Only 43 homes listed for sale in London are “affordable” for the average family April 29, 2015 Just 43 homes listed for sale in London are classified as "affordable" to the average family, new research has suggested. That's 0.1 per cent of the market – and it includes houseboats and a mobile home. The study, by housing charity Shelter, found 34 of those properties has "incorrect information" in their listings, were likely [...]
Greggs share price edges up as it serves up £20m special dividend April 29, 2015 The figures Proof of the might of the humble sausage roll: bakery chain Greggs said like-for-like sales rose 5.9 per cent in the first 16 weeks of the year, up from 3.8 per cent during the same time last year. It's completed 69 shop refurbishment, and plans to refit a total of 200 to 220 stores this year. It also opened 24 new [...]
Why would Bob Diamond want to buy a bank in Rwanda anyway? April 28, 2015 So Bob Diamond's Atlas Mara is eyeing a second bank in Rwanda. The former Barclays boss's pet project is reportedly in talks to buy a 45 per cent stake in Banque Populaire du Rwanda (BPR) – a snip at $22.m (£14.7m). That's after its acquisition of BRD Commercial Bank, another Rwandan lender it bought last [...]
UK Oil & Gas share price falls as it admits Horse Hill licence will expire within months April 28, 2015 UK Oil & Gas, aka UKOG, aka the "Gatwick gusher" has admitted its licences to explore the area around Gatwick Airport where it discovered 100bn barrels of oil are due to expire shortly – one in the next six months. The news prompted UKOG's share price to tumble more than seven per cent to 2.86p [...]
Workers over the age of 50 are disproportionately likely to feel their career has stalled April 28, 2015 Workers over the age of 50 are disproportionately likely to feel their career has stalled, according to new research. In fact, just 12 per cent feel their career is progressing, compared with a third of those under 50. The study, by Axa PPP Healthcare, suggested that a third of those over 50 felt they didn't [...]
Win or draw? Alliance Trust share price rises as Elliott Advisors withdraws resolutions – but gets two seats on the board April 28, 2015 Elliott Advisors will call this a win – Alliance Trust may settle for something rather less emphatic. The day before what was set to be a heated annual general meeting (AGM), the financial services company appears to have reached a truce with one of its largest shareholders by giving it two seats on the board, [...]
General Election 2015: Cameron says he’s “bloody lively” – but does he need to be? April 27, 2015 David Cameron was in the City this morning, trying to convince small business owners he's on their side, and trying to convince the broader electorate he's passionate about what his party has to offer. The PM has been under pressure in recent days for not showing enough fire on the campaign trail, as the [...]
Oil prices hover close to a four-month high April 27, 2015 Oil prices edged closer to a four-month high in afternoon trading, as a slowdown in US production and escalating conflict in Yemen took their toll on supply. Brent crude rose to $65.37 per barrel in mid-afternoon trading, while WTI, the US benchmark, rose 0.77 per cent to $57.59. It's no coincidence the rise in prices [...]
Royal Baby 2.0: Here’s how Prince George’s birth affected the economy April 27, 2015 So the joyous news has been announced, and the Duchess of Cambridge has given birth again. After rather less frenzied media coverage than last time, the Princess of Cambridge was born this morning at 8.34am. Could the birth of a child affect the economy? Here's what happened last time… 1. Retail sales rose In the [...]
General Election 2015 poll: SNP “going from strength to strength” April 27, 2015 A new snapshot by TNS shows the Scottish National Party (SNP) is on course to sweep Scotland in next week’s General Election. The poll has Nicola Sturgeon’s party with 54 per cent support in Scotland, while Labour trail on 22 per cent in what has traditionally been its electoral heartland. Tom Costley, head [...]