UK house price growth slowed again in November December 1, 2016 House prices grew by 0.1 per cent in November, with the rate of growth slowing to 4.4 per cent from 4.6 per cent in October, and analysts pointed to market uncertainty and cautious buyers and sellers having a cooling effect on the sector. The Nationwide House Prices Index showed the average price of a house [...]
Chris Grayling has called TfL’s Heathrow expansion cost estimates “ludicrous” December 1, 2016 Chris Grayling has called Transport for London's (TfL) predicted costs for improving road and rail links for the Heathrow expansion "ludicrous". Giving evidence to the Environmental Audit Committee on Heathrow's third runway, the transport secretary discussed warnings from TfL that making such improvements could cost up to £20bn. The Airports Commission has estimated surface infrastructure changes [...]
Cherie Blair says there’s a “backlash” against women after Hillary Clinton loses US presidential election December 1, 2016 Cherie Blair has said there's a backlash against women in politics. Speaking on BBC's Newsnight, Blair was asked about the so-called "golden moment" where Hillary Clinton, Angela Merkel and Theresa May looked as if they were going to make up three of the G7 leaders at the same time. But Hillary Clinton then lost the US [...]
Bizarre by-election enters final straight December 1, 2016 Richmond's by-election has become rather surreal in the last couple of days. On Wednesday night Zac Goldsmith turned up to a crucial hustings an hour late, blaming the delay on a close encounter with a car driven by one of his own supporters (the vehicle clipped his leg and tore his trousers, Goldsmith told a [...]
City Moves for 1 December 2016 | Who’s switching jobs December 1, 2016 NEON Neon has appointed Geoff Riddell as its new non-executive chairman. Geoff brings with him over three decades of experience in the international and London insurance markets. He is currently chairman of Pool Re, having joined its board in 2015. He previously held several senior managerial roles at Zurich, where he was chief executive and [...]
Lloyds Bank is launching an online tool to help UK businesses grow globally December 1, 2016 Lloyds Bank is launching a new initiative to help UK businesses move into overseas markets. Through the bank's new international trade portal, businesses will be able to get practical support and advice on the international opportunities that suit them. Read more: Stalemate in Santiago: Basel Committee fails to reach agreement It will also be a [...]
It’s time to face facts: Pandora’s Box is open and Europe is finished December 1, 2016 “Therefore, send not to know/For whom the bell tolls, /It tolls for thee.” – John Donne, 1624 Let me begin with a truism. My analytical career has not suffered from betting against Europe. For much as I love the lifestyle and all that comes with it, the continent’s complete, pathetic inability to solve any of [...]
Italy’s exit from the Eurozone is almost inevitable – whichever way it votes this weekend December 1, 2016 Two long-term trends make me worry about the Italian economy, regardless of the outcome of the referendum this weekend. First, the so-called Italian Death Cross, and second the prospect of three decades of lost growth (yes three, this isn’t a typo). In my view, these two trends make Italy’s exit from the euro almost inevitable [...]
Bank of England stress tests are getting tougher – but do they still add value? December 1, 2016 The Bank of England 2016 stress test was the toughest to date, with a more severe scenario which incorporated a combination of both a UK and global recession. Combined with a higher pass mark, this created challenges for several institutions. All of the banks started the exercise in more robust shape with a lower risk [...]
This is why insurers should be doing more M&A December 1, 2016 Insurers that complete an M&A deal are flying ahead of their peers. A year after agreeing a deal, the share prices of insurance companies have been outperforming their competitors', according to research by Willis Towers Watson, the Cass Business School and Mergermarket. Read more: Insurance premium tax has been hiked… again The group looked at all M&A [...]