City economists warn Lagarde poses ‘credibility risk’ as ECB chief July 4, 2019 City economists digested the news of Christine Lagarde’s nomination as European Central Bank (ECB) president yesterday with some warning of a “credibility risk” while others welcomed her expected dovish stance. Read more: IMF chief Lagarde among surprise picks for EU top jobs European Union member state leaders surprised pundits on Tuesday night by picking Lagarde, [...]
George Osborne vying for top role at IMF July 4, 2019 George Osborne is mulling a bid to become the next head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), according to reports, after its current managing director Christine Lagarde was tapped for the top job at the European Central Bank (ECB). Read more: IMF chief Christine Lagarde among surprise picks for EU top job Currently editor of [...]
DEBATE: Is Christine Lagarde a smart pick to take over from Mario Draghi at the European Central Bank? July 4, 2019 Is Christine Lagarde a smart pick to take over from Mario Draghi at the European Central Bank? Yes, says Pierre Ortlieb, an economist at OMFIF Christine Lagarde’s tentative appointment reflects the challenges that the ECB will face in its third decade. Post-crisis unconventional monetary policy and the Bank’s prominence in the continent’s capital markets have [...]
FTSE 100 hits 11-month high on interest rate cut hopes July 3, 2019 The UK’s FTSE 100 stock index has hit an 11-month high today, boosted by the growing chances of interest rate cuts, a falling pound, and hopes of a resolution to the US-China trade war. Read more: Dollar falls as Fed holds interest rates but strikes dovish tone Meanwhile the pound has fallen to its lowest [...]
UK service sector ‘close to stagnation’ as economy slows July 3, 2019 The UK service sector came close to registering zero growth in June as Brexit uncertainty dented demand, according to data provider IHS Markit and the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS). Read more: UK construction sector suffers worst output in 10 years The poor performance indicates the economy has slipped into contraction for the [...]
The left’s support for university students is fuelled by political self-interest July 3, 2019 Why do left-wing politicians want to shower money on privileged members of society? In general, university students have a higher intellectual ability than non-students, and often come from more desirable socio-economic backgrounds. But leftists can’t do enough for them. For instance, Jeremy Corbyn in 2017 promised to abolish tuition fees from 2018 onwards. He went [...]
Mark Carney warns trade war could ‘shipwreck’ global economy July 2, 2019 Bank of England governor Mark Carney today warned that a trade war could “shipwreck” the global economy. Speaking in Bournemouth today Carney said financial markets had recently experienced a “profound transformation” driven by growing concerns over the impact of rising trade tensions and policy uncertainty. Read more: No-deal Brexit would cost UK £90bn, warns Philip [...]
FTSE 100 reaches two-month high as US-China trade war enters truce July 1, 2019 The FTSE 100 soared to a two-month high as European stocks rallied as G20 summit talks between President Donald Trump and Chinese premier Xi Jinping appeared to offer signs of progress. Trump said negotiations to end the economic dispute are “right back on track” after pledging to pause any new tariffs on Chinese goods in [...]
Low growth predicted in second quarter as Brexit uncertainty and rising costs bite July 1, 2019 Two of Britain’s biggest business groups have warned of dismal growth for the second quarter of 2019 as political turmoil and rising costs take a heavy toll on the UK economy. Downbeat forecasts for the health of the country’s private sector have been laid bare by two major business trade bodies, the British Chambers of [...]
Brexit stockpiling helps UK economy grow 1.8 per cent in early 2019 June 28, 2019 Brexit stockpiling gave a 1.8 per cent boost to the UK economy in the first quarter of 2019 compared to the same quarter last year, figures confirmed today. UK GDP rose 1.8 per cent in January to March compared to its corresponding 2018 quarter. That figure beat the 1.4 per cent quarterly growth between October [...]