In Defence of Capitalism: How free markets are lifting people out of poverty March 8, 2023 In the second of an eight part series, the historian and sociologist Dr Rainer Zitelmann writes for City A.M. in defence of capitalism, arguing that freer markets are usually the answer to society’s problems, not the cause. Each week he will ‘myth-bust’ the common complaints about capitalism – and this week, it’s that capitalism is responsible [...]
FTSE 100 close: Powell interest rate warning drags London index into the red March 7, 2023 London’s FTSE 100 was muted today as investors sweat over whether Fed chair Jerome Powell’s warning that US interest rates will stay higher for longer means other central banks will follow suit. The capital’s premier index closed 0.13 per cent lower at 7,919.49 points, while the domestically-focused mid-cap FTSE 250 index, which is more aligned [...]
London house prices fall but still almost double national average according to Halifax property index March 7, 2023 London house prices have fallen by almost one per cent from January, but property in the capital still costs £240,000 more than the national average. Halifax’s latest house price index for February showed the rate of annual national growth slowed across the UK, with the average property now sitting at £285,476. In the capital however, [...]
Why housebuilders’ share prices are sinking – despite healthy industry profits March 5, 2023 If you quickly skim over the financial results of any major residential home builder you would presume that business, for the most part, is doing quite well. Just last week a flurry of housebuilding companies revealed their earnings for 2022 with major players in the market such as Persimmon and Taylor Wimpey seeing profits of [...]
London Metal Exchange faces FCA ‘enforcement’ investigation after £3.3bn nickel crisis March 3, 2023 The FCA announced plans to begin an "enforcement" investigation into London Metal Exchange response to last year's nickel crisis.
Nottingham Building Society says soaring lending ‘aided by higher interest income’ boosted profits March 3, 2023 The historic Nottingham Building Society reported strong pre-tax profits driven by a surge in mortgage lending last year. Founded in 1849, the building society this morning announced group pre-tax profits of £18.9m, with underlying pre-tax profit of £15.2m. Despite the downturn in the housing market in wake of the disastrous mini budget, it said in [...]
‘Google of the property market’ Rightmove shrugs off housing fears to post £241m profit March 3, 2023 Rightmove, the UK’s largest property portal, saw its operating profits rise seven per cent to £241m as the group revealed it was “not materially affected” by the difficult property market. The London-listed company, which lists homes for rent and sale, also saw revenues increase 9 per cent to £332.6m up from £304.9m the prior year. [...]
Top of the class: Virtual learning and adult ‘upskilling’ helps publisher Pearson boost sales to £3.1bn March 3, 2023 Publisher Pearson said sales of its textbooks and virtual learning offerings were boosted by increased demand for online learning, among adults and schools. Sales increased 12 per cent to £3,841m during the full year 2022 compared to £3,428m the previous year. Operating profit in the preliminary results were £271m, compared to £183m in 2021. This [...]
We need a new deal for affordable housing, empowering councils to join forces with private developers March 3, 2023 The current framework for building affordable housing is not working - the shortage is abysmal. We need a new deal between councils and private developers that puts affordability first, writes Jonathan Werran
Crypto real estate market rises by a quarter March 2, 2023 Using the option of cryptocurrency to purchase property has risen by 25 per cent over the past year.