Author: Jordan

Rapid growth is most business leaders’ dream. But if it’s not handled correctly, it’s not just a mixed blessing; it can be a business’s undoing.   Scale inevitably brings increased complexity and unfamiliar challenges. For some, these prove overwhelming. Growth stalls or even reverses, and the business’s potential remains unrealised. Others, however, absorb the strains that scale brings, build capabilities and processes to overcome the complexities, and enjoy enduring success.   The secret to fast, sustainable growth varies from business to business. Culture, talent and systems all play a part. S&W’s report with the UK Fast Growth Index earlier this year explored some of the factors across Britain’s fastest-growing businesses.   The causes of failure, however, are often common between businesses. Avoiding these pitfalls doesn’t guarantee a business will rapidly scale, but it does give them a…

(April 27): Hedge funds are using the US equity rally to reduce risk, according to traders on Goldman Sachs Group Inc’s prime brokerage desk.As a rapid rebound in the S&P 500 Index drove the benchmark to a record high last week, hedge funds were cutting the total size of their long and short positions in equities by the most since September last year, analysis from the Goldman team led by Vincent Lin shows. “US long-short gross leverage fell 4.6 percentage points last week, as US equities saw the largest notional de-grossing in seven months, led by risk unwind in single stocks,”…

Darlington Building Society has reduced rates across its buy to let, residential and specialist mortgage ranges, with cuts of up to 50 basis points (bps), aimed at supporting brokers placing cases for landlords, first time buyers and clients with more complex income. Effective immediately, the Society has reduced rates across its buy to let range, with selected products seeing cuts of up to 50bps. This includes its 5 year fixed-rate standard buy to let product at 80% loan-to-value (LTV), now available at 5.49%, down from 5.99%.  This is expected to support brokers working with landlords seeking more certainty on longer-term…

Fleet Mortgages has appointed Nicola Richardson (pictured) as its new managing director.  Richardson joined Fleet at its launch in 2014 as head of finance and has since held senior roles including finance director, chief financial officer, and most recently chief finance and operating officer.  She has over 14 years’ experience in financial services and is a chartered accountant with an AMCT qualification, gained during a treasury role at CHL Mortgages. Richardson will now oversee the day-to-day running of Fleet Mortgages, with responsibility for overall leadership, performance, and strategy.  Her role will include developing Fleet’s proposition through ongoing investment in technology,…

Last Updated:April 27, 2026, 13:16 ISTWhile Google Pay & PhonePe do not charge a separate transaction fee for international payments, users may still incur costs through their banks. These come in the form of a mark-upThe rollout in South Korea is focused on areas frequented by international visitors such as retail stores, restaurants, cafes, and tourist hubs where QR-based payments are widely accepted.With Indian travellers now able to use the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) in South Korea by simply scanning QR codes, the move marks not just a convenience upgrade but also India’s growing ambition to expand its digital public…

Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks. Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed. …

Halifax let both 42 and 44 Howardsgate as joint units, however a new application looks to reinstate an entrance at number 44. According to a Rightmove listing for the commercial property, “the property is to be subdivided back into two Class E units”, offering more retail space in the town centre. If approved, the door would match the colour of neighbouring shops and will have a flat threshold suitable for wheelchair users. The selected glazed doors have been proposed to enhance the conservation area and maintain the materiality and character on the retail unit and surrounding area. The privacy film…

FUNDAMENTAL OVERVIEWGold has been stuck in a consolidation for almost a month now despite lower real yields, looser financial conditions and a weaker US dollar. The main thing that’s been capping the bullish momentum has been the more hawkish Fed’s stance.This is unlikely to change anytime soon as even if the US-Iran war officially ends and the Strait of Hormuz is reopened, the increase in economic activity might keep inflation higher for longer and force the Fed to hold rates steady. Nonetheless, the reopening of the Strait should give the market a boost in the short-term as it would ease…

8:02 AM, 27th April 2026, 2 hours ago Several lenders have cut buy to let mortgage rates and expanded product ranges, with changes spanning five-year fixes, trackers and short-term let deals. Fleet Mortgages has reduced pricing by 20bps on its 3% fee, 75% LTV five-year fixed products across standard, limited company and HMO and MUFB ranges. Rates now stand at 5.04% for standard and limited company borrowing and 5.49% for HMO and MUFB. Alongside the cuts, the lender has reintroduced a wider set of five-year fixed options. These include zero-fee and £3,999 fee products, with standard and limited company pricing…

Experienced investors in commodity cycles understand a counterintuitive truth: the most rewarding setups rarely announce themselves with fanfare. Across multiple decades of precious metals trading, the periods that generated the greatest long-term returns were not the dramatic, headline-grabbing rallies, but rather the quiet, seemingly directionless phases that preceded them. When prices stop moving, most retail participants lose interest and rotate capital elsewhere. Institutional money, by contrast, uses exactly these windows to accumulate positions at compressed valuations. This investor psychology dynamic sits at the core of the current gold and silver setup. The precious metals complex is exhibiting what technicians describe…