Ten events that could move stock markets in the final quarter of 2018 September 7, 2018 As many northern hemisphere investors get their feet back under their desks after the summer break, we look at the key events and themes likely to be on the agenda for September and the fourth quarter of 2018. 1) Global trade negotiations The US and China held fresh, and largely fruitless, trade talks in August. [...]
New homes: Our pick of the new homes going on sale in the London this weekend September 7, 2018 New developments on the market this week Clarendon, Hornsey From £355,000 The first homes at a major regeneration site in north London are on sale. The 12 acre brownfield site will boast 1,700 new homes and over 100,000sqft of retail and offices as well as a new public park. Hornsey Park Place is the first [...]
UK house prices growth accelerated in August September 7, 2018 Annual house price growth picked up in the three months to August, growing by 3.7 per cent, compared to a 3.3 per cent annual rise in the run up to July, according to new figures released today by Halifax. With the average home costing £229,958, house prices remained steady month to month, ticking upwards by [...]
Is there any justification for keeping Help to Buy? September 7, 2018 Is there any justification for keeping Help to Buy? David Campbell, group sales and marketing director at Telford Homes, says YES. Help to Buy is a wonderful policy that has enabled around 246,000 people to get onto the property ladder – 81 per cent of whom were first-time buyers. Many of these buyers would not have [...]
Sports Direct offers loans to help stricken House of Fraser suppliers September 6, 2018 Sports Direct has offered loans to some of House of Fraser's stricken suppliers, it has emerged. Mike Ashley and his team will lend money to companies struggling after the retailer collapsed owing £70m to its suppliers, according to Drapers. Read more: Philip Day's Edinburgh Woollen Mill ends business with House of Fraser This comes just a [...]
Burberry to stop burning unsold stock and ditch fur from collections September 6, 2018 Burberry has announced it will no longer destroy unsold items after widespread outrage from investors and campaigners to the practice. The luxury fashion house has also confirmed it will no longer use real animal fur in its collections, starting with new creative director Riccardo Tisci's debut show this month. Following the revelation in July that Burberry [...]
Bovis Homes shares up after profits boost in half year results September 6, 2018 Shares in Bovis Homes were up more than five per cent this morning after the housebuilder reported a strong first-half performance. Read more: Largest UK housebuilder Barratt Developments hits record pre-tax profits The figures Profit before tax jumped 41 per cent to £60.2m this year, up from £42.7m in the first half of 2017. The Kent-based company generated revenue of [...]
Pensions provider Just delays dividend amid mortgage rule change fears September 6, 2018 Pensions provider Just Group has delayed issuing its half-year dividend due to the threat posed to its finances by new lifetime mortgage rules. The life insurer also reported an 85 per cent increase in its adjusted operating profit to £124m for the six months ending 30 June after “exceptional sales growth” of its retirement products. [...]
Largest UK housebuilder Barratt hits record pre-tax profits and builds highest number of homes in a decade September 5, 2018 The UK's largest housebuilder Barratt Developments has announced record pre-tax profits of £835.5m for the year after building its highest number of homes in a decade. The company said it had built 17,579 homes in the year to June – an increase of one per cent on the previous year. Its average selling price also rose by [...]
Fraudsters sentenced in £2.8m Madeira luxury property investment scam September 4, 2018 Five people were today sentenced to a total of 17.5 years in prison for their part in a £2.8m investment scam which resulted in the City watchdog's second largest criminal prosecution ever. The fraudsters conned their victims into investing the cash in a fantasy development on the Portuguese island of Madeira, supposedly guaranteeing massive returns [...]