Rogers Wealth Management Ltd

You can read the Wealth WeekWatch here:

Homeowners and buyers warned of rising mortgage rates

Mortgage brokers are urging people buying property or remortgaging to secure deals sooner rather than later as mortgage rates are expected to climb sharply.

Last week, the UK 10-year gilt yield rose to its highest level since 2008, pushing up swap rates. Swap rates are the interest rates banks use when lending to each other in the wholesale markets. Mortgage lenders also use them as a guide when pricing their fixed rate deals for borrowers.

The escalating conflict between Iran and the US and rising energy prices have also contributed to the increase in gilt yields.

WeekWatch - 07/09/2026 WeekWatch - 07/09/2026

Finding control when money feels overwhelming

Anxiety can change the way we view problems. A setback can seem much worse than it really is when we let our emotions take over.

If you are worried about money, that usually means financial security matters to you – which is a positive. Worrying is often a sign that something isn’t right. But it doesn’t always mean there is an immediate problem. Taking time to understand the facts, and talking things through with someone, can help separate genuine concerns from anxious thoughts.

Often, if you have money worries, it can feel easier to ignore a bank statement or account balance. But avoiding or delaying dealing with a problem can make things worse. As with many of life’s challenges, most problems will have a solution.

Anxiety can also cause us to catastrophise. A setback can escalate in your mind until you feel that everything is going wrong. But while these thoughts are understandable, they’re typically driven more by fear than by facts.

Finding control when money feels overwhelming Finding control when money feels overwhelming

You can read the Wealth WeekWatch here:

FCA warns investors using AI

With the AI boom showing few signs of slowing, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has warned investors about the dangers of using AI for help with investing.

A survey of 666 18- to 40-year-olds who own or are considering investments found more than half (56%) trusted AI tools when making investment decisions.1 This was above TV and radio, press and social media influencers.

The research highlighted a worrying misconception among investors about AI and financial regulation and consumer protections.

According to the FCA, almost half of respondents (44%) incorrectly believed AI-generated financial information was regulated. Around a third (32%) wrongly thought they'd get compensation from the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) or Financial Ombudsman Service if AI advice went wrong.

While AI tools specifically set up to provide financial advice would likely fall under the FCA’s remit, general-purpose chatbots are not currently regulated.

WeekWatch - 01/09/2026 WeekWatch - 01/09/2026

Where there's a Will, there's a say

f you die without a valid Will, the rules of intestacy set out who inherits your estate.
For unmarried couples, a surviving partner would have no entitlement to their partner’s estate unless this wish had been explicitly documented in a valid Will.

For cohabiting couples, how you own your home matters. If owned as joint tenants, the whole property will automatically pass to the surviving partner on death.

The traditional nuclear family is less common than it once was, with family life today taking many different forms. Families are increasingly more blended than ever before, shaped by relationships, responsibilities and choices. This means having a say on what assets you want to leave to whom – through a Will – has never been as important, regardless of your relationship status.

According to the 2025 National Wills Report, 79% of UK adults are comfortable talking about death1. Yet when it comes to considering finances, only 36% of people have made a Will2.. This highlights the uncomfortable gap many of us fall into between discussing and doing.

There are many reasons for not making a Will. These range from ‘not getting round to it’ to thinking we’re too young to need one. There is also a common assumption that partners and children will automatically receive their fair share.

However, with family structures more blended than ever before, failing to prepare for who should benefit from your assets could mean your wishes are not realised.

Where there's a Will, there's a say Where there's a Will, there's a say

Keeping it in the family: planning ahead for business succession

Prepare. Plan business succession as early as possible. This can help ensure the process is smooth when the time comes, maximising value and tax efficiency.

Understand the value. Succession planning starts with accurately calculating the value of your business.

Communicate. Take time to have regular, open and honest conversations with all family members about your plans and intentions.

Achieving a successful handover of your business to a family member typically comes down to three aspects: early planning (ideally five to 10 years in advance), having a full understanding of the value of the business, plus open communication with all involved parties to ensure fairness.

It’s not just about passing on ownership of your company. Succession planning is also about the future leadership and management of your business. And these things won’t necessarily lie in the same hands.

Developing the next directors and leaders for your business, if they are to stay within the family, could take several years.

Keeping it in the family: planning ahead for business succession Keeping it in the family: planning ahead for business succession

What Japan’s falling currency could mean for borrowing costs

Japan, one of the world's largest economies, is struggling with a falling currency. The yen has been weakening against the US dollar, reaching its lowest level in almost 40 years. It’s also fallen against other currencies, including the pound. While that may sound like a problem confined to the other side of the world, it has become significant enough for both Japan and the US to step in and try to stabilise the situation.

Global investors as well as central banks are paying attention. It is a case of “what happens in Japan may not stay in Japan...” A prolonged decline in the yen has the potential to affect global bond markets, as well as borrowing costs for mortgage rates in the UK.

What Japan’s falling currency could mean for borrowing costs What Japan’s falling currency could mean for borrowing costs

You can read the Wealth WeekWatch here:

The UK economy - fastest growth in the G7

Buoyed by the good weather and England’s progress in the World Cup boosting food and beverage sales (as well as alcohol manufacturing), the UK economy (GDP) grew by an unexpected 0.3% in June. This contributed to second quarter GDP growth of 0.6%, ahead of analysts’ expectations. The combined 1% growth in the first half of this year means the UK is the fastest-growing economy in the G7 group of advanced economies (US, Canada, UK, France, Germany, Italy, Japan).

Will it last? Over the past few years, the UK economy has delivered its strongest performance in the first half, before fading. In 2026, a weak labour market may weigh on household incomes and consumption. SJP’s Hetal comments that “John Healey’s first Budget as chancellor may contribute to some caution when it comes to business spending decisions.”

A major unknown factor remains the Iran war. In worst-case scenario planning by the Treasury, if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed until the end of the year UK GDP growth in 2026 may slow to 0.9%, compared with the 1.4% achieved in 2025.

WeekWatch - 17/08/2026 WeekWatch - 17/08/2026

The price is right: how much could you sell your business for?

Calculating how much your business is worth is a key first step in getting the best possible price for it.

Businesses that are particularly innovative, show great future potential or can demonstrate solidly repeatable profits are the ones most likely to be able to boost their value. It also helps if you’re prepared to stay on for a year or two as part of the handover.

We can help you to understand how much you’ll need to earn from the sale to fund your future plans.

If you’re eyeing an exit from your business, you’re probably wondering what the best route is, and crucially, how much it might be worth.

Carefully calculating your firm’s potential value before speaking to buyers should help ensure you’re in the strongest negotiating position.

Here’s our advice on how to work out a sale value and the key impacting factors.

The price is right: how much could you sell your business for? The price is right: how much could you sell your business for?

You can read the Wealth WeekWatch here:

Weathering the drought

While opinions may vary on whether the current hot, dry summer is nicer than Britain’s typical grey and drizzly experience, its effects on farming are less up for debate.

According to the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), the heat has encouraged the spread of Bluetongue (a disease that particularly affects sheep) across southwest England. At the same time, several crops – such as winter wheat – are experiencing notably poor yields. Lower food production are likely to translate to inflationary pressures, though the extent of this may take time to fully materialise.

The weather situation is equally tough on mainland Europe. As well as the humanitarian costs, the wildfires that spread through France and Spain are estimated to have cost billions of euros in damages. Meanwhile, low water levels in rivers such as the Rhine have meant commercial shipping vessels have had to lighten their cargo.

So far, however, the weather hasn’t put too much of a dampener on equities. Both UK and EU markets are trading at, or near, all-time highs on the back of strong company results and optimism around a potential deal with Iran.

WeekWatch - 10/08/2026 WeekWatch - 10/08/2026

Interest rates on hold…for now

The Bank of England (BoE) has voted to keep the central interest rate at 3.75% as had widely been expected.

Six members of its Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voted to keep rates on hold, with three voting for an increase. This compared to a seven-two vote in the previous MPC meeting.

Markets had anticipated the decision, as the BoE attempts to grapple with rising oil prices caused by the conflict in Iran.

The Base rate affects borrowing costs for consumers and businesses. An unexpected increase would have likely seen mortgage rates increase, as well as the interest banks pay savers.

Explaining the decision, the BoE noted that inflation had fallen by more than expected. However, as a result of the energy price increases, it expects inflation to pick up again later this year.

A BoE statement said: “We are monitoring the situation very closely; whatever happens, we’ll make sure that inflation gets back to the target in the medium term; for the moment, interest rates are at about the right level to do that, so we’ve held them at 3.75%.”

Interest rates on hold…for now Interest rates on hold…for now