Upcoming City slickers should take better care on social media August 18, 2015 YOU ALWAYS hear rumours of big companies trawling through prospective employees’ social media profiles to look for dirt, but the finance world is slacking on the job. The Capitalist is privy to a few accounts of London’s young City slickers, and these are just a few of the hot takes and drunken escapades coming out [...]
Investor worries over commodity markets drag the FTSE August 13, 2015 COPPER prices hit six-year lows this week, and mining stocks have tumbled over the past few days, with companies in the sector the biggest losers on the FTSE yesterday. Currency weakness in China has prompted concerns among commodity investors, who fear that import costs for Chinese firms could rise if prolonged weakness in the yuan [...]
London house prices: There’s a bold solution to the housing crisis – if councils get out of the way August 6, 2015 Tessa Jowell is the latest mayoral candidate to pledge to build more homes to tackle London’s housing crisis, promising at least 50,000 new properties would be built each year under her watch. The government has also outlined plans for 200,000 new starter homes to be constructed, many also earmarked for the capital. But history tells [...]
Commodities in freefall as China faces slowdown August 4, 2015 Mining stocks were dealt a body blow yesterday, with one index dropping to a 13-year low, as Chinese manufacturing PMI data dragged the commodities market down yet again. The data, which came out yesterday morning, showed that the downturn in China’s manufacturing sector intensified at the start of the third quarter. Production was cut at [...]
London property sales account for almost half of stamp duty revenue August 2, 2015 Almost half of all stamp duty revenue across England and Wales is collected from property sales in London, according to data showing the impact of last year’s rise in rates for the most expensive homes. Research by estate agent Knight Frank shows London accounted for just 13 per cent of all property transactions for the [...]
Marsh lifts Ashes selection hopes with timely ton July 23, 2015 CENTURION Shaun Marsh sailed through his audition to replace Chris Rogers at the top of Australia’s batting line-up amid lingering fears that the veteran opener could miss next week’s third Investec Ashes Test. Rogers is a doubt for the Edgbaston clash after struggling to recover from dizziness suffered while batting in Australia’s second innings at [...]
City Moves for 23 July 2015 | Who’s switching jobs July 22, 2015 Knight Frank Stephanie Gray has been appointed senior surveyor in the property consultancy’s capital markets team. She joins from Inglis Howie, where she was a senior surveyor involved in investment acquisitions and disposals across the UK. Neptune Investment Management The fund manager has appointed Joshua Ausden as head of client investment strategy. He joins in [...]
City Moves for 17 July 2015 | Who’s switching jobs July 16, 2015 Marketform The Lloyd’s underwriter has announced the appointment of Alistair Marriott as joint deputy head of marine and class underwriter cargo. He joins from QBE, where he was cargo portfolio manager for the past 12 years. Allianz Global Investors The investment management firm has appointed Johnnie Barnett as director of UK institutional business development. He [...]
July Budget 2015: From the pensions expert to the PwC economist, reactions to the chancellor’s statement July 9, 2015 THE BUSINESS GROUP Confederation of British Industry director general John Cridland Firms will welcome measures to boost investment but will be worried about paying living wage. “This is a double edged Budget for business. Firms will welcome measures to balance the books and boost investment, but they will be concerned by legislating for wage increases [...]
July Budget 2015 – changes to mortgage tax relief: Here’s what to do now if you’re a buy-to-let landlord July 8, 2015 A major shake-up of the buy-to-let housing market could be about to take place, after chancellor George Osborne announced plans to change mortgage tax relief for landlords. In his Budget speech today, the chancellor said the relief will be cut to 20 per cent, from 40 to 45 per cent, in an effort to "level [...]