I’m a priest who works in finance. Here is my take September 29, 2011 WHILE being interviewed during the Liberal Democrat Conference, the great pious voice of our collective conscious, also known as Vince Cable, solemnly stated that the reduction of the uncompetitive taxes on the “rich” would have to wait. His reasoning was that a reduction in tax on the lowest paid would result in greater overall spending. [...]
Lazy politicians should be universally admired September 29, 2011 IT’S conference season, and the airwaves are full and the newspaper pages thick with a barrage of policy ideas. Every would-be chancellor and tyro PM wants to make their mark on the nation with their energy, their zeal to do something that will make life better. They’re all wrong. Half the trouble of the world, [...]
RAPID RESPONSES September 29, 2011 EMBRACING EFTA Regarding Neil Bentley’s article in yesterday’s paper on the plans for a Tobin tax, I would like to add that Norway and Switzerland would also not be affected by such a tax because they are in the European Free Trade Association (EFTA). The European Economic Area’s (EEA) free movement of goods, services, capital [...]
CITY MOVES | WHO’S SWITCHING JOBS September 29, 2011 BlackRock Simon Beresford and Neil Purvis have been appointed to help develop the investment fund’s UK defined contribution business. Beresford (pictured) joins as chief operating officer of the firm’s Peterborough DC administration centre, moving from the Nationwide Building Society, where he was head of mortgage administration. Purvis, previously head of HR at the firm, takes [...]
BEST OF THE BROKERS September 29, 2011 BABCOCK INTERNATIONAL JP Morgan Cazenove rates the defence and security services group “overweight”. Its analysts are impressed by the size of the opportunity for the group’s support services division, as well as the potential to improve margins by changing the contract mix. Babcock trades on an enterprise value to Ebitda multiple of eight times, more than [...]
FTSE falls on worries of China and copper losing momentum September 29, 2011 BRITAIN’S leading share index fell back yesterday, bucking firmer trends from both US and European equity markets and under pressure from big falls by heavyweight miners on lower copper prices amid concerns over future demand. Traders highlighted some anxiety over growth from major metals consumer China ahead of official September PMI numbers, due out on [...]
Wall Street closes up after rocky day September 29, 2011 US stocks mostly rose in a volatile session yesterday as stronger-than-expected economic data and German approval of a beefed-up Eurozone crisis fund relieved two of the worst fears hanging over the market. But the Nasdaq was knocked lower by a brutal sell-off in US-listed Chinese stocks on news of a probe into accounting practices and [...]
Homes that offer jolly good sports September 29, 2011 THE hype around the Glorious Twelfth this year was enough to get even life-long townies interested in shooting. There is something quite exciting about going out to the “country” to pad about in wellies and a Barber jacket. “People love buying outdoor sporting homes,” Luke Morgan, a partner at The Buying Solution, tells me, “it [...]
DARTFORD, KENT September 29, 2011 HARDY’S GATE Price: £375,000 This four bedroom home would be ideal for a family. It has an open-plan kitchen and breakfast room, a separate living room and a large bathroom. The master bedroom has an en-suite and fitted wardrobes. Contact: Crest Nicholson on 0870 757 8188 or go to www.crestnicholson.com MAPLESCOMBE OAST Price: £995,000 This [...]
SELL September 29, 2011 MANAGING DIRECTOR OF CENTRAL LONDON ESTATE AGENCY, KAY & CO Q.I have a small patio garden at my house in central London but am considering putting up a conservatory in the space so that I can use it all year round. Will this help me when I sell? A.On the face of it this seems [...]
