Budget 2016: Crossrail 2 could level the playing field when it comes to London’s house prices and office rents March 15, 2016 London is growing at an astronomical rate. Every week, more than two Tube-loads of people move into the capital and while the city’s transport infrastructure is a well-oiled machine, if we fail to invest in major projects, we run the risk of the network grinding to a halt. Set to be announced as part of tomorrow's Budget, Crossrail [...]
Berlin car bomb, which killed one, thought to be linked to organised crime March 15, 2016 German police believe the car bomb that killed one man in the capital Berlin this morning was related to organised crime, local media is reporting. An explosive device planted inside a silver Volkswagen Passat caused the blast, which occurred at about 8am (7am GMT) in the western district of Charlottenburg. "The car exploded while driving and has [...]
London house prices: Iranian billionaire investors poised to splurge £6bn on properties around the world – and London is one of the top destinations March 15, 2016 Ultra high-net-worth investors from Iran are poised to go on a buying spree of properties around the world – and London is likely to be the top location. Research by high end estate agent Rokstone claims that millionaires and businesses will spend £6bn over the next five-to-10 years on property outside Iran, following the lifting of sanctions. [...]
Legal & General’s share price falls after group boosts dividend on the back of double-digit profit growth March 15, 2016 Legal & General's share price fell this morning, despite boosting its dividend by 19 per cent and committing to "progressive" increases in future on the back of double-digit profit gains. The figures Operating profit was up 14 per cent to £1.46bn, while profit after tax rose 10 per cent to £1.09bn. Adjusted earnings per share rose 11 per cent [...]
Plus500 promotes Elad Even-Chen to group chief financial officer as non-exec Paul Boyle steps down March 15, 2016 Plus500 has promoted Elad Even-Chen to the role group chief financial officer. Even-Chen is currently finance director and vice president of business development for the Aim-listed firm, where he has worked for the last four years. Prior to joining he was at KPMG, where he specialised in commerce and real estate audit. The promotion takes [...]
Ocado’s share price climbs as sales rise – but order sizes slip March 15, 2016 Ocado may have lost out on a lucrative tie-up with Amazon, but sales are still surging ahead, its latest update shows. The figures Gross group sales at the delivery business – which includes its Morrisons agreement – rose 15.3 per cent to £312.4m in the 12 weeks to 21 February, while retail sales – which includes Fetch and Sizzle [...]
Sainsbury’s share price falls despite posting a sales rise in the fourth quarter as deadline looms for Argos bid March 15, 2016 Sainsbury's is continuing to prove itself the strongest of the big four supermarkets, with total and like-for-like sales up in the fourth quarter as it moves to phase out multi-buy offers entirely. But the business has warned of ongoing challenges in the market as the price wars continue. The figures Total retail sales excluding fuel [...]
Budget 2016: In the run up to the EU referendum, does Britain have to leave the blue to get out of the red? March 14, 2016 The news that the Britain’s goods-trade deficit with the European Union has widened to a record £8.1bn will leave the chancellor's Byron Burger tasting somewhat tough just a few days before his Budget. The record figures, released by the Office of National statistics (ONS), also showed a deficit of £23bn over the past three months. It is staggering [...]
EU referendum: Berenberg economists predict Brexit could cause recession, a run on sterling, David Cameron’s resignation and another Scottish IndyRef March 14, 2016 You wake up on the morning of 24 June, the day after the UK went to the polls for the EU referendum, tentatively draw the curtains and what do you find. Big Ben submerged as the Thames breaches its barriers? Earthquakes and tornadoes ripping up the Home Counties? Horses eating each other? A version of that is [...]
EU referendum: Ignore the scare stories – Brexit could offer school-leavers a rare opportunity to get better jobs and wages or build their own business March 14, 2016 We are all trying to work out just what a Brexit would mean for us, whether we are concerned about our pension, how we run a business or the perennial issue of house prices. But there is one group that may not have a voice come 23 June whose world could really be changed – the school-leaver. [...]