Bank of England was warned over property fund trading suspensions after Brexit July 12, 2016 The Bank of England was warned that property funds could be suspended in the aftermath of a Brexit vote. The Financial Policy Committee (FPC), which is chaired by BoE governor Mark Carney, was briefed by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) that the “extent of outflows from these funds and on the possibility that funds could suspend [...]
Consumer spending rises as Shoppers shrug off Brexit vote but uncertainty lingers July 12, 2016 Shoppers have so far shrugged off Britain's vote to leave the European Union, but its future impact remains mired in uncertainty. Consumer spending swelled 3.1 per cent on an annual basis in the second quarter, according to data from Barclaycard, as the last two months helped offset a less impressive performance in April. Read more: Investor confidence index drops [...]
The first item in Theresa May’s in-tray: A Brexit-induced recession July 11, 2016 Theresa May will be the next UK Prime Minister, and sterling and the FTSE 250 rose almost immediately. Markets think that May will be more pro-EU than Andrea Leadsom, the tribune of the europhobic Tory grass roots. But don’t imagine that domestic political uncertainty was the only reason for the recent falls in the currency [...]
At the close: FTSE 100 charges into bull territory as investors cheer leadership certainty and the weak pound drives up profits July 11, 2016 Well, there it is. The FTSE 100 has swung from bear market territory to a bull market in just over six months. The twists and turns of the day's political events gave a fresh boost to the global FTSE 100, while the UK focused FTSE 250 also posted strong gains. Housebuilders, such as Barrat Developments and [...]
A free Scotland will need the free market July 11, 2016 Two areas have dominated debate since the EU referendum result: economics and politics. The former has been a justifiable preoccupation for many, with an undeniable uncertainty having taken hold in many corners of the City. Meanwhile, the political debate centred first on Labour's internal collapse before turning to question of the Tory leadership. But there [...]
Week ahead: Fashion retailers and builders are in the spotlight July 11, 2016 Alongside the Bank of England’s first meeting after the UK voted to quit the European Union it will be a busy week of corporate numbers. Bank of England officials announce their monetary policy decision on Thursday and many economists are expecting a loosening of interest rates. The FTSE 100 rose to its highest level in [...]
Coming To America: Osborne flies the flag for Britain on world tour as he seeks to bolster international trading relationships post-Brexit July 11, 2016 George Osborne is kicking off a post-referendum world tour with a declaration that “Britain will be a beacon for free trade…more open to the world than ever”. Writing in the Wall Street Journal ahead of visiting New York today, the chancellor says that he is determined “to build a more outward-looking, global-facing Britain, with stronger [...]
Over 1,000 barristers write to Cameron branding the Brexit outcome “not legally binding” July 11, 2016 The legal clamour against the result of the EU referendum is growing, with over 1,000 barristers branding the outcome “not legally binding” and demanding that leaving the EU be subject to an Act of Parliament. The barristers are writing to Prime Minister David Cameron this week to call for MPs to be given a free vote [...]
The discontinued Land Rover Defender (the Queen’s favourite car) could make a grand comeback July 10, 2016 Chemicals czar Jim Ratcliffe is gearing up to revive production of the Land Rover Defender, one of Britain’s most iconic cars. The Ineos owner is in talks with senior executives at the Tata-owned car manufacturer which stopped production of the 67-year old Defender in January this year after the vehicle could not keep up with [...]
Bank of England to cut interest rates next week according to financial markets July 10, 2016 Financial markets are expecting the Bank of England to slash interest rates when they meet next week, in a drive to stimulate the economy after the EU referendum. The Bank's rate-setting Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) will announce its latest decision on interest rates on 14 July – and markets put the chances of a cut at [...]