Author: Jordan

Higher-rate additional dwelling (HRAD) transactions – primarily buy-to-let and second homes – now account for the majority of Stamp Duty receipts in more than half of English local authorities, analysis from Paragon Bank revealed. In the 2024/25 financial year, 164 local authorities generated at least 50% of their Stamp Duty income from HRAD transactions, up sharply from just 62 in 2016/17. This represents an increase from 22% to 56% of all councils. The data pointed to growing reliance on landlords and second-home buyers as a key source of tax revenue, particularly outside traditional holiday hotspots. Regional patterns showed a clear…

Right now the average credit card interest rate is 21% APR. If you’re carrying a balance, that number isn’t abstract — it’s money leaving your account every single month without touching your principal.The fix isn’t more discipline, it’s a better tool. And right now, that tool is the Wells Fargo Reflect® Card (rates and fees).Here’s how it helps you pay off debt, whether it’s old or new. Why we picked the Wells Fargo Reflect Card for May 2026My team at Motley Fool Money tracks hundreds of credit card offers each year, and the Wells Fargo Reflect® Card just won our…

Wall Street bonuses to drag in 2026 as credit stress clouds outlook Pensions & Investments Source link

News07 May 2026Michael LloydPeabody has completed a set of changes to streamline the borrowing structure of its public bonds to make it “clearer and more consistent” and reduce costs over time.  To continue reading this article and for full access to Social Housing’s leading data analysis, subscribe today.      Not ready to subscribe? Register to enjoy one free article every two weeks.   Already a subscriber? login here: Source link

TradingKey – Gold prices ( XAUUSD) After retesting the $4,500 level this Monday, gold prices staged a strong rebound of more than $200 during the Tuesday and Wednesday sessions, reclaiming the $4,700 mark. As of press time, gold prices maintain their upward momentum today (May 7), trading at $4,736.77. Moving forward, the $4,800 level will be a key threshold to watch for gold price trends.U.S.-Iran tensions ease as markets shift focus to non-farm payrolls dataFrom a fundamental perspective, the core driver behind this strong rebound in gold prices remains the easing of tensions between the U.S. and Iran.Donald Trump’s remarks…

Molo has expanded its strategic partnership with LMS by joining the LMS Panel Link platform, as the specialist lender looks to improve efficiency throughout the post-offer mortgage process. The lender said the move aims to help brokers progress cases more efficiently through to completion, particularly as specialist lending cases become increasingly complex and volumes continue to grow. Panel Link enables brokers and borrowers to connect with a panel of trusted, pre-approved law firms through a single platform, helping deliver greater consistency in panel management and improved oversight throughout the conveyancing journey. Through the partnership, Molo will now have access to…

In a business environment defined by uncertainty, financial control is no longer just something appealing operationally. It is becoming a measurable competitive advantage. This is driving a rethink of virtual cards as purely payables tools and innovation. While VCNs represent a smarter, more controlled way for companies to disburse funds and reduce fraud on the issuing side, that framing increasingly overlooks the potentially more transformative opportunity that buyer-issued virtual cards, when accepted by suppliers, can help modernize accounts receivable (AR). The typical AR function remains, in many respects, a holdover from an earlier era, even as payment volumes grow and…

Joanna Kearvell, Managing Director of Chandler Garvey | Chandler Garvey“Joanna has been central to the firm’s development and her contribution has been instrumental in everything we have achieved”Chandler Garvey, a leading commercial property firm, has announced the appointment of Joanna Kearvell as Managing Director, having stepped up from her previous role as Head of Agency.Michael Garvey will remain actively involved in the business as owner and Executive Director, continuing to work with existing clients, while also developing Garvey Consulting, a new division of the company.Michael says: “Joanna has been central to the firm’s development and her contribution has been instrumental…

The government and the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed) are considering the feasibility of a panel of mediators for commodities market disputes, said Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po on Thursday.Speaking at the London Metal Exchange (LME) Asia Metals Seminar 2026, Chan said the plan aims to provide a neutral, expert-led mechanism to mediate the rising disputes across the commodities value chain, covering upstream mining and production, midstream trading and clearing, warehousing, and delivery.Chan said the initiative complements Hong Kong’s goal to become a leading gold and commodities trading hub, facilitating cross-border transactions, mitigating risks, and strengthening market confidence among global…

The average interest rate for a 30-year, fixed-rate conforming mortgage loan in the U.S. is 6.382%, which is less than a full basis point of change from the day before, according to data from mortgage data company Optimal Blue. Meanwhile, the average rate for a 15-year, fixed-rate conforming mortgage loan is 5.747%, up roughly a basis point for the same period. Compare mortgage rates for May 7, 2026 Here’s a quick look at week-over-week rate changes. Mortgage TypeRateRate A Week BeforeApproximate Basis Points Change30-year conventional6.382%6.292%+915-year conventional5.747%5.585%+1630-year jumbo6.461%6.424%+430-year FHA6.120%6.076%+430-year VA5.964%5.827%+1330-year USDA6.045%5.988%+630-year conventionalRate6.382%Rate A Week Before6.292%Approximate Basis Points Change+915-year conventionalRate5.747%Rate A Week…