General Election 2015: Statistician Nate Silver predicts Conservatives as largest party but an “incredibly messy outcome” April 28, 2015 The man who successfully predicted 99 state results out of 100 in the last two Presidential elections, as well as a host of House and Senate races, has forecast that the Conservatives will be the largest party after the General Election. Nate Silver, who participated in a BBC Panorama programme, thinks the Tories will capture [...]
Kingfisher share price rises on plans to close 60 B&Q stores in UK and Ireland March 31, 2015 Kingfisher's profits fell last year despite an increase in sales, but plans to close 60 B&Q stores have sent shares up. The figures The DIY retailer, which owns B&Q among others, experienced a 2.9 per cent increase in sales last year, but its pre-tax profits fell 7.5 per cent to £675m. The figures, for the [...]
London to experience 3.3pc house price slump in 2015 January 6, 2015 A slowdown in the prime end of the London housing market could drag UK house prices down by 0.6 per cent this year, according to the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR) – a marked different to the 8.8 per cent growth experienced across the UK in 2014. The CEBR expects to see a [...]
The UK economy according to the OECD in [XX] charts February 24, 2015 Last year Andy Haldane, the Bank of England's chief economist, said that the economy "appears to be writing in both agony and ecstasy. He noted that, although the economy was growing fast than most other big rich economies, real wages were falling and productivity growth or output per hour worked had stalled. Since then, wages [...]
Manifestos are pure symbolism: It’s the post-election horse trading that matters April 19, 2015 The saying that there are two things you should never see being made in public – policy and sausages – is somewhat apt at the moment. As the parties publish their manifestos, we really are approaching the finish line in the race to the door of No 10. But do these collections of documents actually [...]
Forget slowing UK house prices, Redrow just doubled its profits February 11, 2015 The figures Redrow, the British housebuilder, has revealed a bumper set of half-year results (to 31 December) this morning, showing revenue up 54 per cent to £560.6m and pre-tax profit up 92 per cent to £91.2m, in a rosy assessment of the market’s demand for new homes. The impressive results allowed the group to double [...]
Bovis Homes reveals record year as profits, revenue and earnings all soar February 23, 2015 The figures Bovis Homes' share price opened around two per cent higher this morning, after the home builder reported a 75 per cent rise in basic earnings per share, from 44.9p to 78.6p for the year ended 31 December 2014. A stronger average sales price and a record year for completions led to a 69 per [...]
Last chance to buy at Bentley Priory RAF base: Mews house played key role in the Battle of Britain February 26, 2015 It’s customary in London’s energetic property market for buildings to change uses several times. But few have had multiple lives like Bentley Priory. The former mansion house in Stanmore, north west London, was originally a grand, private home designed by legendary architect Sir John Soanes, whose work also includes the Bank of England and the [...]
Take the long view – bet on a new home before the election March 12, 2015 Savvy investors have been making bold decisions in downturns for centuries. For me, it seems only natural to buy when the market has hit a low, whether during a recession or in the lead up to a crucial event like a General Election. Contrary to what some think, the property market has not ground to [...]
London house prices: Foxtons share price dips as slowing luxury market takes its toll March 11, 2015 The figures Upmarket estate agent Foxtons had a topsy-turvy year in 2014, with the gradual slowing in London house price growth dragging down its share price. Earlier in the year when prices were still rising fast the skies were only blue. Chief executive Nic Budden said it best: last year was a year of "contrasting [...]