Here’s what Theresa May doesn’t want you to see December 10, 2013 A controversial government review into European migration has encountered something of an obstacle, in the form of home secretary Theresa May. The Balance of Competences review was due to be released yesterday, as part of a set of documents evaluating the UK's relationship with the EU, but has been delayed by May, reports the [...]
Barclays make non-US stocks their top pick for 2014. Here’s why December 10, 2013 Barclays say that the big story of 2013 was the re-pricing of equities versus bonds, as equities soared against a background of plunging bond values. Now a mixed global outlook for 2014 gives opportunities to seize advantage of cheap European and emerging market equities, according to Barclay's head of equity research, Stu Linde. Marco Outlook [...]
Tui Travel’s sunny year clouded by France December 10, 2013 Tui Travel's business model is continuing to prove fruitful – chief executive Peter Long said it had been an "outstanding" year. Analysts at Numis have said they expect consensus estimates to nudge up on the back of today's results. The company saw a strong summer period, especially in the UK, but the First Choice and [...]
What you need to know before the open – 10/12 December 10, 2013 Despite another record close for the S&P500 yesterday, Europe is set to open lower this morning. Strength on the US markets yesterday was pretty surprising, given the Fed's James Bullard's comments on the possibility of an imminent taper. And over in China, mixed data overnight – industrial production was slightly below expectations, whereas retail sales [...]
As tax hikes approach, are consumers losing faith in Abenomics? December 10, 2013 In the face of tax hikes and rising inflation expectations, Japanese households are losing faith in Abenomics, according to Capital Economics. Consumer confidence has only partially recovered from the sharp decline suffered in October. Capital Economics attributed the drop to the government's confirmation planned consumption tax hike. The headline index increased from 41.2 to 42.5. [...]
Carney: Let the good times roll December 9, 2013 BANK of England governor Mark Carney has hit back at suggestions that the economy could be trapped at a permanently lower rate of growth, painting a promising picture of the outlook for the UK. “For the first time in a long time it seems reasonable to expect the hopes and dreams of the holiday season [...]
Lloyds offloads St James’s stake as sell-off looms December 9, 2013 LLOYDS is selling its final stake in insurance firm St James’s Place for around £695m, the bank revealed yesterday, fulfilling a key part of its plan to focus on UK retail banking. The slimmed-down model is part of the bank’s privatisation plan – the government sold a five per cent stake in September for £3.2bn, [...]
Public purse under strain from house supply crisis December 9, 2013 THE UK’S chronic lack of housing supply is forcing hundreds of employed people to claim housing benefit every day, as prices continue to climb. As demand for property continues to surge, the National Housing Federation (NHF) today reveals the how Britain’s housing shortfall is straining the public finances. According to shocking new research, 310 workers [...]
What the other papers say this morning – 10 December 2013 December 9, 2013 FINANCIAL TIMES Home Secretary criticised for red tape Theresa May has been accused by cabinet colleagues of undermining the government’s pro-business agenda by refusing to cut red tape in the Home Office. The Home Secretary was sent a “scathing letter” late last month by Michael Fallon, the Conservative business minister, and Vince Cable, the Liberal [...]
Watchdog sees no end to home price increases December 9, 2013 HOUSE prices will keep on rising because the number of new households will continue to outstrip the number of houses being built, the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) said yesterday. The forecasting officials told MPs current house prices are not unsustainable because a lack of building will push prices up. “In a world where, if [...]