What you need to know before the open May 8, 2014 A higher open is expected for European markets, following yesterday’s bumpy trading. A more appeasing message from President Putin yesterday, urging Ukrainian separatists to postpone plans for a referendum, has helped buoy markets. On top of that, better than predicted trade data from China – although expectations were very low – has caused some optimism. [...]
What you need to know before the US open March 10, 2014 S&P 500 futures suggest a muted, probably lower, open for US markets. Stocks around the world have been coming off six-year peaks after unexpectedly weak Chinese trade data and ongoing Ukraine worries. And after the buzz around Friday’s jobs numbers, which saw bourses hit fresh highs, there are no economic data releases of note today. [...]
Persimmon to bring forward £1.9bn payout February 25, 2014 PERSIMMON says it will bring forward a £1.9bn payout to shareholders after a strong rebound in the housing market and a surge in customer demand helped the housebuilder to more than double profits last year. The company plans to return 115p per share to shareholders by 2021, but announced plans yesterday to make additional dividend [...]
What the other papers say this morning – 28 April 2014 April 28, 2014 FINANCIAL TIMES Pfizer renews interest in AstraZeneca Pfizer, the US pharmaceuticals group, has renewed its interest in a takeover of UK rival AstraZeneca, in what would be one of the global drugs industry’s largest ever deals. The US group approached AstraZeneca, which has a market value of £51.5bn, within the last week and could make [...]
Property firms circle Lend Lease’s £550m Bluewater stake April 28, 2014 Some of the UK property industry’s biggest players are circling Lendlease’s £550m cent stake in Bluewater shopping centre in what could become a heated battle for the prized site. British Land, Land Securities, Hammerson, Westfield, Intu and M&G Real Estate are reported to have all lodged initial expression of interest in the Kent shopping centre, [...]
Making the most out of Greenwich February 27, 2014 Former hospital is the site of long-awaited housing scheme set around public square A MAJOR housing scheme uniting the public and private sector has brought property developers, politicans, housing associations and the NHS together in East Greenwich. Greenwich Square, a £225m regeneration scheme, will re-open its doors to prospective buyers this month as it announces [...]
Investment Comment: How to invest in markets that are now hitting all-time highs May 20, 2014 The UK and US are consistently beating growth expectations – but sensible investors should proceed with caution THE GOOD news? The UK economy is recovering very well, consistently beating growth expectations. We’re seeing increasing levels of merger and acquisition activity, while the FTSE 100, S&P 500 and Dow Jones indices have all been at, or [...]
What you need to know before the US open February 25, 2014 Housing and retail are in focus today, with figures just in. House prices are still rising, but the pace has moderated a bit. The house price index for December increased 0.8 per cent – a revised figure showed they fell 0.1 per cent in November. The S&P/Case-Shiller indices rose 13.4 per cent in the month. [...]
What you need to know before the US open March 25, 2014 US markets are expected slightly higher today, although concerns remain when it comes to ongoing geopolitical issues. Indices fell yesterday, although the selloff was concentrated in the Nasdaq. G7 leaders have threatened Russia with further sanctions if Vladimir Putin continues to destabilise Ukraine, following the seizure of Crimea. That said, Russian markets have steadied today, [...]
Surveyors say house shortage is lifting prices February 12, 2014 A SHORTAGE of homes is forcing up house prices across the whole of the UK, according to a leading survey published this morning. The alarming figures follow a separate data release yesterday which showed mortgage-lenders ramping up loans to first-time buyers who are anxious to get on the housing ladder. Demand in the market appears [...]