** Like fellow housebuilders, Bellway enjoys robust start to yr, with H1 pretax profit up 53 pct at 158.9 mln pounds, sending shares up 4.1 pct to a record ** To increase payout to investors at the half-yr stage by 56 pct to 25p a share ** Stock, up c.3 pct YTD, has lagged 10-17 pct Y
Read more** Odds stacked in UK housebuilders' favour, largely down to favourable land prices -- even amid inconclusive UK General Election, prospect of rate rise & sector hitting a record ** If anything, PMs have ruled out election risk given political parties' thoughts aligned: country needs more h
Read moreThe UK 2015 Budget continues to impact market sentiment as real estate and housebuilding stocks followed oil and gas services companies in posting an uptick in performance. In his final budget before the General Election on May 7, Chancellor George Osborne announced a series of measures considered t
Read moreThose expecting little market reaction to the Budget on Wednesday were probably left surprised, with stocks in the energy, financial, housing and consumer staples sectors leading the surge in London following George Osborne's statement. Dovish comments from Bank of England policymakers were also buo
Read moreLONDON, March 18 (Reuters) - Britain announced it would top up first-time buyers' savings to help them buy a home on Wednesday, building on the success of its "Help to Buy" equity loan scheme that has boosted the property market since it was unveiled two years ago. Finance Minister George O
Read more** UK housebuilding stocks among top risers as Chancellor George Osborne announces further help for first time buyers ** Govt's "Help to Buy ISA" will top up every £200 saved for house purchase with additional £50 up to a max of £3,000 ** Move will cost govt c. £2.2 bln to 2019/20
Read moreShares in Standard Chartered surged after analysts at Barclays and Bernstein raised their ratings, highlighting the recent appointment of a former JPMorgan banker as its new boss. Barclays lifted their stance from 'equal weight' to 'overweight', while Bernstein upgraded by two notches from 'underper
Read moreLondon stocks advanced on Wednesday morning, rising for a third straight day, as investors took a bullish approach ahead of the hotly-anticipated UK Budget and Federal Reserve policy decision. The FTSE 100 was trading up 0.3% at 6,859.81 in early deals. The market reaction to chancellor George Osbo
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