Falling computer game prices drag UK inflation to lowest rate in three years September 18, 2019 UK inflation slipped to its lowest point in three years in August, official figures have shown, dragged down by falling computer game prices. Read more: Fall in UK unemployment pushes earnings growth to 11-year high Prices in British shops rose by an annualised rate of 1.7 per cent in August, the Office for National Statistics [...]
Dutch government to boost spending as king warns over Brexit and trade wars September 17, 2019 The Dutch government has announced it will increase spending and reduce its budget surplus, days after the European Central Bank (ECB) suggested such a move could help boost Eurozone growth. Read more: ECB turns stimulus taps back on with first rate cut in three years The Netherlands’ King Willem-Alexander, speaking as Prime Minister Mark Rutte’s [...]
US industrial production beats expectations with strong growth in August September 17, 2019 US industrial production bounced back in August after falling in July, official figures have shown, in the latest sign that the economy is performing better than its major peers. Read more: US manufacturing sector shrinks for first time in three years, survey shows Industrial production rose 0.6 percent in August month on month, the US [...]
Confidence among German investors grows despite recession worries September 17, 2019 The mood among German investors has improved despite the economy teetering on the edge of recession, with a closely-watched gauge beating economists’ expectations. Read more: Germany to tumble into recession, says Ifo think tank The economic sentiment indicator from German research institute ZEW gave a score of minus 22.5 in September, rising from minus 44.1 [...]
Recruiter Staffline’s share price dives as it swings to £8m loss September 17, 2019 Recruiter Staffline swung to a near £8m loss in the first half of 2019 as it warned of a slowdown in new business contracts, sending its share price crashing. Read more: Recruiters warn City job hunters over old social media posts The figures Staffline blamed a series of “unfortunate challenges” as well as Brexit uncertainty [...]
‘We had to respond’: ECB defends move to splash cash in Eurozone September 16, 2019 European Central Bank (ECB) chief economist Philip Lane has defended the institution’s decision to turn the stimulus taps back on, despite some public opposition from members of its governing council. The bank relaunched its massive bond-buying programme known as quantitive easing (QE) and cut its deposit rate by 0.1 percentage points to minus 0.5 per [...]
Moody’s downgrades Hong Kong’s outlook to negative September 16, 2019 Moody’s has downgraded Hong Kong’s rating outlook to negative, saying that ongoing political protests in the financial hub “reveal an erosion in the strength” of its institutions. Despite the changed outlook, Moody’s maintained Hong Kong’s overall Aa2 rating. Read more: Protesters throw petrol bombs as Hong Kong violence persists Rival ratings agency Fitch Ratings downgraded [...]
European stock markets fall as oil worries shake investors September 16, 2019 European stock markets have fallen this morning as investors sell so-called risk assets following a severe spike in the price of oil due to a drone attack on a Saudi Arabian facility. Read more: Saudi Arabia oil facilities engulfed in flames after drone attacks The attack, believed to have been carried out by Yemen’s Houthi [...]
Oil prices post record jump after attack on Saudi Arabia supplies September 16, 2019 Oil prices rocketed almost 20 per cent to more than $71 a barrel today after the US accused Iran of gutting half of Saudi Arabia’s oil production in a strike on two refineries over the weekend. Brent crude trimmed its record-breaking gains but its price still blew up 10.5 per cent to $66.56. World (WTI) [...]
Ignore the doom-and-gloom headlines – people keep getting happier September 16, 2019 The news gives us plenty to worry about these days. From trade wars to political polarisation, the world seems full of risks. It is therefore perhaps surprising that – as far as we can tell – people are getting happier. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) surveys 150,000 people in the UK every year, and [...]