Consumer confidence plunges to Covid lockdown lows as households’ financial worries spiral July 6, 2022 Consumer confidence in the economy has plunged to its lowest point since the start of the pandemic as Sainsbury’s top boss warned the worst was yet to come. According to Which? research published today, only eight per cent of consumers felt the UK economy would improve over the next 12 months. However, nearly eight in [...]
Bank of England economy warning sends London markets lower July 5, 2022 London markets were dragged lower today by the Bank of England warning the UK economy is headed for a tough time over the coming year. The capital’s premier index shed nearly three per cent to close at 7,025.47 points, while the domestically-focused mid-cap FTSE 250 index, which is more aligned with the health of the [...]
Euro tumbles to 20-year low against the dollar on rising recession risk July 5, 2022 The euro has tumbled to its lowest level against the dollar in two decades caused by investors ditching European assets on fears the bloc will tip into recession soon. The currency used by 19 European countries – soon to be 20 when Croatia joins the union next January – fell around 1.3 per cent against [...]
doceo Watch List July 5, 2022 Discount Watch: 9 That’s the number of trusts whose discounts hit 52-week highs over the last seven days – an improvement on last week’s 14. Of the nine, three make an appearance for the second consecutive week: UK investor Diverse Income Trust (DIVI); Baillie Gifford European Growth (BGEU); and European big box investor Tritax EuroBox (EBOX). Sector-wise, property and private equity [...]
HgCapital and a dash of HG Sauce July 5, 2022 Inflation on the up; recession threat rising; markets in the land of the bears – just three of the issues confronting the private equity sector today. Standard operating procedure for investors in private equity investment trusts when faced with such a backdrop? Assume heavy NAV markdowns, a dearth of realisations and significant widening of discounts. [...]
Cautious consumers send chill through UK services economy July 5, 2022 Consumers are rolling back spending at pubs, bars and restaurants in response to rampant inflation whacking their budgets, reveals a closely watched survey published today. New business growth in Britain’s services industry, its economic engine, slowed to its worst level in 16 months in June, according to S&P Global’s purchasing managers’ index (PMI). The cool [...]
Bank of England orders lenders to strengthen reserves amid ‘deteriorating’ economy July 5, 2022 The Bank of England yesterday ordered lenders to fortify their defences in preparation for the looming economic downturn, warning the City against “excessive” cuts in lending to households and businesses. The central bank, which oversees Britain’s banking sector and the country’s monetary policy, doubled the proportion of money lenders need to keep in reserve to [...]
Germany registers first trade deficit since 1991 on surging energy prices July 5, 2022 Surging European energy prices caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has left Germany with its first trade deficit in over three decades, official figures released today revealed. German imports outstripped exports for the first time since 1991, generating a €1bn (£862m) trade deficit in May, according to the country’s statistics agency. Exports dropped 0.5 per [...]
London markets kick off new week in mixed style as BP and Shell jump July 4, 2022 London markets kicked off a new trading week in mixed fashion today, with the FTSE 100 led higher by oil and gas giants. The capital’s premier FTSE 100 index jumped 0.89 per cent to 7,232.65 points, while the domestically-focused mid-cap FTSE 250 index, which is more aligned with the health of the UK economy, dipped [...]
4 Signs You’re Underpaid And What You Can Do About It July 4, 2022 We’re hearing a lot of buzz about it being a “job seekers market” and there is a big push within tech firms to hire specialist staff such as developers and engineers, many of whom are in short supply, which is driving up salaries. Despite recent news of staff cuts and hiring freezes in some areas [...]