HSBC launches $2bn share buyback after rising rates helps bank beat expectations August 1, 2023 HSBC launched a new $2bn (£1.56bn) share buyback programme after comfortably beating expectations in the second quarter. In the three months to June, pretax profit hit $8.8bn (£6.86bn) – over $4bn higher than last year and surpassing the $8bn predicted by analysts. The strong performance reflected the impact of rising interest rates around the world [...]
Are central banks to blame for the inflation crisis? August 1, 2023 As we enter what looks like the final leg of central banks’ interest rate rising journeys, it’s as good a time as ever to trace why they have been jolted into action after over a decade of ultra loose policy and whether their response to the inflation crisis has been effective. Coming out of the [...]
Bank of England interest rate rises yet to pass fully through economy as borrowing ticks up July 31, 2023 The effects of the Bank of England’s aggressive interest rate rises have yet to fully feed through the UK economy as Brits continue to borrow and look to get on the property ladder, official data out today shows. A clutch of numbers released by the Bank of England today revealed consumers are not yet being [...]
Marshalls to cut 250 jobs as housebuilding slump takes toll July 31, 2023 Building products supplier Marshalls is axing around another 250 jobs and closing a factory in Scotland after sales dived due to a housing market slowdown. The group said the cuts come as part of plans to save £9 million a year, which will see it shut a factory in Carluke in South Lanarkshire, while also [...]
Bank of England to hike interest rates for 14th time in a row to 2008 high of 5.25 per cent July 31, 2023 The Bank of England this week is tipped to hike interest rates for the 14th time in a row as it extends its fight against roaring inflation. Members of the nine-strong monetary policy committee (MPC) are expected on Thursday to back a 25 basis point increase to the UK’s official interest rate, which would send [...]
Retailers in trouble as 51 per cent of punters cut back on clothes shopping July 31, 2023 Retail and hospitality industries continue to be bruised by the UK’s cost of living crisis as 59 per cent of people have cut their spending on eating out and a further 51 per cent have cut spending on clothing. As Brits continue to watch their pennies amid high inflation, figures from Oxera show that in [...]
Interest rate boost slowing for banks as changing customer behaviour cuts margins July 30, 2023 The UK’s high street banks have warned that the boon from rising interest rates might be coming to an end as changing customer behaviour and an increasingly competitive mortgage market hits margins. Natwest, Barclays and Lloyds recorded bumper profits last week, but investors were dismayed by the more cautious outlook. Both Natwest and Barclays UK [...]
Co-op Bank has 10th straight quarter of profitability as net interest income rises July 28, 2023 Rising rates helped the Co-operative Bank record a tenth consecutive quarter of profitability, as the lender considers its options regarding a potential sale. Although it recorded a significant increase in net interest income, which rose to £245.1m from £108.2m last year, the Co-op bank profit remained roughly flat at £61.8m due to increased expenditure. Operating [...]
Rightmove reports highest first-half revenue since 2018 despite mortgage market woes July 28, 2023 Online real estate company Rightmove clocked up its highest first-half revenue since 2018, it revealed on Friday, despite a troubled mortgage market putting pressure on house prices. The business said revenue was up 10% to £179.5 million in the six months to the end of June. Pre-tax profit rose 7.5% to £130 million. “The strength [...]
Rising mortgage rates sends demand for homes down 18 per cent, new data shows July 28, 2023 Rising mortgage rates has reduced demand for homes by 18 per cent, Zoopla’s latest House Price Index revealed today. This weaker demand, coupled with rising supply, saw UK house price growth shrink to 0.6 per cent for June, down from 9.6 per cent for the same month last year. The estate agent said it expects [...]