We’re spending billions shopping online while commuting July 2, 2015 The daily commute can be almost unbearable, but it seems we've found a way of occupying our travel time that's also good for the economy. More than a fifth of online sales are taking place on a commuter journey, with spending totalling £9.3bn every year. Spending by London commuters accounts for more than half of that [...]
UK construction sector confidence hits an 11-year high July 2, 2015 Confidence across the UK construction sector hit an 11-year high in June, while growth continued to rebound, according a widely-watched industry survey released today. The Markit/CIPS UK Construction Purchasing Managers’ index smashed economists' expectations rising to 58.1 in June, up from 55.9 a month earlier, the fastest increase in four months. "The extent of the recent rise [...]
Lloyds share price dips as government sells off more shares July 2, 2015 Shares in Lloyds were trading flat this morning after the government announced it had hived off another load of shares in the state-backed bank. The Treasury sold off around 691m shares, shrinking the government's stake by one per cent to 15.9 per cent. The government has been whittling down its stake in the bailed-out bank since [...]
UK house prices: Surprise drop in house price growth sends annual rate to two-year low, according to Nationwide house price index July 2, 2015 House price growth has dropped to a two-year low on the back of declines in June, according to Nationwide's latest report. Prices have dropped a surprise 0.2 per cent in June – halting increases in both May and April – causing the annual rate of increase to drop to just 3.3 per cent. One [...]
Dixons Carphone share price rises after announcing US expansion with Sprint Corporation July 2, 2015 Dixons Carphone is heading across the pond. The group's Connected World Services division has teamed up with American telecoms company Sprint with plans to open up to 500 stores across the States. Read more: Dixons Carphone ups full-year profit forecast Chief executive Sebastian James has already been named the most powerful person in British retailing, and [...]
George Osborne under pressure to tweak bank levy in July Budget July 1, 2015 Self-fulfilling prophecy, wishful thinking, fantasy economics: call it what you will, but the prospect of George Osborne fulfilling the desires of Britain’s banks in next week’s Budget is, to say the least, remote. Misplaced expectations that the chancellor would announce a review – or even the abolition – of the bank levy in his [...]
Eurozone factory figures tepid in June as Greek fears drag markets July 1, 2015 Eurozone factory growth picked up slightly last month but remained tepid as uncertainty around Greek debt talks – and the country’s possible exit from the bloc – swept across the region, a survey found yesterday. Fears of further Greek turmoil, and a possible exit from the euro, kept Markit’s final Eurozone manufacturing purchasing managers’ index [...]
Uber adds ranks in Indian cities July 1, 2015 Controversial transport technology firm Uber yesterday announced it will open operations in seven more Indian cities, to keep up with local rival Ola. It brings the total number of its operating territories there to 18. From today it will make India the company’s second-largest territory after the US. Uber has not had an easy ride [...]
Moody’s downgrades Greek bond rating to Caa3 July 1, 2015 Moody's has become the third ratings agency to downgrade Greece in three days. Read more: S&P downgrades Greece and puts chances of Grexit at 50 per cent Today, it lowered the struggling economy's government bond rating from Caa2 to Caa3, and placed it on review for a further downgrade. Moody's said it made [...]
Greece bailout crisis: EasyJet founder Stelios Haji-Ioannou brings free lunch to the table July 1, 2015 While Eurozone finance ministers continue to try and come up with a plan to save Greece's economy, one billionaire is giving out free lunches on the street. Read more: Stelios Haji-Ioannou launches new easyBus Heathrow-London shuttle service Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, founder of easyJet, left Greece 25 years ago and now lives in Monaco, but [...]