investment

The UK commercial property is no longer leading the market in Europe, while rising bond yields mean high returns will no longer be globally sustainable in the long-term, claims the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).

The cost of moving house for the average home owner has risen more slowly than the increase in house prices since 2000, according to the Woolwich.

The FTSE 100 index has ended the day up 45.7 points or 0.75% higher to close at 6,089.8, as the index never really looked throughout the day as though it would retreat from its strong start on Wednesday morning.

Advisers believe the three most important financial planning activities, of saving for retirement, buying a house and saving for the future should all start before a person reaches the age of 26, according to research from Prudential.

Property funds are being regularly recommended to clients by the majority of advisers across the UK, according to a survey by Fidelity International.

Adults are spending more than half of any money received as windfalls such as inheritances and bonuses, with just 8% going towards mortgage or debt repayments, claims Birmingham Midshires.

Interest in commercial property investment has soared in recent years and is expected increase further according to the latest annual commercial property forecast published by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).

The FTSE 100 has closed up 39.4 points to end at 6,044.10, with miners again providing much of the lift with Antofagasta and Rio Tinto, both in the top 10 risers.

Grant Thornton Corporate Finance is predicting a slower year of activity on the Alternative Investment Market, following another record-breaking year last year.

Evidence suggests there is more interest in stockmarket-invested Isas this year, as sales are currently up by more than half on this time last year while SWIP research suggests 15% of the population will take out an investment Isa before April 5.