SocGen: Brent crude could “spike briefly” to $150 on Syria concerns August 28, 2013 The price of brent crude oil could jump as high as $150 (£96) per barrel if the escalating conflict in Syria results in disruptions to supply, a report from Societe Generale has said. The price of brent crude rose as much as 2.5 per cent to $117.23 per barrel on the ICE Futures Europe exchange [...]
Walkie Talkie building scorches Londoners | Morning Wire August 28, 2013 LONDONERS who pass by the Walkie Talkie skyscraper are in for a surprise – because the recently completed building at 20 Fenchurch Street is reflecting a beam of ultra bright light onto the street below. The hotspot on Eastcheap near Monument station is forcing pedestrians to shield their eyes, with one passer-by describing it as [...]
How betting markets could solve the problem of inaccurate Bank forecasts August 28, 2013 IN HIS first major speech since becoming governor of the Bank of England, Mark Carney is today likely to defend a policy that has come to be described as the “Carney rule”. Also known as forward guidance, the rule effectively promises that interest rates will stay at present levels until unemployment drops below 7 per [...]
Driving down costs of car insurance August 27, 2013 Annabel Palmer on how customers could cut down their hefty London insurance premiums THE AA recently announced that comprehensive car insurance premiums saw their biggest fall since the motoring organisation’s records began in 1994. The average annual quote declined to £594.86 by the second quarter of this year, a 9.8 per cent drop from July [...]
Two innovative ideas to cut your premiums August 27, 2013 THE INSURANCE market is not always seen as the most innovative sector, but this reputation may be undeserved. Major institutions, as well as new market entrants, increasingly provide inventive ways of helping you bring down your premiums. The rise of wearable technology – including fitness gadgets that track activities such as steps taken, calories burned [...]
US consumer confidence beats in August August 27, 2013 US consumer confidence has risen from 81 (revised up from 80.3) to 81.5 in August. Economists had forecast a flat reading at that unrevised figure of 80.3. The Richmond Fed manufacturing index was also strong in August, rising from -11 to 14. Amna Asaf, economist, Capital Economics: We suspect that the slide in gasoline prices may [...]
US house prices up 12.1 per cent on a year ago August 27, 2013 US house prices have risen by 12.1 per cent in the year to June, beating economist forecasts of a 12.0 per cent rise. The data from the S&P/Case-Shiller home price index is slightly lower than last month's 12.2 per cent growth.
MPs welcome recall of parliament to vote on Syria response August 27, 2013 Many MPs have taken to Twitter to welcome the recall of parliament. We've got some of their tweets below. Very pleased there will be a debate and vote in Commons on #Syria — Nick de Bois MP (@nickdebois) August 27, 2013 Pleased to see Parliament recalled to discuss Syria. Right thing to do. Regret need [...]
Cameron announces recall of parliament for Syrian response August 27, 2013 Prime minister David Cameron has announced the recall of parliament this Thursday via Twitter in order to discuss a response to present Syrian turmoil. Speaker agrees my request to recall Parliament on Thurs. There'll be a clear Govt motion & vote on UK response to chemical weapons attacks — David Cameron (@David_Cameron) August 27, 2013 [...]
Syria will defend itself with “all available means” against US action August 27, 2013 The Syrian government has announced that it will defend itself with "all available means" in the case of a US military strike. We've already heard comments from prime minister David Cameron demanding that the international community respond, following aggressive comments from US secretary of state John Kerry. Kerry said that the situation in Syria "is [...]