Osborne in denial over housing bubble September 22, 2013 London house prices are up 10pc in a year. So why does the chancellor say there’s no bubble? CHANCELLOR George Osborne has rejected suggestions that his policies are creating a housing bubble, even as new evidence emerges that prices are soaring in London. In an interview yesterday, Osborne said: “I don’t see the evidence of [...]
What you need to know before the open – 17/10 October 17, 2013 After a 17-day stalemate, last night's deal to raise the debt ceiling and re-open the government might mean that a political point has been made in the US, but it may also mean we see markets looking a little under the weather this morning. Global markets will follow the US lead today: Asian markets are [...]
House price growth slows in August September 6, 2013 House prices have risen by 0.4 per cent in August, down from a 0.9 per cent rise last month, according to the Halifax house price index. Economists had forecast a rise of 0.7 per cent. House prices have risen 5.4 per cent in the three months to August on the same period last year. Nicholas [...]
House prices rise with London leading the way September 17, 2013 The Office for National Statistics has reported that house prices rose 0.3 per cent month-on-month in July, following increases of 0.4 per cent for both June and May. London's house prices are strong – up 9.7 per cent year-on-year in July – which has inflated the annual rate of increase to 3.3 per cent in [...]
Letters to the Editor – 05/11 – Minimum wages, Startup lending, Best of Twitter November 4, 2013 Minimum wages [Re: Help the low-paid by slashing their tax and boosting education, yesterday] I agree the best way of boosting low-paid income is to increase the tax threshold to, say, £12,000. A minimum wage increase would only lead to more outsourcing and automation. Chris Hobson As the economist Paul Krugman said in 1998, “the higher [...]
What you need to know before the open – 16/10 October 16, 2013 US uncertainty still dominates – Asian markets remain cautious as the dollar pared gains yesterday, following a series of meeting that failed to see an agreement reached. The FTSE is expected to have a weak start as European markets are set to open flat this morning – although equities are expected to climb today on [...]
Investment Comment: Mid caps will give you maximum exposure to the UK’s recovery October 29, 2013 WHILE boom times remain far off, UK households are spending and sentiment is improving. The latest good news is that the UK economy grew at its fastest pace in three years in the third quarter, with economic output up 0.8 per cent between July and September. Earlier this month the IMF also lifted its UK [...]
London Report: RBS and Lloyds news leads raft of bank updates October 27, 2013 BANKING and financial results will be in the spotlight this week as the Royal Bank of Scotland, Standard Chartered, Lloyds, Standard Life and Barclays all publish figures. RBS third quarter numbers, to be published on Friday, are the first since Ross McEwan took over from Stephen Hester as chief executive. They are expected to show [...]
Osborne in denial over housing bubble September 17, 2013 London house prices are up 10pc in a year. So why does the chancellor say there’s no bubble? CHANCELLOR George Osborne has rejected suggestions that his policies are creating a housing bubble, even as new evidence emerges that prices are soaring in London. In an interview yesterday, Osborne said: “I don’t see the evidence of [...]
Consumer firms to spark next flotation frenzy October 6, 2013 BRITISH department store House of Fraser is on the cusp of appointing advisers to explore plans for a float of the chain, amid a resurgence in consumer–focused brands looking to list in London. The chain is thought to have held a beauty parade of investment banks, laying plans for a £300m float after the Christmas [...]