Property firm of the year September 10, 2013 This year has seen a marked change in the property industry. Developers are more upbeat and construction activity in central London has more than trebled since activity reached a low in mid-2010. Here are our pick of developers that have been leading the activity in the market and setting the scene for what should be [...]
Best of the brokers for 11 September 2013 September 10, 2013 PREMIER FOODS Shore Capital has raised its rating from “hold” to “buy” at 149p, ending its long-standing caution about the food producer. The broker thinks the new execs have done a good job of focusing the firm and shoring up its balance sheet. Shore also believes a £250m equity raising could be on the cards. [...]
London Report: EasyJet carries FTSE close to a one month high September 10, 2013 THE UK’S main share index rose to its highest level in nearly a month yesterday, bolstered by the outlines of an international compromise to avert a US strike on Syria, while budget airline EasyJet also dragged the FTSE higher. There was also strength in the resources sector after an upbeat report from miner Glencore Xstrata [...]
New York Report: Hopes for Syria extend S&P’s winning streak September 10, 2013 US STOCKS rose yesterday, with the S&P 500 index advancing for its longest stretch since early July, as an alternative proposal emerged that could avert a possible Western military strike on Syria. Encouraging economic data from China reinforced the view the world’s second-largest economy was stabilising and gave investors a further reason to buy. All [...]
Euro stocks may be turning a corner September 10, 2013 But investors should not ignore the risks surrounding relatively cheap equities in European markets SEPTEMBER has historically been a volatile month for markets. According to BestInvest analysis of FTSE All Share Index monthly returns since 1986, it is the worst performer for equities, with four major crashes: 1992’s Black Wednesday, the 9/11 terrorist attacks, [...]
New scheme set to make bank switching easier September 10, 2013 Liam Ward-Proud looks at the accounts offered by the bigger challenger banks FROM Monday, the Payments Council’s new seven-day switch guarantee scheme is set to make moving your bank account easier. It will ensure that bank account changes are completed smoothly and within a week, with transferring direct debits and incoming payments now the responsibility [...]
Any Other Business – 11/09 September 10, 2013 BT chief executive Ian Livingston served his last day at the telecoms giant yesterday, though he won’t be hanging up on the company just yet. The Capitalist hears that the Caledonian chief will be on hand to advise Gavin Patterson, his replacement in the hot seat, until November. Lord Livingston will no doubt continue to [...]
Why it’s wrong to blame Osborne’s austerity for weak growth in Britain September 10, 2013 FIVE years ago, nearly every macroeconomist agreed that central banks determined aggregate demand (total spending in the economy), and that fiscal stimulus was therefore unnecessary to lift depressed economies. Conversely, fiscal austerity was seen as irrelevant at best for overall growth; any impact of austerity on demand can be offset by the right monetary policy [...]
Against the Grain: The tide may finally be turning in the ceaseless struggle against rent seekers September 10, 2013 THE CONCEPT of the “rent seeker” is one of the most valuable in the whole of economics. The activity of rent-seeking involves obtaining money by manipulating the social or political environment in which economic activity takes place, instead of getting paid for creating new wealth. It is a part of public choice theory, for which [...]
Private pensions have become a piggy bank for spendthrift states September 10, 2013 FIVE years after the collapse of Lehman Brothers, and the fallout from the financial crisis is far from over. Across Europe, private pensions have become a targets for politicians seeking to reduce the pressure to rein in spending and manage excessive debt after the crisis. While governments are encouraging or forcing citizens to participate in [...]
