European factory ‘summer slump’ continues through August September 2, 2019 European factory activity stagnated further in August, as a gloomy spell for companies was extended by a continued fall in demand. Manufacturing output fell for the seventh month in a row, according to IHS Markit’s Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI), a closely-followed measure of sector activity. Economists recorded a PMI score of 47, where anything below [...]
UK manufacturing activity plunges to seven-year low as economic slowdown bites September 2, 2019 UK manufacturing output crashed to a seven-year low in August as Brexit doubts intensify and a wider economic slowdown hurts firms, according to a closely followed measure of sector activity. Manufacturing output plunged to its worst level since 2012 last month, according to IHS Markit’s Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI). Read more: Toyota to halt production [...]
Swiss minister says country unlikely to sign EU deal soon September 1, 2019 Switzerland and the European Union are unlikely to reach an agreement this year over their long-awaited partnership treaty, the delay of which has caused relations to sour, the country’s economy minister said today. Read more: Eurozone output beats expectations in August but economy remains weak Economy minister Guy Parmelin also said it would be “risky” [...]
Sajid Javid to meet City figures for talks on a no-deal Brexit September 1, 2019 Sajid Javid will meet key City figures tomorrow in a bid to persuade them that a no-deal Brexit could provide opportunities for businesses. The chancellor is to hold a meeting with the bosses of financial powerhouses such as Barclays, Goldman Sachs and the London Stock Exchange Group on Monday, which will also be attended by [...]
US to hit China with new wave of 15 per cent tariffs as trade war escalates August 31, 2019 The US is set to impose new tariffs on a range of Chinese goods on Sunday as the trade war escalates further. The US is expected to hit billions of dollars worth of Chinese imports to the country with a 15 per cent tariff. Read more: US President Donald Trump’s personal assistant leaves White House [...]
Mortgage approvals hit two-year high while consumer credit growth remains stagnant August 30, 2019 Mortgage approvals for July hit a two-year high according to official data released on Friday. The Bank of England data revealed that lenders approved 67,306 mortgages last month, up from 66,506 in June. Read more: Londoners pay highest UK house premium to live closer to a station The housing market has endured a slowdown since [...]
UK households’ inflation expectations at highest in six years, survey reveals August 30, 2019 UK households are expecting inflation to rise over the next 12 months as the possibility of a no-deal Brexit increases. The public’s expectations for inflation are at their highest level since 2013, according to a survey from US bank Citi and pollsters YouGov, released on Friday. Read more: UK consumer confidence staggers in face of [...]
Trade is being weaponised – and it’s driving the G7 apart when we need the alliance most August 30, 2019 In the recent past, the G7 has largely been a talking shop for the leaders of the world’s biggest economies, who gather for a couple of days before sending out a communique generally agreeing that the western consensus should be maintained, and that globalisation is a good thing. Last year, all that changed. Who can [...]
UK consumer confidence staggers in face of no-deal Brexit August 30, 2019 Consumer confidence in personal financial situations slumped in August, driven by the increasing uncertainty caused by Brexit. A measure recording changes in personal finances during the last 12 months fell by two points this month to -1, a decline of five points compared to August last year. Read more: UK consumer confidence slumps in June [...]
Cebr poll: Most Brits expect a UK recession within a year August 29, 2019 Most Britons expect the UK economy to fall into a recession this time next year, a survey showed today, as consumer confidence tumbled to a six-year low in August. Read more: Into the red: UK economy shrinks for first time in seven years The latest analysis from Yougov and the Centre for Economics and Business [...]