FTSE 100 history: how the index has changed over 33 years July 3, 2017 The FTSE 100 index has just seen one of its quarterly changes with security firm G4S and real estate investment trust Segro promoted to the top 100. Although perhaps small in themselves, these regular events have changed the face of the UK’s leading index since it was formed in 1984. For the many investors whose [...]
The new voice of British banking: UK Finance launches today with new board members revealed July 3, 2017 The British finance industry will be publicly represented from today by a single new body, UK Finance, after the merger of six separate lobby groups. The new body, which officially starts operations today at Angel Court, behind the Bank of England, will represent over 300 British firms providing credit, banking, markets and payments services. The [...]
UK house prices: Is a crash coming? These economists thinks so, raising spectre of negative equity July 2, 2017 Leading economists have warned that the UK is heading for a collapse in house prices not seen since the early 90s which risks plunging homeowners into negative equity. "We are due a significant correction in house prices. I think we are beginning to see signs that correction may be starting," said Paul Cheshire, a professor [...]
Are car loans a slow-motion car crash? June 29, 2017 The car industry understandably attracts a lot of attention in the financial press. Although the sector is small compared to giant sectors like financials and technology, cars are culturally relevant in a way that banks are not. The auto industry is involved in areas of exciting technological change, such as electric cars and autonomous driving. [...]
Don’t underestimate the risks of interest rate hikes to the global economy June 27, 2017 In recent months sentiment towards financial markets has been broadly positive in Western economies. But, as the recent UK political situation has demonstrated, sentiment can quickly change. Such swings also happen in financial markets. Here I highlight some of the key current macro-economic issues to watch for. Global recovery gaining traction The world economy is [...]
Brexit one year on: the impact on the pound, FTSE and the economy June 23, 2017 When the result of the UK’s EU referendum confirmed that the UK had voted to leave, markets were initially weaker. The FTSE 100 index has since rallied by 17%, while the pound has fallen by 14.5% against the dollar, to $1.27. But what has changed, and what are the prospects for UK investors? A panel [...]
Pride in London 2017: Barclays leads host of Britain’s biggest firms in support of LGBT+ event June 23, 2017 City stalwarts and some of the UK’s largest companies have rallied in support of Pride in London 2017. A raft of the great and the good from the corporate world have stepped up to sponsor the event. Barclays is one of two headline sponsors together with the Mayor of London office. This year’s event takes [...]
Regulators approach Conservative party over General Election marketing campaign June 23, 2017 Regulators are approaching the Conservative Party following accusations that it broke the law during the General Election campaign. An investigation by Channel 4 claimed the party used communication firm Blue Telecoms to conduct marketing work from a Neath call centre ahead of the election on 8 June. Read more: Bank of England chief economist: Withdraw [...]
Bitcoin: mouth-watering investment prospect or eye-watering valuation? June 21, 2017 For a system of currency to be worth anything, people need to believe in it – and at present there is no shortage of belief in so-called ‘cryptocurrencies’. Bitcoin may be the one most people will have heard of but there are now around 100 cryptocurrencies in existence and, earlier this month, their combined worth [...]
Sterling rises against the US dollar (GBPUSD) as Bank of England (BoE) chief economist Andy Haldane says it should withdraw Brexit vote stimulus “later in the year” as division with Mark Carney grows June 21, 2017 The Bank of England should withdraw its post-Brexit vote monetary stimulus “later in the year”, according to its chief economist, as the divisions among the central bank’s monetary policymakers become starker. Andy Haldane said the Bank is running the risk of delaying too long in raising interest rates, with a hike “relatively soon” necessary. Sterling [...]