Sir Philip Green ran BHS like a medieval fiefdom: Now his reputation hangs by a thread July 25, 2016 Our new Prime Minister has promised to get “tough on irresponsible behaviour in big business”. The report today of our joint Select Committee on the collapse of BHS offers a case study of what can go wrong at a company almost 90 years old and why she is right that government must react. After over [...]
This graph shows the changing landscape of the UK mortgage market July 22, 2016 This graph depicts how dramatically the UK mortgage market has changed over the last decade. The chart, created by Statista from ONS data, lays bare how the 25-year mortgage has declined in the last 10 years. Read more: Housing market was buoyed by mortgage momentum on eve of EU referendum In 2006, 25-year mortgages commanded a 42.2 per cent [...]
The housing market was buoyed by mortgage momentum on the eve of the EU referendum July 21, 2016 Mortgage lending rocketed to an eight-year high before last month's EU referendum as the housing market showed few signs of pre-vote jitters Figures released by the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) showed £20.7bn was dished out to homebuyers and re-mortgagers in June – 16 per cent more than in May. The figure was an eight-year [...]
How to get your children on the property ladder: Five of the best options for the Bank of Mum and Dad July 14, 2016 Buying a first home used to signal the start of a new era of independence, a turning point into adulthood. But the astronomical rise in London prices has put paid to that. Home ownership is at its lowest level for 25 years. Not only are people buying their first home later – the average age has [...]
Large Valeant shareholder gives up stake amid mounting losses July 13, 2016 An investor letter has revealed that one of Valeant Pharmaceuticals largest shareholders has ditched its stake in the firm over the last quarter. Mutual fund Sequoia told investors (the letter can be read here) it no longer owned any shares of Valeant, the controversial pharma firm that has grown quickly in recent years through acquisitions and drug price hikes. At [...]
Fixed or tracker: As Brexit prompts mortgage rates to tumble, how long should borrowers hold out for? July 12, 2016 Brexit might have thrown markets into turmoil, but if you’re thinking of taking out a mortgage, or are remortgaging, rates are about to get even more competitive. Since the referendum began in earnest, investors have clambered to buy government bonds, driving down yields and enabling mortgage lenders to offer more long-term funding. Banks have been [...]
Brexit threat: Property financiers must keep calm and carry on lending July 8, 2016 Before and since the result of the UK’s referendum on European Union membership, uncertainty has pervaded – not least in property markets. Weak construction PMI data, a spate of flagship property funds halting redemptions and downgrades from City analysts has further shaken confidence. Forecasts for companies in the sector have been reduced on the basis [...]
City Moves for 7 July 2016 | Who’s switching jobs July 7, 2016 Marsh Insurance broker Marsh has appointed Jeremy Cooke as vice chairman of global placement. In his new role, Jeremy will focus on critical growth areas including complex market negotiations on facilities, quota shares and key accounts. He was previously head of placement for Marsh’s international division. Prior to joining Marsh in 2003, he held senior executive positions at insurers in the US and [...]
Experts are not impressed by HSBC’s new 0.99 per cent fixed rate mortgage June 21, 2016 Money experts have slammed HSBC's latest mortgage offering as a marketing move that shuts out most borrowers. The bank has launched a mortgage with a rate fixed at a record low of just 0.99 per cent for two years. The next lowest available is a two-year deal at 1.14 per cent from the Yorkshire Building Society. [...]
Brexit and the pound: How hard will battered sterling hit our economy? June 21, 2016 The pound has strengthened as the latest polls show public feeling has swung towards a remain vote this Thursday. Sterling rose 2.3 per cent to $1.4693, the biggest one day gain in over seven years. The last time it rose this sharply was 12 September 2008, days before Lehman Brothers filed for bankruptcy. “Three polls over [...]