Bank of England policymaker: UK economy in worst slump ‘in centuries’ April 23, 2020 The UK economy is experiencing the fastest and deepest contraction in “the past century or possibly several centuries” during the coronavirus lockdown, a Bank of England rate-setter has said. However, Bank monetary policy committee (MPC) member Gertjan Vlieghe, also said that “in principle” the economy “should return approximately to the pre-virus trajectory” if it is [...]
Tullow Oil shares jump as firm sells Uganda assets for $575m April 23, 2020 Tullow Oil has sold its last remaining stakes in its Uganda business to French major Total, the first step in its plan to bolster its fragile finances. The deal will see Total pay the Africa-focused oil firm $575m (£465.2m) for its Ugandan assets, the first move in a portfolio management programme aiming to raise $1bn. [...]
UK to raise £225bn from bond sales to fund coronavirus measures April 23, 2020 The UK government is planning a huge increase in bond sales to fund its economic response to the coronavirus, selling roughly four times as much debt over the next three months than originally planned in the March Budget. The Treasury said it will try to raise £180bn from investors in the bond markets over the [...]
UK economy suffers unprecedented slump amid coronavirus lockdown April 23, 2020 The UK economy suffered an unprecedented blow in April as the coronavirus lockdown choked off demand, according to a closely watched gauge which slumped to its lowest level since records began. The IHS Markit/Cips composite purchasing managers’ index (PMI) crashed to a reading of 12.9 in April. This was the worst score since the survey [...]
UK borrowing higher than expected before coronavirus lockdown April 23, 2020 The UK went over its borrowing target for the most recent financial year, it revealed today, but coronavirus spending is set to dwarf its budget deficit. Borrowing between April 2019 and March 2020 rose to £48.7bn, compared to forecasts of £47.4bn, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). But a swathe of public spending [...]
Oil prices steady after historic crash left market reeling April 23, 2020 Oil traders were on the receiving end of some welcome respite this morning as prices firmed overnight after a week of extreme volatility. After yesterday’s collapse to pre-millenium levels, global benchmark Brent crude continued its rally to rise seven per cent to $21.82. US standard West Texas Intermediate also firmed up, gaining 10 per cent [...]
Eurozone output and employment suffer record falls in April April 23, 2020 The Eurozone economy suffered the biggest falls in employment and activity on record in April as governments across the continent all but shut down their countries in response to the spread of coronavirus. The IHS Markit composite purchasing managers’ index (PMI) – a closely watched gauge of activity – collapsed to 13.5, the lowest score [...]
US crude oil inventories near all-time highs as demand dries up April 22, 2020 US crude oil inventories neared record levels today as producers continued to pump despite a near-total collapse in demand. Crude inventories rose by 15m barrels in the week to April 17 to 518.6m barrels, putting them within striking distance of an all-time record of 535m barrels set in 2017. Rystad Energy analysts had predicted an [...]
Eurozone consumer confidence hits lows last seen in financial crisis April 22, 2020 European consumer confidence tumbled this month towards the record lows seen during the financial crisis in 2009 as the continent braces itself for a deep recession caused by coronavirus lockdowns. The European Commission (EC) today said its gauge of consumer confidence for the Eurozone fell to minus 22.7 points, down from minus 11.6 in March. [...]
US stocks open higher on earnings and coronavirus stimulus April 22, 2020 US stocks have opened sharply higher as investors put oil market chaos behind them to focus on corporate earnings and a new coronavirus stimulus package from Congress. Wall Street’s Dow Jones stock index was up 1.6 per cent just after the bell. The S&P 500 was 1.6 per cent higher and the Nasdaq had climbed [...]