Bitcoin: mouth-watering investment prospect or eye-watering valuation? June 21, 2017 For a system of currency to be worth anything, people need to believe in it – and at present there is no shortage of belief in so-called ‘cryptocurrencies’. Bitcoin may be the one most people will have heard of but there are now around 100 cryptocurrencies in existence and, earlier this month, their combined worth [...]
It’s official: City Airport really is the only airport in London January 4, 2017 It turns out the City's favourite airport really is the only airport in London – after one of its advertising claims was upheld by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA). London City Airport was criticised for being misleading after its assertion in a radio ad that it was "the only airport actually located in the city [...]
The Financial Conduct Authority launches consultation over plans to reform IPO process March 1, 2017 The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has launched a consultation over plans to reform the initial public offering (IPO) process in the UK. The watchdog has voiced concerns that investors don't get enough information before new firms list on the stock market, posing risks. So it has drafted up proposals for investors to get independent research [...]
Autumn Budget 2017: Chancellor Philip Hammond’s speech in full November 22, 2017 You can read the chancellor's Budget speech in full here: Mr Deputy Speaker I report today on an economy that continues to grow, continues to create more jobs than ever before and continues to confound those who seek to talk it down. An economy set on a path to a new relationship with our European [...]
Richard Desmond is moving from porn to property as Northern and Shell plans to build homes and a school April 29, 2016 Struggling to find a good school for your children in East London? Richard Desmond to the rescue. Shortly after selling off its pornographic network, Portland TV, Desmond's Northern and Shell has announced plans to move into property development. And as well as building 722 homes, the publisher of the Daily Express and Daily Star is also [...]
If we cannot build on the green belt, then we must build up and build faster in inner city parts of the capital February 8, 2017 Has there ever been a more opportune time to reform the UK’s exceptionally strict rules against building on the so-called “green belt”? Huge swathes of protected land surround cities and towns such as London, Oxford, Cambridge, Birmingham and Manchester. Soaring house prices and rental costs in these areas have prompted a sea change in people’s [...]
How London’s most exciting new arts venues are being built by its most profitable housebuilders April 27, 2017 A famous Churchill anecdote recalls the time the former Prime Minister was asked to cut arts funding to aid the war effort. He refused, apparently, remarking, “Then what are we fighting for?” As with most apocryphal tales, there’s a larger truth at its heart. During times of austerity and uncertainty, grants for culture and entertainment [...]
Credit Suisse posts worse than expected losses with thousands more jobs to go in 2017 February 14, 2017 Credit Suisse's share price jumped over three per cent this morning despite posting greater than expected fourth quarter losses following its settlement with US authorities. The lender also revealed it plans to further reduce headcount in 2017, with 5,500 jobs set to go. Shares in the firm were trading at SFr15.20 at 8.30am this morning. The figures Fourth quarter [...]
Lack of homes is stopping older Londoners downsizing, according to YouGov and McCarthy & Stone poll April 4, 2016 More than one in four older Londoners feel there is a lack of homes to downsize to despite more than a third considering a move, a new study released yesterday has found. The poll, which was conducted by YouGov on behalf of retirement housebuilder McCarthy & Stone, showed that 32 per cent of adults aged [...]
Brexit one year on: the impact on the pound, FTSE and the economy June 23, 2017 When the result of the UK’s EU referendum confirmed that the UK had voted to leave, markets were initially weaker. The FTSE 100 index has since rallied by 17%, while the pound has fallen by 14.5% against the dollar, to $1.27. But what has changed, and what are the prospects for UK investors? A panel [...]