveballs might make it challenging to maintain your planned investment contributions. That's why it's essential to consider how you can protect your investment contributions, ensuring they remain steady and uninterrupted if the unexpected were to happen. Income protection is essential for your investments Income protection insurance can provide a vital safety net. It pays a proportion of your income, approximately 50-70%, in case of illness or injury and can help you uphold your financial commitments, including contributions to your investment portfolio, if you're unable to work. Here's why income protection is important for protecting your investment contributions: · Continuous investment growth : Life can throw curveballs and unexpected events like illness or injury can disrupt your ability to earn an income, but your investments don't have to suffer. With income protection, you can keep contributing, maintaining the momentum towards your financial goals. · Stay financially stable : If you're unable to work due to health issues, income protection kicks in to provide a steady income. This means you can pay your bills and keep investing, even if you're not bringing in your usual income. It keeps your financial boat steady when the waters get choppy. · Protect your long-term wealth : By making sure you can keep investing; income protection protects your financial future. It means you can keep growing your investments over time, no matter what health challenges come your way. So you can still aim for that dream retirement, even if life takes a detour, ensuring you can reap the rewards and enjoy financial security in the years to come. · Peace of mind : Knowing your investments are backed-up by income protection can bring peace of mind. You can focus on growing your money without worrying about what might happen if you can't work for a while. It's like having a safety net for your financial goals. Talk to us to explore your income protection options and we can tailor a plan that meets your specific needs and circumstances. With income protection in place, you can enjoy peace of mind knowing that your investment options are protected against life's uncertainties. Call Planguard Finance on 01455 817477 or drop them an email on clientservices@planguardfinance.co.uk Approved by The Openwork Partnership on 22/10/2026  Planguard Finance is a trading name of Richard Chamberlain, which is an appointed representative of The Openwork Partnership, a trading style of Openwork Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Global equity markets were broadly weaker as concerns over AI valuations and persistent inflation weighed on investor sentiment. However, European and UK equities outperformed, supported by defensive sectors, resilient economic data and higher energy prices. Last week's performance - major stock markets

Your First Home: a new government-backed house buying scheme announced for first-time buyers The Government has announced the launch of Your First Home, a brand-new equity loan scheme designed to help first-time buyers get on the property ladder with just a 2.5% deposit. The new scheme, which will be officially launched at the upcoming Budget, aims to break down the deposit barriers faced by some potential buyers when trying to buy their first home. It marks the return of a government-backed equity loan scheme in England, something which hasn’t been available since the closure of Help to Buy. While all the details are yet to revealed, here’s what we know so far. A smaller deposit Under the scheme, potential buyers will need just a 2.5% deposit – for example, £8,750 for a property worth £350,000. The Government will then provide a loan worth 20% of the property’s value to help pay for the purchase. For example, on our £350,000 home, the equity loan would provide a further £70,000 towards the purchase. That extra buffer means a borrower would require a smaller mortgage, compared to if they were buying with a 5% deposit alone. An interest-free loan Similar to Help to Buy, the equity loan will have an initial interest-free period, meaning in our example, there will be no interest to pay on the £70,000 for a set period. Details on how long and how it will work are expected to be confirmed as part of the Budget. By combining the interest-free equity loan and a smaller mortgage, it is designed to reduce monthly housing costs compared to someone borrowing 95% of the property’s value. By how much? The Government believes it could be as much as “hundreds of pounds per month” compared to a 5% deposit and a 95% loan-to-value (LTV) mortgage. Only available on new builds The scheme will be available on new-build properties brought through developers signed up to the scheme. Further details of which developers and where are yet to be confirmed. However interest is expected to be high from housebuilders keen to tap into the additional demand the scheme could create. Following the announcement of the scheme, shares at major housebuilders – including Taylor Wimpey, Persimmon and Barratt Redrow all recorded double-digit gains. Caps and limits The Government has said the scheme will include a household income cap and local property price caps. In simple terms, this means the scheme won’t be available to first-time buyers above a certain salary or new-build property price. The income gap is intended to focus support on buyers who need help getting onto the property ladder, while the local property price caps will likely aim to keep scheme for houses that are most suitable for a first-time buyer. The property price limits are expected to vary depending on where you are buying, reflecting the differences in house prices across England. The exact income and property price caps are yet to be announced and are expected to be confirmed at the Budget. If you are considering the scheme, these will be important figures to check once the full details are released. Is it time to buy your first home? Your First Home could open the door for more first-time buyers, but with full details yet to be confirmed, it is important to understand what the scheme could mean for your own circumstances. Speaking to a mortgage adviser now can help you work out what you could realistically afford, understand your budget and prepare for when the scheme goes live. An adviser can also look at the full range of mortgage options available to you, rather than just focusing solely on the new scheme. There are mortgage options already available to help first-time buyers, while looking beyond new-build properties could open up more choice. An adviser can help you understand the options available now and consider whether waiting for the new scheme could be right for your circumstances. With the upcoming Budget expected to provide more detail on the scheme, getting advice early could put you in a stronger position to make an informed decision when the time comes. To start your home buying journey, speak to a mortgage adviser today! YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE Approved by The Openwork Partnership on 7 October 2026 OW 8230 Please note: As the First Home Scheme has not yet officially launched and further details are expected to be confirmed in the upcoming budget, the information contained within this article is based on what is currently known and may be subject to change. Planguard Finance is a trading name of Planguard Finance which is an appointed representative of The Openwork Partnership, a trading style of Openwork Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Global equities delivered mixed returns in what was a busy week for news headlines. US equities led returns, as investors digested conflicting headlines in the Middle East, rallying energy prices, a raft of central bank decisions and a flurry of corporate earnings results. Japanese equities lagged following a strong start to 2026. Last week’s performance – major stock markets 

Imagine enjoying your retirement with the confidence that your money is working just as actively as you are. Retirement gives you the freedom to choose how you spend your time, your energy and your resources. And the right income strategy can make all the difference. Whether you’re exploring drawdown options, considering annuities, using savings or blending different income sources, understanding how each one supports your lifestyle is key to feeling secure and empowered in this chapter of life. Ready to explore your options? Reach out today and discover the income strategy that fits your future. #IncomeSource #Retirement #Wealth #FinancialPlanning Planguard Finance Limited: Planguard Finance Limited is a trading name of Planguard Finance which is an appointed representative of The Openwork Partnership, a trading style of Openwork Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Approved by The Openwork Partnership on 11/03/2026.

AI disruption concerns again dominate global markets, with the US subsequently lagging global peers. Japan was the standout performer with stocks rallying strongly on the Liberal Democratic Party achieving a supermajority. Last week’s performance – major stock markets

1. Jan-25 : The FTSE 100 hit a record high as UK inflation fell to 2.5%, raising hopes for interest rate cuts. Meanwhile, as Trump raised tariffs on Mexico, China and Canada, markets grew cautious over how tariffs might impact inflation and economic growth. China continues to experience weak domestic demand. 2. Feb-25: Global markets diverged as trade tensions hit sentiment, while strong earnings fuelled gains elsewhere. US stocks fell amid tariff uncertainty and weakening consumer demand. Trump warned of a 25% tariff on EU imports and possible UK taxes, confirmed duties on Canadian and Mexican goods, and threatened an extra 10% on Chinese imports. 3. Mar-25: Global stock markets came under pressure amid growing concerns about the economic impact of President Donald Trump’s tariffs. Stock market falls, trade tensions and weakening consumer sentiment, reignited US downturn fears. The EU responded to Trump’s 25% tariffs on steel and aluminium with duties on €26 billion worth of American goods. 4. Apr-25: Trade tensions intensified as President Trump announced new tariffs on Chinese imports. Whilst stock markets tumbled, they did subsequently recover after the US paused most tariff increases. As a result, the global economic outlook has weakened, and investors are expecting central banks to cut interest rates further. 5. May-25: Global equity markets rallied strongly after the US and China agreed to a 90-day suspension (and reduction) of tariffs. This eased concerns of an escalating trade war between the two economic superpowers. Robust corporate earnings and better-than-expected retail and manufacturing data in the US provided further tailwinds for equity markets, however, analysts warned the full economic impact may still be felt. 6. June-25: Geopolitical tensions rose following an escalation in the Israel-Iran conflict; however, markets were happy to look through the noise, following the announcement of a ceasefire between the two countries. Global equities extended their gains from May, rallying strongly on expectations of additional trade deals and further interest rate cuts globally. 7. July-25: Global equities rallied strongly on optimism surrounding trade deals between the US and many of its key trading partners. Several indices hit record highs for the month, shrugging off concerns surrounding the potential inflationary impact of tariff implementation. 8. Aug-25: Global equities extended their rally in August, as the likelihood for near-term interest rate cuts in the US increased and second quarter earnings season delivered robust results. Several indices once again set new all-time highs, while Chinese equities rallied 10% for the month boosted by strong domestic buying. 9. Sep-25: Global equities rose in September following the announcement that the Federal Reserve recommenced cutting interest rates. Markets reacted favourably to commentary from Federal Reserve officials that further interest rate cuts are likely in the months ahead. 10. Oct-25: Several indices hit all-time highs in October, including the S&P 500, Japan’s Nikkei 225, the Euro Stoxx 50 and the UK’s FTSE 100. A combination of easing monetary policy, resilient economic growth, cooling trade tensions and strong corporate earnings saw global equities continue their march higher. 11. Nov-25: In November, volatility spiked to its highest level since April, driven by concerns over elevated tech stock valuations and a diminishing likelihood of a U.S. rate cut in December. Stocks rallied into the end of the month, as commentary from Federal Reserve members signalled a December rate cut was still on the cards, while corporate earnings continued to exceed expectations. 12. Dec-25: Global equities performed strongly in December, driven by resilient economic growth, AI tailwinds and a backdrop of falling interest rates. The U.S. was the exception, as it pulled back on valuation concerns. The Bank of England and U.S. Federal Reserve each cut interest rates by 0.25 percentage points during the month, while Japan raised rates by 0.25 percentage points to their highest level in 3 decades. If you are invested in a range of funds within your portfolio these are likely to be spread across different regions of the world and, depending on your attitude to risk, a range of different assets. This diversification reduces the impact on performance of any individual event like the coronavirus crisis. We take a long-term approach to investing, and we do not let short-term events force us into making decisions about how we manage your portfolio.