How you doing? The labour market may be stumbling, but not for everybody April 20, 2016 Economic data out this morning showed that the unemployment rate across the country was 5.1 per cent, wages grew by 1.8 per cent over the year and the number of people in work reached a new record high. But those are generalisations – the picture differs markedly across sections of the economy. So who has [...]
Unemployment numbers up and wage growth down: Why the UK labour market has started to stutter April 20, 2016 Jobs and wages figures released today raised questions over whether the UK economy could be losing steam. Analysts were quick to point to a host of factors that could be at play, as well as what the numbers mean for everything from interest rates to Brexit. The figures The headline unemployment rate came in unchanged [...]
Wage growth falls and jobless numbers climb as Britain’s jobs recovery falters April 20, 2016 Wage growth stumbled and the number of people out of work jumped in the three months to February 2016, according to numbers released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) this morning, in a sign that the UK labour market could be losing steam. Pay packets grew by 1.8 per cent compared to last year [...]
Incredible shrinking toilet paper: The six products you’re getting less of, but are not getting cheaper April 20, 2016 When you're spending a penny, you're being short changed, it turns out. One brands' toilet rolls have been quietly shortened, but you're still paying the same price, and it's just one of several products where you're now getting less bang for your buck – and may even pay more for less – according to research from consumer [...]
March of the challenger banks: Metro Bank share price edges up as its loss narrows April 20, 2016 First quarter figures from Metro, one of the UK's best-known challenger banks, suggest the march of the challengers isn't just hype. The figures Revenues at Metro Bank rose 11 per cent to £37.7m in the quarter to the end of March, from £34.1m in the previous quarter. That pushed its post-tax loss down to £7.9m, 23 per cent lower than last quarter's £10.2m. At this stage [...]
At the open: Oil and China bring FTSE 100 back to reality April 20, 2016 Buyers turned to sellers overnight as the feel-good factor across London trading floors evaporated and left the FTSE 100 to shed 0.4 per cent at the open – down to 6,378 from yesterday’s five-month high of 6,405. As trading books passed from London to New York, the States held on to gains – the Dow [...]
Kuwait oil strike called off, production increases and the price of Brent Crude tumbles April 20, 2016 Well, that was short-lived. After yesterday’s optimism, the markets have settled back into something a little more familiar – sell-offs – after the Kuwait strike ended and the price of oil slid back from yesterday’s close of nearly $44 (£31) a barrel. After a three-day general strike, the trade unions called off the action and [...]
Investor confidence defies market rebound, hitting fresh lows while public and corporate bonds turn negative April 20, 2016 Investor confidence has hit a record low for the second month in a row despite a recovery in markets almost across the board since February lows, according to the latest Lloyds Bank Investor Sentiment Index out today. The latest reading reveals that once again broad sentiment lags behind markets performance. Investor confidence may have been impacted last month by the surprise European [...]
CEBR: Brexit but staying in the Single Market could leave UK GDP higher by 2030 April 20, 2016 A leading think tank has said Britain leaving the EU but staying in the single market could result in its GDP being higher by 2030. It comes amid rising furore over the Treasury's prediction that each UK household would be £4,300 worse off if the UK leaves the EU. The Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR) said [...]
Easter celebrations boost spending at pubs and restaurants in March April 20, 2016 Britons spent more time at the pub in March, new research shows, as the early Easter bank holiday helped boost spending on leisure activities by 10 per cent over the year. Greene King’s Leisure Spend Tracker found that the early Easter celebrations helped drive a positive increase and levelled out any uncertainty felt after a busy Christmas period and a rather [...]