Sterling retreats as markets await Theresa May’s crucial Brexit cabinet meeting November 14, 2018 Sterling sunk back below $1.30 early this morning despite the Prime Minister having reached a draft agreement with the EU over Brexit. The pound rose on the announcement late yesterday but fell back to $1.296 this morning as politicians reacted negatively to the deal. The DUP has cast doubt over Theresa May’s proposed agreement, calling it [...]
Oil prices continue slide as Trump warns Saudi Arabia against production cut November 13, 2018 Oil prices have continued to tumble after US President Donald Trump warned Opec against cutting production. The oil cartel has also cut its world oil demand growth for 2019 due to uncertainties around global economic development. Brent crude continued its slide below $70 per barrel trading at $68.81 this afternoon, almost two per cent down [...]
Trust me, we’ve been thinking about market power and competition all wrong November 13, 2018 Economists, politicians, and commentators on both sides of the Atlantic are growing more concerned with the supposed “monopolisation” of the economy. In a 2017 report, the Social Market Foundation found that eight of 10 key British markets, including in phones, gas and groceries, were highly dominated by small numbers of companies. Its director, James Kirkup, [...]
The US midterms: Good for Democrats, but better for markets November 13, 2018 American politics is in a febrile state. Deep partisan divisions, heightened by Donald Trump’s controversial rhetoric and policies, have resulted in a historic year for midterm voter turn-out. Last Tuesday, voters on the left and right were spurred on by a conviction that the 2018 midterms were more important than any other in history. Politically, [...]
Is central bank independence even a thing? November 13, 2018 Parents often find it tough to let go of the control they have on their children’s lives, no matter how old they are. While children usually tend to wriggle out of these constraints, the constant jostling between two often opposing opinions is a worldwide phenomenon. And such is the relationship between the government and the [...]
Apple loses $50bn in market valuation as fears grow of slowing iPhone sales November 12, 2018 Apple's shares fell five percent tonight after a major supplier cut its financial outlook, leading to fears demand for the iPhone has plateaued. The fall slashed $50bn (£38.9bn) from Apple’s market valuation with shares falling $20.30 to $194.17. The losses mean Apple’s market capitalisation has fallen $190bn since October, more than the entire market value [...]
Fishing Republic on the hook as it tries to land extra finance November 12, 2018 Angling retailer Fishing Republic warned today its future is uncertain as it works to raise extra finance. The Aim-listed business said there was “material uncertainty regarding the group’s financial position” and said “the group continues to trade only with the short-term support of key creditors”. Shares in the group were suspended on 16 October after [...]
Saudi Aramco boss says listing will take place within three years November 12, 2018 The boss of Saudi Arabia’s national oil company Saudi Aramco said today that its long-awaited float was still in the pipeline. Chief executive Amin Nasser said the initial public offering (IPO) would “certainly” happen when conditions are right. Speaking in Abu Dhabi, Nasser said crown prince Mohammed Bin Salman and energy minister Khalid al-Falih were [...]
Euro falls ahead of crunch deadline over Italy’s budget plan November 12, 2018 The euro has fallen ahead of a crunch deadline for Italy to revise its rejected budget plan. Italy's finance minister Giovanni Tria is reportedly set to revise the budget's growth forecast to reach a compromise with the European Commission. But the currency has dropped 0.6 per cent against the dollar to $1.126, led by a [...]
Pound falls to 11-day low on uncertainty over Brexit deal November 12, 2018 The pound was hit by fears over Brexit this morning, as it dropped almost one per cent against the dollar to an 11-day low. The currency slumped by 0.94 per cent to $1.285 in the early morning, after a three-week high of $1.316 last Wednesday. Sterling took a hit on Friday after transport minister Jo [...]