New homes: Our pick of the new builds going on sale in London this weekend February 15, 2019 New developments on the market this week Ridgeway Views, Mill Hill From £569,995 Move into one of these two and three bedroom flats in time for the summer. The latest phase of homes, called Highwood Place, went on sale this week overlooking Totteridge Valley, with views of the rolling hills from private balconies and terraces, [...]
German insurance giant Allianz unveils record €11.5bn profit February 15, 2019 German insurer Allianz said today that its operating profit for 2018 was €11.5bn (£10.1bn), the highest in its history. Allianz had targeted operating profit of €10.6bn to €11.6bn so its result was in the upper end of its targeted range. Read more: Insurer Zurich boosts profit 20 per cent and hikes dividend The company attributed operating [...]
Innovative Finance ISA: The New Kid On The Block February 14, 2019 The Traditional ISA Landscape ISA’s have seen something of a resurgence in recent times. According to HMRC, we invested £69 billion in them during the 2017/18 tax-year.[1] Last years’ growth in ISA subscriptions was driven by an increase in investment in Stocks and Shares ISA’s – which may have ultimately been painful for many investors [...]
Housing market endures sluggish start to the year as buyer and seller confidence dwindles February 13, 2019 The UK housing market has endured a slow start to the year as key activity measures for both buyers and sellers fell further in January. Enquiries, sales and new instructions all declined in January as uncertainty continues to wear away at confidence, according to research by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics). Read more: [...]
UK house price growth slows to lowest level since 2013 as uncertainty rattles market February 13, 2019 House price growth fell to its slowest pace in almost six years in December as uncertainty continues to weigh on the housing market. UK house prices rose just 2.5 per cent year-on-year, marking the slowest annual growth since July 2013, according to new figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and the Land Registry. [...]
Market challenges take their toll on estate agent Countrywide’s profits February 13, 2019 Beleaguered estate agent Countrywide’s profits halved last year, as the property group battled to keep its debt pile under control in the wake of housing market uncertainty and disruption from online rivals. Subdued activity in parts of the UK’s housing market in the last year has dented profits for the group, which has also struggled [...]
City Moves for 13 February – who’s switching jobs at Spotahome, Improbable and DAC Beachcroft? February 13, 2019 Who’s on the move today? Spotahome Spotahome has appointed Cleo Sham, who helped grow Uber’s presence in China to become the ridesharing app’s largest market and led the EMEA operations for the American company, as chief operating officer (COO) to oversee the Madrid-based property technology company's global operations functions to spearhead fast-growth.Sham started up at [...]
Law helping businesses receive insurance payouts after terror attacks passed February 12, 2019 Companies will be able to more easily buy insurance for business interruption in the case of terrorist attacks following the passing of a new law today. The passing of the Counter Terrorism and Border Security Act 2019, which received Royal Assent today, followed an outcry in the aftermath of the London Bridge attacks where businesses [...]
President Trump to meet Xi ‘very soon’ as markets hope for end to US-China trade war, Conway says February 12, 2019 President Donald Trump wants to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping soon in an effort to end the trade war that has raged between the US and China, according to an adviser. Kellyanne Conway, previously Trump's campaign manager and now counsellor to the White House, told Fox earlier this week that Trump “wants to meet with [...]
London’s iconic department store Liberty ‘seeks £300m sale’ February 12, 2019 London retail landmark Liberty department store could be set for new ownership for the first time in nearly 10 years. Its largest shareholder, private equity firm Bluegem Capital Partners, has reportedly hired UBS to look into potential buyers for the business. Read more: West End property giant Shaftesbury posts 'resilient' retail demand The company, which [...]