Stock market woe continues

The FTSE 250 had its biggest fall for 10 years yesterday. The main FTSE 100 index is down around 5,500 - about 10% off its peak of last month. There used to be an old adage about "sell in May and go away". It seems that a lot of bad news is building up to deflate market sentiment. A difference between now and previous down-turns is the unknown impact of hedge funds.

Click on the post title to read the Daily Telegraph report on the subject.

FTSE Continues Downward Trend

The FTSE continued yesterday's downward trend when it lost 20 points on opening this morning. The current level of the index is now around 5820.

Financial Markets Braced for Turmoil

The financial markets are looking forward to a day of turmoil. The London Stock Exchange fell 129 points on Friday and to US Dollar looks under pressure from both the Yen and the Euro. The underlying fear is that interest rates need to rise to choke off inflationary pressures in both the US and Europe. Long term bond yields are now rising on both sides of the Atlantic.

To read the Daily Telegraph report on the subject, click on the post title.

London Property Prices Stagnate

Accordign to the Financial Times, the rise in London property prices has slowed. The FT has its own house price index. This shows higher average prices, but lower annual increases, than the more usually quoted indices from The Halifax and The Nationwide. Click on the post title to read the FT report.

Housing Boom Stuns Estate Agent

According to a report at Telegraph.co.uk, the strength of the current housing boom has even stunned one of the leading estate agents. Countrywide, which operates a range of retail brands has seen its fees rise by 40% in the first half the year.

For the full report click on the post title.

According to other sources, UK house prices have risen by 8% in the year to April. This news increases pressure on the Bank of England to raise interest rates.

House prices rise by 2% in April

A report in today's Financial Times states that UK house prices rose by 2% in April. This takes the annual rate of house inflation to 8%. The average house is now worth £178,992. The information comes from the Halifax house price survey. To read the full article, click on the post title.

Surge in bank complaints

A report in the Financial Times shows that complaints about high street banks have risen by almost 50%. Most of the complaints concern high interest charges and excessive penalties levied fpr overdrafts. To read the full report click on the post title.