UK Bitcoin exchange shuts up shop March 31, 2014 Bit121 a UK-based Bitcoin exchange has suspended trading and will be closing temporarily from today. The exchange has not confirmed when it will reopen. Bit121's site functionality was removed on the 26 March. However, the site did provide the following exceptions: 1. Users will be able to view their account balance and account statement2. Users [...]
Pictures: Bank of England Museum reopens with exhibition on curious objects March 31, 2014 The Bank of England Museum has reopened its doors today after a three-month revamp, and what better way to mark the occasion than by launching a new exhibition featuring some of the more unusual items from its vast collections that have never been shown before. Among the curiosities on show is a secret ballot box [...]
Three things Boris wants to build at Heathrow instead of a new runway March 31, 2014 The Mayor of London has been a vocal supporter of a new airport to the east of London, so much so that one of the options was at one stage nicknamed Boris Island. Today, Boris Johnson has set out three possible uses for Heathrow if it were to close and make way for an East [...]
Bank of England will take just one day to decide to do nothing this April March 31, 2014 Other commitments will keep the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee from taking their usual two days to ponder changes to monetary policy this April. Instead of meeting for both the 9 April and 10 April, interest rate setters will (probably) decide that it's not worth changing policy in just one day. The Bank hasn't [...]
Blinkx shares surge after response to academic’s critical blog March 31, 2014 Online video search company Blinkx has seen its shares rise sharply after the company issued a detailed response to a blog from a Harvard academic who called into question the company's business model. Blinkx "strongly refuted" the blog and conducted an internal and external review of the claims made in the blog, which has now [...]
Draghi’s sleeping at the wheel as Eurozone inflation hits 0.5pc March 31, 2014 Inflation in the Eurozone has fallen by more than expected in March, to 0.5 per cent year-on-year – that’s the lowest it’s been since November 2009. Although the number probably captured, in part, temporary factors relating to the timing of Easter this year, it's still weaker than was hoped for. Analysts had expected a reading [...]
Regulator to probe how firms can deal with benchmark manipulation March 31, 2014 The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has announced plans to investigate how firms can reduce and deal with the risk of benchmark manipulation. As part of its business plan, which was published today, the regulator says it’ll assess whether firms have “learnt lessons” from Libor and other recent controversies. It'll also “ask if adequate controls on [...]
London property sellers bag 99pc of the asking price March 31, 2014 House prices have risen for the 14th consecutive month, with a 0.6 per cent rise in March, according to the monthly national housing survey conducted by residential property analysts Hometrack. 50 per cent of postcode districts reported an increase in prices. The survey also showed that those who are selling property in London were able [...]
Mortgage approvals drop to lowest level since October March 31, 2014 Mortgage approvals down a touch, according to the Bank of England's latest release. Their number has fallen from 76,753 to 70,309. Economists had predicted that we'd see a drop to just 75,250. Last month's figure also reveals some weakness, as the latest estimate sees it revised down from 76,947 to 70,309. Steve Collins, global head [...]
Boohoo revenue soars 62pc March 31, 2014 Online fashion retailer Boohoo.com finished the year to 28 February with net revenues enjoying a year-on-year rise of 62 per cent to £109m, according to the company's year end trading update. Boohoo.com saw earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization for the period in line with expectations, increasing 200 per cent on the previous year. [...]