London house prices: The north-south divide emerging in the capital’s property sector July 27, 2015 One interesting factor in new figures published today (more on that here) is a sign growth in house prices is slowing in parts of London. In fact, it looks like there's a north-south divide emerging – and in this case it's grim down south. The figures, by Haart estate agent, showed while prices across the [...]
UK house prices: The average cost of a home for first-time buyers increased £138 a day in June July 27, 2015 Despite all George Osborne's efforts, it looks like first-time buyers are bearing the brunt of the increase in house prices again, after new figures showed the average price of a first-time buyer home leaped by £4,150 in June. That's £138 a day. Read more: Thinking of leaving London? These are the best commuter towns to move [...]
Alton Towers parent company Merlin Entertainment warns on profits after Smiler rollercoaster collision July 27, 2015 Alton Towers' parent company Merlin Entertainment's share price plummeted this morning after issuing a profit warning, following the rollercoaster collision last month in which four people were left seriously injured. The horrific accident, which occurred at the start of June, has caused “significantly reduced volumes” of customers at Alton Towers and “to a lesser [...]
UBS smashes expectations as net profit rises by 53 per cent July 27, 2015 UBS has beaten all expectations as its profits rose by more than 50 per cent in the second quarter of the year. The figures In an update posted this morning, UBS said net profit was up 53 per cent to SFr1.2bn (£810m) in the three months to June. Switzerland’s largest lender also reported earnings per [...]
Ryanair reports €245m in first quarter profits as it continues ascent despite turbulence July 27, 2015 Ryanair’s profits have continued their assent as traffic and revenue increased in the first quarter. The figures Total profits for the budget airline in the three months to the end of June grew by 25 per cent on last year to €245 (£173.7m), in line with estimates. Revenues were up 10 per cent to €1.65bn. In the same [...]
GVC Holdings increases Bwin.party offer to 122.5p to outbid rival 888 July 27, 2015 Has GVC Holdings just dealt the winning hand when it comes to Bwin.party? The gambling group has upped its offer for the site in an effort to lure shareholders away from the deal made by rival suitor 888 a fortnight ago. GVC has offered the company 122.5p per share, which will include up [...]
Bank chiefs to be given ethics quiz: Banking Standards Board kicks off cultural audit of UK’s lenders July 26, 2015 The City body tasked with restoring faith in the UK banking system is set to write to the chairmen of Britain’s biggest lenders, quizzing them on their firms’ ethics and culture – the first major initiative by the taskforce to bolster integrity in the sector. The Banking Standards Board (BSB), chaired by former telecoms regulator [...]
Moody’s says homeowners can cope with higher interest rates July 26, 2015 The majority of British homeowners could comfortably cope with a moderate rise in interest rates, Moody’s has said this morning. Only about one per cent of borrowers would be unable to cover mortgage payments and meet their living expenses if interest rates rose by one per cent from their historic low of 0.5 per cent, [...]
Bank of England intervention sparks debate over dividends after Andy Haldane says firms too focused on shareholders July 26, 2015 Surprising new suggestions from Bank of England chief economist Andy Haldane have opened up a debate over shareholder power. Haldane told the BBC on Friday that firms are “almost eating themselves” by focusing too much on returns for shareholders and not enough on long-term investment. “The profits that businesses are earning are being used not [...]
