Back to work September 2, 2012 THE COALITION announced a raft of new policies yesterday in a desperate attempt to get the economy – and their poll ratings – back on track. But critics said ministers’ infighting and U-turns were making matters worse, creating extra uncertainty for businesses while failing to come up with any meaningful solutions to the double-dip recession. [...]
Building your house on government support does not provide the firmest of foundations August 20, 2012 BETWEEN a government practically falling over itself to offer support and the supply constraints that continue to dog the UK property sector, there are worse things to be, even in today’s difficult marketplace, than a housebuilder. As Bovis Homes proved yesterday, with a doubling of pre-tax profit in the first half of the year compared [...]
Outside prime London, house prices are falling back to earth October 4, 2012 IT is one of the most important economic stories of the past few years and yet the one that is least talked about. House prices in virtually all parts of the country excepting prime London have collapsed. It’s hard to believe if you live or aspire to live in Kensington, Richmond or another prosperous location, [...]
Outside prime London, house prices are falling back to earth October 4, 2012 IT is one of the most important economic stories of the past few years and yet the one that is least talked about. House prices in virtually all parts of the country excepting prime London have collapsed. It’s hard to believe if you live or aspire to live in Kensington, Richmond or another prosperous location, [...]
London’s housing boom keeps driving national price growth June 19, 2012 House prices in London and the south east rose quickly in the year to April 2012, contrasting starkly with stagnation or even deflation elsewhere, according to official data published yesterday. An increase of 4.9 per cent in the average London house price, to £388,000, and a 2.1 per cent rise in the south east, drove [...]
Inside Track: The new issues market hits the first signs of trouble November 14, 2013 WHAT a difference a week makes. Last week I reported on a piece of research from Deloitte, the business advisory firm, on the storming performance of 10 main market flotations in 2013, including Royal Mail obviously, showing how their overall share price performance had outperformed the wider market seven times. This week the talk has [...]
Barclays leads FTSE to top day of month so far February 12, 2013 ASURGE in Barclays’ shares led the FTSE 100 past the psychologically important 6,300 level yesterday, as the blue chip bank’s planned overhaul raised hopes for the troubled sector’s revival. Barclays gained 8.4 per cent, leading FTSE 100 gainers and adding over 12 points to the index alone, after unveiling plans to slash annual costs by [...]
Slump expected as house prices tumble in July August 6, 2012 HOUSE prices across the UK dived by 0.6 per cent last month, according to a widely-regarded survey released yesterday, with analysts warning that the rest of 2012 will remain gloomy for the sector. Prices in three months to July were flat compared to the previous three months. Halifax, which compiles the data, said that prices [...]
UK house price drop worsens as London gains June 28, 2012 THE DROP in house prices in the UK accelerated in June, as weakness from the Eurozone and the expiry of the stamp duty holiday took their toll, Nationwide said yesterday. Prices were down 0.6 per cent on the month, as part of a 1.5 per cent slide since June 2011 – the biggest year-on-year fall in [...]
Mortgage approvals plummet to their lowest level for 18 months July 30, 2012 MORTGAGE approvals plunged to their lowest number in a year and a half in June, according to Bank of England data released yesterday. Only 44,192 loans for home purchase were waved through by lenders last month, down from 50,544 in May and significantly below economists’ forecasts. While two extra bank holidays falling in June might [...]