What you need to know before the open – 16/10 October 16, 2013 US uncertainty still dominates – Asian markets remain cautious as the dollar pared gains yesterday, following a series of meeting that failed to see an agreement reached. The FTSE is expected to have a weak start as European markets are set to open flat this morning – although equities are expected to climb today on [...]
Gold-plated rules stop Londoners getting the homes they most want October 16, 2013 HOUSE prices in London are soaring, with the Office for National Statistics identifying a 8.7 per cent rise in the past year alone. But on top of this, Londoners are not getting the homes they most want – terraced houses and flats. According to research we’ve just published, London’s gold-plating of national housing standards is [...]
A troubling marriage between the EU and big charities is damaging Europe October 16, 2013 SHOULD government work hand in glove with charities? It’s a question that is becoming increasingly controversial. We usually think of charities as independent bodies, funded by voluntary donations in the pursuit of good causes. These are traditionally quite separate from government programmes – which is why they deserved our philanthropy. Yet the line that used [...]
It’s a tragedy that the Royal Mail’s sell-off has been so chaotic October 16, 2013 IT goes without saying that, with the benefit of hindsight, the government sold the shares in Royal Mail too cheaply. A decent discount would have been fine; they are routine with flotations and privatisations as the buyers are taking a risk and nobody knows the value of a firm before it starts trading. A deliberate [...]
Investment opportunities despite stubborn inflation October 15, 2013 It is not just equities that are providing real growth for investors INFLATION remains static at 2.7 per cent on the consumer price index, the 46th month it has sat stubbornly above the Bank of England’s 2 per cent target. Coupled with historically low interest rates, this has led millions to turn to bond, equity [...]
Free tools seek to fill advice gap as DIY investors rise October 15, 2013 But the evidence still suggests that financial advisers are key to long-term financial planning THE TREND towards DIY investment is accelerating. On top of the rising popularity of low cost execution-only investment platforms, some think that the Financial Conduct Authority’s retail distribution review (RDR), which came into effect at the beginning of 2013, has intensified [...]
Ethical investing: The principles or profits trade-off October 15, 2013 Annabel Palmer on the risks involved in adopting “socially responsible” strategies WE ARE now mid-way through this year’s National Ethical Investment Week – designed to inform the public that they have “sustainable and ethical options” in their financial decisions. In recent years, low opportunity cost – driven by low interest rates and the struggle to [...]
Apple event announced for next Tuesday – New iPads and Macs expected October 15, 2013 A widely speculated Apple launch event will take place next Tuesday, 22 October. Among the devices we're expecting are the new MacBook Pro and Mac Pro, as well as the iPad 5 and iPad 2 mini. None of that's certain, but recent events have made the promise of Apple chief Tim Cook look rather silly. [...]
How did the UK’s Warren Buffett make his money? October 15, 2013 The surprise departure of Neil Woodford has prompted some analysts to suggest that now is the time to exit Invesco Pereptual funds – led to such success by Woodford during his 25 years with Invesco. Hargreaves Lansdown has temporarily suspended Invesco Perpetual from their Wealth 150 index and recommend that new investors wait until the [...]
Goldman close long option for gas trading after unexpected production results October 15, 2013 Goldman Sachs has closed its long call option trading recommendation for gas. The trade, which was first recommended by Goldman in April of this year at an initial value of $0.31, has a current value of $0.01. Goldman had expected a tighter balance through the summer, but US natural gas year-on-year production actually accelerated to [...]