Six new restaurants opening in the City this summer June 2, 2014 The sun is out, we’ve spotted some shorts in Canary Wharf and rose at lunchtime is starting to sound like an agreeable diversion; summer’s here. And with that most delightful of seasons comes a new wave of bars and restaurants in the City for us to spend our pocket money in. As you [...]
Here’s why aluminium could be the new nickel June 2, 2014 After an Indonesian export ban caused the price of nickel to soar over 40 per cent this year due to a squeeze on supply, the market is poised for aluminium prices to follow suit. With more than 10 per cent of the world’s bauxite (aluminium ore) coming from Indonesia before the ban – equivalent to [...]
New OS X? iPhone iOS 8? What to expect at Apple WWDC 2014 June 2, 2014 Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference kicks off this week starting with a keynote from chief executive Tim Cook (which will be streamed live at 6pm tonight) in which he is likely to announce a slew of new software updates that will set the company’s direction for the next year. While Apple is by far the most [...]
What you need to know before the US open June 2, 2014 US markets are expected to open higher following strong trading from European and Asian markets. Data released on Sunday showed the fastest increase in Chinese factory activity for five months in May. However, two more surveys showed a decline in house prices, adding to fears that the housing sector may be a drag on future growth. [...]
The Spanish King that told Hugo Chavez to shut up June 2, 2014 King Juan Carlos I of Spain, whose abdication was announced today, has been a slightly more relaxed monarch than Queen Elizabeth II. For example, it’s difficult to imagine the British monarch giving Steven Gerrard a big hug after winning a tournament for England, not that there’s much experience of that to go on. But [...]
German inflation softens enough that it could force ECB’s hand June 2, 2014 German inflation has softened in May, according to a preliminary estimate. Annual CPI has dropped from 1.3 per cent to 0.9 per cent, below analyst expectations of a drop to 1.1 per cent. It's a number with a lot of significance right now – along with Italy and Spain's inflation release, it makes up more [...]
Bitcoin set to take on Argentina’s peso as new exchange launches in Latin America June 2, 2014 Bitcoin and Litecoin exchange Bitex.la has made its official launch, with the intention of being Latin America's "first regional exchange". Bitex.la boasts users in Colombia, Mexico, Spain and the US, but hopes to expand to more countries in the near future. The Buenos Aires-based exchange will also be providing services in Argentina, widely touted as [...]
King of Spain abdicates June 2, 2014 The King of Spain, Juan Carlos, has abdicated. The 76 year old king assumed the throne in 1975 two days after Francisco Franco died. He will be succeeded by 46 year old Crown Prince Felipe. The announcement was made on television by Spain's prime minister, Mariano Rajoy. "I'm convinced this is the best moment for change," said Rajoy. A poll conducted [...]
Mortgage approvals fall to July 2013 low June 2, 2014 Mortgages have seen another fall, dropping to 62,918 in April, from 66,563 in March, according to new figures from the Bank of England. That compares with an average of 70,132 over the previous six months. We had a good idea that we'd see that third monthly decline today. Timelier measures from the BBA saw mortgage [...]
Manufacturing sector production increases for fifteenth month June 2, 2014 Growth in UK factory activity remains incredibly strong in the UK, according to the latest survey data from Markit. Their purchasing managers' index softened a touch, from 57.3 last month to 57 in May, right in line with analyst expectations. Any number above 50 implies expansion. Rob Dobson, senior economist at Markit, said that "the [...]