What you need to know before the open – 30/9 September 30, 2013 If you thought things might look a little less bumpy for the markets this week – not so. Today, they look set to be battered by US and Italian politics, with the FTSE expected to open sharply lower and Asian markets closing down on concerns. Opening calls #FTSE100 is expected to open 63 points lower [...]
London Report: UK data to show the economy in healthier state September 29, 2013 EXPECTED improvements in the purchasing managers’ index (PMI) data for manufacturing, construction and services this week should all point to further signs of the UK’s economic growth. “The purchasing managers’ surveys are expected to show further robust growth in September across the services, manufacturing and construction sectors which would bode well for hopes that GDP [...]
Bank of England plays down housing bubble fears – but abnormalities in London present September 25, 2013 The Bank of England's Financial Policy Committee (FPC) has denied the existence of a housing bubble at present – but motions that it will remain "vigilant to potential emerging vulnerabilities" (release). While the FPC sees no immediate troubles with the housing market as a whole, it does highlight regional variability. Mortgage approvals in July were [...]
Mortgage deals strike a four year high in August September 24, 2013 THE SURGING housing market has pushed mortgage lending to a four-year peak, according to the British Bankers’ Association (BBA), while lending to businesses remains anaemic. The BBA said that last month its members approved 38,228 mortgages, an increase of just over 25 per cent from the same month last year, highlighting the recent boost to activity [...]
Consumer confidence and personal deposits up as business borrowing increases September 24, 2013 (BBA) Personal deposits have risen by almost five per cent over the year to August, says the BBA. (Release) BBA statistics director, David Dooks said: These figures suggest that consumer confidence is growing. For the first time in four years, annual growth in household borrowing on credit cards and personal loans has turned positive and [...]
Number of mortgages in the UK rise to December 2009 high September 24, 2013 The number of mortgages issued by the BBA was 38.2k in August. The figure was down on expections of 38.6k, following July's 37.2k, but still at a high last seen in December 2009. UK unsecured lending is rising, the BBA have said, although 'There was a fall in total business borrowing levels in August.' Net [...]
Before the open: Markets remain muted by uncertainty from Fed and Germany September 24, 2013 Further Fed discussions on last week's news saw US markets close lower again yesterday for the third day. Overnight: #DOW lost 0.3% on Fed uncertainty and the political showdown on Fed budget nears. European markets also fell, Stoxx Europe -0.5% — belldirect (@belldirect) September 23, 2013 In the Eurozone, deliberations on a grand coalition continue [...]
Bank of America prepares for court case over home loan row September 23, 2013 BANK of America will this week face claims Countrywide, which it owns, defrauded government mortgage underwriters from 2007. It is alleged Countrywide approved deficient home loans in a process called “Hustle”, before selling those loans on to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. When the loans defaulted, those state-backed entities lost more than $1bn (£623m), with [...]
Osborne in denial over housing bubble September 22, 2013 London house prices are up 10pc in a year. So why does the chancellor say there’s no bubble? CHANCELLOR George Osborne has rejected suggestions that his policies are creating a housing bubble, even as new evidence emerges that prices are soaring in London. In an interview yesterday, Osborne said: “I don’t see the evidence of [...]
What the other papers say this morning – 20 September 2013 September 19, 2013 FINANCIAL TIMES Buyout to keep Caesars afloat The Las Vegas-based casino operator said this week it was seeking to raise almost $5bn in bonds and loans to refinance its commercial mortgage-backed securities and a chunk of junior debt. Apollo Global Management and TPG bought Caesars, at the time known as Harrah’s, in early 2008, paying [...]