Opec boss warns world needs $65 oil to avoid price shocks May 25, 2016 The head of Opec has warned that the world "badly" needs $65 oil to avoid any future price shocks. Low crude prices have left firms with less cash to fund exploration, while producers pumping to the hilt has shrunk the global spare capacity margin. The has left markets increasingly vulnerable to production outages and soaring prices. [...]
This group of economists is scandalised by the IFS’ “£40bn fiscal black hole” Brexit report May 25, 2016 The Institute of Fiscal Studies (IFS) is generally regarded as pretty impartial, so the fact it issued a strong warning on the potential impact of Brexit – warning it could leave the Treasury with a £40bn fiscal black hole – has surprised some. Not least the esteemed members of Economists for Brexit, which this morning slammed the report. [...]
US oil hits seven month high as both West Texas Intermediate and Brent crude trade around $50 a barrel May 25, 2016 US oil hit its highest price in over seven months this morning, rising to as much as $49.35 in early trading, after industry data pointed to a larger-than-expected drop in US crude inventories last week. Brent crude was also up, hitting a high of $49.26. Data from the American Petroleum Institute showed that US crude [...]
Greek debt crisis: Eurozone strikes deal with Greece for €10.3bn bailout May 25, 2016 The Eurozone hammered out a €10.3bn (£7.9bn) bailout deal with Greece in the early hours of this morning. European finance ministers hailed the deal as a breakthrough, given that it carries with it a commitment from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to return to taking part in the bailout. The IMF coming back on board [...]
Why long-term investors shouldn’t fear Brexit: Alarming projections have emerged about the impact of Britain leaving the EU on sterling, stocks and bonds. But there are reasons not to expect the worst May 25, 2016 You’d be forgiven for thinking the investment industry is united against Brexit. Accompanied by alarming forecasts about the impact of a Leave vote on sterling or the risk to various sectors of the UK economy, repeated reports have painted the referendum as a choice between emotion and reason, with Remain the only sensible option for [...]
Hinkley Point crisis deepens as experts warn that there’s “zero possibility” of the project being finished by 2025 May 25, 2016 The government is facing fresh calls to reconsider its plan to build two nuclear reactors at Hinkley Point in Somerset, with experts warning that there’s “zero possibility” of the controversial project being finished by 2025. The concerns come after Vincent de Rivaz, the French utility giant’s UK boss, failed to assure parliament's energy and climate [...]
Institute for Fiscal Studies says Brexit could blow £40bn hole in public finances May 25, 2016 Despite saving £8bn a year from no longer contributing to the EU budget, Brexit could put a multi-billion pound black hole in the public finances, the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) has said. In a new report, published today, the number crunchers say that leaving the EU could result in the UK needing to find [...]
Greece expected to get €10.3bn in next loan payout May 24, 2016 Greece is expected to get approval for bailout loans of up to €10.3bn (£8bn) today. Eurozone finance ministers are currently discussing the loans in a Eurogroup meeting that’s been going on for over eight hours. The loan is likely to be paid out on two tranches with the first instalment of €7.8bn due in June. Read [...]
More action in Amsterdam as London’s float market awaits referendum May 24, 2016 The Amsterdam stock exchange today welcomed a new €740m (£564m)-valued addition. Livestock feed company ForFarmers priced on the Netherlands Euronext on Tuesday, finishing the day with a share price of €6.95. Read more: London set for IPO market recovery… but not just yet While Europe’s flotation markets have experienced a slow start to the year, [...]
Oil market entering a phase of rebalancing claims Goldman Sachs May 24, 2016 Increased oil production from countries with lower costs is going to hold down the price of crude, according to industry experts at Goldman Sachs. Goldman commodity analysts claim the “new oil order” means that output from the likes of Iran and Iraq will soon entirely offset disruption from higher cost producers. Recently the oil price [...]