Will lower stress tests for mortgages fuel a first-time buyer boom? June 13, 2025 Easier access to mortgages might replace the stamp duty holiday as fuel for the starter homes market, with prices forecast to soar if affordability improves. The average price paid by a first-time buyer grew by 2.1 per cent in the first quarter and by 7.1 per cent year on year, according to government data. While [...]
London broker upgrades landlord GPE on expected surge in prime office rents June 12, 2025 London broker Peel Hunt has upgraded the target share price for West End property giant Great Portland Estates (GPE) as high demand for best-in-class office space is set to push up prices. GPE’s share price was 342p as of the close on June 11, but Peel Hunt brokers have set a target price of 375p. [...]
How to earn £15,000 during Queen’s and Wimbledon Championships June 12, 2025 Walk out of Barons Court tube station – via your preferred District or Piccadilly line train – turn right and within 100 yards you’ll see the HSBC red colour scheme branded across a sign that welcomes you to Queen’s Club. Because this and next week, in the leafy London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, the [...]
Bargain Britain: UK firms under siege by foreign takeovers June 12, 2025 The London Stock Exchange has suffered a bruising week as private equity firms and foreign giants continue to snap up British bargains. Markets were hit with a double blow on Wednesday after Canadian consultancy giant acquired engineering firm Ricardo and KKR returned with a final bid for GP Landlord Assura. Assura has recommended a cash [...]
Private equity giant KKR returns with final bid for Assura June 11, 2025 UK healthcare property firm Assura has received its “best and final offer” from KKR, which is set to trigger another delisting blow for the London Stock Exchange. Assura has recommended a cash offer from Sana Bidco, a vehicle owned by KKR and Stonepeak, which values the firm at 52.1p per share. Shares in Assura closed [...]
F1: Silverstone bets on premium with Michelin offering June 11, 2025 The British Grand Prix has announced plans to boost its hospitality offering for its 75th anniversary amid widespread premiumisation in sports viewing. Hospitality packages at Silverstone include Octane Terrace and Fusion Lounge, both are which aim to provide a “unique and premium experience” to guests. Fusion Lounge promises premium drinks, live entertainment and a luxury [...]
Bellway: Completions surge at FTSE 250 housebuilder June 10, 2025 Bellway has said it expects to see a surge in home completions amid an increase in consumer confidence and reservation rates. The FTSE 250 housebuilder and property developer said it was well-positioned to deliver cumulative volume growth of 20 per cent over the two years to end July 2026. In a trading update, the Newcastle-based [...]
Estate agency Foxtons targets commuter towns in drive for growth June 4, 2025 London’s biggest estate agency, Foxtons, expects ever-rising demand for rental homes in and near the capital to help it double its profit in the medium term. The sales and lettings agency outlined plans to double its profit to £50m over the medium term by acquiring estate agents in commuter towns, integrating AI, and enhancing consumer loyalty. Chief [...]
Why the UK investment system needs a complete overhaul June 4, 2025 Nick Saunders, CEO of Webull UK, an online investment platform, says the UK must completely overhaul its investment system if it wants to drive growth. Like a rickety Edwardian chair with a broken leg, the retail investment infrastructure in the UK is so badly damaged that not even the most optimistic Bargain Hunt contestant would [...]
MJ Gleeson: Shares plummet after profit warning as property market struggles June 3, 2025 Housebuilder MJ Gleeson has warned of a 15-20 per cent hit to its profit this year due to a slow housing market recovery and the collapse of a land sale in Yorkshire. The company told markets this morning that the pace of housing market recovery in the UK has “not been sufficient” to offset the [...]