Farewell to the game theory master who helped prevent a nuclear apocalypse January 4, 2017 Last year was a year of celebrity deaths. But perhaps the most significant of all received very little coverage. Just before Christmas, Thomas Schelling, Nobel Laureate in economics, died aged 95. In the early, tense years of the Cold War between America and the Soviet Union in the late 1940s and 1950s, Schelling’s ideas were [...]
Why businesses don’t need ‘certainty’ to thrive January 3, 2017 If last year taught us anything, it was to expect the unexpected. Just weeks into 2016, the world of economics was wondering if we were on the verge of another full-blown banking crisis. Expert opinions varied, with the most intelligent City analysts honest enough to admit they simply couldn’t tell if another crunch was around the [...]
US manufacturers in rude health as purchasing managers’ index shows strongest sector since 2014 January 3, 2017 US manufacturing conditions smashed expectations in December, according to an important indicator, as data continue to show an economy in rude health ahead of the Presidency of Donald Trump. The manufacturing purchasing managers’ index increased slightly to 54.7 in December, an increase of 1.5 percentage points since November, according to the Institute of Supply Management [...]
Germany’s inflation soars to highest since 2013 while France posts steady increase January 3, 2017 Inflation in Germany more than doubled in December 2016 while France also posted an increase, in a sign of further economic recovery in the Eurozone which will be welcomed by the European Central Bank (ECB). German consumer prices soared by 0.7 per cent compared to November, bringing the annual rate of increase to 1.7 per [...]
China’s manufacturers’ confidence sends PMI to almost four-year high, boosting Asian shares January 3, 2017 Confidence in China’s manufacturing sector rose sharply above expectations in December, with the widely followed purchasing managers’ index (PMI) reaching an almost four-year high. Stocks across Asia gained in response to the surprise increase. The Shanghai Stock Exchange Composite Index rose by 1.04 per cent on Tuesday, while the Hang Seng – a measure of [...]
UK manufacturer confidence reaches highest point for two and a half years January 3, 2017 UK manufacturers saw confidence levels reach a 30-month high as output and new orders strengthened, according to a closely watched indicator. The manufacturing purchasing managers’ index (PMI) rose to 56.1 in December, up from 53.6 in November, as the sector ended the year on a high note according to data compiled by IHS Markit. The [...]
British exporters look to Middle East and Asia-Pacific to avoid Brexit uncertainty January 3, 2017 British exporters are turning their gaze to the Middle East and Asia as they look to avoid economic uncertainty and the uncertain trading relationship with Europe, a new survey says. The Asia-Pacific region in particular is set to be targeted, with an 18 per cent balance of UK businesses expecting exports to increase over the [...]
The year of the vampire: 2017 is when political risk bites back January 3, 2017 “I have never met a vampire personally, but I don’t know what might happen tomorrow.” – Bela Lugosi Perhaps the greatest single indicator that the West no longer rules the world is its constituent nations’ signal inability to solve any of their many festering crises. Gormless, wildly overrated Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany epitomises this [...]
Trump will bring growth to the United States – but instability to global markets and trade January 3, 2017 Developments in the United States tend to drive global markets. We expect this to hold firm in 2017. This year I expect Trump will bring growth to America, but instability to global markets and trade. Donald Trump’s two key business appointments are aggressively pro-business. Treasury secretary Steven Mnuchin and commerce secretary Wilbur Ross both come [...]
13 events that will change the world in 2017: Article 50, Snapchat’s IPO, more Libor trials and a vote on Heathrow January 3, 2017 2017 looks like it's going to be a busy one: we're looking ahead to some of the key business and political events already pencilled in for this year's calendar. 1. Supreme court to rule on Article 50 The Supreme Court is due to deliver its ruling on Gina Miller's case this month (Source: Getty) The Supreme [...]