ECB fires second successive jumbo rate hike in push to end Europe’s cheap money addiction October 27, 2022 The European Central Bank (ECB) today fired its second jumbo rate hike in a row in another sign that it is putting years of ultra-cheap money to the sword. The central bank that oversees the financial system of the 19 countries using the euro lifted borrowing costs 75 basis points to 1.5 per cent as [...]
FTSE 100 weighed down by banks and pound strengthens on Sunak’s second day in No 10 October 26, 2022 London’s FTSE 100 was dragged down today by investors ditching shares in the UK’s largest banks despite a strong set of results, but managed to squeeze gains thanks to a late rally. The capital’s premier index jumped 0.61 per cent to over the 7,000 mark points, while the domestically-focused mid-cap FTSE 250 index, which is [...]
Pound surges and UK debt costs tumble on Sunak’s first day as PM October 25, 2022 Rishi Sunak on his first day as prime minister promised “hope” everyday after addressing the UK’s economic challenges, but it already seemed that way for the pound today. Sterling surged as much as 1.8 per cent against the US dollar, pushing it far above the $1.03 record it reached after former PM Liz Truss’s disastrous [...]
Backing the central bank pivot is a risky bet October 25, 2022 It is easy to criticise central banks for heaping pain on households and businesses. But, this is exactly what they are supposed to do under current economic conditions. Inflation in the UK, US and eurozone has hit 10.1 per cent, 8.2 per cent and 9.9 per cent respectively, all historic highs. The Bank of England [...]
London’s FTSE 100 boosted by Truss trampled stocks regaining ground after Sunak victory October 24, 2022 London’s FTSE 100 today was lifted by stocks that have suffered during the last month’s financial market turmoil regaining losses. The capital’s premier index closed 0.64 per cent higher at 7,013.99 points, while the domestically-focused mid-cap FTSE 250 index, which is more aligned with the health of the UK economy, rose 0.76 per cent to [...]
Parliament set to scrutinise pension funds’ controversial LDI strategies October 24, 2022 The debt-fuelled investment strategies at the heart of a crisis in the pensions sector are set to be scrutinised by parliament in order to glean “lessons to be learned”, the Work and Pensions Committee announced today.
UK borrowing costs fall after Sunak wins race to No 10 October 24, 2022 UK borrowing costs fell sharply today after former chancellor Rishi Sunak seized the keys to Number 10 following leadership contender Penny Mordaunt’s withdrawal. Yields on the 10-year gilt fell around 30 basis points today to below four per cent. Yields and prices move inversely. They had been falling in early morning trading after Boris Johnson [...]
This is a global, not a UK specific, economic slowdown October 24, 2022 Much attention has been devoted to the comings and goings at Number 10 Downing Street and the ailing economy in recent weeks, but the UK is not alone in wilting under the weight of soaring prices and interest rates. The eurozone economy, made up of the 19 countries that use the euro, is on course [...]
UK headed for ‘deep recession’ on political turmoil and soaring interest rates October 24, 2022 The UK could be hurtling toward a “deep recession” caused by a mixture of political turmoil and soaring prices forcing the Bank of England to hike interest rates steeply, a closely watched survey out today reveals. Britain’s private sector economy shrank sharply this month, with contraction rates returning to levels last seen in January 2021 [...]
Brits cutting spending sends profit warnings soaring October 24, 2022 Brits cutting spending in response to the cost of living crunch has driven a sharp uptick in the number of businesses warning profits will fall short of expectations, a new report out today shows. Some 86 listed companies issued a profit warning in the three months to September, up from 51 over the same period [...]