Entrepreneurs’ relief: Unnecessary fiddling with this vital policy will damage growth February 1, 2015 Given that they drive our economy’s growth, it’s vital that entrepreneurs are rewarded for their efforts – especially since they take on so many risks to succeed. Thankfully, since 2008, there has been a tax relief that does precisely this. Entrepreneurs’ relief enables business owners to pay a lower rate of capital gains tax when [...]
McDonald’s Big Cheese: UK makeover chief Steve Easterbrook now has the whole world on his plate January 29, 2015 Steve Easterbrook, who used to play cricket at Durham University alongside ex-England captain Nasser Hussain, has long been viewed as one of McDonald’s star players – obtaining a captaincy of his own yesterday at the world’s biggest fast food chain. McDonald’s new Watford-born chief executive will take on the challenging task of reviving the group’s [...]
Great Portland Estates jumps in value thanks to West End property demand January 29, 2015 Great Portland Estates (GPE) yesterday posted a 5.2 per cent surge in the value of its property portfolio, thanks to London’s booming West End property market, despite increased uncertainty ahead of the upcoming general election. The FTSE 250 developer said the value of its estate was worth £3.07bn at 31 December, up £152.3m on the [...]
English Heritage listed buildings: Protecting our past is a tricky affair January 28, 2015 One Finsbury Avenue squats on the western edge of the Broadgate development at Liverpool Street, like a huge camouflaged army tank under the false illusion that no one can see it. Capped with a large glass roof to allow UBS traders to benefit from as much daylight as possible, the building’s bronze-coloured sides are clad [...]
Eyesore or beauty? The 14 postwar office blocks listed by English Heritage January 28, 2015 Whether you're a fan or take an altogether more "Prince Charles" attitude to post-war architecture, office buildings provide some of the finest examples of it. And turns out English Heritage thinks it's worth preserving: the organisation has listed 14 of the UK's best-loved (or most-hated) post-war offices. According to English Heritage, the buildings – which [...]
Revenue drops at Foxtons as London cools January 27, 2015 TRENDY high street estate agency Foxtons saw its shares surge 11.8 per cent yesterday shaking off an early dip of 2.4 per cent in early trading. The upmarket estate agent – known for its trendy Minis and even trendier, bar-like offices – has posted fourth quarter results showing revenues fell 12 per cent in the [...]
Wall Street big guns fail to fire up the market – New York Report January 27, 2015 DISAPPOINTING results from a number of bellwether companies dragged Wall Street down yesterday. Company results pointed to weakening conditions, while an unexpected decline in durable goods orders also weighed on sentiment. The day’s losses were broad, with nine of the 10 primary S&P 500 sectors lower on the day, though tech was the biggest drag [...]
After the economy lost momentum in the fourth quarter of 2014, should the UK fear a slowdown? January 27, 2015 Nancy Curtin, chief investment officer of Close Brothers Asset Management, says Yes The figures for the fourth quarter point to UK growth losing pace, and we are likely to see this continue into the first half of 2015. Economic growth remains too imbalanced. While improved consumer spending is supporting a buoyant services sector, production and construction [...]
Foxtons share price falls as revenues drop 12 per cent January 27, 2015 The figures Not a good day for Foxtons shareholders. Shares fell 2.4 per cent in early trading as the upmarket estate agent – known for its trendy Minis and even trendier, bar-like offices – has posted fourth quarter results showing revenues fell 12 per cent in the three months to the end of December. That was [...]
Post Office Money plans price war to take ground from banks January 26, 2015 THE POST Office yesterday launched a new push to take ground from the big banks, announcing it wants to be a “leading financial services provider” by 2020. It is rebranding its range of financial products as Post Office Money, in a bid to unify its brand, much of which is provided by Bank of Ireland. The institution [...]