Investors hold back after Fed hint on rates – New York Report November 4, 2015 Investor caution after Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen yesterday pointed to a possible rate hike in December weighed on Wall Street, retracing recent gains along with energy shares. The Dow Jones industrial average fell 50.57 points, or 0.28 per cent, to 17,867.58, the S&P 500 lost 7.48 points, or 0.35 per cent, to 2,102.31 and [...]
Yes, the Bank could hike before the US Fed – but only if it ignores China November 4, 2015 Who will raise interest rates first – the US Federal Reserve or the Bank of England? It’s not quite a Usain Bolt versus Justin Gatlin-esque fastest-man-on-earth debate. As rates have been so low for so long, perhaps long-distance runners Paul Tergat and Haile Gebrselassie are a better analogy, with the rate-hiking decision having more of [...]
Liberalised Chinese visas are a boon for the UK – now what about Indian tourists? November 4, 2015 The government took the opportunity of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Britain last month to announce some extremely welcome changes to visitor visas for Chinese tourists. It said that it will introduce a new two-year multiple-entry visa from January, and thereafter a 10-year equivalent, and both products will cost just £85, the [...]
The beyond GDP myth: Why the government shouldn’t try to maximise our happiness November 4, 2015 Just at the moment when the economic literature appeared to have reached a decisive conclusion about the negative impact of government size on economic performance, the debate has shifted. Suddenly, the impact of government on happiness (subjective well-being or life satisfaction), not growth, is all the rage. We’re told three things. First, that we’re [...]
With plans to store everyone’s internet activity, is the government’s new surveillance bill a danger to freedom? November 4, 2015 Charlotte Bowyer, a digital policy researcher at the Adam Smith Institute. ‘Donut’, says Yes Let’s be clear: the draft Investigatory Powers Bill remains a “Snooper’s Charter”, and its proposals present a serious threat to the privacy and security of UK citizens. The bill requires internet companies to keep records of all the apps and websites [...]
Ask the alternative finance experts: What you need to know about investor protection in crowdfunding November 4, 2015 David Walker, corporate partner at Memery Crystal, and Guy Rigby, partner and head of entrepreneurs tax and business services at Smith & Williamson, address some of the issues around investor protection in alternative finance. Alternative finance is a high-risk investment sector. Are there any ways to minimise risk? DW: All investments carry a degree [...]
Word from the wise: Why it pays to listen to your parents November 4, 2015 As businesses across the capital prepare to celebrate Bring In Your Parents Day tomorrow, new research from LinkedIn reveals that parents stop giving career advice too early. Indeed, over a third (37 per cent) of Londoners feel that they’ve been given too little guidance from their parents about how to get on the career ladder [...]
Why it’s time to think about remortgaging your house November 4, 2015 Homeowners are currently benefitting from record low interest rates. This is a result of a number of factors, including greater competition in the market, strengthening confidence in the economy, and the Bank of England’s base rate being held at an all-time low. Many seasoned players in the mortgage market may remember watching for the [...]
Rally in energy stocks helps FTSE to end up – London Report November 4, 2015 A late rally in energy stocks on the back of strong crude oil prices yesterday helped to outpace weaker banks – particularly Standard Chartered – and lift the FTSE 100. The blue-chip FTSE 100 index ended 0.3 per cent higher at 6,383.61 points, helped by a 3.3 per cent jump in the UK Oil and [...]
Best of the Brokers for 4 November 2015 November 4, 2015 To appear in Best of the Brokers, email your research to notes@cityam.com SUPERGROUP Canaccord Genuity has raised its target price for the stock from 1,627p to 1,847p and reiterated “buy” following a visit to SuperGroup’s head office this summer and ahead of the retailer’s half-year results tomorrow. In a bullish note entitled “everywhere you [...]
