Doomsayers ‘proved wrong’: UK had third-fastest Covid recovery in G7, revised GDP data now shows September 1, 2023 New figures show the UK economy bounced back from the pandemic faster than had been thought.
Manufacturing downturn ‘deepens’ as production drop among fastest on record September 1, 2023 UK manufacturing hit a steep slump this month, figures revealed, as production dropped by a rate “one of the fastest in survey history”. According to the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS) the UK manufacturing purchasing managers index (PMI) recorded 43.0 in August, down from 45.3 in July. This marked its lowest level since [...]
FTSE 100 close: London ends week flat after house price slump and US payroll figures September 1, 2023 London's FTSE 100 index started Friday in the green on a quiet results day, as investors look to US payroll figures after lunch for signals of more rate hikes.
Eurozone inflation unexpectedly steady in August but core prices fall giving ECB new headache August 31, 2023 Eurozone inflation held steady this month but underlying price growth fell as expected, a mixed picture that complicates life for the European Central Bank as it weighs the merits of a pause in rate hikes. Overall inflation in the 20 countries sharing the euro was unchanged at 5.3 per cent in August, defying expectations for [...]
‘No room for complacency’ on inflation: Bank of England’s Pill hints at 15th straight interest rate hike August 31, 2023 The Bank of England’s chief economist warned that there was “no real room for complacency” in bringing inflation down back to target, suggesting more rate hikes are in the offing. Speaking at a research conference in South Africa, Huw Pill said “inflation remains too high, well above target, and there is no real room for [...]
London business confidence hits highest level since May last year August 31, 2023 Business confidence in London surged to its highest level since May last year, as firms around the country were increasingly optimistic about the UK economy. Business confidence in London rose 20 points during August to hit 52 per cent, according to the latest Lloyds Business Barometer. Some 56 per cent of firms were confident in [...]
US private payrolls growth slows sharply in August as labour market eases August 30, 2023 US private payrolls increased less than expected in August, the latest indication that the labour market was losing steam, though it remains tight. Private payrolls rose by 177,000 jobs last month, the ADP National Employment report showed on Wednesday. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast private employment would increase by 195,000. Data for July was [...]
New borrowing slows as Bank of England’s rate hikes take effect August 30, 2023 Consumer borrowing increased at a slower rate than expected last month as the Bank of England’s interest rate hikes hit demand for new loans. Bank of England figures out this morning showed that the monthly increase in consumer credit was £1.2bn, £400m less than the £1.6bn increase seen in June. Although borrowing on credit cards [...]
German outlook bleak as consumer sentiment falls again August 29, 2023 German consumer sentiment is expected to fall in September, due to declining income expectations and propensity to buy, a GfK institute survey showed on Tuesday. The institute’s consumer sentiment index fell to -25.5 heading into September from a slightly revised -24.6 in August, below expectations of analysts polled by Reuters of a reading of -24.3. [...]
FTSE 100 reshuffle: M&S in, Abrdn out, but who else is coming and going? August 29, 2023 As the reshuffle of the FTSE 100 index approaches, several firms are vying for a coveted spot among the UK's top-tier stocks.