F is for Futures

Investing in futures sounds like another cheesy political initiative to ease the concerns of our long-suffering citizens. In fact, it is one of the nemeses of the financial markets.

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Nick Leeson brought down Barings trading futures contracts. Jérôme Kerviel came close to the same feat at Société Générale, despite losing billions more than Leeson.

Since they are an agreement to trade a product for a certain price on a future date, futures help insure against rising or falling prices. One of their aims is to manage risk, not create it.

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Is the time right for equity release?

Norwich Union is celebrating 10 years of offering equity release (Find out more).

Meanwhile, with house prices plummeting, should clients be signing up to equity release quickly to make the most of the equity in their home?

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