Nationwide House Price Index ticks up – but economists urge caution | City A.M. August 1, 2018 Annual house price growth has climbed ahead of a possible rate rise this month, according to the Nationwide House Price Index. Prices in July rose by an average of 2.5 per cent, up from two per cent in June. It comes just a day before the Bank of England’s monetary policy committee (MPC) meets to [...]
Your financial wellbeing is more than just the money in your bank account and the number on your paycheque July 18, 2018 How healthy are you? The answer might make you cringe, but chances are you’ve probably got an answer. “Relatively fit” or “could do with losing a few pounds” will probably sound familiar. But what if you were asked how financially well you are instead? You might be earning a good salary, but still find yourself [...]
Market outlook July 17, 2018 Trump trade war threat A continued world recovery, led by the US with good support from Chinese growth among the emerging markets, is a positive backdrop for share markets. The Trump tax cuts and spending increases could boost US demand and output with the upcoming earnings season in the US likely to be the strongest [...]
Can slowing money growth stall markets? June 19, 2018 It’s fashionable for central banks to be more cautious in the West. TheFederal Reserve is busy putting up interest rates. Many forecast a move up from 2 per cent to 2.5 per cent this year and a further move to 3.25 per cent next year. Meanwhile, the US central bank is also reducing its own [...]
Can the UK economy cope with sustained house price falls? June 19, 2018 Brexit uncertainty is far from over. Indeed, as we approach the crunch point in negotiations over the summer, we expect rhetoric of hard Brexit and a cliff edge to reach a crescendo, before a final deal is agreed in September or October. Meanwhile, business and consumer confidence are likely to continue to suffer, causing decisions [...]
UK house prices edge up in May after April slump – Halifax June 7, 2018 The UK housing market remains subdued, however, house prices in the three months to May were 1.9 per cent higher than the same period a year earlier, according to survey by UK bank Halifax. On a monthly basis, prices rose by 1.5 per cent in May, partially reversing the 3.1 per cent decline in April. [...]
Pound falls as BoE hold interest rates again – but experts argue a rise is still on the horizon May 10, 2018 The pound has fallen on the news that the Bank of England has chosen not to raise interest rates, falling 0.2 per cent against the dollar to $1.35. The decision came after a slew of weak economic data put governor Mark Carney’s plans to raise rates above historic 0.5 per cent levels on hold. Just [...]
New government bill could save tenants £240m, but London estate agents worry it could spark ‘housing crash’ May 3, 2018 A new government bill to ban letting fees across England has ignited fierce debate in the property sector, with tenants and real estate agents drawing battle lines on either side. The government says its Tenant Fees Bill, introduced to parliament yesterday, is designed to “save tenants millions of pounds and make the market fairer and [...]
Markets brace for the latest Bank of England interest rate decision May 1, 2018 Following a decade without so much as a hint of a rate rise, expectations are high for the UK’s second increase in just seven months. Most economists expect the Bank of England to raise the base rate to 0.75 per cent this month, up from the current 0.5 per cent. The UK’s economic picture is [...]
UK house prices: London property market continues to cool as national average asking price reaches a record high April 16, 2018 The average price of property coming to the London market fell this month as the UK average price reached a record high, according to Rightmove’s house price index. The capital is just one of two regions to see a drop nationally, with prices decreasing by 0.6 per cent this month. The national average asking price [...]