US Presidential election 2016: Donald Trump declares victory in Nevada Republican caucus February 24, 2016 Donald Trump has triumphed in the Nevada caucus, winning 43 per cent of the vote, according to reports. Meanwhile, with just over 25 per cent of precints having reported, Marco Rubio was thought to have clinched second place, with just under 25 per cent of the vote, while Ted Cruz was at 22 per cent. Ben Carson trailed behind, [...]
Asian markets drop on weak Singapore growth data and lower oil prices February 24, 2016 Stocks in Asia tumbled overnight, as weak growth data from Singapore combined with lower oil prices to discourage investors. Data released by Singapore's Ministry of Trade overnight showed the city state's economy grew two per cent in 2015, its weakest growth since 2009. The data showed lower oil prices had dented growth alongside a slowdown [...]
London Stock Exchange Group share price leaps as it confirms talks with Deutsche Boerse February 23, 2016 Shares in London Stock Exchange Group jumped more than 16 per cent to 2,689p in lunchtime trading, after reports emerged that it is talks with its German rival, Deutsche Boerse, over a merger. The London Stock Exchange subsequently confirmed the talks. "The boards believe that the potential merger would represent a compelling opportunity for both companies to strengthen [...]
UK income inequality 2015: Here’s the average household income in the UK – take this test to find out how your wealth compares February 23, 2016 Feeling flush? Median household disposable income rose to £25,700 in the year to the end of 2015, up £1,500 from the year before, according to official figures released today – which also suggested the rich are getting poorer, while the poor are getting richer. Average income is now a hair above the at £25,400 people had just before the [...]
Over-40s are on a mortgage shopping spree – but age restrictions mean they’re struggling to borrow February 23, 2016 The over-40s are going berserk for mortgages – but banks and building societies are having trouble lending to them because of age restrictions, new research has found. The findings, by Nottingham Building Society, suggested two in five mortgage brokers have reported a rise in mortgage customers over the age of 40 – but 17 per cent [...]
Housebuilding is the new black: Persimmon share price rises as profits leap 34 per cent February 23, 2016 Another day, another bit of good news coming out of the housebuilding sector, after Persimmon reported a 34 per cent jump in pre-tax profits. The figures Underlying pre-tax profits rose to £637.8m in the year to the end of December, up 34 per cent on last year's £475m, while full-year revenues rose 13 per cent to £2.9bn. The company said legal completions jumped eight [...]
Ladbrokes share price jumps as it beats expectations – but new gambling and point-of-consumption taxes take their toll February 23, 2016 Not a great day for Ladbrokes, after it reported a 50 per cent fall in profits for 2015 as increased taxes began to have an impact. The figures Ladbrokes said trading profits fell 50.3 per cent, from £112.2m last year to £55.8m in 2015. That's above analyst expectations – last week Deutsche Bank said it expected profits to fall to £44m. [...]
Microsoft founder Bill Gates backs FBI in Apple iPhone hack stand-off February 23, 2016 Bill Gates, the world's richest man, has refused to back Apple in a stand-off between the tech giant and the US government over whether to unlock the iPhone of the so-called San Bernadino shooter. In an interview with the Financial Times, Gates said the debate was over a "specific case where the government is asking for [...]
Swiss Re income boosted by “absence of natural catastrophes” as it appoints Christian Mumenthaler to replace Michel Liès as chief executive February 23, 2016 Swiss Re, the insurance giant after which the Gherkin was once named, said today that has appointed a new chief executive. The company said Christian Mumenthaler, currently head of its reinsurance division, will step up to the plate on 1 July, after current boss Michel Liès said he was planning on retiring. The news came Swiss Re said [...]
EU referendum uncertainty (and Boris Johnson) sends pound to seven-year low against the dollar February 22, 2016 Who knew Bojo had such influence over markets? The pound has gone into free fall today, showing its biggest one-day fall against the dollar in more than a year, as uncertainty over the EU referendum began to take hold. The pound fell more than 1.5 per cent against the dollar this morining, dropping as low as [...]
