Nationwide profits fall as technology investment cuts into bottom line November 22, 2018 Profits fell by a fifth at Nationwide in its half-year results today, with the building society’s technology investment weighing down earnings. The figures Profit before tax tumbled 17.8 per cent to £516m for the six months to the end of September, compared to the same period in 2017, as it took a £135m charge for asset [...]
How Brexit could help mortgage prisoners break free November 22, 2018 In the years leading up to the 2008 financial crisis, lenders were dishing out large mortgages and asking for tiny deposits in return. Property values were rapidly outpacing wage growth, and buyers were being allowed to borrow eight times their annual salary. For many homeowners, the problems started after the crash when the regulators forced [...]
London house buyers report growth in gazumping despite wider UK decline November 21, 2018 Roughly two in every three London buyers has been ‘gazumped’ on a house purchase in the last year, according to a new poll which underlines the growing frustration within the capital’s housing market. Gazumping, which is the process of agreeing to a person’s offer on a property and then selling the house to another buyer [...]
Focus On Woolwich: This soon-to-be Crossrail hub will see its population increase by 58 per cent by 2026 November 20, 2018 Last month, the Woolwich Ferry made its final voyage across the Thames. For many, it was an emotional farewell as locals had watched it transport cars and people from one side of the river to the other for the last 55 years. Though the Ferry is no more, the service resumes in December with two [...]
Europe’s real estate investors dominate central London commercial market November 19, 2018 European buyers dominated Central London’s commercial property market in the third quarter of 2018, according to a new Knight Frank survey which underlines investor appetite from the continent. Accounting for almost 40 per cent of Central London’s market share by price, buyers from across Europe are on course to exceed their 10-year average levels of [...]
Ineos confirms talks to buy £2.3bn North Sea oil fields from Conoco Phillips November 18, 2018 Ineos has confirmed it is negotiating to buy several North Sea oil fields from US energy giant Conoco Phillips. The Sunday Times, which first reported the story, said the two were in exclusive talks over North Sea oil and gas fields, valued at up to $3bn (£2.3bn). Ineos told City AM that it has opened discussions [...]
England housing stock increases but housebuilders still fall short of target November 15, 2018 The number of new homes completed in England in the last year reached its highest level in a decade, but growth has plummeted as Brexit uncertainties take hold. Just over 222,000 more homes were added to England’s housing stock in 2017-2018, according to figures released today by the minister of housing, communities and local government (MHCLG). [...]
Six reasons you should care about share buybacks November 15, 2018 Warren Buffett, the billionaire investor, recently hit the headlines with the announcement that he plans to spend almost $1 billion buying back shares in his investment company, Berkshire Hathaway. This practice has been increasingly common over recent years, with major implications. Buybacks have fundamentally altered the investment landscape over recent years. However, this is not [...]
Mortgage approvals up for first-time buyers as market moves away from large deposits November 15, 2018 The market share of first-time buyers and small deposit borrowers increased in October as young buyers take advantage of low rates and slowing house price growth. A total of 67,011 mortgages were approved last month, an increase of 2.7 per cent since September and 3.5 per cent above levels in the same month last year. [...]
Intu requests deadline extension for talks to take the company private November 14, 2018 Shopping centre owner Intu has requested an extension from the Panel on Takeovers and Mergers, saying it needs more time to come to an agreement on taking the firm private. The Manchester Trafford Centre-owner said the extension had been granted, and a consortium of buyers now have until 5pm on 22 November to make a formal offer, previously [...]