US jobs growth slows in July, sending dollar lower August 5, 2015 Private sector employment in the US increased by 185,000 jobs in July, short of economists’ expectations, sending the dollar lower. The increase was the smallest rise since April. In June, the figure rose by 229,000, revised down from 237,000. The dollar took a battering on the data release, with the euro gaining nearly half a [...]
Bank of England’s Ian McCafferty says interest rates could rise this year “data dependent” August 5, 2015 The Bank of England's Ian McCafferty reportedly said interest rates could rise before the end of this year depending on the strength of future economic data. "Financial markets still believe that an interest rate rise is unlikely until May or June next year, and economists suggest February or March," The Courier said he told the Dundee [...]
Greek debt crisis: Greece upbeat on bailout deal but bank shares continue to plummet August 5, 2015 Greek finance minister Euclid Tsakalotos said yesterday that he was confident an agreement with the cash-strapped country’s lenders could be reached by 20 August, despite admitting disagreements on privatisations. Tsakalotos met yesterday with representatives of the International Monetary Fund, Eurozone and European Central Bank (ECB) to further discuss terms attached to any further lending. He [...]
Markit UK construction PMI: Growth loses momentum in July August 4, 2015 The UK's construction sector unexpectedly lost momentum in July as growth in housebuilding and civil engineering slowed. The widely watched Markit/CIPS UK construction purchasing managers’ index (PMI) slowed to 57.1 in July, from 58.1 a month earlier, also missing economists' expectations for a reading of 58.4. Any number above the crucial 50 mark implies expansion. Growth [...]
ICE Brent crude oil falls below $50 a barrel August 4, 2015 Brent crude oil has fallen below $50 a barrel to hit a six month low. ICE September Brent crude, which acts as the global benchmark, fell 18 per cent in July. Having fallen by 4.64 per cent in the first session of August trading, it lost more than $2, falling to $49.58, its weakest price [...]
Investment by UK businesses supports one million US jobs August 4, 2015 The UK is the largest foreign investor in the US, new research from the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) reveals today. At the end of 2013, the UK had $519bn (£333bn) in the US, $200bn more than the next largest investor. The CBI estimates that 962,900 jobs are supported by investment from UK firms. The UK [...]
Designer of Greek crisis plan James Galbraith warns bailout deal is destined for failure August 4, 2015 The latest Greek bailout deal is destined for failure, an economist who helped engineer the cash-strapped country’s controversial currency crisis plan has warned. Negotiations on Greece’s third bailout plan – which would grant the country up to €86bn (£60.4bn) – have been ongoing since last week. “Nobody wants this deal,” Professor James Galbraith told City [...]
Commodities in freefall as China faces slowdown August 4, 2015 Mining stocks were dealt a body blow yesterday, with one index dropping to a 13-year low, as Chinese manufacturing PMI data dragged the commodities market down yet again. The data, which came out yesterday morning, showed that the downturn in China’s manufacturing sector intensified at the start of the third quarter. Production was cut at [...]
London workers bargain for higher pay as economy grows August 3, 2015 With the UK economy growing strongly, London’s job hunters are putting more emphasis on pay when searching for potential employers, new research shows. Compensation is now the top factor when considering jobs with 20 per cent of Londoners saying they were most motivated by pay, according to survey figures released today by recruiter Randstad. It [...]
EU outlook revised to “negative” from “stable” by Standard & Poor’s August 3, 2015 Standard and Poor’s has revised the EU’s outlook to negative due to the ongoing Greek debt crisis and growing fears that the UK could vote to leave the EU. The decision also reflects that S&P believe the EU’s AA+ credit rating has a greater than 1-in-3 change of being cut in the next 2 years. This [...]