City Moves for 24 November 2014 | Who’s switching jobs November 23, 2014 Markel International Tom Fassnidge has been appointed senior claims adjuster in the insurer’s professional and financial risks division. He joins from Beazley Group, where he was claims manager in its UK and international team. Fassnidge has also previously worked at Scottish Re. PwC The professional services firm has appointed Alison Baker to lead its UK [...]
Fed up with London’s insane property market? A houseboat could be the answer to your prayers January 29, 2015 Young couples faced with the daunting task of establishing a foothold on the property ladder can be forgiven for wanting to jump on a boat and sail as far as they can from the glittering circus of estate agents, sky-rocketing prices and penury caused by endless saving. Anyone who follows through with this escapist urge [...]
Unlocking potential in developing nations December 18, 2014 City Index is working with Opportunity International this Christmas to ensure there’s a bright future for small businesses in Africa. Securing funding for your small business can be difficult in the UK, but it’s a lot harder in the developing world. Opportunity International, a UK-based charity, is trying to change that because it thinks that [...]
The Quindell share price fiasco should not dent faith in the robust Aim market December 9, 2014 The AIM market, the London Stock Exchange’s junior market, has been subjected to an unprecedented level of criticism over recent weeks. The fiasco at Quindell, which saw another twist this week, as the company called in PwC to review its accounting practices, has seen blame apportioned to Aim itself, and those who regulate it. In [...]
Back to the 90s: What’s in store for 2015 markets November 11, 2014 US equities will stay in bull mode, but the problems for Europe look likely to persist. As we approach the end of 2014, many investors will be reviewing the performance of their portfolios, with a view to repositioning them ready for 2015. Here are my thoughts on where the major markets are heading. [...]
CES 2015: The good, the bad and the ugly – from QuitBit’s novelty lighter to Sony’s Walkman reboot January 7, 2015 The Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas is in full swing and the gadgets on display are as wacky as ever. Here are a selection of our favourites so far… Sony's tiny Action Cam FDR-X1000V SONY FDR-X100V CAMCORDER £TBC sony.co.uk Usefulness: ★★★★☆ Novelty value: ★★★☆☆ Sony is pulling out all the stops to make up [...]
Governor is spot on: Housing market is holding London back May 19, 2014 SPOT on. That is the only way to describe Mark Carney’s analysis of the woes of the UK housing market, which he attributes primarily to under-supply. I have my differences with the Governor on many issues, but it is excellent news that he has decided to throw his weight behind this issue. We are getting [...]
Put your house on it …price boom ends October 8, 2014 HOUSE price growth slowed in September, an influential report from Halifax showed yesterday, adding to evidence that activity in the UK’s rampant property market was moderating. Prices rose 0.6 per cent last month and 9.6 per cent in the past year. But this still-substantial growth marks a continued slowdown from the annual growth of 10.2 [...]
UK construction output flat in July on back of slowing housebuilding market September 12, 2014 The UK's construction output was flat in July, according to month-on-month figures out this morning from the Office for National Statistics. On an annual basis, output has risen 2.6 per cent – the slowest rate of growth since November, and down from June's three month high of 5.3 per cent, the data showed. Could [...]
10 themes Goldman Sachs thinks will dominate markets in 2015 November 20, 2014 It's the most wonderful time of the year – the time banks, analysts and other finance futurologists dust off their crystal balls and start trying to work out what the market's going to be thinking about next year. Goldman Sachs has got in there early, with its "Top 10 market themes for 2015" research note. [...]