One chart showing why it doesn’t really matter how many members of the monetary policy committee voted for an interest rate rise November 5, 2015 Given it's been held at 0.5 per cent since what feels like the dawn of time, there isn't an awful lot to say about UK interest rates these days – so when monetary policy committee (MPC) meeting time comes around, analysts tend to busy themselves looking at details. Thus, the fact Ian McCafferty was again alone in voting in favour [...]
Bank of England lowers UK growth outlook to 2.7 per cent as MPC votes 8-1 to hold interest rates November 5, 2015 The Bank of England's monetary policy committee (MPC) lowered their UK growth outlook to 2.7 per cent from 2.8 per cent today, as its more hawkish members failed to be convinced of the merits of a rate rise. Although some economists had expected Kristin Forbes or Martin Weale to join the ayes, Ian McCafferty was left alone voting to [...]
More than 29,000 cups of tea, 94 sick days and three workplace bust-ups: Here’s how your career adds up November 5, 2015 Ever stopped to consider how many cups of tea you'll drink at the office during your working life? What about how many fights you'll have with colleagues, clients or bosses? Nope – us neither. But the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) has nonetheless answered all these questions – and more – about our working lives… [...]
UK new car registrations fall in October – as Volkswagen and Seat sales plummet November 5, 2015 The number of new cars registered in the UK fell by one per cent to 177,664 in October, figures by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) showed today. The biggest faller? Not surprisingly, brands owned by Volkswagen. Yep, according to the figures, VW sales were down 9.8 per cent, while sales of Seats [...]
Thomas Cook share price hit as UK government cancels flights to Sharm el-Sheikh airport November 5, 2015 Shares in Thomas Cook fell 5.8 per cent to 113.55p in early trading, after the UK government cancelled flights to Sharm el-Sheikh. David Cameron grounded flights to the Egyptian resort last night, saying the safety of British citizens was the government's "first priority", after a Russian Metrojet flight from Sharm crashed in the Sinai peninsula at the [...]
Halifax house price index: What tightening conditions? House price growth hits its highest since last August November 5, 2015 Year-on-year house price growth hit 9.7 per cent in the three months to October, according Halifax's house price index – its highest since August 2014. Prices rose 2.8 per cent in the three months to October to £205,240, up from £202,931 in September and £186,469 in October last year. But while house price growth may be in rude health, there have been recent concerns about the sector. Yesterday shares in Countrywide, the UK's biggest estate [...]
Visa, King and BG Group deals push global M&A over $4 trillion mark for the first time in November November 4, 2015 Visa's $23.3bn (£15.2bn) offer for Visa Europe on Monday tipped the volume of global mergers and acquisitions over the $4 trillion mark for 2015 so far – the highest it's ever hit by this point in the year. Research by Dealogic showed Visa, along with a gaggle of acquisitive tech and pharma companies, pushed global volumes 38 per cent higher [...]
Janet Yellen: Fed rate hike next month is a “live possibility” November 4, 2015 US Fed chief Janet Yellen just dropped an r-bomb, calling a rate hike next month a "live possibility". In a speech to Congress' House Financial Services Committee, Yellen said if growth continues as expected over the next few weeks, a rate hike is possible – although "no decision at all has been made on that". [...]
Factory collapses in Lahore, Pakistan, killing 10 people November 4, 2015 The roof of a three-story building on an industrial estate in Lahore has collapsed, killing at least 10 people, reports have suggested. The Express Tribune, a local newspaper, said as many as 40 labourers could still be trapped in the rubble of the shopping bag factory on the Sundhar Industrial Estate – although Reuters reported as many [...]
National Grid orders generators to make more power after “multiple plant breakdowns” November 4, 2015 National Grid has asked the UK's power network to generate more electricity after "multiple plant breakdowns". The company issued a notice asking for more generation to be brought onto the system, saying an additional 500 MW were needed for between 4.30 and 6.30pm. National Grid has previously warned that the UK faced the "tightest winter [...]
