CRH’s concrete bid for Holcim Lafarge assets January 22, 2015 IRISH building materials firm CRH has confirmed that it is in talks to buy the assets that Holcim and Lafarge are selling off in advance of their mega-merger. The Dublin-based company said that while there can be no certainty that the discussions will result in a transaction, if an acquisition goes ahead it will most [...]
Park Lodge, Knightsbridge: The prime central London house that has everything January 29, 2015 If you see no greater reward than looking at the fruits of your labour, then this home in Knightsbridge could be for you. A four bedroom house in the heart of the West End – and, in this case, within sight of Harrods – may sound like reward enough but Park Lodge, on Ennismore Street, [...]
Apple helps Nasdaq to a healthy rise – New York Report February 23, 2015 THE Nasdaq ended higher yesterday for a ninth straight day following gains in Apple, while the Dow and S&P 500 eased off recent record highs as lower oil prices dragged down energy shares. The Nasdaq’s winning run was its longest since September 2010, putting the index closer to its 5,132.52 all-time intraday high, reached in [...]
Inflation report to give clues on rate hike date – London Report February 8, 2015 THE BANK of England’s quarterly inflation report is this week expected to offer an insight into whether historically-low interest rates will be increased this year or next. Howard Archer, of IHS Global Insight, said: “The Bank of England will obviously have to cut its near-term inflation forecasts sharply given that consumer price inflation fell sharply [...]
Scotland’s prime property market leaps as buyers race to avoid stamp duty increase February 23, 2015 The number of upmarket homes being sold in Scotland jumped 88 per cent between the second quarter and the fourth quarter of last year, and more than double the figure for the first three months of the year, as buyers raced to avoid a hike in transaction costs due to take place later this year. [...]
The UK’s “tiniest detached property” goes on sale for £100,000 December 18, 2014 Into minimalism? This might be the home for you. A home dubbed "Britain's smallest detached house" has gone on sale through local estate agent Haybrook in Sheffield, with a bargain price tag of £99,950. Built on the grounds of a mansion which has since been turned into flats, the Coach House in Brincliffe [...]
The BBC acted too hastily on Three – Editor’s Letter January 20, 2015 Public companies are rightly criticised whenever they turn down a takeover bid point blank, leaving no room for negotiation. Their board members, however cushy or fascinating their jobs are, have a fiduciary duty to the shareholders of the group to do the best for them, and for the group’s employees. Yesterday the public service broadcaster [...]
CRH wins battle for Holcim and Lafarge assets February 1, 2015 Irish building materials firm CRH has confirmed that it has won the race to acquire the assets being sold off by cement giants Holcim and Lafarge. The company announced yesterday that it had entered into a binding commitment to acquire “certain assets, incorporating some perimeter changes from the assets referred to last week”, from the [...]
Labour to sell off £100m worth of buildings including Inn The Park, QE2 conference centre and Marlborough House November 23, 2014 Labour has announced plans to sell off £100m worth of government-owned buildings in London if the party wins the general election next May. As part of a review of public spending, designed to tackle the deficit, Ed Miliband’s party is planning to hang the “for sale” sign on a number of iconic buildings [...]
Focus on Blackfriars: The rise and rise of City towers on the South Bank January 15, 2015 Of all the makeovers the City of London has undergone in the ancient heart of the capital, Blackfriars is set to be one of the most breathtaking. The opening of Blackfriars South in 2013 marked the first new train station to open on the south bank of the Thames in 120 years. Commuters will no [...]