Salty Dog Investor.....

Sobryma

I have a Skandia CRA for my non employer pension, and am reasonably happy with it (the only mild irritation is lack of some funds - CF Ruffer range in particular), I tend to stick to +/-5 funds but I manage them actively - rightly or wrongly I do any research or analysis of funds myself.

I have spotted in today's Telegraph an article on Salty Dog, I have been on the website, which seems limited on real substance on what they offer (although there is a 2 month free trial).

The cost of their analysis service is £30/mth - which if its good isn't out the way for the funds I have in my pension.

Does anyone use it, or are their alternatives? (i.e. more indepth analysis tools other than Trustnet, Lipper etc.)

Thanks S

dunstonh

Skandia is a bundled platform currently. So, it will only offer funds which pay to be on the platform with the exception of a few loss leaders. They are bringing in an unbundled platform soon which should extend its offers to whole of market.

The cost of their analysis service is £30/mth - which if its good isn't out the way for the funds I have in my pension.

The lack of substance would be a concern. They only show a period of volatility and decline in their charting. That could indicate a very defensive portfolio. There are ways to avoid drops in negative markets but they tend to hit you in growth markets (look at absolute funds for example). Also, their charts are against cautious or balanced sector averages. They are two distinct risk profiles. So, which is it that they are working as benchmark on a risk basis.

I have never heard of them before you posted today. They are not authorised by the FSA. Which is always a concern. You will have no consumer protection. Plus, you pay them £30pm (plus VAT as has to be a vatable service) for that,

The alternatives would either to use a portfolio fund or use an IFA.

atush

I read that article n the ST too, but have never heard of them before.

Sobryma

Interesting no one has heard of them or use them....

I do now tend to stick with Managed funds but move according to my view of markets / risk - currently invested in some obvious funds like Troy Trojan, Newton Real Return etc.

The only thing I thought of interest on what they appear to offer was the greater depth on analysis.

I think I might wait and see if they build some sort of a track record or reputation.

dunstonh

The only thing I thought of interest on what they appear to offer was the greater depth on analysis.

We dont know what they offer as they dont say. Probably as they cant offer much as they are not authorised by the FSA.

I think I might wait and see if they build some sort of a track record or reputation.

Does it not concern you that they are not regulated by the FSA?

Sobryma

dunstonh wrote: »

We dont know what they offer as they dont say. Probably as they cant offer much as they are not authorised by the FSA.



Does it not concern you that they are not regulated by the FSA?

Now I think about it - it does....

I've been having a look at Trustnet, and you get most of the information on there for free I think - but would obviously need to do your analysis.

bigfreddiel

dunstonh wrote: »

We dont know what they offer as they dont say. Probably as they cant offer much as they are not authorised by the FSA.



Does it not concern you that they are not regulated by the FSA?

you need to read the article:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/investing/8737521/Forget-the-long-term-and-chase-trends-investors-told.html

to find out a bit more of whats on offer

fj

dunstonh

From that article....

Mr Chadwick, 68, is launching Saltydog Investor, a newsletter for those who control their own Isas and Sipps through low-cost fund platforms. It gives information about the top 10 funds in each of five risk categories, as well as sample portfolios for those with different attitudes to risk.


"I want to be the Jamie Oliver of investment," he said. "I want to change people's attitudes to managing their pensions as he changed our attitudes to school dinners. The Government has meddled with pension schemes for far too long. It's time to take control. Our newsletter is about giving power to the people."

So, its a limited media article from someone not authorised by the FSA.

It would be similar to anyone here using their own personal strategy, publishing it but charging people to read it. Not only are you paying £360 a year but they tell you to use HL's SIPP which means you lose another 0.5% p.a. on top for getting no advice or consumer protection for "advice".

Sobryma

I have received some of their information, a Newsletter, which to be fair is not I assume the same as full access to member area.

It is an interesting approach - and I like the idea but I am uncertain as to the execution.

They list reasonably conservative model portfolios but not the individual funds in there, it does look like they timed going 'cash' well. The newsletter level of analysis is relatively curtailed they stick to the top ten funds. I am not a 100% convinced by some of the groupings - they include Active/Balanced/Cautious Managed and Global funds in one group.

I may be doing them a disservice, but I did think there didn't feel to be a lot you could not get from Trustnet for free if you were prepared to spend the time.

Sobryma

I also compared the performance of their portfolio to my own - and there was little in it.

atush

Sobryma wrote: »

I also compared the performance of their portfolio to my own - and there was little in it.

Please dont misunderstand my Q.

I am wondering why you are posting only about Salty dog for the last 3 years (ie all posts since Jan 2009 have been on this subject)?:eek: