Welcome to taking stock on.... Thursday 7th September 2023
Taking Stock: Is a look at today's top business news & investment views plus we cover the winners, losers, the most read company news & the most followed. Today this includes:
Two years since the high on the AIM All Share Index - where is the bottom?
VOX CONTENT
MOST FOLLOWED
MOST READ RNS
Polarean Imaging - Half-year Report
Chill Brands Group - Trading Update
RISERS
Directa Plus - Significant contract secured with LIBERTY Galati
FALLERS
Synthomer PLC - Half-year results & Rights Issue
TOP BUSINESS STORIES
House prices fell at their fastest annual rate in 14 years in August, according to the Halifax, as rising mortgage rates affected the market.
The lender said that property values had dropped by 4.6% in the year to the end of August, representing a fall of £14,000 for the average home.
However, it pointed out that this was compared to record high property prices last summer.
The Halifax is predicting further falls through the rest of the year.
It said prices had dropped by 1.9% between July and August alone.
Vet prices review over fears pet owners are being overcharged
A review of veterinary services in the UK has been launched over concerns that pet owners could be paying too much.
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said vet fees were rising faster than other goods and services during the cost-of-living crisis.
Pet owners can face "eye-watering" bills, said consumer group Which?, which shared its findings with the CMA.
Offshore wind power warning as government auction flops
Energy industry leaders have warned the UK could fall behind a key target for new offshore wind power ahead of the results of a government auction that is widely expected to flop.
Multiple industry sources have told Sky News the auction, the results of which are expected to be announced on Friday, has received little or no interest.
Insiders say the process has struggled to attract bidders because the government has set the maximum price generators can receive as too low, failing to reflect the rising costs of manufacturing and installing turbines.
The industry has been hit by inflation that has seen the price of steel rise by 40%, supply chain pressures and increases in the cost of financing.