US recession risks are rising, so where does that leave the Federal Reserve? February 17, 2016 Since the Federal Reserve in the United States raised interest rates in December (albeit by a very modest 0.25 per cent), concerns have been mounting that the momentum of the US economy is fading, and that the US is in fact facing recession in 2016. What is clear from recent data releases is that the [...]
London house prices: Chelsea garage sells at auction for £360,000 – the price of a three-bedroom flat in Camberwell February 17, 2016 It's cosy and well-located – but doesn't come with a lot of natural light. Still, such is the madness for property in London that a 146 sq ft garage in Chelsea has just sold at auction for £360,000 – just shy of the price of a three-bedroom flat in Camberwell. The garage, just off Brompton Road, [...]
Oil production freeze deal: All eyes of Iran as Opec members try for its participation February 17, 2016 International attention will fall on Iran today, as Opec members try to secure its participation in what will be the first global oil deal in 15 years, potentially by offering its special terms. Today’s outcome is crucial because Saudi Arabia and Russia have said that the agreement to freeze production at January levels is contingent [...]
Employment rises to highest since 1971 – but UK wage growth continued to be subdued in December February 17, 2016 Some 74.1 per cent of the UK population were in employment between October and December 2015 – the highest since records began, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has said. The figures, published this morning, showed there were 31.42m people in work during the period, over half a million more than the same time in 2014. But [...]
Brent crude and WTI: Oil prices waver as Iran casts doubt on production freeze deal February 17, 2016 Oil prices wavered this morning, dipping in and out of the red, as speculation swirled around oil markets over the consequences of a deal between Saudi Arabia and Russia to freeze output at January levels. Brent crude, the global benchmark, reversed earlier losses, rising 1.12 per cent to $32.54 per barrel. Meanwhile, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude, [...]
Investor pessimism soars to three-year high as gold becomes second favourite asset class February 17, 2016 Investors are at their most pessimistic for nearly three years, according to survey data released today. Lloyds Bank Private Banking’s investor sentiment index dropped to a score of 2.98 per cent this month. The score is compiled from the views of nearly 5,000 adults including 1,123 investors. The index is at its lowest level since May [...]
Local governments demand more control over starter homes after warning they will be unaffordable February 17, 2016 Local governments have today warned Westminster that discounted starter homes will be unaffordable to the majority that need them unless the scheme is given more flexibility. First-time buyers will be able to buy 200,000 new starter homes over the next five years at a discount of at least 20 per cent to market value. Research by [...]
Colchester’s Tollgate Village: New shopping development in commuter hub faces fierce opposition from local retailers February 16, 2016 A proposed shopping development in a popular commuter hub is being met with disapproval by local retailers. Shopowners and other interested parties have petitioned Colchester Council ahead of a planning meeting on Thursday, where a vote on the proposed Tollgate Village retail park is due to take place. The retailers, who have gained backing from the Federation [...]
A new estate agent opened up every 1.6 days in London last year, with the City of Westminster seeing a particularly rapid increase in numbers February 16, 2016 Estate agents popped up across the capital at breakneck speed last year, with a new business opening its doors once every 1.6 days, according to research released today. The study by online estate agents HouseSimple.com discovered that greater London now has almost 2,900 estate agents lining its high streets, which equates to an average of [...]
CV format: How to make your CV stand out for a finance or accounting role, as companies reveal they review 21 applications on average before extending an offer February 16, 2016 Want to bag yourself a new job in accounting or finance? You'll have to get in line – companies review an average of 21 applications for these roles before making an offer, according to research by recruiter Robert Half. Some positions require an even pickier approach, with six per cent of companies confessing they wade [...]