Mortgages: Are 100 per cent no deposit loans about to make a comeback? Mega mortgages One of the UK’s largest building societies is considering launching a no deposit, or 100 per cent loan to value mortgage. Mortgages which do not need a downpayment, or deposit, were phased out after the financial crisis. Although 100 per cent or zero deposit mortgages have been available since 2009, lenders will only offer them [...]
Markets: Three things we learned this week Three lessons This week the markets had a lot to digest, bumper energy profits, the tail end of the banking sector’s latest round of results, and a rate rise from the Federal Reserve. There was also some positive house price data, which gave the FTSE 100 a spring in its step. With Coronation weekend looming we take [...]
US unemployment figures ‘confound expectations’ with 50 year jobless low, raising spectre of more Fed rate rises Jobs in the USA US employers went on a hiring spree in April while raising wages for workers at the same time, according to the Labour Department. The news that nonfarm payrolls increased by 253,000 jobs last month immediately sparked speculation that the US central bank the Federal Reserve could maintain its current policy of keeping rates higher. The [...]
Coronation and your cash: How much have prices – and life in the UK – changed since 1953? May 5, 2023 When Queen Elizabeth II was crowned 70 years ago in 1953, the price of a pint was less than 10p, the average house price was around £1,800, and the average salary was £10 a week. But that’s not all that has changed, this year’s Coronation of King Charles III takes place in a nation where life [...]
FCA continues crypto ATM crackdown and warns of further action again ‘illegal’ sites May 5, 2023 The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said it had inspected sites in Exeter, Nottingham and Sheffield suspected of hosting illegally operated crypto ATMs, as part of a continued crackdown on the illegal sector. The city watchdog said the inspections were part of a joint operation with the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit, Yorkshire and Humber [...]
Coronation weekend: Brits to splash out an extra £3bn on food, drink and entertainment May 4, 2023 Brits are expected to ring in the Coronation of King Charles III this weekend in the time honoured tradition of emptying their wallets faster than usual. It is predicted consumers will fork out around £8bn over the Coronation bank holiday weekend, with £3.22bn more spent than during a typical May bank holiday. Of the £3bn [...]
Property: Has spring sprung? Mini budget ripple blamed for keeping a lid on monthly sales April 28, 2023 UK residential transactions in March 2023 totalled 89,560 which was 19 per cent lower than the same month a year ago but 1 per cent higher than February 2023, according to HMRC. The seasonally adjusted figures also show the total of non-residential property purchases, including commercial and factory property was 10,640, three per cent higher than [...]
FTSE 100 live: No Friday feeling for London index as banks follow Natwest to dip into negative territory April 28, 2023 London’s blue chip FTSE 100 index was trading flat, down 16 points at 7,815.94, as banks led the fall in the last day of trade before the May bank holiday. Despite better than expected profits Natwest shares fell 5.58 per cent. Michael Hewson chief market analyst at CMC Markets said: “When NatWest reported its full-year [...]
Over 50s and retirees want to work more, so long as it’s flexible April 28, 2023 A lack of flexible job opportunities is keeping over 50s out of the workforce and preventing retirees from returning to employment according to a survey. Insurance giant Zurich UK found nearly one in five UK adults over 50 were deterred from applying for new jobs because of a lack of flexible working opportunities. Timewise found [...]
London: Shot in the arm for West End as Uniqlo UK boss says Covent Garden is the place to be April 27, 2023 Fashion chain Uniqlo said it was committed to London after opening its second store in six months. Alessandro Dudech, chief operating officer at Uniqlo UK said the company regarded it as honour to be opening a store in Covent Garden. He said it was an area of London with “cultural and retail heritage”. He added: [...]
