Finance Union

Forex is the largest market in the world in terms of the total cash value traded. Any person, company or country may participate in the market. Forex investors may engage in currency futures as well as trade in the spot forex market. The difference between these two investment options is minor as explained below.

The introduction of Forex futures occurred at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange in 1972. Forex futures also referred to as currency futures serve two primary purposes as financial instruments. First, they can be used by companies or individuals to remove the exchange rate risk inherent in international transactions. Second, they can be used by investors to speculate and profit from currency exchange rate fluctuations. Read more…

Although a summer decline in figures throughout the property and mortgage markets within the UK has been seen, the mortgage broker will today be boosted by evidence to show that housing market activity has remained relatively robust. The latest Housing Market Activity Report by Connells has shown residential mortgage valuation activity increase year on year, increasing confidence within the market that economic life is set to improve.

Although the total number of valuations conducted throughout July rose by a sharp 47% compared to this time last year, there was still an 18% drop in residential valuations seen from last month’s figures, although the usual summer lull in valuation activity ensured that this was expected. Read more…

Getting onto the property ladder within the current economic crisis for many people is a major struggle. With debt levels increasing year over year and household incomes dropping because of increased fuel duty and VAT recently rising from 17.5% to 20%, there is little reason why the amount of people renting has substantially increased. Considering that rent is usually higher than it would be when on a mortgage it’s easy to understand the frustration for many people.

Even though current mortgage prices are the lowest they have ever been since the data provider Moneyfacts began recording rates in 1988. First time buyers have been locked out of the property market by the initial deposit that is required. With the current choice between tracker and fixed mortgages, the better deals can currently be found within the tracker mortgages, where you can find very low monthly interest but at a cost of a deposit as high as 35%, with the added risk of the interest being significantly increased. Therefore only suitable for people who can afford this if and when it happens. Read more…