Ethereum hard fork: What is it, when will it happen and what will it do to prices? January 15, 2019 Tomorrow marks the first major event in the world of cryptocurrencies in 2019, which could bring about a range of consequences from price swings to falling user numbers. But what do analysts think will actually happen? The so-called hard fork, which will see the Ethereum network upgrade its code to sit on a new version [...]
Brexit: How the pound might react to parliament’s crunch vote tonight January 15, 2019 Sterling has been plagued by volatility in recent months as uncertainty around Brexit has heightened. Theresa May's withdrawal agreement has come under pressure from all sides, and she was forced to postpone a December vote on her deal until tonight, when MPs will get their say at 7pm. But what will happen to the pound? [...]
German economy slumps to weakest growth in five years sending the euro down sharply January 15, 2019 The German economy grew at its weakest rate in five years in 2018 sending the euro down and further signalling a global downturn. Europe’s largest economy’s GDP grew by 1.5 per cent last year, compared with 2.2 per cent the previous year, according to data from the country’s Federal Statistics Office. The euro fell 0.3 per [...]
DEBATE: If Theresa May’s deal fails to pass, is another referendum the best way to break the stalemate? January 15, 2019 If Theresa May’s deal fails to pass, is another referendum the best way to break the stalemate? Jo Swinson MP, deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats, says YES. Brexit has become a national embarrassment. In the last few weeks, the Conservative government has lost control in parliament, and the Labour frontbench – supposedly the official [...]
Eager for a house price fall? It’s time for a lesson in economics January 15, 2019 Would it be a good thing if house prices in the UK fell? The British public, a host of commentators on Twitter, and even some economists seem to think so. A recent YouGov poll asked Britons whether a 30 per cent fall in property values after Brexit would be a “bad thing”. Just 32 per [...]
Profiting from the retail revolution: What’s hot and what’s not? January 15, 2019 It turns out that so-called Super Thursday wasn’t so super after all. Despite being lauded as a day when retailers boast strong figures from the festive period, last Thursday proved to be a mixed basket of results. With consumers feeling the pinch and Brexit-sized uncertainty looming large over the high street, it’s not surprising that [...]
Brexit high noon spells danger for currency traders January 15, 2019 Theresa May’s ultimate showdown has finally arrived. The high-stakes parliamentary vote on her Brexit plans is due later today, and the outcomes vary wildly – from soaring success to complete political collapse. Currency traders lie in wait, hoping not to be caught on the wrong side of a sterling trade, which could whip wildly in [...]
Premier slips on oil spill as financing reports hit share price January 14, 2019 Premier Oil tried to calm stormy markets today as its shares dropped as much as 12.5 per cent after reports it was considering issuing more shares to buy oil fields in the North Sea. The company said it was looking at potential sites in the UK, but stressed it had not yet decided to bid [...]
Newmont forms world’s largest gold miner with $10bn deal for Goldcorp January 14, 2019 Newmont Mining Corporation will balloon to become the world’s largest gold company as it buys Goldcorp in a deal valued at $10bn (£7.8bn). The share-based deal will produce a new global behemoth, bringing together two companies who produced a combined 7.9m ounces of gold in 2017, giving it strong leverage over global gold prices. Read more: Shareholders [...]
Bank earnings the next big threat to Buffett’s portfolio after Apple profit warning? January 14, 2019 | City Talk Warren Buffett may invest for the long haul, but surely any money manager must wince at the thought of losing a $4 billion chunk of their portfolio. Apple shares tanked at the start of the year after CEO Tim Cook issued the company’s first profit warning in 12 years, blaming the US-Sino trade war and [...]