http://www.investortoday.co.uk/ The Investor's and Day Trader's News. en-us Thu, 17 May 2012 14:52:17 GMT http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/euro-break-up-costs-could-hit-E2A31trn Douglas McWilliams, Chief Executive, Centre for Economics and Business Research, offers his views on what happens next with the euro zone... "I told the Greek government two years ago in Athens that they had no option but to default and devalue. "At the time this was an unusual view and I was... Thu, 17 May 2012 02:33:53 GMT http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/euro-break-up-costs-could-hit-E2A31trn http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/employers-more-confident-about-hiring The latest official jobless figures show a 45,000 fall in the number of people unemployed in the UK. The data has drawn a mixed response from analysts and experts who, while encouraged, also have concerns. Katja Hall, CBI Chief Policy Director, said: "The fall in the official unemployment data for a second... Thu, 17 May 2012 02:33:30 GMT http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/employers-more-confident-about-hiring http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/reward-strategies-may-be-futile-if-communication-does-not-improve Most employers in the UK could be wasting the money they spend on salaries and benefits by leaving employees in the dark about the true value of the total package. That is according toresearch published by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development at its annual Reward Conference. The CIPD/Benefex Reward Management... Thu, 17 May 2012 02:33:07 GMT http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/reward-strategies-may-be-futile-if-communication-does-not-improve http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/uk-commercial-property-returns-increase-marginally UK commercial property performance improved in April with a marginal increase in headline total returns, as capital value declines slowed allowing All Property total returns to increase to 0.2%, up from 0.1% in March, according to CBRE’s latest UK Monthly Index. This improved performance was again due to the continued strength... Thu, 17 May 2012 02:32:44 GMT http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/uk-commercial-property-returns-increase-marginally http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/uk-entrepreneurs-boost-job-creation-and-drive-recovery UK entrepreneurs have grown sales by 20% year on year and created a major boost to demonstrate their key role in rejuvenating the UK economy, according to new figures compiled by Ernst & Young. The findings, based on the finalists of the Ernst & Young UK Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards,... Thu, 17 May 2012 02:32:11 GMT http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/uk-entrepreneurs-boost-job-creation-and-drive-recovery http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/greece-crisis-continues-to-grip-euro-zone Mounting concern about Greece's seemingly inevitable exit from the euro zone has plunged markets into further turmoil. Global share indexes are firmly in the red for the third straight day - and the single currency itself is losing value at an alarming rate as investors seek sanctuary elsewhere. This morning, the euro... Wed, 16 May 2012 02:59:17 GMT http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/greece-crisis-continues-to-grip-euro-zone http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/euro-zone-crisis-main-threat-to-uk-recovery The Bank of England today cut its growth forecast for this year to 0.8% from 1.2%. Problems in the euro zone were identified as the key reason - with the crisis seen as the main threat to the UK's recovery. Bank Governor Sir Mervyn King warned of the "risk of a storm... Wed, 16 May 2012 02:58:55 GMT http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/euro-zone-crisis-main-threat-to-uk-recovery http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/unemployment-down-by-45-000 UK unemployment has recorded a surprise fall at a time when many analysts had expected the jobless rate to remain unchanged. Between January and March this year, unemployment fell by 45,000 to 2.63 million, according to the Office for National Statistics. The jobless rate also fell to 8.2%. In addition, the number of... Wed, 16 May 2012 02:58:32 GMT http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/unemployment-down-by-45-000 http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/below-minimum-wage-shock-for-retirement-britons The true situation regarding retirement Britain is laid bare in the latest LV= State of Retirement Report. It shows 6.25 million Britons aged over-50 (28%) have no pension plan in place and look set to rely on just the state pension in retirement, a huge increase on the 1.2 million people... Wed, 16 May 2012 02:58:09 GMT http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/below-minimum-wage-shock-for-retirement-britons http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/under-employment-masks-jobless-problem The number of men doing part-time jobs because they cannot find full-time work has more than doubled over the last four years, according to TUC analysis of official figures. Its findings show the number of men doing part-time jobs because they can't find full-time work more than doubled from 293,000 in... Wed, 16 May 2012 02:57:37 GMT http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/under-employment-masks-jobless-problem http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/greece-playing-chicken-with-sovereign-stakes Here, Chris Towner, director of FX advisory services at currency specialist HiFX, considers the impact of Greece's potential exit from the euro zone... "Spain for now will be relieved that the spotlight has moved away from them and back to Greece. The Greeks seem to be playing a game of chicken... Tue, 15 May 2012 07:03:31 GMT http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/greece-playing-chicken-with-sovereign-stakes http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/fears-rise-over-health-of-euro-zone Political upheaval is ushering in a change of focus for the euro zone, according to Paul Brain, manager of the Newton Global Dynamic Bond Fund. He said: "As we enter another round of anxiety regarding the euro zone, should we be more concerned this time?" asks Brain, "In some respects, the... Tue, 15 May 2012 07:03:05 GMT http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/fears-rise-over-health-of-euro-zone http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/uk-economic-recovery-continues-to-weaken April saw a reversal of the English regional growth upturn seen in the previous month, according to the latest Lloyds TSB regional Purchasing Managers' Index. At 52.6, down from 55.3 in March, the index measuring overall private sector business activity in the English regions was the lowest since November 2011, but... Tue, 15 May 2012 07:02:37 GMT http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/uk-economic-recovery-continues-to-weaken http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/aim-miners-in-lacklustre-performance Aim’s junior miners had a subdued start to the year, with strengthening metals prices contributing to only a 5% gain in Ernst & Young’s Mining Eye index from the previous quarter, underperforming the rest of the market. However this lacklustre performance was offset by an increase in listings with five new... Tue, 15 May 2012 07:02:04 GMT http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/aim-miners-in-lacklustre-performance http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/challenges-ahead-for-consumers-as-financial-services-change Consumers will face increasing challenges as the fall-out from the financial crisis and economic pressures continue. That is the warning from out-going BSA Chairman, Peter Griffiths. These factors, combined with ever more one size fits all regulation across the financial services sector are likely to prompt changes in product supply and an... Tue, 15 May 2012 07:01:25 GMT http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/challenges-ahead-for-consumers-as-financial-services-change http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/stock-markets-slide-as-end-looms-for-greece Stock markets across Europe have this morning fallen heavily amid renewed concerns over Greece. Political turmoil in the debt-hit country is fuelling the latest frenzied bout of selling which has seen most major bourses down by around 2%. Bank shares in particular have been hit hard as investors fear their exposure if... Mon, 14 May 2012 01:46:20 GMT http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/stock-markets-slide-as-end-looms-for-greece http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/could-gold-be-losing-its-investment-shine Here, John Ventre, Portfolio Manager, Spectrum and multi asset funds, Skandia Investment Group, considers the state of the precious metals market... "Gold has now fallen below US $1600 an ounce, coinciding with a general sell off in risk assets. "So far this year, the metal strengthened for the first two months of... Mon, 14 May 2012 01:45:30 GMT http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/could-gold-be-losing-its-investment-shine http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/natural-disasters-and-weather-have-serious-economic-impact Economic repercussions from natural disasters and the weather are significant and can be long-lived, complicating both policy making and understanding the business cycle, according to global investment manager Standard Life Investments. In the latest edition of Global Perspectives, it examines how the weather and natural forces shape the economic environment in... Mon, 14 May 2012 01:45:09 GMT http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/natural-disasters-and-weather-have-serious-economic-impact http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/further-blow-as-confidence-drifts-from-uk-consumers UK consumer confidence fell back in April, according to the latest data from Nationwide. Robert Gardner, Nationwide’s Chief Economist, said: "The main Consumer Confidence Index has see-sawed in recent months, with alternating rises and falls since September last year. "Nevertheless, the Index has consistently remained well below its long-run average, signalling ongoing... Mon, 14 May 2012 01:44:41 GMT http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/further-blow-as-confidence-drifts-from-uk-consumers http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/buy-to-let-sector-continues-to-enjoy-popularity New buy-to-let lending in the first quarter of this year totalled £3.7billion (32,300 loans), according to the Council of Mortgage Lenders.This was 5% down on the fourth quarter of 2011. While 32% higher than in the first quarter of 2011, buy-to-let lending is still only around a third of its... Mon, 14 May 2012 01:44:21 GMT http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/buy-to-let-sector-continues-to-enjoy-popularity http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/house-prices-double-by-seaside House prices have more than doubled since 2002 in half of the seaside towns surveyed in England and Wales, according to latest research from Halifax. During the past decade, the average house price in seaside towns rose by 97%, slightly ahead of the 95% increase in the whole of England and... Mon, 14 May 2012 01:43:59 GMT http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/house-prices-double-by-seaside http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/final-tax-warning-for-online-sellers People trading on the internet who have not paid all the tax they owe have just one month left to take part in an opportunity offered by HMRC to get their tax affairs in order on the best terms available. Under the time-limited opportunity, known as the e-Markets Disclosure Facility, online... Mon, 14 May 2012 01:43:36 GMT http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/final-tax-warning-for-online-sellers http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/government-debt-intiatives-stop-repossessions The Government claims its commitment to tackling the record deficit is keeping interest rates at a record low and a secure roof over the heads of millions of hard-working homeowners. Housing Minister Grant Shapps spoke out as latest figures from the Council of Mortgage Lenders showed the number of repossessions unchanged... Mon, 14 May 2012 01:43:07 GMT http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/government-debt-intiatives-stop-repossessions http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/building-blocks-for-growth-remain-in-place-for-china Here, Stuart Parks, Head of Asian Equities at Invesco Perpetual considers the future prospects for China... "At least since China's accession to the World Trade Organisation a decade ago, the Chinese economic growth model has been a simple one: export-led growth supported by large amounts of Fixed Asset Investment growth, particularly... Mon, 14 May 2012 01:42:35 GMT http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/building-blocks-for-growth-remain-in-place-for-china http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/emerging-markets-to-have-impact-on-real-estate-investment There are major changes ahead in the real estate sector, according to PwC real estate partner John Forbes. Addressing the 2012 Cambridge Real Estate Finance and Investment Conference, he said: "Back in 2007, we predicted that the GDP of the leading emerging markets would surpass that of the leading advanced economies... Mon, 14 May 2012 01:42:02 GMT http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/emerging-markets-to-have-impact-on-real-estate-investment http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/dire-warning-on-spread-of-uk-poverty Poverty in the UK is likely to get worse not better over the next decade. Changes in the labour market, combined with changes to the tax and benefit system, are likely to increase relative poverty rates across the UK, according to the latest research from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation. The report, Poverty... Fri, 11 May 2012 06:54:26 GMT http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/dire-warning-on-spread-of-uk-poverty http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/mixed-performance-for-jobs-market Fragility and uncertainty are key themes revealed in the latest assessment of the UK jobs market. Permanent staff placements increased in April, continuing the trend seen since the start of 2012, according to the latest Recruitment and Employment Confederation and KPMG Report on Jobs. Despite this, the rate of growth was modest... Fri, 11 May 2012 06:54:00 GMT http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/mixed-performance-for-jobs-market http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/austerity-backlash-and-impact-on-euro-zone Here, Schroders' European Economist, Azad Zangana, comments on the recent elections in France and Greece, and the rising tide against austerity... "A wave of austerity fatigue is sweeping across Europe. On 6 May, both France and Greece held important elections that have the potential to change the shape of the euro... Fri, 11 May 2012 06:53:25 GMT http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/austerity-backlash-and-impact-on-euro-zone http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/true-scale-of-household-rent-payments-revealed The staggering amount of rent paid by UK residential tenants is laid bare in a new study. Households are spending an average 38% of their take-home income on rent, with those in London spending 71%, according to figures from FindaProperty.com. Its latest Rental Index, shows the average asking price for renting in... Fri, 11 May 2012 06:52:57 GMT http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/true-scale-of-household-rent-payments-revealed http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/worrying-growth-in-level-of-unsecured-debt Alarming figures on increasing levels of unsecured debt in the UK have been revealed in the latest data from Credit Action. Its Debt Statistics show that average household debt (excluding mortgages) increased for the second time in three months during March. Credit Action said this was further evidence that a long-term trend... Fri, 11 May 2012 06:52:26 GMT http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/worrying-growth-in-level-of-unsecured-debt http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/small-donations-to-charities-qualify-for-top-up-payments Charities will benefit from tax changes in the Queen's Speech. They will be able to claim top-up payments on up to £5000 of small donations without needing Gift Aid declarations, under the measures. The Gift Aid Small Donations Scheme will boost the income of charities and reduce their administrative burdens as they... Fri, 11 May 2012 06:52:02 GMT http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/small-donations-to-charities-qualify-for-top-up-payments http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/uk-prime-property-cheaper-to-let-than-to-buy It is now cheaper to rent than buy a prime property in the UK. That is the key finding of PrimeLocation.com's new Prime Rental Index. The average cost of renting a prime property in the UK is £1238, some £369 a month less than the mortgage for the average prime property. In London... Fri, 11 May 2012 06:51:31 GMT http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/uk-prime-property-cheaper-to-let-than-to-buy http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/commercial-tenancy-lengths-driven-to-record-low The average length of a commercial property tenancy is now at a record low. The largest independent study of such tenancies will next week reveal a fall in lease lengths to just 4.8 years on average as landlords work in step with tenant requirements. An increasingly polarised market has developed over the... Fri, 11 May 2012 06:51:08 GMT http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/commercial-tenancy-lengths-driven-to-record-low http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/gradual-improvement-in-consumer-credit-markets The loan market finally appears to be growing, according to industry figures. A gradual improvement in the first quarter of 2012 has been shown in statistics from the Finance & Leasing Association, the trade body for the consumer credit industry. Total consumer finance provided by FLA members grew by 9% in March,... Fri, 11 May 2012 06:50:41 GMT http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/gradual-improvement-in-consumer-credit-markets http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/risk-targeted-funds-avoid-fsa-concerns-on-portfolio-drift Risk-targeted funds can help financial advisers avoid portfolio drift - one of the significant concerns highlighted in the FSA's recent paper on assessing investment suitability, according to Skandia Investment Group. Section 4.12 of the FSA paper on Centralised Investment Propositions states that: "Where a firm uses an asset-allocation approach in constructing... Fri, 11 May 2012 06:50:03 GMT http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/risk-targeted-funds-avoid-fsa-concerns-on-portfolio-drift http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/uk-property-market-grinds-to-halt-again The more optimistic outlook for the residential property market looked to have run out of steam last month as prices edged lower, according to the latest RICS UK Housing Market survey. Across the country, 19% more chartered surveyors reported falls rather than rises in house prices. Alongside this, expectations for future... Wed, 09 May 2012 03:57:20 GMT http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/uk-property-market-grinds-to-halt-again http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/queens-speech-targets-economy The Government's plans for the next legislative period have been revealed in today's Queen's Speech. Measures to kick-start the economy are central to the proposals which include reducing business regulation and giving shareholders more power - particularly on executive pay. The Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Bill will "create the right conditions for... Wed, 09 May 2012 03:56:56 GMT http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/queens-speech-targets-economy http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/what-next-for-greece-and-the-euro Here Ryan Hughes, Portfolio Manager, Skandia Investment Group, considers the future for Greece and the single currency in the wake of last weekend's election... "When over 2000 years ago the great ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle wrote 'the structure of the best tragedy should be not simple but complex and one that... Wed, 09 May 2012 03:56:28 GMT http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/what-next-for-greece-and-the-euro http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/bull-market-should-persevere-despite-uncertainty Here, Bob Doll, Chief Equity Strategist for Fundamental Equities at BlackRock, provides his weekly investment commentary on the market... "Stocks struggled last week in the face of some weaker economic data (most notably, a disappointing April payrolls report). For the week, the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 1.4% to 13,038, the... Wed, 09 May 2012 03:55:58 GMT http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/bull-market-should-persevere-despite-uncertainty http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/consumers-warned-as-price-of-cheap-energy-starts-rising Consumers are being urged to snap up a competitive energy plan while they can, as a second supplier has moved to push its online prices upwards. While standard prices remain steady at £1252 a year, online prices have started to creep upwards, hitting £1091 a year. Emma Bush, energy expert at... Wed, 09 May 2012 03:55:30 GMT http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/consumers-warned-as-price-of-cheap-energy-starts-rising http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/why-time-in-market-beats-timing-market Here, JP Morgan Asset Management looks at whether investors should follow the old adage of "Sell in May and go away, come back on St Leger day"... After sharp market falls in the summer of 2011, sparked by a downgrading of the US credit rating and continuing sovereign debt problems in... Wed, 09 May 2012 03:54:59 GMT http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/why-time-in-market-beats-timing-market http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/price-of-happiness-increases The amount of savings needed to be happy has risen, according to the latest research by investment specialist Skandia. Just over two out of three (64%) people surveyed in April said savings of up to £5000 would make them happy, compared to four out of five (82%) in 2010, a drop... Wed, 09 May 2012 03:54:37 GMT http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/price-of-happiness-increases http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/food-for-thought-on-us-economy Here, Alan Thein, Co-Manager, Legal & General's Multi-Manager fund range comments on the latest US economic data... "US economic data releases dominated the minds of the markets this week and there was much food for thought. After a positive start earlier in the week, with the ISM Manufacturing Index coming it... Wed, 09 May 2012 03:54:05 GMT http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/food-for-thought-on-us-economy http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/inertia-continues-to-grip-housing-sector House prices in the three months to April were 0.3% higher than in the previous quarter, marking the first rise in this measure for seven months, according to the latest Halifax House Price Index. On a monthly basis, house prices fell by 2.4% in April. This more than offset the previous... Wed, 09 May 2012 03:53:44 GMT http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/inertia-continues-to-grip-housing-sector http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/property-owning-hopes-at-30-year-high Despite the housing slump of the last three years, the long term home-owning aspirations of buyers are higher than at any time since the 1970s. Research carried out for the AA Home Emergency Response service reveals that of those who have bought their first home in the period since the 2008... Wed, 09 May 2012 03:53:06 GMT http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/property-owning-hopes-at-30-year-high http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/5-more-years-of-unemployment-pain-ahead Unemployment is set to continue rising over the next five years in every region of the UK except for the South East, East of England and London.   That is the finding of the latest study from the Centre for Economics and Business Research. These estimates, taken from the latest edition of Cebr's... Tue, 08 May 2012 02:59:46 GMT http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/5-more-years-of-unemployment-pain-ahead http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/markets-underwhelmed-by-european-elections Stock markets across Europe have not suffered the widely-predicted collapse expected following Sunday's election results in France and Greece. Despite the public in both countries delivering an anti-austerity verdict, share prices have stood relatively firm in the aftermath. This could be perhaps because traders had factored in the results in the weeks... Tue, 08 May 2012 02:59:22 GMT http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/markets-underwhelmed-by-european-elections http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/uk-rental-market-strong-despite-recession Following last week's data from the Office for National Statistics which confirmed the UK economy had returned to recession, one lettings firm said the rental sector continued to buck the trend. Belvoir CEO Dorian Gonsalves said: "In financial terms Belvoir has not experienced a single dip recession in the lettings industry,... Tue, 08 May 2012 02:58:58 GMT http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/uk-rental-market-strong-despite-recession http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/welcome-fall-in-food-inflation-during-april Overall shop price inflation fell to 1.3% in April from 1.5% in March, according to the latest BRC-Nielsen Shop Price Index. Food inflation slowed to 4.3% in April from 5.4% in March. Non-food reported deflation of 0.5% in April from 0.9% in March. British Retail Consortium Director General Stephen Robertson said: "After... Tue, 08 May 2012 02:58:36 GMT http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/welcome-fall-in-food-inflation-during-april http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/nationwide-reveals-another-fall-in-house-prices UK house prices edged down by 0.2% in April, according to the latest figures from Nationwide. Nationwide Chief Economist Robert Gardner said: "The price of a typical UK home fell by 0.2% in April, following a 1.0% decline in March. This is the fourth time in five months that prices have... Tue, 08 May 2012 02:58:14 GMT http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/nationwide-reveals-another-fall-in-house-prices http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/worrying-trend-of-personal-insolvencies-among-wealthy Insolvencies in the UK continue to be most prevalent among welfare dependent groups but there was also an increase in the levels of wealthy individuals, rural residents and pensioners being declared insolvent in the last quarter, according to analysis from global information services company Experian. Figures published last week by the... Tue, 08 May 2012 02:57:44 GMT http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/worrying-trend-of-personal-insolvencies-among-wealthy http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/taxman-issues-new-warning Tax officials have issued another reminder to electricians that they have just one week to register to pay any undisclosed tax owed under an HM Revenue & Customs campaign. The Electricians Tax Safe Plan is a time-limited opportunity where electricians can pay any tax and interest they owe, while benefiting from... Tue, 08 May 2012 02:56:45 GMT http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/taxman-issues-new-warning http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/trust-and-confidence-needs-rebuilding-in-finance-sector Managing director of the Financial Services Authority Martin Wheatley, believes there are still unresolved issues around how customers are treated across financial services and getting to grips with them is central to rebuilding confidence and trust. Speaking at the Chartered Institute of Bankers in Scotland, he said that many of the... Tue, 08 May 2012 02:56:09 GMT http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/trust-and-confidence-needs-rebuilding-in-finance-sector http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/improvement-in-mortgage-lending-and-approvals Gross mortgage lending by building societies and other mutual lenders rose 58% in March 2012 compared to the same month last year, and by 40% in the first quarter of 2012 compared to the first quarter of 2011. Net lending by mutuals was positive for the sixth consecutive month. Mortgage approvals by... Tue, 08 May 2012 02:55:45 GMT http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/improvement-in-mortgage-lending-and-approvals http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/more-landlords-should-meet-tenants Landlords who do not handle their own property viewings could be missing a trick, according to research from lettings agency Upad. Following the long-held simple belief that landlords are better than agents at showing tenants around their properties, Upad asked 382 tenants from across the UK if they agreed and discovered... Tue, 08 May 2012 02:55:06 GMT http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/more-landlords-should-meet-tenants http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/new-landlords-must-learn-their-responsibilities It seems to be a great time to become a landlord. If you have the capital to invest in a property or two, renting it out looks like a reasonably safe bet in terms of annual income, with a growing number of people forced to become tenants rather than homeowners... Fri, 04 May 2012 05:05:02 GMT http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/new-landlords-must-learn-their-responsibilities http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/brighter-growth-outlook-for-uk-economy A more positive outlook for the UK economy for the rest of the year has been predicted by the CBI. The economy will see growth resume in the second half of 2012, with faster GDP growth during 2013. The CBI expects GDP growth in 2012 will be 0.6%, slightly down from its... Fri, 04 May 2012 09:08:14 GMT http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/brighter-growth-outlook-for-uk-economy http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/mortgage-shock-for-millions-of-homeowners This week more than a million people have been hit by the Standard Variable Rate and variable rate mortgage rise. As a result, Which? estimates consumers will face an additional £300million in mortgage repayments over the next year. Its research reveals 70% of mortgage-holders are concerned about an increase in interest rates... Fri, 04 May 2012 09:07:47 GMT http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/mortgage-shock-for-millions-of-homeowners http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/200-000-families-hit-by-tax-credit-calamity The extent of the changes to working tax credit has been revealed. Figures today published by HMRC show that more than 200,000 families have lost their entire working tax credit support, worth £3870, from 6 April 2012. Reacting to the data, Chief Executive of Child Poverty Action Group, Alison Garnham, said: "This... Fri, 04 May 2012 09:07:22 GMT http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/200-000-families-hit-by-tax-credit-calamity http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/cancellation-rights-save-consumers-millions Recommendations by the Office of Fair Trading to improve cancellation rights have saved consumers about £8.5million a year in doorstep sales. An independent evaluation by GHK Consulting looked at the impact of the OFT's 2004 market study into doorstep sales. The study focused on legitimate rather than "rogue" or "bogus" doorstep... Fri, 04 May 2012 09:06:56 GMT http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/cancellation-rights-save-consumers-millions http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/has-uk-property-market-finally-turned-corner After four long years of grim statistics, could the UK property market finally be looking more positive? Continued signs of improvement were seen during April according to the latest figures from "For Sale" board company Agency Express's Property Activity Index. Month-on-month data for April 2012 shows that nationwide residential property sales increased... Fri, 04 May 2012 09:06:22 GMT http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/has-uk-property-market-finally-turned-corner http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/risks-continue-but-asset-support-good-enough Here, Bob Doll, Chief Equity Strategist of Fundamental Equities at BlackRock, provides his latest weekly commentary... Economic Growth Continues to Muddle Through Our expectation is that the US will continue to grow at a slow, but positive, pace for 2012. Early in the year, the labour market appeared to be recovering nicely, but... Fri, 04 May 2012 09:00:54 GMT http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/risks-continue-but-asset-support-good-enough http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/britons-fear-worst-over-double-dip The British public has become more concerned about their personal finances as a result of the UK economy falling back into recession once more. That is the key finding of research into the impact of the double-dip recession by comparison site MoneySupermarket.com. Some 37% of people said they were more concerned about... Fri, 04 May 2012 09:00:23 GMT http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/britons-fear-worst-over-double-dip http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/strong-investor-preference-for-physically-replicated-etfs A strong and continuing investor preference for physically-backed exchange-traded funds has come through in the latest survey by Morningstar of UK appetite, understanding and use of ETFs. The research found: * More than half of all respondents already invest via ETFs, with the remainder still familiarising themselves with these new vehicles; * 89%... Fri, 04 May 2012 08:59:50 GMT http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/strong-investor-preference-for-physically-replicated-etfs http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/more-austerity-or-deficits-higher-for-longer Here, Legal & General Investment Management's Economist James Carrick, explains why he feels that growth forecasts issued by the Office for Budget Responsibility are too optimistic, and the knock-on effects this could cause for UK policymakers... "The OBR is forecasting a return to pretty punchy growth rates by the end of... Fri, 04 May 2012 08:59:10 GMT http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/more-austerity-or-deficits-higher-for-longer http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/finances-squeezed-further-by-home-bill-increases Consumer finances are being squeezed by household bills that are rising much faster than inflation, research from Santander has revealed. The findings show that, in the past 10 years, the cost of household bills has risen by 71%, almost twice as fast as the 38% increase in inflation as measured by... Fri, 04 May 2012 08:58:35 GMT http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/finances-squeezed-further-by-home-bill-increases http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/us-markets-soar-on-economic-improvements The US stock market last night closed at its highest level since December 2007 as the American economic recovery shows more signs of powering ahead. In contrast to the UK, US manufacturing was stronger than expected in April and this propelled the Dow Jones Index upwards 66 points to finish the... Wed, 02 May 2012 01:24:06 GMT http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/us-markets-soar-on-economic-improvements http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/flexible-multi-asset-approach-crucial-in-volatile-market Research by Baring Asset Management into the best and worst performing asset classes over the past five years demonstrates the need for multi-asset managers to be able to move speedily into and out of asset classes. The research illustrates the extreme volatility of major asset classes, with the best and worst... Wed, 02 May 2012 01:23:43 GMT http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/flexible-multi-asset-approach-crucial-in-volatile-market http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/mixed-signals-from-uk-manufacturing-sector Here, Charles Davis, from the cebr considers the reasons behind the latest problems with the manufacturing sector... "There were mixed signals coming from UK manufacturing [this morning], as data showed the manufacturing sector maintaining expansion for the fifth consecutive month. "The Markit / Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply Purchasing Managers' Index... Wed, 02 May 2012 01:23:12 GMT http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/mixed-signals-from-uk-manufacturing-sector http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/downgrading-devil-is-in-spanish-bank-funding-detail Here, Anthony Gillham, Portfolio Manager fixed interest, Skandia Investment Group, comments on the market reaction to Spain's predicament... Friday's announcement by Standard and Poors that Spain is to be downgraded by two notches from A to BBB+ was not greeted by the market with any great surprise, nor the follow up... Wed, 02 May 2012 01:22:39 GMT http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/downgrading-devil-is-in-spanish-bank-funding-detail http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/house-building-sector-reveals-widening-divide The gap between private and public sector registrations to build new homes in the UK continues to widen, figures released by NHBC have revealed. Social housing has shown a 54% decrease for March 2012, compared to March last year (2460 - 5330). Although private sector registrations to build new homes in March... Wed, 02 May 2012 01:22:03 GMT http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/house-building-sector-reveals-widening-divide http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/more-economic-woe-as-uk-manufacturing-growth-slows A week after it was revealed that the UK is back in recession, another set of numbers have added to the country's economic woes. The statistically significant Markit/CIPS purchasing managers' index has revealed that growth in the UK manufacturing sector slowed in April. It dropped to 50.5, down from 51.9 in March. Any... Tue, 01 May 2012 02:48:26 GMT http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/more-economic-woe-as-uk-manufacturing-growth-slows http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/will-europe-endure-more-economic-pain The euro zone has been the scene of huge economic and political upheaval - and there could be more to come with elections in France underway and Greece going to the polls on 6 May. Greek elections could create uncertainty around the Mediterranean country's fiscal policy and its ability to honour... Tue, 01 May 2012 02:46:44 GMT http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/will-europe-endure-more-economic-pain http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/look-for-assets-with-valuation-cushion Here, Johanna Kyrklund, Head of Multi-Asset Investments at Schroders, considers the best way to add risk back to portfolios... "With events in Europe casting a shadow over the global economic outlook, investors should be looking for assets which have a valuation cushion, and which are liquid. My view is that risk... Tue, 01 May 2012 02:46:16 GMT http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/look-for-assets-with-valuation-cushion http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/skills-gap-leaves-10-million-manufacturing-jobs-unfilled There may be a worldwide economic crisis - but the future of global manufacturing is turning into a competition for talent. That is the verdict of a new report "The Future Of Manufacturing: Opportunities To Drive Economic Growth", released by the World Economic Forum in collaboration with Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu. The report... Tue, 01 May 2012 02:45:47 GMT http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/skills-gap-leaves-10-million-manufacturing-jobs-unfilled http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/property-market-bolstered-by-strong-start-to-2012 Could the UK property market finally be improving after four difficult years? The latest House Price, Affordability and Rental Index from FindaProperty.com indicates that it has seen a strong start to the year, with asking prices increasing by £3104 in the past three months to March. Asking prices have increased 1.8% since... Tue, 01 May 2012 02:45:01 GMT http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/property-market-bolstered-by-strong-start-to-2012 http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/alarming-world-job-crisis-not-recovering Despite signs that economic growth has resumed in some regions, the global employment situation is alarming and shows no sign of recovery in the near future, according to the International Labour Organisation. Its "World of Work Report 2012: Better Jobs for a Better Economy" says that around 50 million jobs are... Mon, 30 Apr 2012 01:45:28 GMT http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/alarming-world-job-crisis-not-recovering http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/uk-retailers-face-worst-ever-problems A bleak forecast for UK retailers has been outlined by the KPMG/Ipsos Retail Think Tank. Following its latest quarterly meeting, the panel of retail industry commentators believes the health of the industry will worsen to record levels before any signs of recovery. The RTT Retail Health Index is expected to fall to... Mon, 30 Apr 2012 01:45:03 GMT http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/uk-retailers-face-worst-ever-problems http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/euro-zone-uncertainty-fuels-currency-sell-off As the markets are rocked by France's presidential elections and attention continues to linger on Spain as official figures announce that it is once again in recession, currency specialist HiFX has reported a huge 175% increase in euro sales. Mark Bodega, Director at HiFX said: "This movement has occurred in spite... Mon, 30 Apr 2012 01:44:24 GMT http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/euro-zone-uncertainty-fuels-currency-sell-off http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/where-next-for-uk-property-sector The state of the housing market was the key focal point of a recent HSBC debate which brought together a panel of distinguished experts from the property industry. The panel included Hugh Pym, BBC's Chief Economics Correspondent; Paul Lewis, presenter of BBC's Radio 4's Money Box; Nigel Terrington, Chief Executive of... Mon, 30 Apr 2012 01:43:29 GMT http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/where-next-for-uk-property-sector http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/tax-reminder-as-deadline-looms-for-employers The deadline is looming for UK employers to get their 2011/12 annual returns to HM Revenue & Customs. Employer Annual Returns, which provide information on employees' tax and national insurance deductions during the tax year, must be sent online to HMRC by 19 May. HMRC is this week writing to all employers... Mon, 30 Apr 2012 01:43:03 GMT http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/tax-reminder-as-deadline-looms-for-employers http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/million-pound-home-sales-cool-down The number of properties selling for more than £1million declined in 2011 - but sales of homes worth more than £2million continued to grow, according to research by Lloyds TSB. The total number of sales of properties that cost at least £1million in Great Britain was 5% lower in 2011 (6911)... Mon, 30 Apr 2012 01:42:43 GMT http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/million-pound-home-sales-cool-down http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/corporate-culture-needs-change-to-harness-power-of-big-data Organisations need to avoid over-analysing the data on their doorstep if they are going to reap the true benefits of so-called "big data", according to KPMG Management Consulting. "Big Data" is rapidly becoming the 2012 corporate must-have, as it offers massive opportunities to gather real-time intelligence and drive product or service... Mon, 30 Apr 2012 01:42:19 GMT http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/corporate-culture-needs-change-to-harness-power-of-big-data http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/mortgage-options-analysed Few economists are expecting any change in the Bank of England base rate in the near future and current sentiment suggests that the base rate may remain at its historic low of 0.50% until 2014 or even 2015. Against this backdrop those seeking a mortgage face a real quandary when deciding... Mon, 30 Apr 2012 01:41:56 GMT http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/mortgage-options-analysed http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/landlord-tenant-relations-boosted-by-deposit-protection Five years after it became a legal requirement to protect tenants’ deposits in the private rental market, much of the "cultural" antagonism between landlords and tenants may be reducing. And, now it is forecast that the number of authorised deposit protection schemes may increase both this year and again in 2016... Mon, 30 Apr 2012 01:41:33 GMT http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/landlord-tenant-relations-boosted-by-deposit-protection http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/households-hit-by-rising-leisure-time-costs Families are now facing the most expensive costs for filling their spare time in over a decade, according to the first bi-annual review from Halifax. When family funds are likely to be more squeezed than ever, the cost of ten out of the 11 leisure activities included in the report have... Mon, 30 Apr 2012 01:40:55 GMT http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/households-hit-by-rising-leisure-time-costs http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/first-student-accommodation-resale-site-launched-in-uk North West based Property Investment firm, Knight Knox International, has launched the first ever website dedicated entirely to the buying and selling of student accommodation units – studentpodshop.com! Evolved through a growing demand from investors for a straightforward way to release the equity in their student accommodation units, studentpodshop.com is the... Mon, 30 Apr 2012 10:20:14 GMT http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/first-student-accommodation-resale-site-launched-in-uk http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/what-recession-consumer-confidence-soars Consumer Confidence has jumped to a nine-month high, according to the latest data from Nationwide. Robert Gardner, Nationwide's chief economist, said: "Much of the survey-based data has painted a more upbeat picture of the UK economy than official data in recent months - March's Consumer Confidence index continues that trend. The... Fri, 27 Apr 2012 12:18:02 GMT http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/what-recession-consumer-confidence-soars http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/largest-group-ever-warned-over-financial-con-risk The Financial Services Authority is contacting 76,732 people to let them know they are targets for fraudsters trying to con them out of their money. Their names appeared on a number of lists recovered from companies that the FSA believes were fraudulently selling investments in land or worthless, sometimes non-existent, shares. Combined... Fri, 27 Apr 2012 12:17:40 GMT http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/largest-group-ever-warned-over-financial-con-risk http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/euro-zone-hit-by-new-economic-blow The euro zone has this morning been rocked by further dire economic statistics. Spain, one of the key countries "at risk", continues to struggle and unemployment today hit a record high of 5.64 million. It has the highest unemployment rate in the European Union with a quarter of the country's population now... Fri, 27 Apr 2012 12:17:19 GMT http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/euro-zone-hit-by-new-economic-blow http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/brighter-outlook-on-house-prices Britons are becoming increasingly confident in the outlook for the housing market, according to the latest Halifax Housing Market Confidence tracker. Almost 40% of respondents predict that house prices nationally will increase over the next year - double the proportion that believe house prices will fall. As a result, the headline House... Fri, 27 Apr 2012 12:16:54 GMT http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/brighter-outlook-on-house-prices http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/march-lending-lifted-by-stamp-duty-deadline Gross mortgage lending in March was an estimated £13.4billion, according to the Council of Mortgage Lenders. This represents a 30% rise from £10.3billion in February and a 17% rise from March 2011 (£11.4billion). This is the highest monthly total since September 2011 (£13.6billion) and the highest monthly total for March since 2008... Fri, 27 Apr 2012 12:16:01 GMT http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/march-lending-lifted-by-stamp-duty-deadline http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/experts-analyse-double-dip-recession Official Government figures released on Wednesday show that the British economy is once again in recession following two consecutive quarters of negative growth. Here is reaction to the news from a selection of financial and business experts... Rupert Watson, Head of Asset Allocation, Skandia Investment Group: "The UK is reported to have shrunk... Thu, 26 Apr 2012 03:17:06 GMT http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/experts-analyse-double-dip-recession http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/employer-confidence-at-record-high-for-recruitment Employer confidence grew throughout the first quarter of 2012, according to the latest monthly study of hiring intentions by the Recruitment and Employment Confederation. Confidence has now reached its highest level since the survey began in March 2009. Employers intend to hire more staff in both the short and long term, with... Thu, 26 Apr 2012 03:16:49 GMT http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/employer-confidence-at-record-high-for-recruitment http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/banking-industry-police-save-E2A3400m-from-fraudsters The specialist police unit that tackles UK card and cheque fraud crime - has passed the £400million mark in reduced fraud activity since its launch ten years ago. The Dedicated Cheque and Plastic Crime Unit was launched on 29 April 2002 and became permanent two years later following a successful trial,... Thu, 26 Apr 2012 03:16:27 GMT http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/banking-industry-police-save-E2A3400m-from-fraudsters http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/demographics-current-accounts-and-the-savings-cycle Here, J.P. Morgan Asset Management's Tom Elliott considers the lifecycle of savings... "The life cycle of savings theory suggests that when we are young, and old, we dis-save (ie, borrow or wind down savings), but that this is balanced out during our lives through savings in our middle age. It might... Thu, 26 Apr 2012 03:16:04 GMT http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/demographics-current-accounts-and-the-savings-cycle http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/economic-growth-fragile-in-rural-areas Investment in agricultural and rural businesses could be lower over the next 12 months leading to restricted growth, according to a survey by the CLA and Smiths Gore. The Rural Economy Index examined more than 100 businesses in the countryside during the first quarter of 2012 to provide a snapshot of... Thu, 26 Apr 2012 03:15:37 GMT http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/economic-growth-fragile-in-rural-areas http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/uk-economy-back-in-recession--official Britain's economy is back in recession, according to official figures out this morning. The Office for National Statistics revealed that the UK economy shrank by 0.2% in the first three months of 2012 after a significant fall in construction output. The Q1 contraction follows the 0.3% shrinkage in the fourth quarter of... Wed, 25 Apr 2012 10:52:00 GMT http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/uk-economy-back-in-recession--official http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/millions-locked-out-of-property-market With UK market conditions continuing to make it difficult for would-be home owners to get a foot on the property ladder, the average age Britons expect to be able to buy their first property is now 37 years old, according research from MoneySupermarket.com. UK adults who do not currently own a... Wed, 25 Apr 2012 10:51:37 GMT http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/millions-locked-out-of-property-market http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/hedge-funds-outperform-rivals-across-two-decades Hedge funds significantly outperformed traditional asset classes such as equities, bonds and commodities over the last 17 years according to a study by the Centre for Hedge Fund Research at Imperial College in London. The research, commissioned by KPMG and the Alternative Investment Management Association, the global hedge fund association, is... Wed, 25 Apr 2012 10:51:15 GMT http://www.investortoday.co.uk/news_features/hedge-funds-outperform-rivals-across-two-decades