FTSE 100 index rallies after Asian markets as the share prices of Reckitt Benckiser and IAG rise February 15, 2016 The FTSE 100 index shot higher today after a rally on most Asian stock markets, despite poor trade data coming out of China. The UK's blue-chip index rose 2.26 per cent to 5,836 points in early afternoon trading, led higher by Reckitt Benckiser and British Airways owner International Consolidated Airlines Group (IAG). "No severe sell-off in Chinese markets after a [...]
US economy suffering winter blues as business survey data points to stagnation February 15, 2016 The US economy is currently stagnating, according to business survey figures released today. The sales managers’ index (SMI) compiled by World Economics dropped to a score of 50.8 in February from 51.1 last month. Scores above 50 imply the economy grew compared with the month before, with February’s score pointing to very sluggish growth. Business [...]
UK house prices: Help to buy has boosted the number of houses built and first-time buyers – but it’s not inflating prices, claims government report February 15, 2016 Suffering from misgivings about whether help to buy is really the panacea the government claims it is? A new report published this morning claims it has boosted both house building and first-time buying – but it has not artificially boosted prices. And the report has been published by… er… the government. The equity loan scheme, [...]
Shell share price rises as it completes takeover of BG: Are energy companies’ forecasts in line with reality? February 15, 2016 As Royal Dutch Shell's takeover of BG completes today, it's time to take stock and question the aptness of energy company's forecasts. Shell has said that the deal with BG will work with oil prices in the low $60s, however a number of analysts have since cut their forecasts for Brent crude. At the beginning [...]
Tesco extends its financial support for dairy farmers until April February 15, 2016 Tesco is extending its financial support for dairy farmers through to spring, in the face of cold weather and "uncertain times" in the sector. Originally the winter supplement was scheduled to run until the end of February, but it has rolled its financial assistance out until 17 April "to help [farmers] cover their production costs". Commercial director [...]
Thousands of steelworkers to protest in Brussels for EU action against Chinese dumping February 15, 2016 More than 5,000 European steel workers are expected to gather together to protest in Brussels today, to coincide with a conference on the future of EU steel. The industry is urging EU leaders to stop Chinese 'dumping' of cheap steel, which it argues is giving the Asian superpower an unfair advantage and is putting thousands [...]
Eurozone exports climb five per cent in 2015 as sales to the US soar February 15, 2016 The value of goods and services exported by the Eurozone climbed by five per cent last year compared with 2014. The currency-bloc sold €167.5bn (£129.6bn) of goods to the rest of the world in December, taking the 2015 total to €2.04 trillion, according to data released this morning by Eurostat, the statistical office of the EU. [...]
Aldi to open 80 stores and create 5,000 jobs in the UK this year February 15, 2016 Disruptive German supermarket Aldi will open 80 new stores in the UK this year, creating 5,000 jobs in the UK, it said this morning. The plans will take the supermarket's estate to 700 outlets in the UK, it said in a statement this morning. A spokesman for the retailer said the stores will be "right across the [...]
Reckitt Benckiser’s share price soars on better-than-expected full-year results February 15, 2016 Reckitt Benckiser's share price soared more than six per cent in early trading, after the consumer goods company unveiled better-than-expected full-year results. The FTSE 100 firm today posted a five per cent increase in sales to £8.87bn over the year, thanks to a particularly strong performance in its consumer health division, which includes brands such as [...]
Gold price dips as European and Asian equities recover February 15, 2016 Don't buy gold. The price of the precious metal fell this morning, as investors flocked back to equities following a rally in Asia. Gold futures fell 2.4 per cent to $1,209 this morning. Last week it peaked at $1,255, – having risen above $1,200 for the first time since June 2015 as global equities plummeted. Meanwhile, this morning FTSE 100-listed [...]