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 [...]
With diverging monetary policy and more political uncertainty, should investors expect 2017 to be the year that growth makes a comeback? January 3, 2017 This year is being heralded as a new dawn for markets. The economic malaise which has dogged developed economies since the financial crisis will finally subside; the battle against deflation has been won; fiscal stimulus is firmly on the agenda, and real growth will return. Such optimistic assessments may prove to be on the money. [...]
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 [...]
Eurozone stocks start 2017 with a bang as share rally rolls on January 3, 2017 Eurozone stocks started 2017 with a bang yesterday after manufacturing data showed the biggest ramp-up in production across the bloc for five years. Germany’s Dax closed up one per cent to 11,598.33 points, its highest level in almost 17 months, while France’s Cac 40 closed up 0.4 per cent to 4,882.38 points. The rise continues a [...]
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 [...]
UK economic data this week expected to show continued resilience towards end of 2016 January 2, 2017 New economic data out this week is expected to show the continued resilience of the UK at the end of 2016. Fourth-quarter purchasing managers’ index (PMI) figures for manufacturing are due to be released on Tuesday, followed by PMI data for construction on Wednesday and the service sector on Thursday. Read more: US services PMI [...]
The FTSE 100 finished the year at another all-time high December 30, 2016 It's been another record-breaking day for the FTSE 100, which finished the year today at another all-time high. Britain's bluechip index rose to 7142.83 points, 0.3 per cent higher, after a last-minute rally before it closed on today's shortened trading day. The index has twice closed at record highs this week, finishing above 7,120 points yesterday [...]
Another day, another record close for the FTSE 100 December 29, 2016 The FTSE 100 just about managed to close above yesterday's all-time high flat on a day of thin trading. The index closed at 7,120 points, led higher by gold miners as the yellow metal rallied during yet another session, with Randgold Resources rising 4.7 per cent to 6,402p, while Fresnillo rose 4.4 per cent to 1,220p However, engineering [...]