Federal Reserve expected to raise US interest rates this week as all eyes on predictions for 2019 December 16, 2018 The US Federal Reserve is this week widely expected to raise interest rates for the fourth time this year, with an anticipated range of between 2.25 and 2.50 per cent. But doubts have begun to emerge about Wednesday’s announcement among analysts, after comments from Federal Reserve chairman Jerome Powell that the level of interest rates [...]
Euro falls as eurozone business growth hits four-year low after France protests and Brexit uncertainty December 14, 2018 Eurozone business growth plummeted to a four-year low in December, according to a closely-followed measure of economic activity, hitting the euro as markets reacted today. The “yellow vest” protests in France and ongoing weak car demand exacerbated a widespread economic slowdown, IHS Markit’s purchasing managers’ index (PMI) showed this morning. The index’s eurozone composite PMI showed [...]
Nigeria files $1.1bn lawsuit against Eni and Shell over alleged corruption December 13, 2018 Shell and Italian Eni have been hit with a $1.1bn (£870m) lawsuit as the Nigerian government accused the companies of bribery. The allegations, which are tied a deal for the licence on the OPL 245 oilfield, have been filed in London, the government revealed. “It is alleged that purchase monies purportedly paid to the Federal [...]
FTSE dividend payments to hit record £94bn next year and yields boosted by market drop December 13, 2018 FTSE 100 dividend payments could hit record highs of £94bn next year while falling markets have increased yields, tempting investors and keeping the index stable amid political uncertainty. A difficult autumn for the markets with shares falling has seen the forecast dividend yield for the blue chip index rise to 4.9 per cent for 2019, [...]
IEA: Opec cuts hit the spot as oil set to stabilise at $60 per barrel December 13, 2018 A cut in output from oil-producing cartel Opec will hit the spot as oil prices look set to stabilise at a floor of around $60 per barrel after a volatile year, the International Energy Agency said today. Prices hit a year high of $86 in early October as investors feared supplies would drop as the US [...]
Euro drops as ECB lowers growth forecast and confirms end to €2.6tn stimulus despite growth concerns December 13, 2018 The European Central Bank has confirmed plans to bring its €2.6tn eurozone stimulus programme to an end later this month despite concerns over growth. The bank’s bond purchasing programme, which began in 2015, will wind down at the end of the year as planned, it said today. But the ECB said it would continue to [...]
Three reasons to diversify in the hunt for equity income December 13, 2018 | City Talk Obtaining additional income is the primary goal for many investors, yet achieving it can be hard. Here we look at three ways diversification can potentially bring wider opportunities for income-seekers who invest in shares: Relying on just a few stocks for income can be risky – they may cut their dividends or the share price [...]
Shares in G4S jump as its says it is considering spinning off cash division December 13, 2018 Shares in security company G4S spiked this morning after the company said it was considering spinning off its armoured cash truck business. Shares rose nearly 10 per cent to 201p this morning following the news. The company said it is "reviewing options" for the separation of its cash solutions business, following the establishment of a [...]
DEBATE: Should the government’s Making Tax Digital initiative be delayed? December 13, 2018 Should the government’s Making Tax Digital initiative be delayed? Suren Thiru, head of economics and business finance at the British Chambers of Commerce, says YES. The Making Tax Digital initiative represents a significant overhaul to the UK’s tax system, which could not be happening at a worse time for both business and government. HMRC already [...]
Opec forecasts fall in demand days after cutting output by 1.2m barrels December 12, 2018 Opec yesterday slashed oil demand projections, saying that the global appetite for its oil would fall to 31.44m barrels per day next year, 100,000 less than previous estimates. The oil producers cartel last week cut output in response to a glut in global supply which had forced prices down. However, the organisation said yesterday it [...]