FTSE 100 close: Dovish Bank of England interest rate bets extend London gains July 20, 2023 London’s FTSE 100 extended gains today as traders continued to cheer signs that UK inflation may have finally turned a corner. The capital’s premier index hopped 0.76 per cent to 7,646.05 points, while the domestically-focused mid-cap FTSE 250 index, which is more aligned with the health of the UK economy, was broadly unchanged at 19,311.73 [...]
UK house price growth slows to 1.9 per cent in May July 19, 2023 The average price of a UK house cost £286,000 in May, according to new government data, with the figure being £6,0000 up on 12 months ago – but £7,000 below its September peak. Average UK house prices increased by 1.9 per cent in the 12 months to May 2023, down from a revised 3.2 per [...]
FTSE 100 close: London markets rise strongly after June inflation comes in lower than expected July 19, 2023 London markets breathed a sigh of relief on Wednesday after inflation finally came in lower than expected. The bluechip FTSE 100 closed 1.8 per cent higher at 7,588.20 while the midcap FTSE 250 index, which is more aligned with the health of the domestic economy, ended 3.8 per cent higher at 19,322.52. Investors were buoyed [...]
Nearly half of tenants struggle to pay rent with millions now facing ‘financial vulnerability’ July 14, 2023 Nearly half of tenants are struggling to pay their rent, with millions now spending more of their disposable income on renting costs than homeowners. As the cost of living crisis has led many landlords to up the costs of rent, some 21 per cent of tenants report spending a higher proportion of their disposable income [...]
Barratt Developments warns a ‘deterioration’ in demand for homes due to rate pain has hit hard July 13, 2023 Barratt Developments has warned a “deterioration” in demand for homes has hit housebuilding hard, as a tumultuous mortgage market continues to pile on misery, with the group’s share price down over four per cent when markers opened this morning. The residential building company said net private reservation rate – the number of people putting their [...]
Barratt Developments share price in focus following Bank of England rate rise July 10, 2023 The market will turn its focus to Barratt Developments’ trading update next Thursday to see how soaring mortgage rates and a tumultuous period for the property sector is impacting UK house building companies. The housebuilder’s shares have fallen by around a tenth over the past 12 months and more than half from their pre-pandemic levels, [...]
FTSE 100 close: London markets end week higher after boost from US GDP June 30, 2023 London markets closed the week higher on Friday after revised US growth figures showed the world’s largest economy was performing better than expected. The capital’s premier FTSE 100 index rose 0.91 per cent to 7,538.36 while the midcap FTSE 250 climbed 0.90 per cent to 18,434.23. Investors were buoyed by stronger than expected growth in [...]
FTSE 100 close: Interest rate jitters drag down Persimmon and Taylor Wimpey June 29, 2023 London’s FTSE 100 slipped today as investors fretted over central banks keeping interest rates higher for longer. The capital’s premier index dropped 0.38 per cent to 7,471.68 points, while the domestically-focused mid-cap FTSE 250 index, which is more aligned with the health of the UK economy, fell 0.77 per cent to 18,270.73 points. Losses in [...]
Shares in UK housebuilders slump as inflation woes increase prospect of rate hikes June 21, 2023 Shares in some of the UK’s biggest housebuilders closed down today after Berkeley Group warned that its sales could fall by up to 20 per cent as rising mortgage rates rock the housing market. Berkeley’s share price fell around 3 per cent this morning following its announcement, but recovered slightly closing down 1.56 per cent. [...]
Ex-Tesco boss John Allan says he was ‘propelled under the nearest bus’ following misconduct allegations June 18, 2023 Ex-Tesco boss John Allan said there was “absolutely no substance” to the allegations of misconduct against him, arguing he had not been treated fairly. Since the misconduct allegations were made against him last month, Allan has left his role as chair of Tesco, where he served for eight years, and Barratt Developments, where he had [...]