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Flooring tips: How to get the luxury look for less

Sam Allcock
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Flooring tips: How to get the luxury look for less

Does the price of luxury flooring send you into a cold sweat? Everyone wants nice-looking flooring but not for some of the prices on the market today.

A leading home interiors retailer has revealed three ways that homeowners can tap into some of the most popular home interiors trends but at a fraction of the cost.

Replicate real wood with laminate

Real wood offers a premium look – and to be fair, it looks fantastic as a kitchen floor. But at cost of up to £100 or more per square metre, it’s out of many budgets. Installation can take longer too as you need to make sure the sub-floor is properly prepared. For that, you’d have to hire a specialist fitter to help out. In addition, real wood flooring is prone to scratches, so if children and/or pets are haring around, it may be tricky to maintain.

For a much more cost-effective and practical option, you could try innovative laminate options – and the good news is there are loads available out there. One great offering is this Natural Oak Laminate which is only £13.99 per square metre – that’s a saving of around £80 per square metre.

Look for flooring with a combination of light brown tones, knots and grain textures to give a realistic wood effect design that can bring rustic warmth to any room. Laminate floor comes with bevelled planks that measure 12mm in thickness and is the ideal choice for areas with heavy foot traffic, as the hard-wearing materials and quality build are designed to handle the demands of a busy living space. It’s also super easy to install.

Try vinyl instead of tiles  

Whether you love the classic Victorian style or want to inject a Mediterranean feel to your home, tiles are extremely popular in rooms such as the hallway, kitchens and bathrooms.

But some brands charge anywhere from £40 per square metre to over £200 per square metre. Unless you’re particularly experienced in DIY, you’d probably also need to factor in the costs and time for a specialist installer to fit the tiles too.

For a quick and cheap way to update your home with all the style of real tiles, consider the more cost-effective option of patterned vinyl and save a fair amount per square metre.

Cheat the Herringbone style

Herringbone has risen to become one of the most sought-after flooring layouts thanks to its prominence on Instagram and Pinterest. To get the look with real wood planks or laminate options can be a time-consuming and costly home improvement, and it can result in a lot of materials being wasted due to the style of the pattern. However, vinyl alternatives are a great way to grab the trend without breaking the bank.

Boasting a thickness of around 3mm it has a good non-slip rating and is therefore a great choice for kitchens or bathrooms. Look for thermal backing for warmth underfoot.

Josh Barber, buyer at Flooring Superstore, said: “Some of the most popular flooring options such as real wood, herringbone, and tiles can be expensive due to the price of materials and installation. But there are some cost-effective ways to achieve these looks thanks to high quality alternative options such as laminate and vinyl. Not only do these cost less, but they’re much easier to install yourself, meaning you don’t need to find a specialist installer to fit them for you, giving you a cheaper, quicker and more practical way to update your home.”

Maker&Son Furniture Brand Acquired by Inc & Co

Danielle
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Maker&Son Furniture Brand Acquired by Inc & Co

West Sussex-based furniture company Maker&Son, founded in 2018 by Alex Willcock and his son Felix Conran, has been acquired by investment group Inc & Co in a substantial multi-million-pound transaction.

Operating from its headquarters, design studio, and showroom in Balcombe, the company has expanded its global presence, with manufacturing facilities in the UK, Ireland, the United States, Australia, Asia, and New Zealand, allowing for local production in these markets.

The brand, which was recently independently valued at £55 million, employs 150 people. Maker&Son is particularly well-known for its viral ‘Sofa Jump’ advertising campaign launched in 2018.

This marketing strategy is essential for the brand as they do not sell in physical stores, instead engaging directly with customers through their ‘mobile’ showroom.

Felix Conran, co-founder of Maker&Son, stated: “Our vision for the business was to put our products and people – both our team and our clients – at the heart of what we do. With this comes a true sense of British heritage and belonging for our teams, and our clients alike.

“The sale will enable us to continue our vision of creating luxury sustainable furniture. We are delighted that Inc &Co have seen the value in what we have achieved to date and are excited to work with them to write the next chapter for Maker&Son.”

The Manchester-based investment group Inc & Co will now take full control of the Maker&Son group, including its international operations. Established three years ago, the group recently reported a £30 million turnover in its second year.

Maker&Son is the latest addition to Inc & Co’s portfolio of acquisitions, which includes luxury leather brand KNOMO London, food and beverage brand Chop’d, and King Street Grooming.

Inc & Co plans to expand Maker&Son by establishing 20 new regional locations for its mobile showroom over the next 18 months.

Jack Mason, the CEO of Inc & Co, said: “Inc & Co pride itself on being known for expediting acquisitions in an extremely diligent and human-centric way. We are excited to be joining Maker&Son on its business journey. It is a distinguished brand, with provenance and vision. The fast and international growth to date has proven the strength of the product and we’re looking to expand on this further.

“Inc & Co, much like Maker&Son, is honed on creating and delivering products and services for the modern, sustainably conscious and digitally aware customer. Maker&Son fits seamlessly into the Inc & Co portfolio of brands and we can’t wait get under the skin of the business.”

Does a new bathroom or kitchen increase property value?

Sam Allcock
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Does a new bathroom or kitchen increase property value?

Looking to sell your home? Before you start splashing the cash on an all-singing, all-dancing fancypants kitchen, consider your potential return.

Before listing your home for sale, it’s always a good idea to take on a few home improvements but you should be careful not to over-invest at this stage as you may need to do lots of DIY in your new home.

If you want to increase the value of your home prior to putting it on the market, there are many ideas out there including installing new flooring or fitting a new bathroom.

Popular investments

Two popular home improvements you could consider are a new bathroom or kitchen – but are either renovation going to maximise your resale value?

While you may just be simply looking for a new kitchen to avoid buyers seeing grotty worktops or dog-scratched kitchen units, it’s also worth noting that the style you choose may not be yours – so they could rip it out within weeks of being in the property.

When deciding whether or not to install a new kitchen before selling your property, it’s important to consider the cost, time and potential returns of this work in order to make an informed decision.

Cost of kitchen

The total price you can expect to pay varies according to a number of factors – the size of the kitchen and the quality and cost of the materials used.

But on average you could expect to pay between £5,000 and £14,000 for a new kitchen, with the average cost in 2021 estimated at £9,000.

But there’s not just the fancy cupboards to consider. There’s any new plumbing, flooring and electrical work that may need carrying out.

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) estimated that a new kitchen can, on average, add around 4% to the total value of your home, so a home valued at £150,000 could achieve an increase of £6,000.

A new bathroom

A new bathroom costs the average homeowner around £5,000 including materials and installation, with factors (again) such as size and quality of materials making the price difference.

It’s estimated that a bathroom remodel could add up to 5% onto the value of your home.

Other considerations

Instead of a whole new kitchen or bathroom, could you look to replace parts that are looking worn, for example a new shower screen or kitchen worktops?

For example, you can buy tongue and groove bathroom wall panels that can be fitted easily by you, with no need for complex tools, expensive materials or professional decorators.

Every kitchen and bathroom panel on our site has been designed with quality in mind – and they can be installed directly over your existing tiles, which means you won’t have to pay for your current tiles to be removed.

So, whether you make the decision to install a new kitchen, new bathroom or simply to improve the space you already have, check out hacks like these to help you achieve a good looking space for far less cash!

What people want from functional kitchen design

Sam Allcock
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What people want from functional kitchen design

Häfele UK has teamed up with TV architect and designer Laura Jane Clark to share exactly what drives homeowners’ buying decisions when it comes to their kitchens.

The aim of the company’s new whitepaper is to help studios and designers gain a competitive edge in the industry.

Earlier this year, Häfele – a leading hardware manufacturer – undertook research with more than 2,000 homeowners to explore kitchens, including what they’re used for, the biggest pain points, most desired or useful features, and how they impact homeowners day-to-day.

Shared findings

The findings have now been shared to provide kitchen studios, designers and installers with advice on how to capture greater market share with great-looking, functional kitchen designs.  

The launch of the whitepaper comes off the back of an exclusive online masterclass held by Laura Jane Clark for Häfele’s Studio Partners at the Birmingham NEC in February earlier this year.

Kitchens are the central hubs of homes

Natalie Davenport, head of marketing for Häfele UK, said: “The way we use our kitchens is continually evolving. Once a small add-on to a home used purely for cooking, kitchens are now the central hub packed with appliances, technology and features to help households achieve multiple purposes within the space.

“Since March 2020 in particular, the way we use and inhabit in our homes has transformed, but our research shows that in many cases, kitchen design today isn’t being maximised to help customers achieve their ambitions when it comes to functionality and how they use their space.

“The findings demonstrate that functional kitchen design is integral to the way we live, and if kitchens are not delivered well, they can affect our wellbeing and mental health and negatively impact how we engage with our homes. For example, while homeowners use their kitchens for everything including socialising (26%), playrooms (11%) or makeshift offices (10%), one in five people don’t like their current kitchen, with badly designed storage, limited space and poor layout cited as the top three bugbears.

“As a result, 21% of respondents said that next time they purchase a kitchen, they will shop around to get the best functionality for their budget – offering the industry a huge opportunity to improve their bottom line.”

The whitepaper is available for download here. 

Creating a digital workplace in a hybrid world

Sam Allcock
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Creating a digital workplace in a hybrid world

The recent pandemic has made companies everywhere have a major rethink about how they will run their business. With many workers still not back in offices full time, employers are feeling more comfortable opting for a hybrid – half office/half home approach.

But if you carry on working in this way, it means your digital workplace needs to be top-notch – and with that, communication needs to be excellent. Modern workplaces are seeking ways to improve mental wellbeing and offer flexibility. If employees know they can expect this in a new role, a good work environment is extremely likely.

Investment in decent technology

Better technology would be one of the top answers if you asked most employee what would make their lives at work easier. Implement a new intranet that is bespoke to your company and you’ll quickly benefit from the digital transformation. What if you no longer had to waste countless hours searching for files that should be right under your nose? Afterall, time is money, right?

A modern-day SharePoint intranet like Attollo sits on Office365 and provides the perfect one-stop shop for all staff to store documents and connect from any device, wherever they may be in the world. Bettter still, you can get a customisable intranet and match it up with your company branding. So easy and simple to use, it will be matter of days until all your staff are loving the new system – and no longer waiting for days to book in their annual holiday allowance.

Big up the employee experience   

With staff working separately, a digital workplace is crucial. Staff need to be supported if they’re working from home, as no one wants to feel isolated or lonely without colleagues around them.

Help employees get organised – and see what others are up to by using a system like Trello or you could use your intranet to create a leaderboard and encourage some friendly competition within your teams. Staff could get involved with things like Quickpolls or chat forums, and have the chance to comment on a blog from the CEO.

Encourage an empathic culture

Some staff may need help to cope with the changes. The best way to do this is to implement a reliable and instant communications system. No one has time to hang about waiting for replies to round robin emails when they could use an instant messenger such as Microsoft Teams, to get an instant response, or a video chat.

You could try encouraging inter-departmental relations by improving collaboration between teams.

Encouraging a culture of recognition can also bring a whole new attitude and outlook on the company. Why not celebrate when a staff member does something great? Feature their image on your intranet homepage and let others give the compliments.

Perfect invoices: A guide for SMEs

Sam Allcock
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Perfect invoices: A guide for SMEs

Preparing invoices is a task you might perform religiously as an SME. After all, if you want cash for your hard work it needs to be done – and smoothly, at that.

Cashflow always looks healthier when invoicing is done on time. Invoices need to look professional, be sent promptly and followed up on regularly.

The worst thing that can happen is you’re left with a load of invoices that are unpaid. They get forgotten about and you end up in the red – and no one wants that.

Start as you mean to go on – with good habits. A good invoicing system and a smooth billing process helps reduce the need to maintain records of late payments too.

If you haven’t already got accounting software, we highly recommend it for sending invoices quickly. Having detailed customer invoices also helps you avoid disputes with clients about what they’re paying for and when. As tax time rolls around, invoices and payment records will help you quickly round up income data for your accountan

Avoid surprises

Make sure your customers know ahead of time when an invoice will be sent. Clearly spell out the charges for late payments in your initial contract. Your business invoice should match your original estimate and contract. If the total exceeds an agreed amount, explain this to your client prior to sending the invoice. No one likes nasty surprises.

Make the payment dates clear

The invoice date should be very obvious when your invoice is opened up. Make sure that dates for completion of work or delivery are part of invoice item descriptions.

Don’t be scared to send payment reminders

Many SMEs would wait for weeks rather than risk ‘bugging’ a good client for payment. But at the end of the day, sometimes invoices get lost or can end up in email spam. Once you send the invoice track the days and follow up just before they reach their payment terms, eg a week, 14 days, or whatever is agreed.

Clear payment term with a deadline is essential because it gives you a basis for follow-up in case of non-payment. When the due date has arrived and no payment received, resend your invoice and add a note that it is past due. 

Make sure your invoice design provides clarity

Make sure your invoice is clear so there is no room for misunderstanding.

Ensure your branding is prominent so it is instantly recognisable as your company sending its bill. Listing itemised products or services, fees, expenses, costs and relevant dates all help reduce disagreements and therefore ensure you get paid what you deserve.

What to include on an invoice

Every invoice should include:

Invoice number – for you and the client to track what has been paid

Business contact details

Business bank details

Invoice date

Invoice total due

Preferred payment method 

The Best Countries for Investing in Sustainable Infrastructure Post-Covid

Claire James
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The Best Countries for Investing in Sustainable Infrastructure Post-Covid

Despite seemingly having left the worst of the pandemic behind us, the global economic outlook remains uncertain. Countries around the world are beset by inflation and energy crises, along with the staggering outcomes of climate change. Although many may feel the need to exercise caution around foreign direct investment (FDI), in truth, it’s an excellent chance to use capital in a way that can transform the lives of millions.

This has already taken the form of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) investments and other financial instruments geared towards sustainable development — but there’s always more that can be done. Energy shortages and the need to meet Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) ultimately call for stimulus in infrastructure: in other words, real, physical assets that can generate benefits for years to come.

Since it is a stable, non-cyclical form of financing with low variable costs, funding infrastructure is a crucial means of achieving a sustainable future across the world. Although it’s not a silver bullet, with the right planning and targeting of resources, FDI can produce real, tangible benefits for many countries and therefore millions of people. In terms of where to put your capital, here we’ve selected three countries from around the world with exciting sustainable infrastructure opportunities.

1.    Dominica

Dominica is heavily dependent on tourism, and the impact of Covid-19 on travel made a significant dent in its GDP. Its struggle goes deeper than that, however, since it is an island nation acutely vulnerable to environmental hazards — having endured Storm Erika in 2015, and the catastrophic Hurricane Maria in 2017 that destroyed 90% of the island’s structures. Yet all this has resulted in a forward-thinking mindset from the Dominican government, which has pursued sustainable development and ‘climate resilience’ with a great deal of help from FDI.

One of the reasons behind this success is the country’s Citizenship-by-Investment (CBI) programme. Investors receive citizenship in exchange for their funding of new infrastructure in the country, or by purchasing real-estate property. The majority of capital investment is channelled into the Economic Diversification Fund — “a government fund that supports socio-economic initiatives in Dominica”, as CS Global Partners explains.

Through the CBI programme, investors have helped construct hospitals and schools, agriculture and fishing infrastructure, and fund affordable energy such as a geothermal plant — plus much more. By investing in Dominica this way, you can choose from a range of infrastructure projects and enjoy the benefits of seeing it come to fruition — as well as soak up the Caribbean sun.

2.    Costa Rica

Costa Rica is renowned for its stability and living standards, but it also faces challenges in terms of poverty and inequality which spur the need for targeted improvements in infrastructure. Overall though, the economy has performed remarkably in terms of FDI, having received “more than 13 times its fair share of inward greenfield FDI compared with what could be expected given its level of GDP”, according to Investment Monitor.

Therefore, while Costa Rica’s ability to productively use FDI suggests that this is a strong strategy to tackle its “severe underinvestment in infrastructure”. The government recently requested a $700 million loan from the IMF’s Resilience and Sustainability Trust to finance sustainable infrastructure, but independent investors with ESG focus could equally make transformative investments into the economy.

For example, improvements to the deteriorating roads and bridges would reduce congestion and therefore vehicle emissions, as well as helping to bring many out of poverty by creating better access to transport and therefore employment. The government also incentivises FDI by allowing “tax-free operations for 8-12 years, extendable on certain conditions, including reinvestment in the country”, as well as “dedicated aftercare services”.

3.    Panama

Next door to Costa Rica is Panama, home to the Colón Free Zone — the main commercial centre for Latin America and the Caribbean — and, perhaps most famously, the Panama Canal. The country’s geography, infrastructure and FDI incentives have long made it a popular destination for investor capital.

Panama’s pursuit of public and private investment partnerships signals how sustainable and durable infrastructure can be achieved through FDI. One such example can be found with the construction of the Corredor Norte Toll Road route, which has hugely reduced travel time to and from Panama City. As for the crown jewel itself, the Panama Canal Authority is “looking for new water supply solutions, such as pumping or desalinating seawater or building new reservoirs that could supply drinking water to two million people from the same source”.

There are many other incentives for foreign infrastructure investments. For example, funding regenerative agriculture in Panama will guarantee that investors pay zero income tax “if annual gross income is lower than $250,000”, as PwC asserts. Elsewhere, Panama is pursuing sustainable water provision in the City and Bay Sanitation Project, and foreign investment towards this is organised by the Opec Fund for International Development. Since the utilities are privatised, similar to other countries in the region, this may well be a safe and sensible option for an FDI portfolio.

How Does PIM Workflow Promote Efficiency and Collaboration in Business

Sam Allcock
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How Does PIM Workflow Promote Efficiency and Collaboration in Business

PIM workflow positively impacts the productivity, irrespective of its size or years of experience. Businesses require constant innovation and productivity assessment to be able to maintain growth. Even with the growth of the business in terms of products sold, or employees added to the payroll, getting certain tasks done might only get harder. Luckily, there’s a simple solution. By utilizing the two-in-one system in your business, you are able to better organize data, and manage your business’ workflow efficiently.

What is workflow? 

Workflow refers to software that helps in the designation of tasks through a process that includes alerting all team members to the presence of a task that requires immediate attention. After a worker completes a task, the workflow registers it as complete. This gives way for other tasks to be completed. The basic aspects of a workflow include efficiency, automation, and productivity. Every team member has access to see the tasks that have been completed and the ones yet to be completed so they are motivated to get even more done.

In today’s business scene, technology has helped businesses run despite whatever lapses that may exist in the outside world. PIM workflow is a technology that takes only the best of both worlds in order to improve the level of cohesion of the various work processes. Normal operations are no longer slowed down as team members can now stay connected.

Here are 7 ways in which work quality and efficiency can be improved using product information management workflow.

  1. Workflow promotes collaboration

PIM workflow improves the ability of workers working from anywhere. Thanks to the internet, remote work is even possible. However, remote work isn’t just reserved for freelancers. According to the Global Workplace Analytics in 2005, the total number of remote workers employed by companies has increased by 173%. This percentage is only poised to increase even more in coming years. Workflow software makes collaboration despite the different working situations possible. And so, team members working remotely can also be effective as those in the office.

  • Workflow improves performance and trust

As a result of workflow software, trust between members of the company grows even more. Different companies employ the use of workflow software that best suits their needs. When it comes to team based projects, PIM workflow significantly improves overall performance

  • PIM workflow helps in breaking down present barriers

In dealing with disparate departments, PIM workflow helps in streamlining communication. Each department must be focused on achieving the same set of goals, despite their different responsibilities. Irrespective of your work location, whether it’s at home, or in a work cubicle, with PIM software there won’t be any difference in teamwork and communication.

  • Share content between team members both internally and externally

When dealing with product information, there’s usually a lot of data to shift through. Before there can be an agreement between manufacturers and suppliers on any product, there usually is a lot of data involved. From color, weight, material, units, color, to specification sheets. During this process, both internal and external employees must be involved in product selection. This is where PIM workflow software can come in handy. The workflow software can help team members have uninterrupted access thereby having a smooth process. With workflow, different parties are notified about what currently requires attention and what can wait. This way, workers respond in a very timely manner that is necessary for growth.

  • Workflow eliminates inaccuracies

Inaccurate data is perhaps one of the most destructive things to happen to any business. Most businesses record product returns due to the lack of sufficient information or inaccurate information available on that product. More than 64% of customers report returning a product due to the fact that its service did not match its product description.

  • Workflow improves productivity

In some cases, the vigor of team members and various departments in executing their work does not result in tasks being completed in time. After the completion of any task it is left for the manager or supervisor to assess the job done. This may take some time, resulting in a delay. During this delay, team members may be left with absolutely nothing to do while they await the next task. This not only improves inefficiency, but also may make employees uncomfortable waiting before they are given a new set of instructions. Instead, this software helps in reducing the amount of time a team member has to wait for his work to be reviewed and new instructions given.

  • Reduces time-consuming processes

As we previously said, time consuming processes are not only bad for business efficiency, but also for employee management. Businesses aim to get products to market sooner. To be able to do this, they will need to eliminate any time consuming process. This includes manual and time draining activities. This is usually the selling point of workflow software.

Irrespective of the size of growth trajectory of any business, there usually comes a time when an obstacle may reduce its exponential growth. When this happens, it may be particularly difficult to push products into the ever changing market, especially at the previous rate. The process of introducing newer products also becomes more difficult, and so companies must utilize workflow software if they intend to overcome these obstacles.

  • Create specialized processes for business workflow

While businesses usually employ general workflows in management, utilizing a specialized workflow is also a possibility. Usually, ecommerce businesses possess different projects that must be kept separate from each other. A PIM workflow ensures that this is done effectively, and so encourages efficiency in the workplace by using its specialized features.

  • Customize business workflow view

Workflow software that offers businesses with distinct view settings is necessary for that business efficiency. The visual nature of workflow can either promote or completely destroy a person’s ability to work efficiently. Every team member has a different preference from the herd. By being able to customize their workflow view, they are able to improve their efficiency by simply changing the visuals to suit their own preference.

How to Choose a UK Stock Broker

Sam Allcock
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How to Choose a UK Stock Broker

This work has considered the important factors to consider while choosing a stock broker in the UK today.

Introduction 

Stock brokers perform different roles for their clients – ranging from order executions to trading on behalf of their clients. Some are known for providing financial advice to guide their traders in making decisions, while the rest provide support and rich educational material to make trading easy for their clients. It is therefore very necessary for any prospective stock trader in the UK to understand what services he desires, to help him in deciding which of the is the best UK stock broker for him.

Whichever type of broker one wants, it is equally important to ensure that such broker complies with the regulatory demands and fulfills the client’s expectations. This work is therefore an invaluable guide for traders to understand the important factors to consider while choosing a stock broker in the UK today. 

Meaning of UK Stock Broker

A UK Stock Broker is a financial service provider that enables UK residents to buy and sell various stocks listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE). Stock brokers in the UK provide a wide range of services for their registered traders ranging from trading on their behalf, providing financial advice, executing pending orders, etc. Without stock brokers, it will be difficult for individuals to trade stocks from the comfort of their homes in the UK today. 

Types of stock brokers in the UK today 

  • Full-Service Brokers: This type of broker performs virtually all the tasks for the trader such as account management, providing financial advice, carrying out research, and making decisions on behalf of the client. However, full-service brokers are known to charge some commissions for the services they perform on behalf of their clients. 
  • Discount Broker: This type of broker allows clients to take decisions themselves on which stocks to buy or sell. However, they charge very low commissions for using their platforms. 
  • CFD Brokers: CFD brokers provide attractive leverage for traders to maximize their profits while trading on their platforms.

Factors to consider while choosing a UK Stock Broker

  • Flexibility: UK Stock brokers are expected to be flexible to enable them meet the various demands of their clients. Flexibility entails being sensitive to the client’s needs and adjusting their trading conditions to suit them. 
  • Convenience: All stock brokers in the UK are expected to make their platforms very convenient and easy for the clients to use. They are to make their platforms simple and readily accessible for traders. 
  • Services Fees: An important characteristic that marks a good stock broker in the UK today is the amount they charge as commissions for executing various orders placed by clients. Charging higher fees reduces the client’s profits. Therefore only brokers with low cost for using their platforms are best for trading. 
  • Regulation: Stock brokers in the UK are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Traders should ensure that their selected stock brokers are duly registered with this body to ensure maximum security for their funds. All other brokers operating in the UK without proper registration with the FCA  could be seen as illegal dealers.
  • Leverage for Trading: Most traders who do not have enough funds for trading rely on the leverage provided by brokers to maximize their profits. It is therefore very necessary for all UK stock brokers to provide enough leverage to help traders maximize their profits while using their platform. 
  • Multiple Stocks: Traders have varied stocks as their favorites. Hence,  all stock brokers in the UK are expected to provide a wide range of stocks already listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE) market for the traders to make their choice.
  • Track Record of excellence: Brokers with a historical strong record of excellence are most recommended for stock trading in the UK today. This category of brokers understands the client’s needs and has established proper solutions to solve them on their platforms.
  • Client Support: Often stock traders  encountered one problem or another while using the broker’s platform.  It is therefore very necessary that all stock brokers in the UK must establish an efficient customer support service system to assist clients at all times. 

5 Crucial Reasons to Invest in Precious Metals

Sam Allcock
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0
5 Crucial Reasons to Invest in Precious Metals

Precious metals like gold and silver have been prized for their beauty and value for centuries. They are popular investment choices, providing a tangible hedge against inflation and economic uncertainty. Although the gold value can be volatile in the short term, it has a proven track record of maintaining its purchasing power. Silver is often considered to be a more affordable option for investors, and it also offers Industrial uses that give it added value. For those searching to add precious metals to their portfolio, there are many ways to do so, including bullion coins, bars, and exchange-traded products.

As an asset class, precious metals offer several advantages that make them an attractive investment choice. Many people invest in precious metals, like Pamp Suisse gold, to protect their wealth from inflation and economic turmoil. Pamp is an operator in the metal refining process and fabrication. They work in reputed mines and deliver bars and coins worldwide. Some well-known suppliers provide a wide selection of low-premium Gold Bar investments, including The Perth Mint’s bullion, Pamp Suisse’s bullion, and The Royal Canadian Mint’s bullion.

What are the reasons to invest in precious metals?

Here are five reasons why you should consider investing in precious metals.

  1. Protection against inflation

Precious metals tend to hold their value higher than other assets during periods of economic inflation. It is because as the cost of goods and services goes up, so does the price of gold and silver. So, it is an excellent way to protect your purchasing power and safeguard your wealth against inflation.

According to the World Gold Council, gold has outperformed significant asset classes, such as stocks, bonds, and real estate, over the past fifty years. Investors often turn to gold during periods of economic and political uncertainty. This is because it is seen as a haven asset that can protect your wealth from inflation and market volatility.

  1. Increased liquidity

As an investor, you will have no trouble selling your gold and silver bars when needed because these precious metals are highly liquid assets in high demand worldwide. You can easily convert your metals into cash, making them a liquid investment.

This contrasts with other assets, such as real estate, which can take longer to sell and may be subject to more volatile prices. It is important to remember that the liquidity of your investment will depend on the market conditions at the time you want to sell.

  1. Diversification

Did you know that including precious metals in your investment portfolio can help to diversify your assets and reduce risk? This is because they move differently than other asset classes, such as stocks and bonds. For example, when the stock market is going down, the price of gold may go up. This positive correlation can help to offset losses in other parts of your portfolio and reduce the overall risk of your investment strategy.

  1. Maintains purchasing power

When paper money loses value, gold and silver tend to retain theirs. This is because precious metals have an intrinsic worth that is not dependent on the economy’s health. This makes them a great way to preserve wealth and maintain purchasing power over time. The time-tested value of metals makes them a safe investment that you can rely on to hold their value over the long term.

  1. Value increases over time

Its intrinsic value and limited supply make gold a good investment that will likely increase in value over time. The same can be said for silver, a precious metal with a limited supply. This contrasts with other assets, which may go up or down in value depending on several factors.

Conclusion

Gold and silver have been used as forms of currency for centuries. In today’s economy, they are still seen as valuable assets. Precious metals can be a good investment for many reasons. They are rare, have a long value history, and are tangible assets. So, consider these reasons if you are considering investing in precious metals.

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  • bitcoinBitcoin (BTC) $ 108,920.00 3.34%
  • ethereumEthereum (ETH) $ 2,571.54 7.14%
  • tetherTether (USDT) $ 1.00 0.03%
  • xrpXRP (XRP) $ 2.24 3.38%
  • bnbBNB (BNB) $ 659.94 2.23%
  • solanaSolana (SOL) $ 152.99 4.27%
  • usd-coinUSDC (USDC) $ 0.999798 0.01%
  • tronTRON (TRX) $ 0.285621 2.41%
  • staked-etherLido Staked Ether (STETH) $ 2,567.09 6.99%
  • cardanoCardano (ADA) $ 0.586504 8.24%
  • avalanche-2Avalanche (AVAX) $ 18.57 8.86%
  • the-open-networkToncoin (TON) $ 2.87 3.69%