Will the mined diamonds industry collapse due to lab-grown gems? Some say it ‘already has’ March 9, 2024 Around 90 per cent of people choosing an engagement ring at London Diamonds in the last two years have chosen lab grown
US jobs report ‘all over the place’ as unemployment ticks up March 8, 2024 The US economy presented a muddled picture in February, as the economy added 275,000 jobs, above expectations of 200,000, while the country’s unemployment rate increased by 0.2 percentage points to 3.9 per cent. Wage inflation came in at 4.3 per cent on a yearly basis, below market expectations and January’s figure of 4.4 per cent. [...]
Moving markets: Five things shaping the FTSE 100 today March 8, 2024 Asia follows Wall Street's upward trend, with gold eyeing its best week in five months and oil prices climbing. Investors eagerly await the U.S. non-farm payrolls report, which is set to influence market sentiment and decisions ahead.
Fact-checking Jeremy Hunt’s Spring Budget: Who are the real winners and losers? March 7, 2024 "I want to make a start on bringing down taxes. I’ve never said for one moment that I can bring them right down all in one go," the Chancellor told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.
ECB keeps interest rates at record level as concerns over inflation persist March 7, 2024 Figures out last week showed that inflation across the bloc fell to 2.6 per cent in February. While this was down from 2.8 per cent in January, it was higher than the 2.5 per cent expected by economists.
Pay growth set to stay high in blow to Bank of England interest rate cut hopes March 7, 2024 The Bank’s most recent Monetary Policy Report suggested that there needed to be a “moderation in pay pressures” to bring down services inflation, a key gauge of domestic inflationary pressures.
FTSE 100: What’s moving markets today? March 7, 2024 Asian markets echoed Wall Street's gains, with Bitcoin topping $69,000. Fed Chair Jerome Powell's reaffirmed rate cut stance grabbed attention, while eyes now turn to the ECB's policy decisions.
Spring Budget 2024: Why the OBR forecasts should be taken with a side of salt March 6, 2024 These are just forecasts. They will be wrong. This isn't a criticism of the OBR. Forecasting the performance of a £3.3trn economy over five years is just quite hard.
Spring Budget 2024: OBR upgrades UK growth forecasts on lower inflation and growing population March 6, 2024 The OBR is markedly more optimistic than the Bank of England and has upgraded next year's prospects are better than expected
Spring Budget 2024: Changes to ‘unfair’ child benefit withdrawal for £50,000-plus earners March 6, 2024 Hunt said he will consult on moving the child benefit to a household-based system, which will be introduced by April 2026.