A summer break in Finland, counting thousands of tiny islands as they drift past August 15, 2022 Sitting down to dinner in what was once Finland’s most dangerous prison wasn’t exactly what I had in mind when I embarked on a recent Scandinavian sojourn. But soon after touching down I learn that the city of Turku’s penchant for experimental dining is fast turning the place into Finland’s culinary capital. It’s all too [...]
House prices continue to climb in nightmare scenario for first-time buyers even though buyer interest is slowing August 15, 2022 House prices continue to move firmly upwards and are still expected to be higher in a year’s time, according to the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) this afternoon. The numbers are somewhat surprising given that surveyors have seen the longest stretch of shrinking buyer demand in the housing market since the early stages of [...]
Abrdn’s Asian Income Fund loses 6.9 per cent of value as APAC markets suffer August 15, 2022 Asset management giant Abrdn said the value of the assets controlled by its Asia Income Fund plunged 6.9 per cent over the first half of 2022 as markets were rocked by a combination of Covid lockdowns and the ripples of war in Ukraine. In its half yearly report today, the firm said net asset value [...]
Estate agencies have under 40 available properties on their books on average, says RICS August 15, 2022 The UK’s housing stock levels are close to all-time lows, according to the latest research, which has kept house prices suspended at levels which outpace annual wages. On average, estate agents have just 36 available properties on their books, the RICS Housing Market Survey revealed today. The average cost of a home remains at swollen [...]
Monthly mortgage payments top £1,000 as homeowning costs pile up August 15, 2022 The average monthly mortgage payments for first-time buyers putting down a 10 per cent deposit have climbed past £1,000 for the first time, according to property site Rightmove today. The latest interest rates rise of 0.5 per cent has piled further pressure onto new buyers’ affordability, as property costs outpace annual wage packets. “It’s likely [...]
Record £300bn wiped off UK bonds and gilts as investors flee in biggest market collapse in decades August 13, 2022 Just under £300bn has been wiped off the value of UK corporate bonds since the start of this year following a major sell-off in the bond market in what is considered the biggest collapse in two decades. In the first six months of this year, the total outstanding value of UK corporate bonds has fallen [...]
Zurich posts highest first-half profits since 2008 financial crash August 11, 2022 Swiss insurance company Zurich today posted its highest first-half profits since the financial crash of 2008 and its second highest profits ever. The insurer said its business operating profits increased 25 per cent compared to last year to long-term highs of $3.393bn. The uptick in Zurich’s profits, which saw it second best results ever, came [...]
Exclusive: Bank of England is ‘taking money from homeowners to curb inflation’ August 11, 2022 HOUSE prices will soon start to “flatline” following years of double digit rises, a leading property association claims this morning. Property values have continued to soar over the past two years in most regions of the UK – often defying predictions by economists who are convinced a crash is on the horizon. The National Association [...]
Investors reach for the bottle as inflation soars August 9, 2022 Nervous investors are turning to wine as a steady store of value as inflation climbs.
Housing market holds up well despite Bank of England rate hikes August 8, 2022 The UK property market is still running hot despite the Bank of England’s rapid interest rate hike cycle, according to research by City A.M. House purchases dipped around four per cent in June compared to December when the Bank’s first rate rise landed, dropping to 95,420 from 99,560, according to HMRC data. Governor Andrew Bailey [...]