Pound jumps more than one per cent after Brexit talks extended December 14, 2020 Investors have driven the pound up more than one per cent against the dollar and euro amid optimism about the extension of Brexit talks. Yesterday, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen agreed to “go the extra mile” and extend the deadline for trade talks. Von der Leyen said [...]
UK housing market ‘to grow four per cent’ in 2021 December 14, 2020 British house prices are set to grow an average of four per cent in 2021, according to property website Rightmove, despite the looming end of a tax break and forecasts of rising unemployment. Rightmove said asking prices for property first advertised between 8 November and 5 December were 6.6 per cent higher than a year [...]
Before the Bell: Deadlines come, and deadlines go December 14, 2020 Uncertainty over the prospect of a stimulus deal or economic aid package saw US markets finish last week on the back foot, as US politicians once again put party politics ahead of the people they are supposed to represent. “With a deadline fast approaching by year end US lawmakers are once again split down the [...]
London retains finance jobs as Brexit fails to deliver blow to the City December 14, 2020 Warnings that Brexit would deliver a major shock to the City’s financial services jobs have failed to pay off, with international banks maintaining the bulk of their UK staff since the 2016 referendum. A survey of 24 major international banks and asset managers by the Financial Times found that the majority had increased their London [...]
London ranks sixth most expensive city in the world December 14, 2020 London is the sixth most expensive location to live in the world, a report by ECA International revealed.
Beyond Brexit, the EU is circling the drain December 14, 2020 The astronomer and prolific author Carl Sagan put it perfectly about the merits of analytical logic — what I often refer to as my superpower — when he said: “For me, it is far better to grasp the universe as it really is, rather than to persist in delusions, however satisfying and reassuring.” I am [...]
Supermarkets begin stockpiling food in case of no-deal Brexit December 13, 2020 The UK’s largest supermarkets have begun stockpiling food and other products, after being warned about the potential of a no-deal Brexit by the government. Supermarkets and ministers are reportedly worried about the prospect of consumers panic buying before 1 January if the UK leaves the EU without a deal, while food producers are warning of [...]
Brexit: UK draws up bailout package for farmers and fishermen in case of no-deal exit December 13, 2020 The government is mapping out a multi-billion pound bailout package for British farmers and industry in case of a no-deal Brexit next month. The plans reportedly include emergency assistance for sheep farmers, fishermen, car manufacturers and chemical suppliers who would be hit by disruption and/or increased EU tariffs in the event of a no-deal Brexit. The [...]
The week ahead, 14-18 December: Shaftesbury, SSP, Petrofac, and interest rates December 13, 2020 All eyes will be fixed firmly on Brussels this week, as businesses across the country hold their breath to see if the UK can finally reach a deal with the EU. With markets on edge as they await the outcome of the talks, there’s little to distract traders, with only a handful of firms reporting [...]
Brexit trade talks to continue in Brussels as EU and UK vow to ‘go extra mile’ December 13, 2020 Post-Brexit trade talks will continue in Brussels next week after both sides vowed to “go the extra mile” to close a last minute deal, however Boris Johnson has also said the two sides are “very far apart” and that no-deal is now the most likely option. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she [...]