The importance of good financial advice is confirmed by the fact that over the last 10 year period named the Noughties, the price of Gold was up 281% but the UK FTSE 100 was down 22%, the US S&P500 was down 24% but China's Shanghai Composite was up 140% but the star stockmarket was India showing 248.9% growth over the 10 year period. So good investment advice is essential to ensure your hard-earned money works [grows] !

To offer you an independent view of China, please see the attached from JP Morgan Asset Management.

Over in Russia, Putin instigated the opening of new Oil fields from Siberia to China from the comfort of his Office which diversifies Russia's reliance on western buyers for it's energy supplies. Russia spent 1.25billion Euros on building the terminal and a further 14billion Euros on the pipeline from Siberia to Kozmino - the first 1700 mile section was completed in November and the next 1300 mile is currently being built but once finished this will transport a 1/3 of Russian Oil Exports.

So what are the star performers of 2009 and were you invested in the right place ?

Obviously every individual's circumstances are different and not every individual is looking for high potential growth but a diversfied portfolio of the above funds and more stable funds such as Brandeuax Student Accommodation & Brandeuax Ground Rent Fund will ensure that your money grows and works for you but it is essential that your investments are reviewed and your investments are growing as intended and your money is not sitting in Fixed Rate Bonds or Bank Accounts where the Interest Rates are minimal.

So, for Pension Planning and Capital Investment for Growth, I would suggest a good mix of BRIC {Brazil, Russia, India, China} based funds in 2010 as I believe that these will far out-perform the US & UK stockmarkets where sharp cut-backs need to made and tax rises implemented.

For those slightly nervous going forward, the Dollar Cost averaging effect of a regular savings plan offers you the ability to drip your toes into these markets on a monthly basis, thus, buying a small amount of units each month at different prices and thus building your investment up slowly over a given term of say 10 years.

Once, you have built up your capital and/or retired, you need to preserve your capital whilst maintaining growth to offest any income and thus a more cautious approach should be adopted but always with a view for your investments to grow by 10% per annum !

Happy & Prosperous 2010,

December 2009 - Newsletter

Following on from tradition, I wish to wish you all a Very Merry Christmas and a Peaceful and Prosperous New Year !

With another traumatic year drawing to a close, there is always opportunities to prosper and plan for the future, hence, a quick look back [i will send full performance figures for 2009 in early January] and a longer look forward for you to contemplate over your mulled wine...............

Firstly, just to remind those, thinking of pension planning, the various Special Offer from Royal Skandia, Generali and Friends Provident for new or increases of 500$ pm or more, will finish on 31st December 2009 so the paperwork needs to be completed by the end of next week. In April 2010, the minimum pension age for occupational and personal pensions in the UK will increase from 50 to 55.

Looking back, I have just received the latest performance figures from FMG and their flagship fund, the Rising3 had another good month up3.1% and is now up 56% in 2009, whilst their China Fund was up 4% in November and has grown 79% in 2009 so far, their India Fund was up 3.9% in November and up 64% in 2009 and their star performer of Russia was up 2.4% in November and has grown 100.4% this year to date - so very impressive performance growth from an impressive Fund Manager !

Yesterday, saw Abu Dhabi give Dubai a $10billion lifeline with restrictions and the Dubai stockmarket shot up over 10%. Gold is at $1123 per ounce and Oil at $72 per barrel. I am advised by the FMG Managers that clients should consider the MENA region [Mid East North Africa] for the simple reason that the current forecast for the Oil price in 2011 is $85 pb and increasing by $5 pb per year over the next 10 years and assuming that a constant Oil production of 10million barrels per day, the Saudi economy will generate revenues of $4 trillion. Currently, Saudi sits on 20% of the world's Oil reserves. Furthermore, Qatar is predicted to be the fastest growing economy in 2010 by some analysts - can those living in Qatar confirm this ? Thus, it might be worth looking at the FMG MENA Fund in 2010...........................

Looking forward, obvious cost cutting in the US and UK could increase un-employment so there maybe further pain before the gain. The UK Elections will be held in April/May but with the state of the economy, any changes will not provide huge short term gains, however, Russia will be helped by the Oil price being above $70 pb and Putins continued involvement is as has always been good for the stockmarket. The real estate sector in India is lagging behind the rest of the world but with the Indian economy posting growth of 7.9% in Q2 of the fiscal year, this represents the fastest growth in the last 6 quarters and further earnings upgrades are expected. As usual, all eyes will be on China and most analysts are very positive and believe that the pressures from inflation and monetary tightening are not here yet or in the medium future.........

So again, [I must sound boring....] my recommendations for growth in 2010 centres around the 3 powerhouse economies of Russia, India & China - for those with longer time-frames, then the Mid-East North Africa region offers potential growth from this point on and with the World Cup further south, I am sure Africa will remain in the spotlight in 2010 with Dubai also attempting to re-invent it's future prospects.[last years predictions below for your info]

The Brandeuax Funds remain my recommendation for steady growth, although realistically, desired growth should be 7% to 10% per annum. The Student Accommodation Funds re-opened earlier in 2009 and the Ground Rent Funds are due to re-open in 2010, and thus, the combination USD GBP and Euro Funds will follow suit - this operation has taken longer than initially expected and I thank everyone for their patience and I am confident the Funds will be as good as they were before !!

International Investments for the International Investor

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Wealth Management

When you are expatriated, you are in the enviable position of being being able to accumulate capital and with Interest Rates at historic lows, careful and personal investment advice should be obtained to ensure growth on your capital over and above interest rates. Stockmarkets crashed in 2008 but stockmarkets led by the BRIC countries led the worldwide recovery in 2009 with China, Russia & India leading the way. Specialist Funds can also offer steady growth for the more cautious investor.

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Pension Planning

Whilst expatriated many miss out the valuable benefits of a company pension scheme but Offshore Pension Plans often offer increased investment choice and more flexible benefits.

Currently a number of leading Insurance Companies have Special Offers on their Pension Plans which will give your Pension Plan a wonderful kick-start.

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Stockmarket & Fund Update

Following the successful launch of the new Brandeuax Student Accommodation Funds, the Brandeuax USD, GBP & Euro Funds should be available by April 2010.

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