Divergent monetary policy from the European Central Bank and the US Federal Reserve sends euro to seven-month low against the dollar November 10, 2015 The euro fell 0.6 per cent against the dollar to $1.0682, sliding to a fresh seven-month low against a backdrop of increasingly divergent monetary policy from the European Central Bank (ECB) and US Federal Reserve. Yesterday four ECB government council members hinted a consensus is forming at the Bank to take one of its benchmark interest rates deeper into negative [...]
UBS got it wrong: There’s no such thing as a London house price bubble November 10, 2015 Is London’s residential property market in a bubble? UBS seems to think so, after its Global Real Estate Bubble index suggested the UK's housing market is on the brink of a crash. But has it got its facts right? After all, the devil is really in the detail – and this was put together by [...]
We’d rather discuss age and gender in the office than race, as incidences of racial harassment in the workplace rise November 10, 2015 When it comes to touchy subjects in the office, it turns out talking about race makes us more uncomfortable than discussing age or gender. In a survey by Business in the Community (BITC) of 24,457 UK employees, 37 per cent said they thought their colleagues would be comfortable discussing race, compared to 44 per cent [...]
Global construction market to grow by 85 per cent to $15.5 trillion by 2030 November 10, 2015 The global construction market is expected to grow by 85 per cent to $15.5 trillion worldwide by 2030, new research shows, with China, US and India leading the way and accounting for 57 per cent of all global growth. The latest study from industry analysts Global Construction Perspectives and Oxford Economics predicts that growth in [...]
London office rents: Naysayers are right to worry about a bubble – but London will keep growing November 10, 2015 London’s office market is booming, there’s no doubt about it. We are the midst of an upward cycle and have seen huge levels of capital investment and rental growth in the last few years. This is largely thanks to a spike in demand fuelled by the economic recovery and increased confidence in businesses. With the [...]
IEA: Oil prices won’t breach $100 mark until 2040 November 10, 2015 Due to the supply glut it will be another 25 years before oil prices break through the crucial $100 mark, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). And the black stuff is unlikely to hit $80 a barrel before the end of the next decade, as annual global demand growth rises by 900,000 barrels per day to [...]
Black Friday and Cyber Monday 2015: UK shoppers holding out to snap up bargains in November pushed October sales down November 10, 2015 UK retail sales were disappointing last month, according to a survey by the British Retail Consortium released today, suggesting that some shoppers may be holding out for some deals around Black Friday at the end of November. Retail sales decreased 0.2 per cent on a like-for-like basis from October 2014, when they were unchanged from the preceding [...]
Moody’s warns of global shockwaves as fallout from China slowdown threatens growth prospects November 10, 2015 Global economic stability is at risk from financial shocks in the face of a bigger-than-expected fallout from China’s slowing growth, a new report from Moody’s has warned. The credit ratings agency also said that policymakers may find it difficult to act against potential shockwaves as they “lack the ample fiscal and monetary policy buffers” needed to [...]
Portugal’s government is likely to recieve a vote of no confidence – here’s what you need to know November 9, 2015 The Portuguese Prime Minister and his minority coalition government face a major confidence vote in parliament today. Here's what you need to know: The Prime Minister is likely to lose The centre-right coalition has the most seats in parliament but does not have a majority. After October's election, the PSD, the People’s Party and Portugal Ahead held 107 [...]
Russia’s insurers are too driven by the motor market – S&P Emerging Market Insurance Forum November 9, 2015 Russia's insurance industry is overly dependent on motoring, creating problems as the market goes into decline, according to research from Standard & Poor's (S&P). At an emerging market forum hosted by the ratings agency this evening, the audience were told that motor hull was responsible for 22 per cent of insurance premiums in 2014, more than [...]