Tesco first quarter results and AGM: Three things to expect from Friday’s figures June 21, 2015 Tesco will update the market on its first-quarter figures – the first since reporting its biggest ever loss – while executives will face shareholders at its AGM. Here's what to expect from the supermarket on Friday. 1. The numbers will continue tumbling The supermarket’s first quarter is unlikely to tell a different story from the [...]
William Hill’s finance chief Neil Cooper trades in horseracing for housebuilding at Barratt Developments June 18, 2015 Bookmaker William Hill yesterday said that its group finance director Neil Cooper is leaving after five years to join Barratt Developments. Cooper is going back to his housebuilding roots, having previously held the role of finance director at Bovis Homes before joining William Hill. His contract has a 12 month notice period, but his actual [...]
FTSE pushed down by Greek debt fears and grocery losses – London Report June 17, 2015 BRITAIN’S top share index turned lower by mid-session yesterday as losses in grocers and caution before a Federal Reserve announcement later in the day weighed on the market. The blue-chip FTSE 100 closed 0.4 per cent lower at 6,680.55 points. The FTSE, which fell to its lowest since late January on Tuesday, has lost around [...]
Barratt Developments boss Mark Clare warns Tories over housing May 13, 2015 The boss of Britain’s biggest housebuilder has called on the new Tory government to accelerate its sell-off of public sector land in order to help solve the country’s housing crisis. Mark Clare, the chief of Barratt Developments, said the election outcome ushered in a “positive political and economic environment” for housing, with the Conservatives [...]
UK house prices: Barratt Developments storms to highest ever number of forward sales May 13, 2015 Housebuilder Barratt Developments just beat its record for the highest number of forward sales. UK house price growth may have slid from the dizzying heights of last May, but Barratt is reaping the benefits of consistent market growth. The figures Throughout the 19 weeks to 10 May, Barratt said: “market conditions have remained strong throughout [...]
Bank of England to reveal interest rate and inflation report – London Report May 10, 2015 THE BANK of England (BoE) will announce the latest Bank rate today, with economists expecting it to remain at its historic 0.5 per cent low. On Wednesday the BoE will announce its widely-watched inflation report. Employment and unemployment figures are also due that day and are expected to show a strong market. The corporate calendar [...]
General Election 2015: Tory election victory triggers London luxury property market surge as mansion tax fears dissolve May 10, 2015 In the hours after it became clear that the Tories had won a majority government at the general election, London estate agents reported a surge in luxury property sales as buyers' fears over Labour's proposed mansion tax were allayed. Over £100m worth of top-end central London property was sold on a frenzied Friday as estate [...]
Taylor Wimpey, Barratt Developments and Persimmon share prices dip as fears about Labour rent control plans take hold April 27, 2015 Housing experts warned that Labour plans to bring in rent controls could lead to investors pulling out of the rental market. The Association of Rental Letting Agents (ARLA) said yesterday that three-quarters of its members feared the plans would “see landlords exit the market and reduce supply”. Such fears led to an immediate [...]
HSBC provides bounce as FTSE hits new highs – London Report April 27, 2015 THE FTSE rose to another record high yesterday as reports suggesting HSBC will spin off its British retail bank in a £20bn ($30bn) deal boosted stocks. The banking giant was up 3.1 per cent and has already said it is reviewing whether to keep its headquarters in London, given increased regulation and the possibility of [...]
High season at Ten Trinity Square: Architect Suzette Vela Burkett on restoring a grand Tower Hill landmark April 23, 2015 One of the city’s finest buildings, Ten Trinity Square, is set to re-open at the end of 2016 as a Four Seasons Hotel, with luxury residences on top. It was opened by Prime Minister David Lloyd George in 1922 as the Port of London Authority and it took 11 years to build. It also hosted [...]