EU referendum: One big question but no easy answer. It’s make your mind up time June 23, 2016 I won't tell you how to vote. I’m proud that this newspaper has hosted arguments from both sides of the campaign – from every conceivable angle. We’ve had the case for Remain and Leave from market analysts, lawyers, politicians, investors, psychologists, economists and entrepreneurs. Now the time has come for you to make your choice. [...]
ECB unlocks funding for Greek banks in latest step of recovery June 22, 2016 The European Central Bank (ECB) has signalled the latest step in the Greek recovery this afternoon, as it geared up to reinstate emergency funding for Greek banks. Eurozone banks are usually able to get cheap loans from the ECB under its regular financing operations. However, that help was called in during the 2015 bailout saga as Greece teetered [...]
International Monetary Fund warns US over growth outlook as it slashes forecasts June 22, 2016 The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has taken a break from warning over the risks of Brexit to caution the US on the strength of its economy. The IMF has slashed its growth forecast for the US this year to 2.2 per cent, down from 2.4 per cent it predicted at the start of the year. It [...]
Before the bell: What you need to know before the US market open June 22, 2016 It's the calm before the storm as investors await a second round of testimony from Federal Reserve chair Janet Yellen and the UK Brexit referendum approaches. Here's what you need to know before the US market open at 14:30 London time. In the pre-market US futures are up, albeit barely. The S&P is up by 0.05 per cent. [...]
EU referendum: UBS roadmap for day after vote points to FTSE falling below 5,000 if Brexit happens June 22, 2016 The blue-chip FTSE 100 index could fall to lows not seen since 2011 if the UK votes to quit the EU, UBS analysts have warned. In a note to clients this morning UBS cautioned the FTSE 100 could slip under 5,000 points post Brexit, though could rise to up 6,800 if the country votes to remain. The polls are currently [...]
Lord Heseltine says that Britain will eventually join the euro ahead of the EU referendum June 21, 2016 Lord Heseltine has said he believes that the UK will eventually join the euro, as Brits prepare to vote in the EU referendum later this week. Speaking during a lively debate with Ukip leader Nigel Farage on LBC this afternoon, the former deputy prime minister and In campaign spokesperson, Lord Heseltine, said: "I think that there will come [...]
US Federal Reserve chair Janet Yellen says Brexit is delaying prospects for US rate hike June 21, 2016 Janet Yellen has reiterated her view that the US Federal Reserve will move slowly and steadily when it comes to raising interest rates, citing fears over the UK’s EU referendum as one potential drag on the US economy. In her appearance before the Senate Banking Committee this afternoon, the Fed chair pointed to “considerable uncertainty about [...]
Banks reject offer to snap up Threadneedle Street’s pre-referendum emergency cash June 21, 2016 UK lenders have shunned the latest offer from the Bank of England for emergency liquidity ahead of the EU referendum, just two days before voters head to the polls. In the second of the Bank's extraordinary auctions of short-term financing, where banks can swap assets for cash, only £370m was taken up by City institutions – the [...]
George Osborne accused of ignoring the deficit as government borrowing remains high June 21, 2016 The government's cash shortfall edged down slightly in May, though not enough to put a significant dent in its still-hefty budget deficit. Public sector net borrowing – the amount the government has to borrow to cover the difference between its income and spending – was £9.7bn in May, four per cent down on the same [...]
EU referendum: Brexit fallout could be as bad as Lehman Brothers collapse according to financial markets June 21, 2016 Financial markets are pricing in a fallout on the scale of the Lehman Brothers collapse if the UK votes to leave the European Union, researchers have said, after the FTSE 100 and sterling soared following growing support for the Remain camp. Analysts at Oxford Economics said market behaviour over the last few weeks in response the the swinging [...]