‘Recovered from doldrums’: UK manufacturing returns to growth for first time since July 2022 April 2, 2024 Output and new orders for manufacturing firms increased for the first time in a year helping business optimism about the year ahead to hit an 11-month high.
FTSE 100 today: London markets set to open higher, mirroring Asian peers after Easter holiday April 2, 2024 Hong Kong leads Asian stocks higher as the yen holds steady below 152 amid intervention threats. Meanwhile, the likelihood of a June rate cut by the US Federal Reserve drops to around 60 per cent. Focus remains on speeches by several Fed officials and the upcoming US monthly jobs report.
Week ahead: Investors look for rate cut clues on both sides of the Atlantic April 1, 2024 Markets will be closely watching key economic releases in the US and Europe this week, which will offer clues on the likelihood of near-term interest rate cuts.
China’s March factory activity sparks hope for recovery, but clouds of uncertainty persist April 1, 2024 China's manufacturing sector saw its highest growth in over a year in March as firms resumed and sped up production post-Lunar New Year, according to an official survey.
Farewell transmission: Have interest rates worked to bring down inflation? March 31, 2024 While inflation has fallen from a peak of over 11 per cent to 3.4 per cent, unemployment stands at just 3.9 per cent having fallen in the second half of last year.
Safe as houses: is it time to introduce a wealth tax? March 30, 2024 Wages in the UK have flatlined since the financial crisis of 2008. Yet in that time, the country’s richest 1000 families have seen the value of their assets triple. Should we think more seriously—and progressively—about the way we tax wealth?
Could April’s minimum wage hike dent hopes of a June rate cut? March 29, 2024 The minimum wage will rise from £10.42 to £11.40 per hour, an increase of 9.4 per cent, in April. Will it push inflation higher?
UK economy: Disposable income climbs despite recession March 28, 2024 Despite a rise in disposable income, household expenditure actually fell as people replenished their savings accounts and paid down debt.
UK recession confirmed as revised figures deal fresh blow to Rishi Sunak March 28, 2024 Latest official figures have confirmed that the UK fell into recession at the end of last year in a blow to prime minister Rishi Sunak's economic policy.
FTSE 100 today: London markets poised for quiet start as traders take break before Easter March 28, 2024 Asian shares stay calm despite the S&P 500 hitting a new high. The US dollar holds firm post comments from the Federal Reserve's Waller. Attention turns to possible yen intervention by Japan, while gold prices decline. Investors await updates on US consumer confidence and UK Q4 GDP.