What Saudi Arabia’s new economic vision means for Opec’s June meeting May 26, 2016 Is Saudi Arabia likely to unshackle itself from oil dependency any time soon? Our view is — not. Determined to overcome its oil revenue dependency, the gulf state's deputy crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, has pledged to implement Vision 2030. It includes an ambitious programme to diversify Saudi’s economy, treble non-oil revenues to $100bn (£68bn) by [...]
French strikes spark confrontations between police and protestors May 26, 2016 Tens of thousands of demonstrators took to the streets, smoke bombs were thrown and arrests made amid protests over new labour laws by the French government. Their grievances centre on the government's proposed reforms to employment laws, which make it easier for firms to hire and fire. Prime Minister Manuel Valls said some tweaks could be [...]
Loo roll business plans float ahead of EU referendum May 26, 2016 A Northern loo roll business is showing not even a wee bit of fear ahead of the EU referendum. Accrol today announced its intention to float on the London Stock Exchange’s alternative investment market (Aim) less than two weeks before the vote. The independent tissue converter, which has been advised by Zeus Capital, is expected [...]
Currency traders: Here’s what you can (and can’t) say according to a new global code of conduct May 26, 2016 So toxic is the reputation of currency traders that an international watchdog has today published a list of dos and dont's in a vain attempt to whip the flash boys into shape. The Bank for International Settlements (BIS), often dubbed the central bank for central banks, has put together a lofty "FX global code" which sets out some basic behaviours [...]
Before the bell: What you need to know before the US market open May 26, 2016 The price of US crude oil has smashed through $50 per barrel after Brent crossed that mark last night. Meanwhile the world's leaders have assembled in Japan for the G7 meeting. Here's what you need to know before the US market open at 14:30 London time. The futures market is pointing up. The S&P is up by 0.1 [...]
Business investment dropped in the first quarter of the year due to Brexit and bear markets May 26, 2016 Business investment slipped in the first three months of the year, as market volatility, shattered confidence and the EU referendum were all blamed for firms failing to dip their hands into their pockets. Investment by corporates fell by 0.5 per cent between January and March, following a two per cent contraction at the end of [...]
The cost of hedging against a swing in the value of the pound just hit a seven-year high May 26, 2016 The price of hedging against volatility on the currency markets spiked today, as traders become increasing nervous with just four weeks to go until the EU referendum. The cost of insuring against swings on the value of the pound, as measured by one-month options for swapping sterling into US dollars hit a seven-year high today. [...]
IMF will not join Greek bailout until clear steps on debt relief have been agreed May 26, 2016 The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has said that it "hopes" to officially join the Greek bailout programme by the end of the year, but insisted it could not make any guarantees. Earlier this week Greece agreed a €10.3bn (£7.8bn) deal to unlock funds from Eurozone to help it cover debt repayments due this summer. The programme [...]
There’s a big hole in student finance: From bonds and P2P to income share agreements, here’s how you can invest in the next generation May 26, 2016 The costs of university may have spiralled, but it still pays to have letters after your name. According to the Sutton Trust, a masters degree can earn you an average of £5,500 more per year than a bachelors alone. But finding the money to pay for higher education is difficult, particularly for international students. Few [...]
G7 leaders must recognise that monetary policy alone won’t solve the world’s ills May 26, 2016 Hosting a successful family get-together is a stressful business. Just ask Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. With the leaders of the world’s major economies arriving in Ise-Shima for a G7 summit, Abe has promised “candid” and “fruitful” discussions to tackle the challenges to global growth. But against the backdrop of sluggish activity, doubts about the [...]