Mortgage approvals skyrocket to 76-month high February 25, 2014 Mortgage approvals have skyrocketed by 57 per cent year-on-year to a 76-month high in January, according to the British Bankers Association (BBA). Approvals for house purchases leapt to 49,972 in January from 47,086 in December. The numbers follow a stream of data showing a sustained burst of activity in the UK housing market. In 2013, [...]
What the other papers say this morning – 20 January 2014 January 20, 2014 FINANCIAL TIMES David Cameron faces EU isolation David Cameron risks “damaging Europe” with his anti-immigration stance, according to some of Britain’s allies, leaving the prime minister looking isolated in his attempts to restrict free movement in the EU. Ministers and officials from several EU powers told the Financial Times they would resist Mr Cameron’s attempts [...]
STJ Advisors sees profits fall January 8, 2014 Specialist equity capital market adviser STJ Advisors has just reported a drop in profits from £2.9m to £2.3m in the year to the end of March 2013, according to documents filed at Companies House. The niche firm, which advised the Royal Mail Group during the initial stages of its privatisation last year, also witnessed a [...]
London Report: Insurance firms start a deluge of UK earnings February 23, 2014 A BUMPER week for UK earnings kicks off today with results from Hiscox, one of the big home insurers reporting full-year figures. Figures from Hiscox, RSA and Direct Line could give more detailed estimates of losses for UK industry and themselves after recent flooding and storms. Aviva and L&G are also set to give end [...]
Inside Track: The Royal Mail outcome has not disappointed at all November 21, 2013 AS JOHN Major’s supposedly favourite think tank, the Bow Group, yesterday urged an independent investigation into the sale of Royal Mail Group, it seems that a growing number of people believe the bankers on the deal performed a bad job and should all be sent to the Tower of London or some such place to [...]
From forlorn flats to towering success January 30, 2014 One Commercial Street is the residential project proving London’s back in business OF ALL the new towers cropping up around the UK, an ambitious development, abandoned during the financial crash, is proving that London can bounce back from a crisis. Developer Redrow London now has high hopes for its flagship project, One Commercial Street, in [...]
Shopping centre sales jumped by 70pc last year February 13, 2014 Shopping centres were caught up in a whirlwind of activity last year. A total of 84 centres worth £4.58bn changed hands, up 70 per cent on the previous year when £2.7bn of assets were sold, with this activity set to continue into 2014, according to Savills research. The weight of capital coming into the sector [...]
These 5 weird items might get special EU protections January 15, 2014 Anglesey sea salt and West Country beef have this week been given the same protected status as champagne, parma ham and Cornish pasties by the European Commission. Halen Mon, the makers of Anglesey sea salt – famous for its crunchy texture and clean taste, they say – will be able to use one of the EU’s [...]
FTSE drops over Draghi’s lack of stimulus news – London Report December 4, 2014 BRITAIN’S top equity index fell yesterday largely due to a drop in commodity stocks and disappointment at a lack of concrete, new economic stimulus measures from the European Central Bank (ECB). The blue chip FTSE 100 index closed down by 0.6 per cent, or 37.26 points, at 6,679.37 points. The ECB slashed its growth and [...]
FTSE 100 reshuffle day: Here’s who’s in and who’s out December 20, 2013 A couple of changes on the FTSE 100 today, as decisions from last week's quarterly review come into effect today, with the benchmark index welcoming Royal Mail and Ashtead into its ranks. Whilst high-profile Royal Mail made it onto the blue chip list, fellow stock market debutant Merlin – who owns Madame Tussauds – only [...]