FTSE 100 ends the week lower as European markets are hit by weak US jobs data February 5, 2016 After another tumultuous week on the markets, the FTSE 100 it 0.86 per cent lower, at 5,848 points, after weak US jobs data weighed on global markets. Other European markets followed suit, with the Cac falling 0.6 per cent to 4,200 points, while the Dax dipped 1.1 per cent to 9,286 points. The biggest fallers included [...]
From the pursuit of happiness to the EU referendum: Here’s what got us talking this week February 5, 2016 It was week in which we discovered people leave taxidermy foxes in black cabs. Facebook turned 12 (and oh, how it's changed…). And The One Where Joey Presents Top Gear suddenly became a possibility… The Seven Weird Habits of Highly Successful People (including Bill Gates) 1. Everyone started thinking about happiness First, a study showed [...]
Average house prices in over half of London neighbourhoods are now £500,000 or more February 4, 2016 House prices have broached the £500,000 barrier across 51 per cent of London postcode districts, new research has found – backing up evidence the capital's homes are becoming increasingly unaffordable. The report, by estate agent Stirling Ackroyd, found even areas such as Peckham, which were traditionally seen as pretty affordable, have now joined the half-a-million [...]
Brent and WTI crude: Oil prices soar as the US dollar dives February 3, 2016 Oil prices surged today, helped by the tumbling US dollar following comments by a US Federal Reserve official and weak economic data. Brent crude, the international benchmark, rose 8.31 per cent to $35.44 per barrel. Meanwhile, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude, added 9.3 per cent to $32.66. "We're getting the rally in crude oil from the pounding [...]
Three Little Birds in Brixton Jamaican restaurant review and the Shuang Shuang Chinese hot pot conveyor belt disaster February 2, 2016 Last time I didn’t like a restaurant, someone got so cross they threatened to report me to the Independent Press Standards Organisation for the sheer gall of having an opinion, which, in this case, happened to be that their restaurant was rubbish. So in the interests of not making someone else cross, I shouldn’t write [...]
Do plunging stocks predict global meltdown? Some believe a world recession is coming as oil prices are low, deflation creeps out of China and GDP growth flounders February 1, 2016 The dust has barely settled on the global financial crisis. The clean-up job is still ongoing, with interest rates at or just above emergency levels and tougher financial regulation being implemented. Yet some say there is a new crisis brewing. Equity markets around the world have plummeted this year, reflecting a catalogue of risks. There’s geopolitics [...]
City Moves for 1 February 2016 | Who’s switching jobs February 1, 2016 EEF Dame Judith Hackitt, who is stepping down as chair of the Health and Safety Executive at the end of March, has been appointed as chair designate of EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation. She will take up the post on 4 April, replacing Martin Temple, who will step down after more than 17 years as director [...]
MK Dons 1, Chelsea 5: Terry to leave Blues after contract snub January 31, 2016 Iconic Chelsea captain John Terry has revealed that his illustrious 18-year Stamford Bridge career will come to an end this summer after the club decided against offering the former England skipper a new one-year deal. The 35-year-old centre-half made the announcement after Chelsea eased into the FA Cup fifth round with a crushing 5-1 victory [...]
From concrete diamonds to timing: Here are seven things you can expect from Crossrail construction in the year ahead? January 29, 2016 Crossrail has been little more than an annoyance for passengers over the past few years, but as the 2018 deadline draws closer it’s all starting to feel a bit real. So what can you expect from Crossrail in the year ahead? 1. It’s being delivered on schedule No, really. As of now, the project is [...]
Brent crude and WTI: Oil prices fall as hope over production cut fades January 29, 2016 Oil prices wavered today, as soaring oil output coincided with dampened optimism around a possible production cut from some of the world's biggest producers, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) and Russia. Brent crude, the global benchmark, fell 0.35 per cent to $33.77 per barrel, after ending 2.4 per cent higher yesterday. West Texas Intermediate, the US [...]