The UK’s film industry is booming, and there could be some hidden lessons for investors in its success.

According to the British Film Institute (5 February 2026), film and high-end TV production spend in the UK was £6.8 billion in 2025 – an increase of 22% compared to 2024’s figures. Some of the most successful films and TV shows released in 2025 and early 2026 were filmed in the UK, including Wicked, Hamnet, Bridgerton, and Slow Horses.

The latest update demonstrates the power of the UK film industry for both the entertainment sector and the UK economy.

Among the blockbusters, the way the sector operates and has achieved success could provide valuable lessons for investors, and you don’t need to be a film buff to benefit from them.

1. Focus on building success over the long term

While the film sector is bringing billions of pounds into the economy now, in the 1990s it was feared that it could go the way of the coal and shipbuilding industries, which had seriously declined.

The success of the sector didn’t happen overnight; it’s taken decades to establish the UK as an excellent destination for film. Now, many studios have long-term deals with household names like Disney, Netflix, and Warner Bros. to provide stability.

Much like the film sector, sustainable investment goals often need to be viewed over a long-term time frame. Rather than taking too much risk chasing short-term rewards, consider how your strategy could support your goals over several years and even decades.

2. Make use of government reliefs

One of the reasons the film industry was able to bounce back was government-backed support.

According to the BBC (2 July 1997), in the 1997 Budget, the then chancellor Gordon Brown unveiled a 100% write-off for production and acquisition expenses on British qualifying films costing £15 million or less to make and completed within a three-year period from Budget day.

This measure, and several others that followed, are credited with boosting investment in the sector.

As an investor, government tax relief could support your finances too. For example, you might invest through an ISA or pension to reduce a potential Capital Gains Tax bill. Your financial planner could help you assess which tax allowances might be appropriate for you.

3. Back a diverse range of projects

The UK film industry invests in a diverse range of projects, from iconic franchises like James Bond to smaller productions featuring emerging talent. The genres vary too, covering everything from historical dramas to thrilling action films.

This mix of films means the industry has a greater chance of reaching a larger audience, as its eggs aren’t all placed in one basket.

Diversification is a common strategy when investing. You might invest in a range of assets and sectors to spread investment risk. While this doesn’t eliminate investment risk, it could help you manage it and potentially reduce the effect that market movements have on your portfolio.

4. Look beyond the UK for opportunities

The UK box office alone couldn’t sustain such large productions. The film industry needs to appeal to a global audience to drive profits.

Again, this is a diversifying lesson. Your investment portfolio will likely include UK-based companies. However, alongside them may be businesses based in Europe, the US, China, and more, including emerging markets. Looking beyond the UK for investment opportunities could allow you to invest in a way that aligns with your goals and risk profile.

5. Recognise when experts could help you

Over the years, the UK film sector has built a solid reputation for its technical expertise and talents, including world-renowned production and visual effects facilities. It’s one of the reasons companies establish long-term deals.

Recognising when you could benefit from the knowledge of a professional, such as a financial planner, could improve your investment strategy by highlighting potential opportunities and risks.

Contact us to direct your investment strategy

Much like a director of a film, you’re in control of your financial future, including your investment strategy. Taking control and learning from these lessons could support your goals. Please get in touch if you’d like to talk to us.

Please note: This article is for general information only and does not constitute advice. The information is aimed at individuals only.

All information is correct at the time of writing and is subject to change in the future.

Please do not act based on anything you might read in this article. All contents are based on our understanding of HMRC legislation, which is subject to change.

The value of your investments (and any income from them) can go down as well as up and you may not get back the full amount you invested. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.

Investments should be considered over the longer term and should fit in with your overall attitude to risk and financial circumstances.

The amount of Capital Gains Tax (CGT) investors collectively pay is set to soar over the next six years.

According to a Telegraph article (11 December 2025), the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) has adjusted its estimate for how much will be raised through taxes, including CGT.

The OBR now predicts revenue from CGT will reach £114 billion between the 2025/26 tax year and 2029/30 – an increase of £6 billion on its previous forecast. Indeed, by 2030, the levy is expected to double in just six years, generating £30 billion annually for the government.

Investments that aren’t held in a tax-efficient wrapper may be liable for CGT when they are disposed of. Read on to find out the CGT essentials investors need to know.

Capital Gains Tax may be due when you dispose of certain assets

CGT is a tax on the profits you make when you dispose of certain assets, including:

• Most personal possessions worth £6,000 or more, apart from your car
• Property that’s not your main home
• Shares that aren’t held in a tax-efficient wrapper
• Business assets.

It’s important that investors and others disposing of assets are aware of the CGT rules to avoid an unexpected bill.

The rate of CGT you’ll pay will depend on your tax band and any other income you’ve received during the tax year.

In 2026/27, the CGT rates are:

• 24% if you’re a higher- or additional-rate taxpayer who has made gains from residential property or other chargeable assets
• 18% if you’re a basic-rate taxpayer and your gains, combined with your taxable income for the tax year, fall within the basic Income Tax band. Gains above the basic-rate band will be liable for CGT at a rate of 24%.

As an investor, there are allowances and other ways to improve tax efficiency that could be useful when managing your CGT liability.

The Annual Exempt Amount is £3,000 in 2026/27

Each tax year, you have a tax-free allowance known as the “Annual Exempt Amount”. In 2026/27, this is £3,000 for individuals. The portion of your gains that falls below this threshold will not be liable for CGT.

You cannot carry forward your unused Annual Exempt Amount to a new tax year.

As a result, you might want to consider spreading the disposal of your assets across several years to use the Annual Exempt Amount to reduce your tax bill.

In addition, you can pass assets to your spouse or civil partner without CGT being due. As the Annual Exempt Amount is an individual allowance, doing this and planning as a couple could mean you can make up to £6,000 in gains each tax year before tax is due.

Investing in ISAs or pensions could be tax-efficient

As an investor, there are tax wrappers you could use to improve your tax efficiency and potentially reduce a CGT bill.

Investments held in a Stocks and Shares ISA aren’t subject to CGT. In 2026/27, you can place up to £20,000 into ISAs during the tax year.

Similarly, investments held in your pension aren’t subject to CGT, and you may also be able to claim tax relief on your contributions for a further boost.

However, pensions are a long-term investment, and you can’t usually access the money held in one until you’re 55 (rising to 57 in 2028). As a result, a pension may not be suitable if you plan to use the money before you retire or if you don’t have other assets you can draw on in an emergency.

Contact us

We may be able to help make tax efficiency part of your financial plan by identifying allowances and strategies that suit your needs. If you have any questions about CGT or other taxes that affect your personal finances, please get in touch.

Please note: This article is for general information only and does not constitute advice. The information is aimed at individuals only.

All information is correct at the time of writing and is subject to change in the future.

Please do not act based on anything you might read in this article. All contents are based on our understanding of HMRC legislation, which is subject to change.

The value of your investments (and any income from them) can go down as well as up and you may not get back the full amount you invested. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.

Investments should be considered over the longer term and should fit in with your overall attitude to risk and financial circumstances.

A pension is a long-term investment not normally accessible until 55 (57 from April 2028). The fund value may fluctuate and can go down, which would have an impact on the level of pension benefits available. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.

The tax implications of pension withdrawals will be based on your individual circumstances. Thresholds, percentage rates, and tax legislation may change in subsequent Finance Acts.

The Financial Conduct Authority does not regulate tax planning.

The saying “money can’t buy happiness” is true. Wealth doesn’t automatically mean you’ll be happier, but it could give you the freedom to focus on the things you enjoy and boost your wellbeing as a result.

How you use money is just as important as having it when assessing whether it would improve your happiness. Intentional financial decisions that are made based on your priorities and goals could promote a greater sense of joy.

How money could improve your happiness

First, simply having money in the bank or a higher income could improve wellbeing.

Indeed, a survey carried out by Virgin Money (1 October 2025) suggests 89% of Brits experience money worries, with 1 in 3 stating they regularly worry about their finances. Not only can this cause financial stress, but it could also affect other areas of life, such as relationships with loved ones.

Feeling confident in your finances can ease concerns and enable you to focus on the things you enjoy.

Finances can also influence other areas that are important for wellbeing.

A Harvard study (16 February 2023) has been tracking what makes people happy for more than 85 years. A common factor among the happiest people – the ones who stayed healthy as they grew older and lived the longest – is that they had the warmest connection with other people.

Indeed, the director of the study Robert Waldinger said: “In fact, good relationships were the strongest predictor of who was going to be happy and healthy as they grew old.”

The findings aren’t too surprising. When you ask people what is important to them, family and friends usually appear high on the list. Social connections are often essential for happiness.

At first, it might seem like your finances have little influence over social connections. However, financial freedom could give you more time to spend with loved ones and the opportunity to enjoy new experiences with them.

Similarly, you might want to volunteer to meet new people and support your local community. Being able to reduce your working hours could allow you to pursue that goal.

Why a financial plan could provide direction

So, money could support your happiness, but it isn’t a given. You need to consider what improves your wellbeing and how to use your wealth in a way that allows you to focus on that.

The good news is that’s the essence of a financial plan – bringing together your finances and aspirations to create a tailored plan.

After working with a financial planner, you might find that you’re in a better position than you thought.

Perhaps you’ve been daydreaming about exploring new locations, but you’ve held off booking anything because you were worried about how it would affect your long-term finances. You may discover you have enough to fly to exotic destinations already, and a plan gives you the confidence to do it.

In these cases, a financial plan could mean you don’t miss out on opportunities to improve your happiness because you’re unsure about your finances.

It’s also possible that you discover a gap, which could place your happiness at risk. For example, if you want to travel in retirement, you might find you aren’t on track to achieve this.

Identifying the gap now could mean you’re in a position to make higher contributions to keep your plans on track and enjoy the retirement you’ve been looking forward to.

Get in touch

If you’d like to build a financial plan that’s focused on your happiness and wellbeing, please contact us. We can work with you to build a tailored plan that suits your aspirations.

Please note: This article is for general information only and does not constitute advice. The information is aimed at individuals only.

All information is correct at the time of writing and is subject to change in the future.

A survey has identified an “ambition gap” in the UK, with millions of adults admitting they have no financial aspirations for the coming year. Not only can a clear goal mean you’re more likely to achieve your aspirations, but it can also have a positive effect on your wellbeing.

The article in IFA Magazine (13 January 2026) suggests 21% of UK adults haven’t set a financial goal for 2026, and 24% said they had no goals over the next decade.

Whether you’re saving for the trip of a lifetime or investing for your retirement, here are five reasons why defining your goal could provide a positive psychological boost.

1. Goals can help you feel in control

Uncertainty can be stressful, and if you’re unsure where your finances stand, it can spill into other areas of your life. For example, if you’re concerned about how your family would cope if you experienced a financial shock, you might find it more difficult to concentrate at work or simply enjoy your time with loved ones.

Setting a goal won’t automatically improve your financial situation, but it can help you feel in control and remove some of the fear of the unknown.

Being as clear as you can about your goals could reduce financial anxiety. For example, rather than saying “I want to save more”, you might state: “I want to build an emergency fund that will cover six months of essential expenses, which I will do by saving £200 a month.” The latter statement gives you a clear definition of your goal and a plan for how you’ll achieve it, which can improve your confidence.

2. An objective can help you establish consistency

Many financial goals take time to reach, and some might take decades.

Having a clear objective and timescale can help you establish consistency, so small actions accumulate. Imagine setting a retirement goal: you’ll usually be saving for decades for a comfortable retirement once you’re ready to give up work. So, setting a goal early can be incredibly useful and might mean you’re more likely to reach your target.

3. Goals can create an emotional connection

Sometimes long-term goals can feel abstract. After all, you’re not benefitting from the pension contributions you’re making now, and you potentially won’t for several decades.

Clear goals can establish an emotional connection to the future you’re working towards, so you’re less likely to abandon them. When saving for retirement, you might do this by considering what you want your life to look like when you stop working or some key experiences you’re looking forward to when celebrating the milestone.

4. A goal could mean you’re less distracted

No matter what goal you’re working towards, distractions can occur and potentially knock you off course. Having a fixed purpose in mind can help maintain your focus on the long term.

For some investors, this could be useful when tuning out the noise of short-term market movements that feature in the headlines. Rather than reacting to the latest news, a well-defined goal could reinforce the importance of a long-term strategy.

5. You’ll be in a better position to track your progress

Finally, seeing your progress towards a goal can be uplifting and motivating.

Without a clear idea about what you’re striving to achieve, it can be difficult to assess if you’re moving forward. A well-defined goal puts you in a good position to review your progress, celebrate your successes, and make adjustments should you need to.

Contact us to talk about your goals

As part of creating a financial plan that’s tailored to you, we’ll discuss your goals and objectives. Please get in touch to talk about your aspirations and how we might help you achieve them.

Please note: This article is for general information only and does not constitute advice. The information is aimed at individuals only.

All information is correct at the time of writing and is subject to change in the future.

A pension is a long-term investment not normally accessible until 55 (57 from April 2028). The fund value may fluctuate and can go down, which would have an impact on the level of pension benefits available. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.

The tax implications of pension withdrawals will be based on your individual circumstances. Thresholds, percentage rates, and tax legislation may change in subsequent Finance Acts.

Once you’ve set out your investment goal and strategy, what comes next? Often, it’s time to test an important investment skill – your patience.

The average investor might benefit from a long-term approach

When you think about the most important skills in investing, you might consider the ability to choose the “right” investments or understanding market movements. Yet, for the average investor, patience could be far more valuable.

Usually, investment strategies require a long-term outlook, so you need to be patient to achieve your goals. While it might be tempting to adjust your portfolio based on the news or market movements, for the average investor, creating a strategy that’s aligned with their goals and risk profile, and then holding assets long-term, could prove more effective.

Historically, markets have delivered returns over long-term time frames and have recovered from downturns. While it’s impossible to guarantee this will happen in the future, it suggests a long-term strategy may be effective.

In contrast, trying to time the market could lead you to miss out on potential returns and taking more risk than is appropriate.

So, being able to practise patience could be a valuable skill for investors.

5 practical steps that could improve your patience

Practising patience might be more difficult than you expect, especially during times of market volatility. Here are some practical steps that could help you stick to your long-term strategy.

1. Follow a goal-based investment strategy

It’s natural that you want to reach your goals as fast as you can. However, investing is typically for the long term, and rushing could be harmful, as you might be more likely to make poor decisions.

Having a clear, goal-based strategy may be valuable if you find you’re impatient to achieve your objective.

2. Schedule regular reviews with your financial planner

It’s easier than ever to see how your investments are performing. With a few taps on your phone, you can see the value of your investments in seconds.

Technology makes tracking performance convenient, but it doesn’t always encourage a patient, long-term mindset. With so much information at your fingertips, it’s tempting to check your investments frequently, and it might lead to an approach that’s focused on short-term gains rather than a patient, long-term outlook.

Instead, schedule regular reviews with your financial planner, such as quarterly or annually, depending on your needs. This provides you with a way to check your progress towards your goals and may reduce your focus on short-term market movements.

3. Diversify your investments

Volatility is part of investing, and there’s always a risk that the value of your investments will fall. During periods of uncertainty, it’s normal for fear to lead you to be impatient – you might consider withdrawing money from your investments because you believe your long-term goals are at risk.

Diversifying your portfolio can’t eliminate investment risk, but it might limit extreme volatility by providing balance. As a result, it could make periods of uncertainty more manageable and mean you’re less likely to act impulsively.

Similarly, choosing investments that align with your risk profile and attitude to risk could help you feel confident in your long-term strategy.

4. Identify what triggers impatience

Identifying when you’re most likely to be impatient could help you become aware of when you might make decisions that don’t align with your investment strategy.

You may be more likely to act rashly when your emotions are heightened, such as when markets are experiencing volatility or when work has been stressful. Recognising when you might be impatient could give you a chance to step back.

Setting yourself a 24-hour cooling-off period before making any investment decisions could be useful, as you’ll often find your emotions have subsided.

5. Automate some investment tasks

Automating investment steps could mean things keep ticking along without you having to do anything, so there’s less chance of you being tempted to make changes.

For example, if your strategy includes depositing money into an investment account each month, you might set up a standing order for this to happen automatically.

Contact us

If you’d like our support when investing, or to understand whether investing could form part of your wider financial plan, please get in touch.

Please note: This article is for general information only and does not constitute advice. The information is aimed at individuals only.

All information is correct at the time of writing and is subject to change in the future.

The value of your investments (and any income from them) can go down as well as up and you may not get back the full amount you invested. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.

Investments should be considered over the longer term and should fit in with your overall attitude to risk and financial circumstances.

In February 2026, ongoing uncertainty around trade tariffs and concerns about the impact of AI adoption on business profits affected the markets. Read on to discover some of the factors that may have affected your investment portfolio.

Markets reached record highs but were affected by AI concerns and trade tariffs

The FTSE 100, an index of the largest companies listed on the London Stock Exchange, was off to a great start in February – it closed at a record high of 10,341 points on 2 February, with a range of sectors performing well, including retailers, banks, airlines, and hospitality.

Similarly, Asian markets reported a welcome uptick on 3 February. Japan’s Nikkei index reached a record high after closing almost 4% higher than its opening level. In addition, India’s Sensex index was up 2.8% after the country struck a trade deal with the US.

However, on 4 February, AI fears affected investors.

Worries that the adoption of AI would harm software and data companies led to a sell-off in European and Asia-Pacific markets. However, the CEO of Nvidia, a leading AI company, Jensen Huang, dismissed the concerns, stating they were “illogical”.

Worries around AI intensified on 11 February when California-based firm Altruist Corp launched an AI service that it said could help advisers create personalised tax strategies. The announcement led to shares dipping for wealth managers, insurance firms, and price comparison sites.

On 12 February, the FTSE 100 reached another record high as it surpassed 10,500 points for the first time. This time it was lifted by shares in Schroders soaring by almost 30% in the first hours of trading after the asset management firm accepted a takeover offer from US investor Nuveen.

On 16 February, the BBC reported that the UK government was weighing up increasing defence spending at a faster pace than expected. The government previously set a target of spending 2.5% of economic output on defence by 2027, rising to 3% by the next parliament. The news led to defence stocks rising, including Babcock (2.5%), Melrose (2.2%), and BAE Systems (1.3%).

US trade tariffs have affected businesses and markets globally throughout 2025 and into 2026. On 20 February, the US Supreme Court ruled against the president’s economic policy of global tariffs, stating that Donald Trump had exceeded his authority by invoking emergency powers to impose them.

Following the announcement, the US Customs and Border Protection agency said it would stop collecting tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act from Tuesday, 24 February.

This led to market volatility as investors and businesses assessed what the announcement would mean for them.

Further uncertainty followed on 24 February when Trump’s new global tariff was introduced. The new tariff is being applied under the 1974 Trade Act, which allows the president to impose a charge for 150 days without congressional approval. The changing situation places pressure on businesses exporting to the US.

On 28 February, US-Israeli strikes on Iran triggered fresh geopolitical uncertainty, which is likely to affect stock markets in March 2026 and potentially beyond.

UK

Inflation in the UK fell to 3% in the 12 months to January 2026, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the fall would “ease the burden on people”.

Despite the inflation dip, the Bank of England chose to hold its base interest rate. However, it’s expected that a rate cut will happen in the coming months as inflation stabilises to support the economy.

Official GDP data suggests the UK economy grew by 0.1% in December 2025, and real annual GDP per capita grew following a period of no growth in the previous year. Chancellor Rachel Reeves commented that she expects stronger economic growth in 2026.

The UK posted its largest budget surplus since monthly records began in 1993. According to the ONS, the January surplus was £30.4 billion, compared to an expected £24 billion, which provided a boost to the chancellor ahead of the Spring Statement set to be delivered in March.

Readings from various S&P Global Purchasing Managers’ Indices (PMI) – which measure economic health based on surveys of purchasing managers – were positive.

• The manufacturing PMI hit a 17-month high with a reading of 51.8, surpassing the 50 mark that indicates growth. The PMI reported high sales volumes to Europe, the US, China, and several emerging markets.
• The construction sector posted a PMI reading of 46.4 in January. While the figure indicates contraction, it is an improvement on previous months and could signal that the worst of the downturn is over.
• The service sector PMI reading was 53.7. This is the fastest pace of growth recorded in almost two years.

Overall, the PMI data could support the chancellor’s assertions that economic growth will improve in 2026.

Europe

Figures from Eurostat show inflation across the eurozone fell to 1.7% in the 12 months to January 2026, taking it below the European Central Bank’s (ECB) 2% target.

The ECB opted to hold interest rates as inflation stabilised.

Economic data suggest the eurozone continues to face challenges. S&P Global’s manufacturing PMI recorded a reading of 49.5 in January, just below the 50 mark that indicates growth.

In addition, figures released by Eurostat show industrial production was down by 1.4% in December when compared to the previous month in the eurozone, and by 0.8% across the EU. The largest monthly decreases were recorded in Slovakia (-4.9%), Germany (-2.9%), and Spain (-2.6%).

However, the Sentix index, which measures investor morale, increased for the third consecutive month in the eurozone, which could suggest investors feel optimistic.

US

Inflation in the US fell by more than expected to 2.4% in the 12 months to January 2026. The news could mean the Federal Reserve is more likely to consider a cut to its interest rates in the coming months.

The Bureau of Economic Analysis reported economic growth of around 0.35% in the final three months of 2025, and an annualised rate of 1.4%, below the estimated 2.5%.

Figures from the Bureau of Labour Statistics indicate that US employers are feeling confident. In January, businesses hired 130,000 more workers, which was stronger than expected after the White House warned the number could fall because of its deportation program.

While positive, the Guardian noted that these figures may be revised downwards. Indeed, in 2025, the total new jobs for the year were revised significantly downwards to 181,000 from the initially reported 584,000.

Asia

Japan just avoided a technical recession – defined as two consecutive quarters of economic contraction. After the economy contracted by 0.7% in the third quarter of 2025, GDP figures showed weak growth of 0.1% in the following quarter. The news led to Japanese investment markets dipping, including the Nikkei 225 index (-0.24%) and the broader Topix index (-0.8%).

While China’s GDP was significantly higher at 4.5% in the final quarter of 2025, it was weaker than in previous years, partly due to trade frictions with the US. However, the country did hit its official 5% annual target.

Please note: This article is for general information only and does not constitute advice. The information is aimed at individuals only.

All information is correct at the time of writing and is subject to change in the future.

The value of your investments (and any income from them) can go down as well as up and you may not get back the full amount you invested. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.

Investments should be considered over the longer term and should fit in with your overall attitude to risk and financial circumstances.