Dramatic fall in jobseeker’s allowance claimants as unemployment remains stable July 17, 2013 UK unemployment in the three months to May was stable at 7.8 per cent, in line with expectations. When compared to the three months to February 2013, this was a fall of 0.2 percentage points, or 57,000 people to 2.51m. The International Labour Organisation measure of unemployment includes jobless people who want to work, are [...]
Pounds jump up a cent against the dollar as Carney unites the Bank of England against further QE July 17, 2013 None of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) wanted more quantitative easing at the last meeting, the Bank of England's minutes reveal. Of the nine MPC members zero voted for increased asset purchases. The pound has spiked up against the dollar on the news. Gilt yields have spiked up following the MPC minutes this morning pic.twitter.com/vtDWn2n1Pj [...]
Waiting for Bernanke: Analyst expectations July 17, 2013 Ishaq Siddiqi, market strategist, ETX Capital: Fed chairman Bernanke’s testimony to US Congress turning out to be the key-risk event over the next two session, prompting both the bulls and bears to avoid building too much risk exposure. Stocks on Wall Street fell on Tuesday and Asian markets were mixed in overnight trade giving European [...]
The wait to see how Carney voted on QE July 17, 2013 The Bank of England will today release its minutes from the Monetary Policy Committee held earlier this month. The meeting was new governor Mark Carney’s first, and the minutes will show whether or not he voted to extend quantitative easing. It will also be interesting to see if managed to persuade any other members to [...]
Before the open – 17/07 July 17, 2013 Chinese shares fell last night for the first time in three days as real estate developers like China Vanke and Poly Real Estate Group plummeted over concerns the government will extend property curbs. News that foreign direct investment in China rose by 20 per cent in June – exceeding analyst expectations of a 0.7 per [...]
BHP’s strong production figures a relief for struggling firm July 17, 2013 Resources company BHP Billiton has reported a strong year of production as Western Australia Iron Ore and Escondida exceeded production guidance and annual records were achieved across seven operations and five commodities. Western Australia Iron Ore set its 13th consevucitve annual production record for the year ended 30 June 2013, with production up seven per [...]
Five holiday insurance mistakes to avoid July 16, 2013 Don’t get caught out by insufficient policies and rising premiums A S WE approach the summer holidays, travel insurance is hitting headlines again. Rising unemployment in southern Europe has led to higher crime rates, with tourists prime targets for petty theft. And the travel association ABTA has found that 24 per cent of holidaymakers now [...]
Capital Comment: China is in difficulty but it’s certainly cheap for investors July 16, 2013 ONE Chinese economist suggested on Monday that five straight quarters of growth at less than 8 per cent was “a clear sign of financial distress.” I would dare him to say the same to the Spanish Prime Minister. But the comment did come shortly after confirmation from the Chinese government that the country’s second quarter [...]
Travel money: the benefits of credit and prepaid currency cards July 16, 2013 THE PROLIFERATION of credit, debit, and prepaid currency card deals means changing holiday money is no longer a matter of simply comparing rates along the high street. While the majority still prefer to take cash with them – 60 per cent, according to research by Halifax – debit and credit card providers widely facilitate the [...]
Shrinking company lifespans signify the start of the magnesium economy July 16, 2013 BRITAIN is enduring an economic enema. Bloated and unhealthy, blockages – to consumers, to finance, to starting businesses – are being slooshed away by the disintermediating power of the internet and social media. It doesn’t feel pleasant now, but a refreshed, if mildly emaciated, economy should result. Like a triathlete, the Britain of the future [...]