UK industrial production drops in July as exports struggle September 9, 2015 UK factory output fell by 0.5 per cent in July compared with June, according to figures released the Office for National Statistics this morning, as firms continue to battle against a strong pound weak economic growth in major export markets. Total industrial production, which includes mining and quarrying as well as manufacturing, dropped 0.4 per cent. [...]
UK pension changes prove positive for insurance group LV as half year profit jumps September 9, 2015 Insurance group LV reported a 103 per cent jump in operating profit during the first half of the year, a period in which the firm said it had altered its offering to suit changing customer needs. Group operating profit was up to £79m in the six months to 30 June, from £39m in the [...]
Mergers and aquisitions defy stormy global financial markets as M&A deals involving UK firms jump past £260bn September 9, 2015 Businesses pushed ahead with billions of dollars’ worth of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) yesterday, unperturbed by recent volatility that has shaken global markets. Deals involving UK firms jumped past the $400bn (£260bn) mark for the year to date as takeover Tuesday gripped the City. PaddyPower and Betfair agreed a £6bn merger; Cinven revealed [...]
Aldi and Lidl market share: The only way is up for discount supermarkets September 9, 2015 No-frills retailers such as Aldi and Lidl are set for decent growth in the UK, with experts predicting that an overall rise in spending will offset any substitution towards pricier retailers as the economy recovers. “With consumer confidence at its highest point in many countries since the global recession and economic growth expected to continue… [...]
UK housing marktet: Record low rates spur mortgage lending climb September 9, 2015 Record low borrowing costs and competition between banks led to a rise in mortgage lending from April to June, figures released by the Bank of England and Financial Conduct Authority showed yesterday. The total value of mortgages advanced was £52.5bn over the period, a 15.1 per cent jump on the same time last year. The [...]
International students splash out £600m in rent on flats in London September 8, 2015 London’s international student population is contributing £600m in rent to the capital, new research shows, with some of the wealthiest students spending three times the average UK worker on their home. The student property sector has boomed in recent years thanks to rising student numbers and an undersupply of flats to house them, with UK [...]
Bank of England governor Mark Carney readies for grilling from newly formed Treasury Select Committee September 8, 2015 Bank of England boss Mark Carney will be among the first witnesses to appear before the newly-formed Treasury Select Committee tomorrow. Carney and other policymakers from the Old Lady will be quizzed about financial stability and the economic outlook for the UK. Conservative MP and committee chair Andrew Tyrie has said he will ask questions [...]
EU migrant crisis: Germany can pay for incoming migrants without taking on new debt, says finance minister Wolfgang Schaeuble September 8, 2015 Today, German finance minister Wolfgang Schaeuble offered words of relief to taxpayers over the country's huge migrant influx. During a parliamentary debate, he said Germany would not need to borrow any money to pay for the more than half a million refugees the country intends take in every year. Read more: David Cameron: Britain [...]
What crisis? Eurozone growth revised up to 0.4 per cent in second quarter September 8, 2015 Things didn't get quite as bad during the Greek crisis as everyone thought, it turns out, after Eurozone growth for the second quarter was revised upwards. Official statistics published this morning showed the bloc grew 0.4 per cent between April and June, up from the 0.3 per cent originally thought. At the time of the [...]
Chinese dragon needs to regain its fire: Falling competitiveness could be the hidden force behind the slowdown September 8, 2015 China's unravelling has had repercussions all over the world, from the $3 trillion (£1.96 trillion) wiped off global stock markets in the space of days, to fears of deflation in the UK and currency devaluations in places as distinct as Vietnam and Kazakhstan. The Shanghai stock market – which is down 40 per cent [...]