Author: Jordan

Quantum Mortgages has completed its third public securitisation through its Bletchley Park Funding programme as the specialist buy-to-let (BTL) lender marks its fourth year in operation. The latest transaction, Bletchley Park Funding 2026-1, raised £297m after being increased from an original target of £286m following strong investor demand. Quantum said the securitisation is backed by BTL loans secured against residential properties across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The lender said the transaction attracted significant institutional investor interest, with the senior Class A notes achieving book coverage of 1.6 times and pricing at SONIA plus 80 basis points. Demand was also…

Goldman Sachs strategists are beginning to identify early signs that could challenge the durability of the powerful 2026 equity rally, though they stop well short of calling for an imminent market top. For wealth advisors and RIAs navigating increasingly concentrated equity exposure across client portfolios, the message is less about predicting a collapse and more about recognizing where vulnerabilities may emerge beneath an otherwise constructive macro backdrop.In a recent note, Goldman Sachs strategist Ben Snider observed that many of the classic conditions associated with the end of prior bull markets are still largely absent. However, he noted that several cautionary…

The lavender variety “Platinum Blonde” has two-tone foliage, a long flowering period and easy maintenance. This variety is an eye-catcher all year round in gardens, on terraces and patios. Combined with its lavender fragrance, this lavender is increasingly attracting the attention of green professionals and garden enthusiasts looking for something special. And it is now available.© Concept Factory A year-round ornamental feature The most distinctive characteristic of Platinum Blonde lavender is its decorative variegated foliage. The young shoots display a vibrant mix of yellow, white, light green…

Fleet Mortgages has become the latest member of the Open Property Data Association (OPDA), joining the industry-wide drive to modernise the UK property market through open and standardised data sharing. The move comes at a pivotal moment in its own development, as the lender, owned by Starling Bank, invests in technology and data capabilities designed to enhance how it serves brokers and customers. By joining the OPDA, Fleet will join the industry efforts to reduce inefficiencies, improve decision-making, and support a more joined-up approach across lenders, brokers, conveyancers and valuers. Toni Coulson, data insights director for Fleet Mortgages, said:…

The Mortgage Lender (TML) has launched a limited-edition five-year fixed rate buy-to-let (BTL) range, with rates starting from 4.74%. Deals are available with 2% and 5% completion fee options and include a free valuation. The lender has also reduced rates by up to 15 basis points (bps) across selected two- and five-year fixed mortgages, with five-year fixed rates for houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) now starting from 5.06%. TML has also introduced enhancements across its multi-loan offering, alongside the removal of the £150 application fee across all expat products.   Shawbrook lowers pricing Shawbrook has cut rates in its…

The Spanish footwear industry is launching the Footwear Intellectual Property Observatory (OPIC) to improve the protection of its designs against potential infringements and counterfeiting The OPIC was launched under the umbrella of the FICIA Foundation, in collaboration with the Spanish Footwear Industry Federation (FICE), the Valencian Association of Footwear Entrepreneurs (AVECAL), and the Intellectual Property Committee of the Elche Bar Association (ICAE). The OPIC aims to protect the distinctive value of Spanish footwear based on design, quality, and innovation, and to promote a more coordinated response to copies and counterfeits.The initiative has emerged in a context where agility and specialisation…

A cursory glance at the performance of global stock markets this year suggests exposure to the boom in artificial intelligence (AI) is the overriding determinant of returns. Technology-heavy equity markets, especially those with a high concentration of leading semiconductor and tech hardware firms, have performed spectacularly.South Korea and Taiwan, major semiconductor hubs, are the poster children for the AI trade. The global chip shortage has led to a dramatic increase in the earnings and valuations of a handful of chipmakers, causing the stock markets of South Korea and Taiwan to rise more than 90 per cent and 50 per cent…

Average rates on the 30-year conforming fixed rate, the 15-year conforming fixed rate, and the 5/1 ARM all fell for a third day in a row, according to the latest data from the Zillow lender marketplace. The average rate on the 30-year fixed is 6.34%, down 4 basis points from yesterday, the 15-year fixed is 5.77%, also down 4 basis points, and the 5/1 ARM is 6.27%, 18 basis points lower than Wednesday. Learn more: Discover the best mortgage refinance lenders Today’s mortgage rates Here are the current mortgage rates, according to the latest Zillow data: 30-year fixed: 6.34% 20-year…

A City That Works: Chicago’s 2025 scoreboard shows gains and warning signs Crain’s Chicago Business Source link

Hedge funds grabbed 60% of UK government bond trading volumes on Tradeweb’s electronic platform during January and February 2025. That’s the highest share in five years, and it’s climbing fast. The figure was roughly 53% at the end of 2023. The leverage question The major macro funds active in this space include Brevan Howard, Capula Investment Management, Millennium Management, and Rokos Capital Management. These firms employ repo financing to execute basis trades, inflation bets, and trend-following positions, often against 10-year gilts. Basis trades involve exploiting tiny price differences between cash bonds and their futures equivalents. The profits on each trade…