Businesses are projecting that inflation will rise over the next year, with expectations for wage growth to slow down. This scenario leads analysts to believe that the Bank of England will implement gradual interest rate reductions. A survey conducted by the Bank, which focused on corporate decision-makers in August, indicates that inflation is anticipated to…
As the government gears up to introduce tax hikes in the upcoming budget, capital gains tax (CGT) is taking center stage. This tax is levied on profits from the sale of assets, including property and shares, currently set at 20 percent for shares and 28 percent for property. We turn to two financial experts for…
A recent survey indicates that negative perceptions regarding the financial situation in Britain have adversely affected consumer confidence, especially among older demographics. The British Retail Consortium’s consumer index reveals that expectations regarding personal finances over the next three months have plummeted to a score of -6, a notable decline from a score of 1 recorded…
In a bid to stimulate economic growth amid a prolonged real estate crisis and weak domestic demand, China has cut two critical lending rates as of Monday. The one-year loan prime rate has been reduced by 25 basis points to 3.10%, while the five-year loan prime rate has similarly decreased to 3.6%. The one-year rate…
This month, confidence among British businesses remained robust, maintaining an eight-year peak, primarily driven by the construction sector, which has benefited from the government’s increased push for housing development. The Lloyds Bank business barometer, which gauges monthly business sentiment, reported a consistent reading of 50 percent for August, marking the highest confidence level since November…
The upcoming budget is generating significant attention as we approach the deadline in three weeks. However, I want to shift the focus to another critical economic tool: interest rates as managed by the Bank of England. There appears to be an ongoing discussion within the Bank regarding the speed at which rates can decrease. A…
Q. I have limited experience in funds and the stock market but am considering taking the plunge. Am I too old to start investing in stocks at 60? – Anthony, Devon It’s never too late to begin your investing journey. The Office for National Statistics indicates that a 60-year-old man today has an average life…
Partners at EY in the UK faced an average salary reduction of £38,000 last year, attributed to a decline in fees from international transactions. The average distributable profit per partner decreased from £761,000 to £723,000. As one of the leading firms among the Big Four in professional services, EY explained that the drop in earnings…
In June, my wife and I rented a car for a journey to Lake Como and Lake Maggiore. Everything proceeded smoothly when we picked up a Volkswagen Golf from Europcar at Geneva Airport, and we headed towards Como. About 170 miles into our 200-mile trip to the hotel, another driver hit a rock that bounced…