Mortgage approvals hit seven-month high but caution lingers as year-on-year growth dips October 1, 2018 The number of mortgages being approved hit a seven-month high in August, suggesting a modest pick-up in buyers after the traditional summer slowdown. According to the latest Bank of England (BoE) statistics out today, mortgage approvals climbed to 66,440 last month, marking the highest level since January 2018. However, housing experts remained cautious on the [...]
UK mortgage approvals for new house purchases tumble despite growth in remortgaging September 26, 2018 The number of mortgages approved for house purchases was almost five per cent lower in August compared with the same time last year, providing fresh evidence of flat activity in London’s property market. Despite the fall in new mortgage approvals, remortgaging soared 9.2 per cent during the month, as a rising number of homeowners [...]
DEBATE: Is there a silver lining for consumers to the increased inflationary pressures? September 20, 2018 Is there a silver lining for consumers to the increased inflationary pressures? Emma-Lou Montgomery, associate director for personal investing at Fidelity International, says YES. A little inflation can be a good thing. It’s a sign of an improving economy, and it means that your debts – providing that your income rises in line with or [...]
DEBATE: Is there a silver lining for consumers to the increased inflationary pressures? September 20, 2018 Is there a silver lining for consumers to the increased inflationary pressures? Emma-Lou Montgomery, associate director for personal investing at Fidelity International, says YES. A little inflation can be a good thing. It’s a sign of an improving economy, and it means that your debts – providing that your income rises in line with or [...]
In the shadow of the Lehman Brothers collapse: A decade of change in the City of London September 14, 2018 The collapse of Lehman Brothers remains shorthand for the start of the global financial crisis and a period when the foundations of capitalism shook. A decade on the Western financial system is still struggling to move out of the shadow of the events of 15 September 2008. Political events around the world today are still [...]
In the shadow of the Lehman Brothers collapse: A decade of change in the City of London September 14, 2018 The collapse of Lehman Brothers remains shorthand for the start of the global financial crisis and a period when the foundations of capitalism shook. A decade on the Western financial system is still struggling to move out of the shadow of the events of 15 September 2008. Political events around the world today are still [...]
Venezuela’s ironic cryptocurrency distraction: the flaws of the Petro December 13, 2017 Last week Venezuela’s Maduro regime vowed to finally put an end to the nation’s economic woes by creating a sovereign cryptocurrency, the Petro. Falling oil prices coupled with years of corruption and economic mismanagement have created a toxic mixture of soaring inflation, rampant unemployment and a burgeoning underground economy. The Petro is being touted as [...]
RBS’ mis-selling fine is certain to highlight American hypocrisy, Worldpay’s bid invitation and no rush for the new Ofcom chair July 7, 2017 It was hard to suppress a laugh last week at the sanctimonious angst of corporate America at the fine doled out by Brussels over Google’s anti-competitive behaviour by favouring its shopping service over those of rivals. Those Europeans, came the wailing from across the Atlantic, are extracting money from flagship US companies with little justification. [...]
Budget 2017: Here’s how the Budget will affect landlords and the buy-to-let sector March 8, 2017 With the housing crisis in full throes, the last few years have been difficult ones to be a landlord – indeed, many have felt punished by measures such as an end to mortgage tax relief and higher stamp duty on buy-to-let homes. The good news for landlords was that today's Budget didn't include any further [...]
Discretionary income is “fading fast” as fuel prices squeeze families February 27, 2017 Growth in discretionary income is "fading fast" as fuel prices soared in January. UK families had an average £205 of disposable income available each week last month, according to Asda's income tracker, up 3.5 per cent on the same month the year before. Read more: Alarm bells sound over rising costs and inflation However growth [...]