Big fish: The seven largest types of institutional investors March 7, 2018 Say whatever you want about the world, but there’s never been a better time to be an end investor. Many things investment professionals fear — fee compression, automation, artificial intelligence (AI), and blockchain — benefit clients through higher account balances and lower fees. Asset owners are the largest of those clients. Though they are frequently [...]
Is inflation a bigger concern than bond markets? March 2, 2018 Rising bond yields have been cited as the reason behind the sell-off in the equity markets but should investors be just as concerned about a spike in inflation? The 10-year US Treasury yield has been moving ever closer to 3 per cent, a level that could start to concern some equity market investors. While the [...]
UK mortgage lending rose in January February 26, 2018 Mortgage lending jumped in January as buyers raced to get ahead of looming interest rate rises – but mortgages for house purchase fell sharply. Borrowers took out mortgages worth £21.9bn in January, up 9.8 per cent on the same month the year before, according to data from UK Finance. However, while the number of people [...]
Open Banking could provide a £1bn boost to the UK economy, says Cebr and Truspilot research, as banks are forced to compete February 26, 2018 The UK’s new Open Banking initiative could provide a £1bn boost to the country’s economy, research indicates. Since customers can now make their financial data available to third parties such as challenger banks, this should increase competition in the marketplace according to a new study from the Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebr) and [...]
Bank of England’s deputy dove Sir Dave Ramsden says faster rate hikes are coming February 25, 2018 One of the Bank of England’s most dovish rate-setters has decided that signs of firmer wage growth mean interest rates need to rise more quickly, according to comments reported today. Sir Dave Ramsden, the Bank’s deputy governor, said that “relative to where I was, I see the case for rates rising somewhat sooner rather than [...]
UK housebuilder Persimmon’s profits to jump to £1bn as firm moves past pay controversy February 25, 2018 Persimmon’s profits are expected to jump close to the £1bn mark this week as the housebuilder continues to bat off criticism for the pay awards it handed to executives. Analysts are expecting pre-tax profits to rise 25 per cent, up from £775m to £965m, when the firm announces its 2017 figures on Tuesday. The news [...]
How to plan a comfortable retirement February 22, 2018 Saving for retirement is essential if you want to fully enjoy your later years, but how do you assess how much income you will need? Plus how much do you need to save to reach your goals? For many people retirement seems a long way off and saving into a pension isn’t always seen as [...]
Bank of England bosses say wage data is “key” for next interest rate rise but markets are now in line February 21, 2018 Markets have woken up to data showing rising inflationary pressures from wage growth and expectations of interest rate rises are now in line with what the Bank of England forecasts, according to governor Mark Carney. The Bank today reiterated its message from a fortnight ago that interest rates will have to rise sooner and faster [...]
Five habits of good investing February 21, 2018 Taking a long-term view History suggests the stock market is the best way to grow wealth over the long term, easily outpacing interest rates on cash. However, significant market falls are also a part of investing and notoriously difficult to predict. It is worth remembering that the longer you invest for the greater your chances [...]
The risers and fallers of London boroughs ranked on house price growth as wider UK demand remains robust February 19, 2018 Housing demand remains resilient fuelling "cautious optimism" among new sellers in most regions of the UK, according to a new report fromRightmove. Average asking prices were up by 0.8 per cent (£2,414) this month, with all regions but one recording the price of newly-marketed property rising this month. The south west was "a very marginal [...]