FTSE 100 close: London indexes close lower over fears of further rate hikes and fragile housing market June 8, 2023 London’s main indexes closed lower on Thursday as investors feared further rate hikes and yet another report pointed to a gloomy future for the UKs’ housing market. The capital’s premier index fell 0.32 per cent to 7,599.74 points, while the domestically-focused mid-cap FTSE 250 index, which is more aligned with the health of the UK [...]
Housebuilder: Truss mini-budget bruised consumer confidence – and cost us sales June 8, 2023 Property developer Crest Nicholson has reported shrinking sales amid “rapidly” falling consumer confidence and rising borrowing costs, following the September mini-budget. The firm said its revenue fell by more than a fifth to £282.7 million in the six months to the end of April, from £364.3 million the prior year. The decline reflected economic uncertainty [...]
Labour market loosens as UK records surge in job seekers following hiring slowdown June 8, 2023 The UK’s labour market recorded a surge in candidates looking for roles last month amid a continued slump in hiring, easing the rate of starting salary inflation. The supply of labour in the UK increased for the third month in a row, with the rate of people looking for jobs increasing at its fastest rate [...]
Labour’s plan for growth doesn’t work, as Starmer’s stance on energy shows June 8, 2023 Keir Starmer wants to achieve growth, but he's not explaining where he'll get the money for the initial investment. Labour's plan for growth is flawed, especially the part about energy, writes Will Cooling
Insurance industry bosses push back at perceptions of ‘profiteering’ June 7, 2023 Insurance industry representatives have pushed back at perceptions that firms are “profiteering” during the cost of living crisis. Bosses appeared before MPs sitting on the Treasury Committee to answer questions about rising premiums. Labour MP Dame Angela Eagle put it to the insurance industry representatives: “There’s a perception out there that insurers are profiteering with [...]
Barbarians at the gate? Private equity bonanza fails to materialise June 7, 2023 A flurry of predicted private equity deals failed to rear its head last month as sticky inflation and more interest rate pain forced dealmakers to reconsider an offensive, according to a London investment bank.
Heathrow: Strike chaos to hit almost every weekend through summer holidays June 7, 2023 Heathrow Airport will be hit by 31 days of strike action this summer, beginning 24 June, as 2,000 security officers walk-out in a dispute over pay. Nearly every weekend between June-August will be hit by the strikes, which will see more than 2,000 security staff walk out. The strikes will take place on 24-25 and [...]
One more for the road: Pub group mounts further expansion plans June 7, 2023 City Pub Group has snapped up a total of 52 per cent of shares in Mosaic Pub and Dining Group – taking its portfolio of up market pubs to 52 sites across London, Wales and the South of England. The pub group, which owns the popular Chelsea haunt The Phene, first bought stakes in the [...]
UK economy: OECD upgrades forecasts but still predicts recession knife-edge June 7, 2023 The UK economy will continue to lag behind other countries in the group of seven (G7) advanced economies this year, despite improved growth projections, new analysis has shown. Only Germany, which fell into a recession over the start of the year and is set to stagnate throughout 2023, will perform worse than the UK. Analysis [...]
House prices: London and south east falling faster than rest of the country June 7, 2023 London house prices have fallen by more than the national average, according to new data, with the south east also hit hard