House prices: China stock market crash ripples add to overseas and UK property costs September 9, 2015 City A.M. billed it as ‘Shanghai Shockwave’ and that summed up the wider impact of China’s great sell-off. Stock markets tumbled the world over and mainstream newspapers conveyed public concerns over pensions and investments. The currency market was also rocked. The pound weakened sharply against the euro as expectations of a Bank of England interest [...]
Chinese economic slowdown: The bull market has further to run, but there may be better value outside equities – CNBC Comment September 8, 2015 Hindsight is a wonderful thing, but the recent correction in stock markets was hardly surprising. Even its extent and volatility were not totally absurd when you take account of a few crucial factors. The most relevant factor is that this all occurred in the summer when volumes are thinnest. Moves were therefore larger and [...]
Sell in May and go away: Advice to bank on? September 8, 2015 AFTER global equities tumbled this summer over fears of a Chinese slow-down and in anticipation of a Fed rate hike, investors might have done well to heed the advice of one old City adage: “Sell in May and go away, don’t come back till St Leger Day.” The saying urges investors to sell off UK [...]
Post-holiday blues: How to lift employees out of the funk September 8, 2015 The holoidays are over and the old routine beckons. Getting back to the grindstone and the usual frustrations of office life can be unsettling, especially when people have had the opportunity to reflect on their lot. How can you help your team settle back in and feel more enthused about work? OLD HABITS First, it’s [...]
Smartphones are making paying for the things we want even easier September 8, 2015 Payments are one of the big new features coming to smartphones over the next few years, and they’re going to make our lives even easier. The pitch is simple – especially in London where most people always have their smartphone in their hand. Now you can use that mobile device to pay for things at [...]
Why China is still weighing on the US Fed – eToro Tips & Picks September 7, 2015 China moved to stem the heavy selling that has dominated the last few weeks yesterday. However, the move failed to calm markets, with Chinese indices falling yet again. The further selling came as the Chinese government also downgraded the country’s 2014 growth rate estimate to 7.3 per cent. Many, however, believe the actual growth [...]
Scandi offices: What British firms can learn from their Nordic counterparts September 6, 2015 Swedish companies are well-known as excellent places to work. This is partly a result of a unique Scandinavian business culture, characterised by collaboration, respect and personal responsibility. There is much that UK firms can learn from Swedish business customs. Here are a few examples that could help improve team spirit and make for happier employees. [...]
London property focus on North Greenwich: Affordable homes by the riverside September 4, 2015 Fancy a night out in North Greenwich? No, not that one with the market, the chapels, the observatory and the ship. The other one with the O2 Arena and… not much else. It’s a hard sell, truth be told, so imagine how much harder it must be to convince someone to live there. Once a [...]
Sir Stirling Moss’s Mayfair house up for sale: Live life in the fast lane in the first home of Formula One legend September 4, 2015 Fancy yourself a bit of a hotshot? Well, there’s no way to ensure you’ll reach the finish line first but you can get a headstart by following in the footsteps of a Formula One legend. Sir Stirling Moss’s first house has gone on sale in Mayfair and it’s sure to attract some high flyers. [...]
Night Tube series: Top seven places to buy a house in London along the Jubilee Line September 4, 2015 With the Night Tube delayed for the time being, now is the best time to consider buying in an area that’s set to benefit from it. Research shows that when new transport links come in, house prices only rise once the trains start running so it’s worth taking a punt before the asking prices shoot [...]