Investing

Let me start by turning the tables for a moment… Imagine a French couple moving to the United Kingdom. They buy a house, settle there permanently and live their daily life entirely in pounds. Yet financially they continue to do everything in France. Their adviser is...

Holding a significant sum of “cash” can feel reassuring, particularly after several years marked by inflation, rising interest rates, and geopolitical uncertainty. However, as we move into a lower-rate environment, people are once again asking a crucial question,...

For many of our clients living in France or planning to relocate here, investing across borders adds an extra layer of complexity. Exchange rates, taxation, and residence status all influence how much you keep and how your portfolio performs. Add market uncertainty to...

If you are paying for something, you usually know the cost up front. Buy a coffee, book a hotel, hire a plumber, and you are told how much it will be. From there, you decide if it is worth it or not. With financial advice, though, things are not always so clear-cut....

I am writing this in early June, so goodness knows what the state of play will be when you read this in August! But for long-term investors that should not matter. Of course, there are plenty of things to worry about; there always have been and there always will be....

The word bespoke has a certain ring to it. It suggests something unique, thoughtfully made, and perfectly tailored. In fashion, that usually means a suit that fits just right. In finance, it often means a higher fee and a nice brochure, but not always much else. For...

In 2022, inflation in France hit 6%, its highest level in nearly 40 years. Inflation had previously ranged, in France, between zero and three percent since the 1980s. Today it is comfortably under 3%. The question is whether 2022 was a one-off or whether we are...

Unless you are completely new to France or live in a cave, you may know something about assurance vie, and the fact that they are easily the most popular investment structure for French residents. It is impossible to ignore the advantages, for income tax, capital...

As human beings, we are naturally attracted to things we find familiar; accepting change and the unfamiliar can be more complicated. This holds true for investments. For example, someone born and bred in the UK is more likely to invest in British companies, whereas a...

The 2008 financial crisis naturally rocked many people's confidence in financial institutions. Since then, many of our clients here at Kentingtons, have asked us about the merits of property as an investment (as opposed to somewhere to live) – thinking that a tangible...