America’s record bull market: five charts that tell the story August 24, 2018 The US stock market is on its longest bull-run in history. It began on 9 March 2009 and, so far, has lasted nine years, five months and 13 days. As of today, it beats the great equities performance of the 1990s. A bull market is broadly defined as one that rises over time without falling [...]
Brexit papers draw battle lines for no-deal scenario August 23, 2018 The government today warned businesses in financial services and beyond of the complicated processes and extra costs they may face in a no-deal Brexit, as it published the first in a barrage of technical notices to prepare for the scenario. The government today published technical notices covering the possible consequences of the UK leaving the [...]
Ctrl Alt Delete: Technology could replace more than half of banking jobs, warns ex-Barclays boss August 23, 2018 Technology could replace more than 50 per cent of banking jobs, according to former Barclays chief executive Antony Jenkins. The boss of 10x Banking said that computers could replace customer service, middle and back office roles, and that the workforce will have to become more entrepreneurial. Read more: Aberdeen Standard Investments launches AI fund "We've [...]
City business groups unite in calling for EU to match UK no-deal Brexit preparations August 23, 2018 The City's top business groups today called for the EU to secure cross-border financial trade in the event of a no-deal Brexit, after the UK government set out its warnings to firms on the consequences of negotiations falling through. The government today published technical notices covering 24 issues, including financial services, which will arise if [...]
Persimmon produce stable 1H numbers August 23, 2018 Persimmon shares are higher this week after the company registered a strong set of first-half results on Tuesday. Revenue jumped by 5% and pre-tax profit rose by 13%. The average selling price of a new home rose by 1%, which is a slight decrease on the 1.2% growth achieved in the first-quarter. The underlying new housing [...]
Government warns of no-deal Brexit hit to financial services including higher card payment costs August 23, 2018 Financial services customers could see “increased costs and slower processing times” for euro payments in the event of a no-deal Brexit, the government said today amid a barrage of warnings that business across the City and the broader economy could grind to a halt. The government today published technical notices covering the possible consequences of [...]
Scrapping 1p and 2p coins would have no significant impact on prices, Bank of England says August 22, 2018 Scrapping 1p and 2p coins would have “no significant impact” on prices, Bank of England economists have said. The government had considered scrapping coppers coins earlier this year but subsequently ruled out the move after a public backlash, with many arguing retailers would round up prices to the nearest 5p more often than rounding down. [...]
First-time buyers drop off market as mortgage completions sink August 22, 2018 First-time buyer mortgages fell sharply in the second quarter of 2018, signalling a drop in new homeowners coming onto London’s subdued property market. Roughly 10,300 new first-time buyer mortgages were completed in London in the three months to the end of June, marking a 3.7 per cent fall from the same period in the previous year. [...]
Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United future: Why former Chelsea manager could only ever be a short-term fix at Old Trafford August 21, 2018 The twin tenets of Manchester United’s ethos are stated in black and white in their investor prospectus of summer 2014, issued when the Glazer family put shares up for sale on the New York Stock Exchange. Under a section highlighting the qualities that made then-manager Louis van Gaal an attractive hire, it notes that the [...]
The UK’s 2017-18 budget deficit hits an 11-year low August 21, 2018 The UK recorded its largest July surplus for 18 years last month, standing at £2bn, as ONS figures revealed robust deficit reduction in Britain’s finances. July’s surplus was double that from a year ago, with economic growth and high employment credited with fuelling the increase, handing Chancellor Philip Hammond cash he can put towards his [...]