Finance

UK Productivity and low interest rates

I have a question… We have low interest rates and therefore access to cheap money – businesses have enjoyed this benefit for years. We see reports suggesting businesses are doing well – look at the recent market highs – yet productivity is still very low, much lower than it should …

Finance

Indian Markets

Intra-day record highs were reached in Indian markets. The SENSEX went above 32000 and the NIFTY 9900 for the first time – both retreated. Most Asian markets made gains following Wall Street. The Federal Reserve indicated that interest rate rises would be gradual – the markets generally reacted positively to …

Finance

Brexit: UK’s Repeal Bill Published

The repeal bill will ensure that EU laws adopted by the UK will be converted into British law. Parliament will then have the power to change them later. If the bill is not passed then there will be no laws after BREXIT. This bill is going to have a difficult …

Finance

Bank lending to be cut back?

A Credit Conditions Survey report published by the Bank of England seems to suggest that lenders may introduce a reduction in mortgage availability to house buyers – especially for buyers with smaller deposits – making low deposit mortgages more difficult to obtain. Cheap credit card deals may also be more …

Finance

Canada Interest Rate Rise

The Bank of Canada has raised its interest rate to 0.75% for the first in almost seven years. The economy is performing well and less stimulus is needed to maintain momentum.

Finance

Hyperloop One – transportation future?

Elon Musk’s imaginative vision continues… The Hyperloop One transportation system tested successfully on May 12th 2017. A futuristic transportation system that will allow passengers or cargo to be propelled at near-supersonic speeds inside a vacuum tube has declared its first successful test moving the idea one step closer to reality. …

Finance

Hong Kong High

I notice the Hong Kong Hang Seng index reached a two-year high today (12/07/17) pushing past the 26,000 mark – joining the DOW, DAX & FTSE100 in recently reaching new highs.

Finance

Premier oil discovery

I notice today (12/07/17) Premier Oil PLC (PMO) shares jump 30%. The company announced a significant oil find off the coast of Mexico. It is being suggested this oil field could produce 1 billion barrels of oil. Share price moving up from around £0.46 to ££0.60

Finance

Does Brexit mean brexit?

On Thursday 23rd June 2016 the UK voted to leave the European Union. Some 30 million people voted in the referendum to leave the EU with a high turnout of nearly 72% with 51.9% voting to leave and 48.1% to remain. I was confused then by the result, and now, …

Finance

Time to Improve UK productivity

Are we really 20% less productive per hour for every hour we spend at work than Germany? I’ll just repeat that – one fifth – 20% less productive!! If this is the case, isn’t it the responsibility of the company bosses to get control of this and improve productivity. Better …