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Reluctant house sellers keep summer prices high: The asking price of property coming to market was down by just 0.8%, or £2,258, this month, compared with an average August fall after the credit crunch of 1.5%, according to Rightmove, the property portal.

UK construction output advanced less than expected in June On an annual basis, construction output recorded a rise of 2.60% in the UK, in June, less than market expectations for a rise of 3.30%. In the previous month, construction output had climbed by a revised 2.10%. UK Rightmove house price index fell in August On a monthly basis, the Rightmove house price index registered a drop of 0.80% in August, in the UK. In the prior month, the Rightmove house price index had climbed 0.10%. UK Rightmove house price index registered a rise in August The Rightmove house price index recorded a rise of 6.40% on an annual basis in the UK, in August. In the prior month, the Rightmove house price index had climbed 5.10%.

At 0330GMT today, Brent crude oil one month futures contract is trading 1.02% or $0.50 lower at $48.53 per barrel. On Friday, the contract declined 0.39% or $0.19, to settle at $49.03 per barrel, amid persistent supply glut fears after Baker Hughes reported an increase in active oil rigs in the US last week

Oil price slide expected to impact Wood Group's results: The weakness of oil and gas activity globally is expected to hit the half-yearly financial results of Wood Group, the Aberdeen-based multinational energy services company, to be published on Tuesday

Dana Petroleum slashes valuation of its North Sea business: Dana Petroleum has plunged deep into the red as it slashed the value of its North Sea business to reflect the sharp fall in the oil price.

Return to growth for builder’s boosts construction industry: Positive construction figures and talk of interest rates staying low for longer underpinned house builders Barratt Developments and Taylor Wimpey, up 11½p to 653p and 3½p to 205p

Bovis Homes and Persimmon’s profits go through the roof as rivals are shut out: Two of Britain’s leading house builders will this week reveal surging profits, boosted by tight planning rules that have restricted competition from smaller builders trying to enter the market

“Voracious” demand for London property boosts Derwent: London-focused real estate investment trust Derwent London [LON:DLN] has said that “voracious” demand for property from Italian, Chinese and U.S. buyers is driving up asset values. West End focus: The FTSE 250-listed company, which has the majority of its property in the West End, said that the valuation of its portfolio had increased by £362million, or 11%, in the first six months of the year. John Burns, the Chief executive and Founder, said that demand from overseas had helped to push its London property values up £840million to £4.58billion over the past 12 months. Rising values have helped Derwent shares gain 23% so far this year, and the current share price is now underpinned by a net asset value per share of £32.26. Cheap debt: Property investment is a yield play. Borrowing cheaply and delivering stable rental income will generate profits, while the value of the property portfolio increases – all of which Derwent is currently doing.The company let a record 323,000 sq. ft. of space in the first half, more than triple the 90,000 sq. ft. let in the same period last year. Rental income increased by 5% during the first half to £67million. But rising property values outpaced rents and the portfolio yield was compressed to 4.6%, from 5% at the same stage last year. The property group took advantage of record low interest rates to refinance its debt pile. Net debt fell by £137million to £876million at the end of June and the average maturity of its debt was increased slightly to 7.4 years. The loan-to-value ratio – which is a key measure of risk in property investment – fell to 18.6%, from 24% at June last year. Developing returns: Chief executive Mr Burns said that he remained confident of the London market and increased the rental growth targets to between 8% and 10%, from between 6% and 8%. The company has plenty of room to grow the portfolio as it embarks on a phase of significant new building. The largest project, the White Collar Factory, with 293,000 sq. ft. of new offices, is located at London’s “silicon roundabout” – where a cluster of technology start-ups is based – and is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2016. The property is already 24% pre-let ahead of completion. Property cycles: Shares in Derwent London have enjoyed a strong year so far and easily beat the wider FTSE 250 which is up just 9% over the same period.The performance follows a stellar five-year period during which the shares have more than tripled in value from lows of about £8 in early 2009. Derwent London at £36.95+31p, Questor says “HOLD”.

Fracking: 6,000 square miles of England earmarked for shale exploration: Households across an estimated 6,000 square miles of England – an area the size of Yorkshire – are expected to learn within days that their areas have been earmarked for possible fracking.

Investors aren’t buying BP takeover talk: Shares in BP slipped to a seven-month low on Friday, having dropped 22% since mid-April. The stock is nearly 10% cheaper than it was at the start of July, before BP signed a landmark deal to settle all U.S. state and federal claims from the Deepwater Horizon disaster

Rosneft puts new projects on back burner: Rosneft is to shift its focus to increasing production at existing oilfields, its Chief executive has said — in a tacit admission that weak oil prices and economic sanctions are thwarting ambitious plans for new projects.

Helicopter pilots set to strike over North Sea cuts: Britain’s troubled North Sea oil industry was braced for fresh turmoil after calls for a strike by helicopter pilots over a wave of planned job cuts.

Estate agents in battle of clicks and mortar: For millions who have bought or sold a home in recent decades, it is a sight for sore eyes — estate agents, repeatedly named among the most-hated professions in Britain, bitterly fighting over customers and clients. It seems to be getting worse, too, as new faces enter the fray and enmities switch with alarming speed. Welcome to the property game, a sort of ultimate fighting championship with “for sale” signs as weapons

U.S. eases crude oil ban with Mexico deal: The United States has approved oil exports to Mexico in a further sign that the Obama administration is moving closer to lifting the 40-year-old ban on shipping its crude abroad.

Brent oil prices gained last week, after the EIA oil report revealed that US crude oil inventory declined by about 1.7 million barrels to reach 453.6 million barrels previous week. Meanwhile, OPEC monthly crude oil report indicated that the cartel’s output rose to three years high in July. Moreover, IEA remained upbeat about demand for oil in the market and stated that it is advancing at a rapid speed in five years. Brent crude oil prices rose 0.9% to $49.03/barrel

Ithaca Energy highlights continued potential to make money in North Sea: North Sea-focused Ithaca Energy has said acquisitions are still on the company’s agenda after it generated $160 million (£100 million) cash from operations net of costs in the first half in spite of the crude price plunge

North Sea specialist wins more time to complete East of Shetland deal: Independent Oil & Gas has won more time to complete an acquisition East of Shetland after its expansion plans were thrown into question by the renewed fall in the crude price in recent weeks.

Questor’s worst share tip makes progress: Balfour Beatty has something of a problem. While it would like to draw a line under loss-making contracts and reassure investors that the turnaround is on track, in the notoriously tricky world of construction it simply can’t offer those assurances. From the home kitchen extension to the multi-billion-pound national infrastructure project, there is always an element of finger in the air when working out how much the materials, manpower and expertise will cost. Balfour Beatty has become something of a poster child for the sector’s woes. The previous management team has been culled following a string of profit warnings, Balfour was nearly taken over by rival Carillion last year and the dividend was axed in March this year. Balfour has plenty of qualities to ride out the storm. Under Mr Quinn a focus on cash led to an inflow of £362 million in the first half, leaving a £260 million cash pile on the balance sheet at June 26. The business is focusing on cutting costs and made £25 million in savings during the first six months with a total target of £100 million by the end of next year. Mr Quinn is tentatively optimistic on the outlook. There are some big projects on the horizon such as HS2, British nuclear and tenders for a potential new runway at Heathrow. The order book is stable, down slightly from £10.4 billion to £10.3 billion at the end of June. Balfour Beatty has been one of Questor’s worst share tips, having recommended them at 273p in October 2013 and again at 293.5p January 2014, on early signs of a recovery it has been a rollercoaster ride. We’ve learnt our lesson and until trading is solidly profitable and dividends return it remains a hold. Balfour Beatty at 261.6p+9.9p. Questor says “Hold”

Repossessions fall to historic low as home Owners keep on top of their mortgages: Repossessions fell to the lowest level ever as more families and landlords stayed on top of their mortgage payments in the second quarter of the year.

BP traders rigged gas market, says judge: BP faces the prospect of fresh regulatory fines after a judge ruled that its energy traders rigged a U.S. natural gas market in the aftermath of a 2008 hurricane.