UK’s big five banks set to pay out £7bn in dividends as their earnings soar October 10, 2021 The UK’s largest banks are preparing to hand out a collective £7bn in dividends this year, on the back of earnings hitting their highest level for the sector since 2008. The £7bn payout would be more than double the £3.3bn handed out in dividends by the UK’s big five in 2020. The UK’s five largest [...]
Tory conference: Boris Johnson’s speech in full October 6, 2021 Prime Minister Boris Johnson delivered his second leader’s speech at Conservative conference today. Here is his speech in full. Isn’t it amazing to be here in person the first time we have met since you defied the sceptics by winning councils and communities that Conservatives have never won in before – such as Hartlepool in [...]
With S&P 500 down 4.8 per cent, September counted the worst losses since March 2020 October 1, 2021 September counted the worst monthly losses since the beginning of the pandemic, with stocks on Wall Street falling broadly yesterday. The S&P 500 ended the month 4.8 per cent lower, its first monthly drop since January and the biggest since March 2020, when the viral outbreak rattled markets as it wreaked havoc with the global [...]
Spoilt for choice: Mortgage deals below 1 per cent skyrocket 400 per cent in just three months September 29, 2021 Mortgage deals with rates below 1 per cent have skyrocketed by more than 400 per in the last three months, according to new research. In June, just 10 deals with rates below 1 per cent were available, MoneySuperMarket found. But by September, there were 50 mortgage products on the market with rates below 1 per [...]
UK housing market still steaming despite looming stamp duty break cut off September 29, 2021 The looming end of a watered down tax break on house purchases has not cooled the UK’s rampant housing market, according to official figures released today. Brits took on £21.5bn in mortgage debt last month, up sharply from July’s figure of £16.6bn, shows Bank of England data. A record low interest rate environment has propped [...]
Messages from central bankers suggest persistent inflation concerns are rising September 29, 2021 European markets had a poor day yesterday, all of them down over 2 per cent, with the notable exception of the FTSE100 which was helped in no small part by its hefty energy component, and a sinking pound, which helped to keep it above the 7,000 level. “Once again it is fears about surging energy [...]
Demand to buy in London soars thanks to office return September 28, 2021 Demand for homes in London has risen 14 per cent over the last month as Brits rush back to the office. Prospective Londoners appear keener to purchase homes rather than flats, with homes marking an increased demand of 25 per cent compared to a six per cent boost for flats. Average UK house prices have [...]
End of furlough: ‘Time for the UK economy to put its big girl pants on’ September 27, 2021 This week, the government’s £70bn furlough support scheme comes to an end. The end of the Job Retention Scheme, or furlough, will force organisations to make decisions regarding the future of furloughed employees. City A.M. sought the views of a number of small business owners about whether now is the correct time to remove the [...]
Home buyers paying premium of up to £40k on energy efficient houses – CityAM : CityAM September 27, 2021 Home buyers wanting to settle down in the top energy efficient homes face prices of up to £40,000 more than less sustainable options. Environmentally aware home buyers are willing to pay a ‘green premium’ as homes in all parts of England and Wales sell for a higher price depending on the quality of their energy [...]
Undecided about investing right now? Find out why Maida Vale offers a solid prospect September 27, 2021 Set at the meeting point of Maida Vale, Little Venice and St John’s Wood is Lyons Place, a boutique development by Almacantar, offering a prime opportunity for investment in the capital. Lyons Place is a collection of contemporary, finely crafted homes comprised of apartments, penthouses, and three-storey townhouses – with just one one-bedroom apartment remaining [...]