UK car sales slump again in October despite growth in hybrid car sales November 5, 2018 New car sales fell by 2.9 per cent in October as the industry continues to grapple with strict new emissions standards and confusion over diesel policy. Figures released today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show new vehicle registrations fell to 153,599 in October. Overall, the new car sector remains down by [...]
Marks and Spencer results will reflect the high street’s health November 4, 2018 Results from Marks and Spencer’s clothing range – long the weaker twin to its strong food offering – will be closely watched when the retailer reports on Wednesday, after difficult results for several of its rivals. Consensus estimates from 11 analysts suggest the FTSE 100 firm will post half-year profits before tax of £203m, a [...]
Belfast has big plans to become the home of the Titanic and a top TV shooting location. But will that help the property market? November 2, 2018 A couple of weeks ago, a consortium of hedge funds clubbed together to raise $19.5m to buy bric-a-brac from the bottom of the ocean. At first glance, these 5,500 items bore no relation to each other; a bowler hat, the sleek curves of a bronze angel, a steel door. Their immense value derives solely from [...]
New homes: Our pick of the new builds going on sale in London this weekend November 2, 2018 New developments on the market this week So Resi, Sydenham From £130,000 for a 25 per cent share of a two bed New homes in south east London with excellent commuting times have been released on a part-buy part-rent basis. Prospective homeowners can buy a share of a one, two or three bedroom apartment in [...]
Trump ramps up the pressure on Venezuela with fresh sanctions November 1, 2018 US President Donald Trump today turned up the heat on Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, signing an executive order to place new sanctions that will affect the country’s gold exports. The order bans anyone in the US from engaging with people or businesses involved in “corrupt or deceptive” Venezuelan gold sales, which Trump believes had been used [...]
Will struggling high street retailers survive the crucial Christmas period? November 1, 2018 Trouble came in threes for the high street yesterday. Struggling retailer Mothercare announced hundreds of redundancies as part of its turnaround plan while 600 jobs hang in the balance as high street butchery chain Crawshaw collapsed into administration. Meanwhile, retail bellwether Next’s shares fell eight per cent in early trading as it revealed its sales growth [...]
Tapestry beats estimates as Coach handbags lure in sales October 30, 2018 Luxury US fashion giant Tapestry beat Wall Street predictions in its first-quarter sales report this afternoon, amid rising demand for its flagship Coach handbag brand. Quarterly net income hit $122.3m (£95m), rising from a loss of $17.7m a year earlier, while first-quarter net sales jumped seven per cent to $1.38bn. Meanwhile, profits were slightly higher [...]
Property in the Budget: First-time buyers to benefit from shared ownership stamp duty relief as Help to Buy extended October 29, 2018 The Chancellor unveiled a raft of new property measures today, including a further £500m for the housing infrastructure fund and stamp duty relief for first-time buyers that is extended to shared ownership homes worth up to £500,000. The government will also extend a revised version of its Help to Buy scheme until 2023, but for first-time [...]
Property of the Week: Mary McCartney’s family home near Abbey Road Studios is on sale in west London October 29, 2018 It must be strange enough, having a Dad as famous as Sir Paul McCartney, without having to walk past hordes of tourists darting out in front of the crossing outside Abbey Road Studios. Clifton Hill, St John’s Wood, £3.95m But it’s a sight that must have been familiar to Mary McCartney, Paul and Linda’s eldest [...]
New homes: Here are the new developments going on sale in London this week October 29, 2018 New developments on the market this week Dalmeny Avenue, Islington From £480,000 Brand new one, two and three bedroom apartments are on sale in Islington, with a private balcony or patio for each home. Housebuilder Southern Spaces has fitted all kitchens with SMEG appliances, ample power points and the flats are also Sky + enabled. [...]