Weakening Chinese economy weighs on London markets October 18, 2021 A weakening Chinese economy weighed on London markets this morning as investor sentiment soured on concerns the global supply chain crisis will last longer than expected. The capital’s premier FTSE 100 edged down 0.12 per cent to 7,226.20 points during the opening session. China’s economy was dragged down by energy shortages, soaring commodity prices and [...]
Return to growth fails to lift FTSE 100 as investors brace for BoE rate hike October 13, 2021 A return to economic growth in the UK was not enough to lift the FTSE 100 this morning as investors mulled whether the upbeat data would push the Bank of England to hike rates this year. The capital’s premier index dipped 0.45 per cent to 7,098.19 points. The UK economy grew 0.4 per cent in [...]
Barratt remains on track with steady customer reservations October 13, 2021 UK residential property developer Barratt Developments is on track to deliver its targets for the medium term as well as for FY2022, after registering a steady customer demand between 1 July and 10 October. “The positive start to the new financial year has continued in recent weeks with private reservations remaining strong,” said Barratt’s chief [...]
European markets tank on toxic mix of threats October 6, 2021 European markets tanked today, driven by a toxic mix of mounting “stagflation” fears, looming rate hikes and soaring energy costs. London was among the worst performers as investors mull whether the British economy could be barrelling toward a biting bout of “stagflation” that would squeeze businesses. The capital’s premier index plummeted 1.28 per cent to [...]
Grenfell should stand as a reminder that we have a long way to go on housing October 6, 2021 Housing is at the centre of today’s political conversation. The electorate is acutely aware of the housing crisis, and is demanding sincere policies to solve it. At the Conservative Party Conference this week, Michael Gove talked about raising living standards and making homes a safe and decent place to live in this country. Gove has [...]
Food and beverage M&A activity at highest since 2010 October 5, 2021 UK food and beverage M&A market activity was at its highest since 2010 this summer. Deal value between May and August, was at an estimated £3.9bn, according to corporate finance house Oghma Partners’ latest report. The year-to-date total value of recorded deals are estimated at £5.8bn – the nearest annual total was that 2015’s figure [...]
Bridgepoint enlists Rothschild for £1.3bn Miller Homes sale amid housing boom October 2, 2021 Bridgepoint is seeking to capitalise on soaring valuations as the housing market booms, with the sale or float of Miller Homes, one of the UK’s biggest housebuilders. The private equity firm has appointed investment bank Rothschild to advise on its potential exit from Miller Homes, four years after it bought the company from GSO Capital [...]
FTSE 100 climbs as London markets shake off inflation fears September 29, 2021 London’s FTSE 100 jumped during opening exchanges today driven by investors in the capital shaking off inflation concerns that rattled global markets yesterday. The capital’s premier index added 0.74 per cent to reach 7,079.97 points in the first hour of trading today. Global markets sold off yesterday as investors rejigged their portfolios in preparation for [...]
FTSE 100 dips as investors mull BoE’s hawkish tilt September 24, 2021 London’s FTSE 100 dipped during afternoon exchanges today driven by investors fearing the Bank of England’s hawkish tilt could be a looming headwind for markets. The capital’s premier index dropped 0.22 per cent to 7,062.47 points heading into the final session of the week. Retail and property stocks led the blue-chip index lower today. The [...]
Leaseholder victory: Countryside to remove ground rent doubling terms after CMA action September 15, 2021 Developer Countryside Properties has struck out terms meaning ground rents double every 10 to 15 years, after a watchdog’s instruction Leaseholders’ ground rents will stay at the amount charged when they first bought their home, following action by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). The Big Four developer has voluntarily given formal commitment to removing [...]