BEST OF THE BROKERS March 10, 2011 PRUDENTIAL Goldman Sachs rates the insurer “sustain” and has raised its target price from 760p to 795p following positive results on Wednesday. The broker sees the Pru’s Indonesian business as a stand-out performer, with the whole of Asia on track to hit £1.4bn of new business by 2013. Goldman is impressed by the firm growing [...]
Triple dose of bad news sends FTSE downards March 10, 2011 A downgrade for Spain’s credit rating, violence in Libya and weak data from China and the US heaped pressure on Britain’s top share index yesterday, with traders speculating that there could be more woe to come. “It’s an unholy triumvirate of bad news,” Chris Purdy, trader at Spreadex, said. Purdy pointed to the three-month low [...]
Fears over economy and Saudi Arabia hit markets March 10, 2011 FEARS about the economy and unrest in Saudi Arabia darkened the outlook for equities yesterday, pushing major indexes below key technical levels. The Dow’s worst day in seven months came after reports that authorities in Saudi Arabia had opened fire on demonstrators, increasing anxiety about instability in major oil producing nations. All three major indexes [...]
PARTY HOPPING AS TCHENGUIZ TWO SAY THE CANNES SHOW MUST GO ON March 10, 2011 THE Capitalist was amused to see that the statement made on behalf of the Tchenguiz brothers following their release without charge on Wednesday night made it clear the pair are “free to travel”. Why so critical that the property tycoons, who were arrested by the Serious Fraud Office and held for 12 hours in connection [...]
Hammering away at the property auction myths March 10, 2011 WITH repossessions on the rise, property auctions are a topic on everybody’s lips. While you might not be interested in a flat in Ireland, the increasing supply of homes under the hammer has certainly sparked the British public’s interest in the market. Charles Lucas, an auction expert at Chesterton & Humberts, says there are more [...]
A penthouse with views to suit a Cityboy March 10, 2011 ANY self-respecting master of the universe wants one thing more than any other in a home – spectacular views of the City, so that he or she can relax after a hard day’s deal-making and survey their territory. You couldn’t possibly do better than the penthouse at the Benbow Walk development on New Globe Walk [...]
ORPINGTON March 10, 2011 BLUEBERRY FARM Price: £1.7m A handsome five-bedroom family home, parts of it dating back to medieval times. Tunnels run from underneath the house to the local church and pub, though sadly these are now blocked. There’s also a wine cellar, a sauna, a mosaic-tiled outdoor swimming pool and a floodlit tennis court. Contact: Savills on [...]
NEED TO KNOW | AREA INSIGHT March 10, 2011 Education: Awash with good schools. St James’s Roman Catholic Primary School is rated “excellent” by Ofsted, as are St Saviour’s Grammar School and St Olave’s Grammar School for boys, and Darrick Wood School – a co-educational comprehensive. Parents of sporty kids may want to consider The Priory School, a specialist sports college. Crime: Rates are [...]
BUYING March 10, 2011 Managing partner at black brick Q. How do you think the rise in stamp duty, which will rise from 4 to 5 per cent for properties over £1m from 6 April, will affect house prices? A.The rise will definitely affect the market outside of London, which is already slow due to lack of mortgage supply. [...]
PROPERTY NEWS March 10, 2011 HAMPTON’S?COUNTRY?EXHIBITION Hamptons International’s next Town and Country Exhibition, which will showcase a new collection of country properties, takes place on 5 April from 5-8pm in the company’s head office in Grosvenor Square. Experts will give prospective buyers advice on relocating. Contact: 0207 963 0614. HARRODS client Harrods Estates has extended its Property Acquisition Service, which [...]