UK house price growth speeds up in January as buy-to-let stamp duty hike looms February 4, 2016 House price growth sped up in the year to January, new data showed this morning – suggesting buy-to-let investors are trying to sneak in those transactions before new stamp duty rules are introduced in April. The annual figure was up from 9.5 per cent in December and nine per cent in November, according to Halifax's house [...]
Average house prices in over half of London neighbourhoods are now £500,000 or more February 4, 2016 House prices have broached the £500,000 barrier across 51 per cent of London postcode districts, new research has found – backing up evidence the capital's homes are becoming increasingly unaffordable. The report, by estate agent Stirling Ackroyd, found even areas such as Peckham, which were traditionally seen as pretty affordable, have now joined the half-a-million [...]
Brent and WTI crude: Oil prices soar as the US dollar dives February 3, 2016 Oil prices surged today, helped by the tumbling US dollar following comments by a US Federal Reserve official and weak economic data. Brent crude, the international benchmark, rose 8.31 per cent to $35.44 per barrel. Meanwhile, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude, added 9.3 per cent to $32.66. "We're getting the rally in crude oil from the pounding [...]
Deutsche Bank, Uni Credit, Standard Chartered share prices drop: European bank shares are tanking February 3, 2016 Shares in leading banks tumbled throughout Europe today, with Deutsche Bank and Standard Chartered falling by 6.02 per cent and 4.29 per cent respectively. A sea of red engulfed the sector as fears spread of slowing economic growth and credit losses from energy companies hobbled by low oil prices. Brenda Kelly, head analyst at London Capital [...]
BP’s chief economist Spencer Dale: Oil price volatility could be consigned to history February 3, 2016 BP’s chief economist, Spencer Dale, has said that the violent price swings which have historically riled oil markets could become a thing of the past. Dale believes the newer, nimbler US shale gas industry will change how oil markets behave over the next 20 to 30 years. "What we know from history is that the oil market takes an [...]
“Flash crash” trader Navinder Singh Sarao due to appear in London court tomorrow facing extradition to the US February 3, 2016 The British trader accused of contributing to May 2010's "flash crash" is due to appear in court tomorrow where he faces extradition to the US. US authorities have alleged that Navinder Singh Sarao, who has been nicknamed the "hound of Hounslow", rigged the market by using an automated process to place a large number of sell orders before withdrawing them shortly afterwards [...]
US dollar and stocks down after economic data fuels growth concerns February 3, 2016 US stocks and the dollar lost ground today after negative economic data cast doubt on the strength of the US economy. The dollar is down by over one per cent against the pound, with one dollar currently buying £0.6870, and has also lost a similar amount against the euro. The S&P 500 is currently down 1.18 per [...]
US non-manufacturing sectors register weakest growth since 2014 as concerns grow over global economic conditions February 3, 2016 The US economy had a tough first month of 2016, according to survey data published today. The Institute for Supply Management's non-manufacturing purchasing managers' (PMI) index dropped to a score of 53.5 in January, its lowest since early 2014. Scores above 50 imply the non-manufacturing sectors grew over the month. However, January's score suggests economic growth [...]
UK adults expecting a big windfall from inheritance are set to be sorely disappointed, with one in ten mistakenly believing that the payout they predict will fund their retirement February 3, 2016 UK adults are routinely overestimating how much they stand to inherit, while also shunning valuable discussions about financial planning with older relatives. According to figures shown exclusively to City A.M. by VouchedFor, people expect to receive an average of £127,454 from inheritances, and one in ten believe that they are set to receive an inheritance [...]
Eurozone economy comes off the boil in January despite rebound in end-of-year retail sales February 3, 2016 The Eurozone's economic recovery slowed in January, but remains at a steady pace, new figures show today. Markit's economy-wide purchasing managers' index – compiled from a survey of firms – dropped to a score of 53.6 in January from the previous month's 54.2. While the figure is still above 50, which means the economy grew last month, it [...]