The hardest word: Full text of Lloyds boss Antonio Horta-Osorio’s letter to his staff over tryst allegations August 24, 2016 Lloyds boss Antonio Horta-Osorio has issued an apology to his staff after an alleged tryst with Russell Group boss Dr Wendy Piatt. Sky News reported last night that Horta-Osorio was preparing to write to his 75,000 staff expressing "deep regret" over the allegations, which surfaced earlier this month after he and Platt went on a business trip [...]
SMMT reveals bumper used cars sales in first half of 2016 but remains cautious about further growth August 23, 2016 There was the highest number of used car sales on record in the first of half this year according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). The number of used cars changing hands grew by 7.9 per cent in the first six months of 2016 and during the second quarter of the year [...]
First time buyers bounce back on to the property market as stamp duty changes take effect August 22, 2016 First-time buyers have finally started taking a bigger slice of London’s most exclusive postcodes, as stamp duty changes scare off landlords. The proportion of prime London home purchases made by first-time buyers went from 22 per cent in the first quarter of the year, up to 34 per cent in the second, according to data from [...]
The government’s high-profile Help to Buy scheme has come under fire because extra financial support cannot be used towards deposits August 20, 2016 A government scheme to support first-time buyers has been blasted by political rivals because a so-called "top-up" on savings cannot be used towards the deposit on a new home. Revealed in the pre-election 2015 Budget, the Help to Buy ISA provided a government boost to savings at a rate of 25 per cent. So a saver [...]
Opinion: Rightmove’s housing index shows that London may have fallen, but it’s sunny in the Shires August 18, 2016 The latest housing index from Rightmove has caused a stir, revealing that prices have hit their lowest point since November and have dropped 1.2 per cent nationwide. Londoners in particular seem hardest hit with the average price falling 2.6 per cent. It’s very easy to put the entire blame on Brexit and increases in Stamp Duty, but [...]
In praise of hedge funds: Why short-term activists create long-term value August 16, 2016 Activist hedge funds are often seen as the epitome of all that’s wrong with capitalism. They cut investment, fire employees, and break contracts to boost the short-term stock price, and cash out before the long-term value destruction comes to light. It’s certainly possible to find examples of this. And such stories make for good journalism [...]
First-time buyers are worried the interest rate cut kills their chances of saving for a deposit August 16, 2016 One fifth of 18 to 34 year old prospective buyers say they will find it difficult to save for a deposit due to the recent cut in interest rates. Research from MoneySuperMarket found 21 per cent of this age group think the interest rate cut will mean they will have to wait for longer to [...]
You can now buy the world’s oldest port wine brand online from Marks and Spencer August 16, 2016 Move over, craft beer. For the first time in five centuries, the world's oldest brand of port wine is now going to be available to buy online at a major UK retailer. Top-tier port brand Kopke's 1996 vintage has launched on Marks & Spencer online for £30 for a single bottle and can also be [...]
A tale of two cities: Sales of London new-build homes have plunged as sky-high prices put off buyers August 15, 2016 New research suggested sales of new-build homes in London have almost halved – despite the fact the city is in the grip of a housing crisis. Research by London Central Portfolio (LCP) using figures from the Land Registry has shown only 1,491 new-builds in inner London have been sold so far in 2016 – 43 per cent [...]
Bovis Homes Group reports strong revenue and profit growth but states it is too early to tell impact of EU referendum August 15, 2016 Bovis Homes Group struck a bullish tone in their half year results, with growth across a range of metrics. The catch? It's too early to tell the impact of the EU referendum. Its share price fell by more than two per cent on the news. The figures Bovis Homes Group posted revenue of £412.8m for the [...]