Poll: Sterling set to rise three per cent if Brexit deal looks likely April 5, 2019 Sterling will jump three per cent if it looks likely the government will secure a Brexit deal, but will drop five per cent if talks fail, according to a Reuters poll. The pound plummeted following the 2016 referendum and has been volatile ever since as the market reacts to every development in the Brexit negotiations. [...]
Brexit uncertainty has cost the UK economy £66bn, says S&P April 4, 2019 Brexit has cost the UK economy £66bn in lost growth, according to ratings agency S&P. Had the UK voted to remain in the EU in 2016s referendum the economy would have been three per cent larger by the end of 2018, the group’s report said. Read more: Brexit delay wins MPs' support by a margin [...]
Mark Carney warns of “alarmingly high” no-deal Brexit risk April 3, 2019 Bank of England governor Mark Carney has warned the risk of a no-deal Brexit has become “alarmingly high.” Carney also hit out at suggestions from Brexiters that the UK could leave the EU on World Trade Organisation terms and maintain zero tariffs as “absolute nonsense.” Speaking to Sky News, he said that despite parliament, the [...]
Cash Isa vs stock market Isa: which has returned the most? April 2, 2019 Saving money into a stocks and shares Isa over the last 19 years would have returned two-thirds more than a cash Isa, according to calculations by Schroders. The stocks and shares Isa carries more risk and is subject to greater volatility than the cash Isa, which also provides far greater protection for your investment. You [...]
UK construction sector shrinks for second consecutive month April 2, 2019 Britain’s construction sector contracted in March for the second month in a row, it was revealed today, as a slowing commercial market and Brexit uncertainty weighed on the sector. The construction purchasing managers’ index (PMI) stood at 49.7 in March compared to 49.5 in February, the first back-to-back fall in output since August 2016. A score of [...]
Barclays raise concerns over Bramson’s shareholding with Bank of England and US Fed March 31, 2019 Barclays has raised concerns with the Bank of England and the US Federal Reserve over activist investor Ed Bramson’s shareholding. The US-based investor has ensured his holding is hedged by time-limited derivatives, limiting his exposure to a fall in the company’s share price as he pushes for a seat on the board next month. Read more: [...]
Mortgage approvals fall as lending to businesses also drops March 29, 2019 Mortgage approvals for house purchases fell in February while the number approvals for remortgaging also decreased, data released today showed. Meanwhile, the annual growth of bank lending to businesses fell in February for non-financial businesses, reversing an increase in January, Bank of England (BoE) data revealed. Read more: Sluggish GDP growth and shrinking business investment in UK [...]
Preparing for a black swan event in the financial markets March 27, 2019 Global markets are more complex and interconnected than ever. Since the 2008 financial crisis, it’s become increasingly difficult to predict how the behaviour of market participants will affect the broader financial system. Meanwhile, increased automation and the use of high-frequency trading have contributed to flash crashes. We struggle to manage the rapid market movements that [...]
Barclays unveils £14bn lending fund to help businesses through Brexit uncertainty March 27, 2019 Barclays has unveiled a £14bn lending fund to help small and medium-sized businesses through the uncertainty of Brexit. The bank, which has held more than 100 “Brexit clinics” for businesses in recent weeks, said the fund would provide loans, commercial mortgages and cash flow funding for investments. Read more: Barclays: No-deal Brexit would 'significantly' hurt [...]
Financial services group IFG agrees £206m takeover bid from City private equity firm Epiris March 25, 2019 Financial services group IFG has agreed to be taken over by UK private equity firm Epiris in a take-private deal worth £206m. The London and Dublin-listed company announced it had agreed the cash offer along with its full year results this morning. Read more: Epiris raises £821m for first fund and targets UK-based businesses The [...]