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 [...]
FTSE 100 close: Markets close lower as housebuilders weigh on index June 7, 2023 Strong morning bumps for Primark-owner Associated British Foods and BT were offset by a slump for housebuilders today as the FTSE 100 closed marginally lower. A slump in trading for housebuilders kept movement on London’s flagship index subdued, with the index closing lower. Housebuilders were down after figures from Halifax showed a first annual fall [...]
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
House building tumbles to lowest level in three years in blow to homeownership dreams June 7, 2023 House building has tumbled to its lowest level in three years in another blow to the homeownership dreams of millions of Brits, a closely watched survey out yesterday revealed. According to S&P Global and the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply’s (CIPS) latest construction purchasing managers’ index (PMI), the rate of new houses being rolled [...]
FTSE 100 close: London index retraces losses on softer pound June 6, 2023 London’s FTSE 100 retraced losses today, shaking off investor fears over the risk of the effects of a US recession rippling throughout the global economy. The capital’s premier index climbed 0.37 per cent to 7,628.11 points, while the domestically-focused mid-cap FTSE 250 index, which is more aligned with the health of the UK economy, jumped [...]
Mortgage rates rocket but savings rates barely move after May’s inflation shock June 6, 2023 Mortgage rates have skyrocketed in recent weeks after the UK’s most recent inflation reading sent rate expectations soaring, but savings rates have lagged behind. According to data from Moneyfacts, rates on a two-year fixed rate have jumped from 5.34 per cent on 24 May to 5.75 today. Similarly, interest rates on a five-year fixed rate [...]
Paragon Bank’s share price surges after record profits and deposit inflows June 6, 2023 Shares in Paragon Bank surged nearly eight per cent this morning after the FTSE 250 lender reported record interim profits and significant deposit inflows. In the first half of the year, Paragon’s underlying profit jumped 22 per cent to £128.9m as the bank benefitted from rising interest rates. The bank’s net interest margin (NIM), the [...]
The Notebook: Victoria Scholar on stocks, China and Spiderman June 6, 2023 The notebook is a place where interesting people say interesting things. Today, it’s Victoria Scholar, head of investment at Interactive Investor The market mood is picking up with the S&P 500 enjoying its best week since March. The Dow surged over 2% on Friday, its biggest one-day gain since January and the Nasdaq Composite completed [...]
Investment slump amid higher interest rates risks finally sparking UK recession June 6, 2023 A mix of factors are buffeting the UK economy right now. Spending power is being crushed by high inflation eroding family finances. House prices are coming off their heady heights as sellers drop prices to source buyers amid higher mortgage rates. External demand is thinning in response to weak consumer confidence amid a global cost [...]
Families splashing cash despite high inflation and interest rates fuels services growth June 5, 2023 Families splashing the cash despite high inflation and interest rates crimping their budgets is keeping Britain’s services economy motoring along, a closely watched survey out today shows. S&P Global and the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply’s (CIPS) final purchasing managers’ index (PMI) for the services sector, which generates about £2 in every £3 in [...]