What you need to know before the US open March 14, 2014 US futures had been moving higher today, pointing to a more optimistic open for markets after a difficult week. But bond yields have slipped after an unexpected fall in producer prices: The producer price index fell 0.1 per cent in February, with services decreasing 0.3 per cent. Goods, however, rose 0.4 per cent. Consumer confidence, [...]
This week’s 4 must-see charts March 14, 2014 International exposure to Russian banks, a turnaround in the Eurozone’s inflationary trends, an uptick the Baltic Dry index, and the ongoing strength of the euro. We bring you some of our favourite analysts’ picks of the most important graphs this week. Alexander Dryden, analyst at JP Morgan Asset Management Financial and economic sanctions by the [...]
Morrison confirms staff personal data theft March 14, 2014 Another big blow for supermarket Morrison. After yesterday’s profit warning, the store’s now had to admit that data from its staff payroll system, including bank account details, has been stolen and published on the internet. In an email seen by Sky News, the company described to staff an “illegal theft” of data. The information has [...]
EU employment inches up in the fourth quarter March 14, 2014 Employment in the EU increased by a pretty paltry 0.1 per cent at the end of last year, from the previous quarter. And year-on-year, it fell 0.5 per cent in the euro area and by 0.1 per cent in the EU28. Eurostat, which releases the seasonally-adjusted figures, estimates that 223.6m people were employed in the [...]
UK’s trade deficit widens more than expected March 14, 2014 The UK’s trade deficit increased in January to £2.6bn. A revised number for December showed the smaller figure of £0.7bn. UK Trade shows the extent of import and export activity and is a key contributor to the overall economic growth in the UK. The data, says Capital Economics, continues the run of disappointing news on [...]
Boohoo bounces onto Aim as shares hit 85p March 14, 2014 It's the first day of trading for online fashion retailer Boohoo.com, and shared are surging. Making its debut on London's Aim, shares opened at 85p – well above the offer price of 50p. Shares are currently trading around 78p. The firm raised £300m through its initial public offering, and is the third UK retailer to [...]
The government’s wasting £50m a year on technology that doesn’t work March 14, 2014 The founder of electronic tagging company Buddi, Sara Murray, has said this morning that the government’s "wasting £50m a year by buying old technology from Serco and G4S that doesn't work." Her words follow those of Margaret Hodge, chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, who said the government “urgently needs to get its house in [...]
JD Wetherspoon boss launches another attack on VAT March 14, 2014 The chief executive of high street pub chain JD Wetherspoon has again condemned the tax advantages supermarkets get over pubs. In a statement as part of the company’s interim financial results, Tim Martin said: The biggest danger to the pub industry is the continuing tax disparity between supermarkets and pubs. Thanks mainly to the work [...]
What you need to know before the open March 14, 2014 Talks between US and Russia will be taking place in London today, ahead of the much-contended referendum in Crimea on Sunday. Concerns over the fortunes and future of the region continue to eat into investor confidence, with European markets expected lower across the board today. Asian markets suffered in Friday trading from the anxiety-induced risk [...]
Tony Benn passes away aged 88 March 14, 2014 Tony Benn, the veteran left-wing politican, has passed away at the age of 88, his family have said. They've issued a statement this morning, confirming Benn died peacefully early this morning at his home in west London, surrounded by his family. Thanking the NHS staff and carers who have looked after him, they said: We [...]