Coronavirus: the investment impact in seven charts February 28, 2020 The spread of coronavirus, COVID-19, beyond China has created fresh uncertainty for the global growth outlook and sparked volatility in financial markets. Outbreaks in South Korea, Iran and Italy have raised concerns that the spread outside of China may be accelerating. We offer key facts on the spread of the virus, interspersed with views from [...]
CMA considers enforcement action against developers over ‘troubling’ leasehold mis-selling claims February 28, 2020 The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is set to launch enforcement action against developers after finding “troubling evidence of potential mis-selling and unfair contract terms”. The watchdog launched a probe into the industry last year and confirmed today that it had found evidence of “serious issues” within the housing sector. The issues revolve around the [...]
Geneva Motor Show cancelled as coronavirus fears mount February 28, 2020 The Geneva Motor Show has reportedly been cancelled today after the Swiss government banned events of more than 1,000 people in an attempt to curb the spread of the coronavirus outbreak. Sources told Reuters that Palexpo, the organisers of the show, had informed authorities that they had called on the international show due to concerns. [...]
Foxtons shares slip after profit takes Brexit blow February 28, 2020 Estate agent Foxtons has posted a 30 per cent drop in annual profit against the backdrop of last year’s Brexit uncertainty. Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda) fell to £2.5m during 2019, a year-on-year decrease of 30 per cent from 2018’s £3.6m. The estate agent narrowed its loss before tax from £17.2m last [...]
One month after Brexit: what’s happened so far? February 28, 2020 It’s been a month since the UK’s exit from the EU, but has anything actually changed? The UK has now moved into a transitional period which will last until December 31st. During this time, we exist under the terms outlined in our ‘divorce agreement’. Negotiations for a final trade deal are underway and the fate [...]
UK braced for 70mph winds and downpours as Storm Jorge makes landfall today February 28, 2020 The UK is braced for yet another weekend of severe weather as Storm Jorge prepares to make its landfall later today. The Met Office has issued rain warnings for parts of Wales and Northern England, saying that parts of the country could see 60-80mm of rainfall in the worst affected areas. London and the south [...]
UK coronavirus cases hit 19 as Wales confirms first patient February 28, 2020 The first case of coronavirus has been confirmed in Wales as two further cases in England bring the UK’s total to 19. According to the chief medical officer for Wales, the patient had traveled back from northern Italy where the virus was contracted. The two new cases in England have been transferred to specialist NHS [...]
British Airways owner IAG warns of coronavirus hit to 2020 profit February 28, 2020 British Airways-owner IAG today said that it was “not possible” to give an accurate forecast for its full year profit as the coronavirus outbreak continued to disrupt the airline group’s operations. The firm said the net impact of current cancellations had lowered its capacity across the whole year by two per cent as the airline [...]
Easyjet to cancel Italy flights as coronavirus hits demand February 28, 2020 Budget airline Easyjet today said that it would cancel a number of flights to Italy as it warned of a “significant softening of demand” across its short-haul network as the coronavirus outbreak continued to impact global airlines. The firm said it would continue monitor the situation and adapting its flying program to support demand. Shares [...]
UK house prices grow at fastest rate for 18 months in February February 28, 2020 UK house prices grew at their fastest rate since July 2018 in February, according to Nationwide figures released today. February’s annual rise of 2.3 per cent, up from 1.9 per cent in January, was UK house prices’ strongest rate of growth in 18 months. That left the average UK house price at £216,092, up from [...]