Offshore investments

Offshore investments can offer a wider variety of investment opportunities and products because of less regulation of financial markets in areas where offshore investments are available.

One drawback can be that the lack of regulation can lead to an increased risk. However the tax-free nature of these investment environments can lead to sizeable gains in the value of your offshore investment fund.

There are a huge variety of offshore funds available to invest in and it is sensible to get the help of an expert independent financial advisor to help decide which type of offshore investment is most suitable. Offshore investment bonds are another option and are securities that are administered outside of the UK by foreign governments, companies or other financial institutions.

	Ethical investments come of age With trust in the banking sector at an all-time low, more consumers are looking for ethical alternatives. James Howard, from ethical investors Emerald Knight explains.
	Pension changes boost offshore investments Changes to pension rules mean that increasing numbers of people are looking to shelter their money from the taxman in offshore investments, rather than pension funds.
	Retirement income: Pensions, investments or a third way? Greg Secker, founder of forex training company, Knowledge To Action, says that with diminishing annuity returns and barriers to entry to some investment routes, FX trading could be a way of increasing income in retirement.
	What are alternative investments? Simon Greenspan, former futures trader at Tullett Brown, explains the concept of Alternative Investments and why they are so important to a diverse portfolio.
	Legal & General Investments launches Junior ISA Legal & General Investments has unveiled details of its new stocks and shares Junior ISA, with three options available depending on risk appetite.