The European Central Bank just announced three new measures to boost lending. Here’s how they’ll work June 5, 2014 On top of the two policy changes announced earlier, the European Central Bank (ECB) is introducing a few more measures to prop up the ailing currency area. We've already heard, from an official statement, that the central bank is cutting its refinancing and deposit rates, taking the latter into negative territory. During a press conference, [...]
What you need to know before the US open April 29, 2014 US stocks futures pointed to a higher opening today, following some better-than-expected corporate results. European markets have continued to received a lift from positive earnings reports and news of mergers. A two-day Fed policy meeting begins later today, with expectations that a decision will be taken to taper for a fourth time. The increase in [...]
Raise rates now to avoid crash, urges L&G April 2, 2014 Britain’s economy is at risk of overheating, starting a new boom and bust cycle, Legal and General economist James Carrick warned today. He urged the Bank of England to raise interest rates this year and start reining in the housing market, if it wants to avoid another crash in around three years’ time. Bank governor [...]
Land Securities slams Labour’s rent policy plan May 15, 2014 LABOUR’S plans to overhaul the private rented sector would “put the brakes” on the housing market recovery, the chief executive of Land Securities has warned as the UK’s largest landlord reported a near 10 per cent uplift in profits. Rob Noel, the boss of the £12bn property firm whose developments include the Walkie Talkie skyscraper, [...]
Nasdaq OMX becomes first clearing house to bag European approval March 18, 2014 Nasdaq OMX, the Stockholm-based multi-asset clearing house, has become the first in Europe to be authorised as compliant under new, tougher European regulations designed to increase oversight of derivatives markets. The Swedish Financial Services Authority formally approved the business today. Clearing houses are having to reapply to operate under the European Market Infrastructure Regulation (EMIR) [...]
Top regulator to keep its eye on hedgie rate risk September 25, 2013 THE BANK of England’s new superregulator will keep a close eye on potential vulnerabilities at hedge funds and in the UK housing market, it said yesterday, despite playing down the risk of a housing bubble. Hedge funds may be particularly vulnerable to sharp upward movements in long-term interest rates, the Bank’s financial policy committee (FPC) [...]
Energy crunch: Oil prices rise over Iraq fears as cost of gas jumps after Ukraine cut-off June 16, 2014 Fears of a disruptive energy price spike grew yesterday as conflict escalated in Iraq and Ukraine’s gas supplies from Russia were abruptly cut off. Experts warned that growing geopolitical risk could send oil and gas prices sharply upwards, prompting a more severe market reaction and even a slowdown in the global economic recovery. The US [...]
Greenbelt remains protected as property prices soar March 28, 2014 London house prices are continuing to soar ahead of the rest of the country, according to the Land Registry house price index. The average property price in London has risen by 13.8 per cent to £414,000 over the past 12 months. The average house price in England and Wales climbed by 5.2 per cent to [...]
Curtain to be raised on Watches of Switzerland’s Regent Street “theatre” April 17, 2014 Billed as “not a store…[but] theatre”, Watches of Switzerland’s new space at 155 Regent Street promises to take the watch buying experience to another level. When it opens in June, it will house over 20 luxury watch brands, 12 individually branded in-store boutiques for the likes of Rolex, Patek Philippe and Jaeger- LeCoultre, and carry [...]
What you need to know before the open April 29, 2014 European markets are expected to creep higher today, despite a fairly turbulent day for US markets yesterday and ongoing concerns regarding the situation in Ukraine. Sentiment remains largely positive, with economic data expected to show signs of improvement this week, but recent highs still haven’t been surpassed by markets, suggesting some underlying worries when it [...]