| |
Major Site Upgrade in Progress |
 |
|
 |
|
Shahla
Money Managing Guru
Joined: 13 Nov 2004
Posts: 3324
Cash Points ££ 126163.28
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
 Posted: Wed Dec 26, 2007 2:19 am Post subject: UK Commercial Properties Crash Looms as Property Investment |
 |
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
By: Nadeem_Walayat
Britain's fourth biggest insurer, Friends Provident froze its Property Fund on Thursday, thereby denying over 110,000 investors the ability to liquidate their investments. The property fund has an estimated value of more than £1.2 billion or $2.5 billions. The insurance company stated that investors will not be able to gain access to their funds for a period of six months due to a sharp fall in its cash reserves as investors took fright from the collapsing UK housing market, both residential and commercial.
Over the last 20 years, I have repeatedly warned of the problems faced by unit trust holders in that in times of difficulty they may find themselves locked into depreciating assets without the ability to liquidate investments.
The first time I experienced this was during the 1987 crash, when I did hold unit trusts and the brokers would fail to pick up the phone, this has been reiterated throughout many articles regarding how to invest in funds, and that my preferred route has always been to invest in investment trusts rather than unit trusts.
Back on 22nd August 07, I specifically warned in the article - UK Housing Market Crash of 2007 - 2008 and Steps to Protect Your Wealth , The stock market is expected to be volatile since we are moving into a new risk climate. Despite a high probability of further sharp falls, and even a crash, there are plenty of long-term plays out there especially in the big cap oil sector. I would also look at bargain hunting metals and mining on further sharp falls or a crash. Similarly for the utilities sectors such as Water. The best plays are probably via investment trusts, of which there are many. I favor investment trusts over unit trusts as they are traded on the stock exchanges exactly as any stock is. Whereas, as I recall in previous financial crisis you may find the phone off the hook on the other end of the line when you try to call to buy or sell unit trust positions.
The reason for the freeze is clear, in that once the cash reserves have been consumed the funds would be forced to liquidate assets, which means sell properties. Do not imagine for a moment that the problem is restricted to Friends Provident. This applies to ALL commercial property funds that are seeing the smart money leaving the scene before the avalanche of redemptions begins resulting in sector wide freeze of unit trusts.
UK Housing Crash
http://www.marketoracle.co.uk/Article3162.html |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Online Finance Tools & Calculators |
 |
| Credit Score Calculator |
Easy to use online Credit Scoring tool - Calculate your credit score now online for FREE ! using the Moneyforums.co.uk credit scoring tool. Also TEN Tips on improving and mainting a good credit rating ! |
|
| Quick Health Calculator |
Easy to use quick health calculator to help you get started on the path to fitness. Calculates your body mass index (BMI). |
|
| "When will I die ?" Calculator |
Calculate when will you die based on your current life style and then more importantly what you can do about extending your lifespan ! |
|
| Mortgage Calculator |
Easy to use online Mortgage calculator tool - Calculate how long it will take to pay off your mortgage and what your monthly repayments will be as well as interest charged per month per each year. |
|
| Savings Calculator |
Use the flexible savings calculator to estimate the amount of interest you would earn given a level of monthly savings, with many optional settings. |
|
| UK Tax Calculator |
Check your tax and NI liability using this easy to use online tool. Outputs, Tax, Ni, Net pay and gross pay on an annual, monthly and weekly basis, also estimates your tax burden and the number of days a year you work for the tax man ! Plus lots of tax saving tips. |
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
Money
Forums Guides |
|
| Credit
Card Stoozing |
The
following guide explains the basics of credit
card stoozing in a step by step basis. |
|
| Discount
Vouchers |
Online
discount vouchers giving upto
50% off in stores such as Dixons,
Tesco, Avon, Currys, Boden and more. Many
of the vouchers are time limited - So check
back regularly |
|
| Money
Saving Guide |
Guide
to saving money on household bills & personal
finances - Start saving thousands of £'s
every year TODAY ! |
|
| Savings
Tree |
A
guide to Savings Accounts, from Cash ISA's to
Regular Savers to Premium Bonds, all explained
in an easy to understand manner. |
|
|
Users
Groups | Profile
| Messages
| FAQ | Sponsers
& Links | Member
list | Recommend this site | Top Money Saving Sitee
© 2004 - 2007 Moneyforums.co.uk / Market Oracle Ltd - Asserts copyright on all topics & posts made on this site. Moneyforums are open forums, and thus posts are NOT endorsed by Moneyforums.co.uk / Market Oracle Ltd . Any and all information provided within the Website is for general information purposes only and nor is or shall be deemed to constitute, financial or other advice. We recommend that independent professional advice is obtained before you purchase any product and/or service. All tools and guides are provided as is for general information purposes only.
|
|
|
