UK first quarter growth revised upwards but picture remains stark September 30, 2019 The UK economy did better in the first quarter of the year than originally expected, official figures showed today, as stockpiling for the March Brexit date boosted growth. Read more: UK economy close to recession after stagnant service sector data Yet the Office for National Statistics (ONS) confirmed gloomy figures for the second quarter of [...]
UK consumer credit growth slows to five-year low September 30, 2019 British customers increased their borrowing at the slowest rate since 2014 in August, official statistics showed today, in a sign that Brexit uncertainty is weighing on consumer confidence. Read more: Pound staggers as Bank of England hints at interest rate cut The annual growth rate of lending to British consumers continued to slow in August, [...]
UK firms most pessimistic in eight years amid political crisis September 29, 2019 British businesses were at their most pessimistic in eight years in the three months to September, a survey showed today, as the country’s political crisis dragged down expectations of growth. Read more: Pound staggers as Bank of England hints at interest rate cut The CBI’s latest monthly report showed the gauge of future expectations of [...]
Pound staggers as Bank of England hints at interest rate cut September 27, 2019 Sterling fell today as a top official at the Bank of England flagged a possible interest rate cut to offset continued Brexit uncertainty. The pound fell to its lowest value against the dollar in almost three weeks as BoE official Michael Saunders said the Bank may lower interest rates. “Quite why this is moving the [...]
Bank of England could cut interest rates if Brexit uncertainty persists, says MPC member September 27, 2019 The Bank of England may need to cut interest rates even if a no-deal Brexit is avoided, according to a member of the monetary policy committee (MPC), which sets the rates. Michael Saunders has said that the Bank may have to cut rates if the “slow puncture” effect on the economy from Brexit uncertainty persists. [...]
If Jeremy Corbyn really cares about ‘the many’, he should rethink his aversion to markets September 27, 2019 A common complaint over the past three years is that no one can talk about anything other than Brexit. But that wasn’t true at the Labour party conference this week. Unlike the Liberal Democrats, who barely gave way to any policy discussion beyond revoking Article 50, both the Labour leader and shadow chancellor confronted all [...]
Consumer confidence edges up in September September 27, 2019 Consumer confidence grew slightly this month but remained negative overall as uncertainty continued in the run up to the 31 October Brexit deadline date. Despite the two point increase, consumer confidence was still minus 12 points in September compared to a score of minus nine in the same month last year. Read more: UK consumer [...]
New IMF boss Kristalina Georgieva: Global economy must be prepared for downturn September 26, 2019 The incoming head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned that preparations for a global economic downturn “could soon be tested”. Kristalina Georgieva, who will succeed Christine Lagarde as the new IMF boss next month, said that warning signs are “now flashing”, echoing fears of an upcoming recession in the wake of geopolitical turmoil. [...]
ECB’s German hawk quits as bank prepares to loosen purse strings September 26, 2019 The only woman on the European Central Bank’s board quit last night, as the bank prepares to resume pumping money into the struggling Eurozone economy. Sabine Lautenschlaeger felt it was the right time to leave, according to reports, and will quit the bank on 31 October. Read more: ‘We had to respond’: ECB defends move [...]
Deutsche Bank CEO: Central banks lack tools to prevent economic crisis September 25, 2019 The turnaround boss of Deutsche Bank struck a gloomy tone over the future of the world economy today, warning that central banks have already “turned on the money tap to the limit” and forecasting that the current US-China trade war will persist. Christian Sewing, who is chief executive of the struggling German lender, told banking [...]