Darius McQuaid

London

Reporter at Money Marketing

Reporter @_moneymarketing former reporter @capitalcom & finance reporter @Daily_Express finalist in @TheDrum awards

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Articles

Rob Burdett: Always believe in gold, but is it indestructible?

1 week ago | moneymarketing.co.uk | Rob Burdett |Steven D. Levin |Momodou Musa Touray |Darius McQuaid

As another quarter draws to a close, attention turns to the assets that soared and those that stumbled. Among the standout performers was the seemingly weighty and unwieldy gold, which rose 19% in USD terms — its best quarterly gain since 1986. In contrast, Bitcoin, often dubbed ‘digital gold’, fell more than 12%. With headlines dominated by tariffs, conflict zones, DeepSeek’s AI launch and the Magnificent Seven slipping into bear territory, perhaps gold’s tangible solidity offered some comfort.
The Morning Briefing: FCA likely to ramp up ongoing advice work; common sense is the best approach for client reviews

1 week ago | moneymarketing.co.uk | Darius McQuaid |Kimberley Dondo

Good morning and welcome to your Morning Briefing for Thursday 17 April 2025. To get this in your inbox every morning click here. FCA likely to ramp up ongoing advice work if firms fail to actThe Financial Conduct Authority may use regulatory tools such as sanctions and voluntary requirements if firms fail to adequately take steps to ensure they can justify their ongoing fees, Isio strategic adviser Ritchie Thomson has warned.
HALO Invest unveils investment research tool

1 week ago | moneymarketing.co.uk | Darius McQuaid
M&G partners with FNZ to expand access to £64bn PruFund range

1 week ago | moneymarketing.co.uk | Darius McQuaid |Andy Hart |Momodou Musa Touray

M&G has partnered with platform technology provider FNZ, paving the way for greater access to its flagship £64bn PruFund range through many of the UK platforms. FNZ works with over 650 financial institutions and more than 12,000 wealth management firms. The partnership means that the PruFund range will become available later this year on FNZ-powered platforms, supported by FNZ’s Q-Hub technology. This will allow M&G to expand its distribution reach onto third-party platforms for the first time.
Andy Bell: Isa reform must not stumble like Devon Loch

1 week ago | moneymarketing.co.uk | Andy Bell |Scott Spencer |Steven D. Levin |Darius McQuaid

I’m writing this Isa article to distract myself from the looming drama of the Grand National. This year marks a milestone – our first ever runner in the big race. And while the nerves are mostly about ensuring he gets around safely, I’ll admit there’s the occasional daydream about a fairytale ending. Still, deep down, I know how this will end: with hope turning to disappointment.
Scott Spencer: Are we seeing the resurgence of Europe?

1 week ago | moneymarketing.co.uk | Scott Spencer |Rhodri Preece |Darius McQuaid |Momodou Musa Touray

It’s no secret that US equities have been the darlings of investors over recent years. Driven in part by a handful mega cap tech stocks, the US market has delivered impressive returns, at least until recently. By contrast, European equities have been largely shunned by investors, something that the latest figures from the Investment Association clearly demonstrate.
Roderic Rennison: Why professional advisers make a difference

1 week ago | moneymarketing.co.uk | Roderic Rennison |Darius McQuaid

Those of you who are regular readers of my Money Marketing articles will know that I often mention of the importance of retaining competent and professional advisers before entering into any transaction, be that a sale, a management buy-out, setting up an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) or organising a family succession.
AAB Wealth enters London market with Magus Wealth deal

1 week ago | moneymarketing.co.uk | Tom Browne |Darius McQuaid |Momodou Musa Touray

AAB Wealth, the chartered financial planning arm of professional services firm AAB, has announced the acquisition of London-based Magus Wealth. This increases its Assets under Advice (AuA) to £1.8bn, a £650m uplift. The deal, subject to regulatory approval, marks AAB Wealth’s first acquisition in the capital and reflects a strategic focus on expanding its presence in London and the South-east. It brings the total number of AAB employees to over 1,000.
Ian Richards: Are we being bold enough about financial planning

2 weeks ago | moneymarketing.co.uk | Ian Richards |Dan Cooper |Darius McQuaid |Momodou Musa Touray

Our profession is continuing to evolve from the traditional focus on financial products towards financial planning, underpinned by cashflow modelling. Rather than a pure focus on money and how much clients want to invest, it is now about plans for the future. When it comes to retirement, it is no longer just about a pension but about how much will be enough, so clients can live the lifestyle they want without running out of money.
Richard Parkin: Is an income-led approach old skool or new rule?

2 weeks ago | moneymarketing.co.uk | Richard Parkin |Darius McQuaid

I spend a lot of my time talking to advisers about retirement income. Those who’ve been in the profession a long time recall the time, before the global financial crisis, when income funds were a key part of client portfolios. How distribution funds were the go-to approach, and the UK Income sector dominated fund flows.