Rugby World Cup 2015: All Black is the colour as first match England v Figi kicks off tonight September 18, 2015 For the first time in 24 years, New Zealand have arrived for a Rugby World Cup as champions, finally able to bat away the ‘choking Kiwi’ tag that has haunted them for almost three decades. While England are a tempting bet at 9/2 with Sportingbet, it appears that the only chink in the formidable [...]
UK house prices are set to go through the roof, with the fastest growth in London September 18, 2015 House prices are growing at a robust pace this month while mortgage lending has surged as the housing markets heat up. Estate agent Knight Frank’s house price sentiment indicator today scored 59.3 for September, with scores above 50 indicating price growth. The fastest current growth is in London. Households’ overall expectations of [...]
Four reasons why the Fed should not postpone a rate hike September 17, 2015 The probability of the US Federal Reserve ending seven years of near-zero interest rates September is stronger than is generally believed. While there is no perfect timing for the tightening monetary policy, several arguments confirm that the Fed is able to begin this month if it so desires. Here are the four we can see: The [...]
US interest rate rise 2015: What will a Fed hike mean for global markets? September 15, 2015 The US Federal Reserve, after months of speculation, will announce on Thursday whether or not it is to raise its benchmark interest rate for the first time in nine years. Experts have questioned whether the US, and the world, is ready. Even the IMF has called for a delay. Unemployment in the States [...]
Pros and cons of selling your house using online-only estate agents – CNBC Comment September 15, 2015 I’ve recently moved home and I don’t need to remind you of how much of an ordeal that can be. The story ends well but not without the usual bouts of anxiety, stress and emotional trauma. In January, I opted to pay a flat fee of around £800 (including tax) for the services of [...]
Sunderland v Tottenham: Spurs ready to pick up first win of the season at Stadium of Light September 10, 2015 Odds-on for relegation in September, Sunderland’s time in the top flight looks to be coming to an end after years of struggle. We’re only four games in to the campaign but this particular projection doesn’t seem premature. Already bottom of the table, the Mackems look woefully short on quality and the signings they made in [...]
Halifax: Reluctant sellers push UK house price growth up again September 10, 2015 Another day, another confirmation that UK house prices are rocketing, after new figures showed prices were nine per cent higher in the three months to August than they were during the same period last year. To be fair, that was still lower than the impressive 9.6 per cent rise in June – but higher than [...]
Where to invest following stock market carnage: Europe and China top the experts’ buy lists September 9, 2015 Global stock markets took a battering this summer. At one point, nearly $2 trillion had been wiped off the value of shares across markets as diverse as Germany, China, the US and Argentina. The falls were trigged by worries over the state of China’s economy. Although Chinese companies make up only a small part [...]
UK housing marktet: Record low rates spur mortgage lending climb September 9, 2015 Record low borrowing costs and competition between banks led to a rise in mortgage lending from April to June, figures released by the Bank of England and Financial Conduct Authority showed yesterday. The total value of mortgages advanced was £52.5bn over the period, a 15.1 per cent jump on the same time last year. The [...]
Motoring review: Fiat 500 1.2 Pop Star September 7, 2015 IT’S s a city car, so you need to drive it in the City”, they said. Fair enough. So why am I aboard a boat, admiring the view of Tower Bridge exchanging small-talk with a fashion blogger while sipping a virgin cocktail? Well, I’m at the launch of the new Fiat 500, of course. By [...]