Seven ways to sort out your finances and the best stocks to invest in March 30, 2016 Bank holiday season is upon us, and the end of the tax year is approaching too. With a few long weekends coming up, now is a good time to do some financial spring cleaning. Below are seven things you should do this springtime. 1. HIGHER EARNINGS: FOCUS ON MAXING OUT YOUR PENSION People earning over [...]
If you’re a higher earner, you’ll likely only retire on two-thirds of the pensions income you think you will March 30, 2016 Here's a midweek magic trick for you if you're earning over £50,000: Take the amount you think you're going to be raking in every year of your retirement from your private pension, then divide it by three and times it by two. Ta-da! There's the amount you're actually more likely to receive (we didn't say it [...]
Bank of England clamps down on buy-to-let market with strict new rules for mortgage underwriters March 29, 2016 The Bank of England has today revealed plans to clamp down on the buy-to-let market, setting out strict new rules for banks underwriting buy-to-let mortgage contracts. In a new paper out today, the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) said lenders will need to meet a minimum set of requirements before underwriting buy-to-let mortgage contracts, including assessing the [...]
UK challenger banks: OneSavings Bank, Aldermore, Shawbrook among the lenders seeing a bounce-back March 17, 2016 Challenger banks are bouncing back after months of share price weakness, with the markets rewarding smaller listed lenders for posting double-digit increases in profits, lending and customer numbers. The regulators have handed out licences to 15 new banks since 2013, and City A.M. understands around 10 more are seeking a licence this year. Recent years [...]
OneSavings Bank share price jumps 20 per cent after challenger bank reports 52 per cent rise in pre-tax profits March 17, 2016 Shares in the challenger OneSavings Bank closed up more than 20 per cent today after the bank reported a 52 per cent rise in full-year pretax profit, far exceeding analyst expectations. OneSavings, which specialises in residential mortgages and buy-to-let, as well as loans to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), said loans and advances increased 31 per cent to £5.1bn in [...]
Budget 2016: Here are the reactions to Osborne’s announcements on sugar tax, corporation tax, Insurance Premium Tax, Isas, education and growth prospects March 16, 2016 George Osborne has just announced some Budget surprises – a sugar tax, longer school days – as well as an increase in sin taxes on tobacco, alterations to ISAs and savings, and corporation taxes. Here's what analysts are already saying about the chancellor's latest agenda on… Personal allowance David Kilshaw, private clients services partner, EY [...]
WanDisco share price plummets despite narrowing losses and reducing costs March 16, 2016 Shares in the big data software company WanDisco have taken a dive on the (AIM) dancefloor despite narrowing its losses and reducing costs. Chief David Richards' confidence failed to reassure investors and shares slipped more than 20 per cent. Sales fell 48 per cent for the year to the end of December, but deferred revenue from multi-year contracts resulted in [...]
Circle Oil share price tumbles as it announces a strategic review March 15, 2016 Circle Oil shares fell 20.2 per cent to 2.10p this afternoon, after the embattled oil and gas explorer said it had appointed a Investec Bank to conduct a strategic review. The Aim-listed firm said it had extended the redetermination of its $57.5m reserve based lending facility with the International Finance Corporation to 15th April, with [...]
Robot worker specialist Blue Prism announces IPO after raising £21.1m and is now due start trading on Aim on Friday morning March 15, 2016 The robots are coming to the London Stock Exchange, after virtual workforce specialist Blue Prism today revealed it had raised £21.1m ahead of its initial public offering. Shares in the company, which is due to be listed on Aim on Friday under the ticker PRSM, have been given a placing price of 78p. Market capitalisation when the company [...]
Making a success of succession planning March 14, 2016 Premier Support Services is a facilities management company founded 20 years ago by entrepreneur Paul Taylor. Originally based in Birmingham, over the last two decades it has grown to have six branches across the UK. Then five years ago, Taylor’s thoughts turned to succession planning. In founder-owned companies, succession planning typically involves planning for the [...]