UK construction sector confidence hits an 11-year high July 2, 2015 Confidence across the UK construction sector hit an 11-year high in June, while growth continued to rebound, according a widely-watched industry survey released today. The Markit/CIPS UK Construction Purchasing Managers’ index smashed economists' expectations rising to 58.1 in June, up from 55.9 a month earlier, the fastest increase in four months. "The extent of the recent rise [...]
UK house prices: Surprise drop in house price growth sends annual rate to two-year low, according to Nationwide house price index July 2, 2015 House price growth has dropped to a two-year low on the back of declines in June, according to Nationwide's latest report. Prices have dropped a surprise 0.2 per cent in June – halting increases in both May and April – causing the annual rate of increase to drop to just 3.3 per cent. One [...]
George Osborne under pressure to tweak bank levy in July Budget July 1, 2015 Self-fulfilling prophecy, wishful thinking, fantasy economics: call it what you will, but the prospect of George Osborne fulfilling the desires of Britain’s banks in next week’s Budget is, to say the least, remote. Misplaced expectations that the chancellor would announce a review – or even the abolition – of the bank levy in his [...]
Eurozone factory figures tepid in June as Greek fears drag markets July 1, 2015 Eurozone factory growth picked up slightly last month but remained tepid as uncertainty around Greek debt talks – and the country’s possible exit from the bloc – swept across the region, a survey found yesterday. Fears of further Greek turmoil, and a possible exit from the euro, kept Markit’s final Eurozone manufacturing purchasing managers’ index [...]
Moody’s downgrades Greek bond rating to Caa3 July 1, 2015 Moody's has become the third ratings agency to downgrade Greece in three days. Read more: S&P downgrades Greece and puts chances of Grexit at 50 per cent Today, it lowered the struggling economy's government bond rating from Caa2 to Caa3, and placed it on review for a further downgrade. Moody's said it made [...]
European and US markets close higher on fresh hopes of a Greece deal July 1, 2015 Greece's economic prospects took a positive turn today, after Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras showed more willingness to compromise with creditors. Read more: No vote does not mean leaving the Eurozone, says Tsipras In a letter to Eurozone partners, he put forward new proposals accepting most of what was on the table before talks collapsed. [...]
Bank of England is making plans to “protect” the UK from Greece, says governor Mark Carney July 1, 2015 The Bank of England (BoE) is drawing up plans to protect the UK's financial system from the crisis unfolding in Greece, according to governor Mark Carney. Read more: Mark Carney voices concern about Greek crisis in Bank of England Financial Stability Report In an interview with Sky News, he said the central bank was [...]
Greek crisis: No vote does not mean leaving the Eurozone, says Tsipras July 1, 2015 Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has said a "no" vote in Sunday's referendum on whether to accept economic and fiscal reform proposals from creditors does not necessarily mean the country will leave the euro. Read more: Greeks are going mad for Bitcoin In an address on Greek television in which he confirmed that the referendum [...]
Will the Greek crisis lead to contagion and spread of fear in other European countries? July 1, 2015 As uncertainty over Greece's future in the euro continues, questions have been asked about how a Greek exit from the euro will affect other nations. If Greece has to abandon the euro, consequences, or "contagion", to other nations could be dire. Particularly those – such as Spain and Italy – whose recovery is still shaky. [...]
Greek debt crisis referendum result: Paddy Power pays out on a Yes vote before Sunday poll July 1, 2015 Paddy has paid out on bets for a Yes vote in the Greek referendum due to be held on Sunday. Read more: Every question you have on Greece answered The bookie said it has stumped up a five-figure sum to punters backing Greeks to vote for the new bailout offer on the table. The chances of [...]