Federal Reserve slashes interest rates over coronavirus fears March 3, 2020 The US Federal Reserve has slashed interest rates by 50 basis points – 0.5 percentage points – in an emergency response to the economic risks of coronavirus. Fed chair Jay Powell said rate-setters had witnessed the “broader spread of the virus” and “come to the view that it is time for us to act in [...]
Robert Walters shares fall on coronavirus profit warning March 3, 2020 Economic bellwether recruiter Robert Walters’ shares sank today as it warned 2020 profit will miss expectations due to the coronavirus outbreak. The recruitment agency’s shares fell seven per cent to 494p after the coronavirus profit warning compounded a dire 2019 filled with Brexit and economic uncertainties. Profit before tax slipped three per cent to £47.4m [...]
G7 ‘ready to act’ to minimise economic impact of coronavirus March 3, 2020 Finance ministers and central bank governors from the G7 nations have said they are “ready to act” to minimise the impact of the coronavirus outbreak, pledging to use “all appropriate policy tools” including fiscal measures. Following a conference call earlier today, the G7 issued a statement saying that action would be taken by each member [...]
FTSE 100 gains cool ahead of G7 coronavirus call March 3, 2020 The FTSE 100 index has risen for a second straight session this morning, as policymakers across the world indicated they would take measures to ease the economic impact of the coronavirus outbreak. Britain’s blue-chip index rose as much as 2.21 per cent following the open, with traders taking their cue from a largely positive showing [...]
Bank of England expects to internal report on audio feed misuse in April March 3, 2020 The Bank of England expects an internal report into misuse of its audio feeds to go the bank’s directors in April, after it emerged that hedge funds were able to access a market-sensitive feed ahead of its official broadcast. Outgoing governor Mark Carney told the Treasury committee today that he expected the BoE’s court — [...]
Coronavirus: Mark Carney warns of ‘large economic shock’ March 3, 2020 Bank of England governor Mark Carney has said the economic shock from coronavirus “could prove large” but sought to reassure the public that it will “ultimately be temporary”. The outgoing governor told parliament today that the central banks and governments around the world are working on a “powerful” response to the crisis that will likely [...]
How does the stock market perform when the VIX fear gauge surges? March 3, 2020 | City Talk The spread of the coronavirus has sent shock waves through global stock markets. Alongside plummeting share prices, the VIX index, the market’s so-called fear gauge, has shot up. At the time of writing, on 28 February, it stands at over 40. This is very high compared to long-term norms. Since 1990, it has averaged 19 [...]
G7 ‘will not call for fiscal or monetary support’ in coronavirus statement March 3, 2020 The G7 nations will voice their determination to combat the economic impact of the coronavirus outbreak, but reportedly will not directly call for new government spending or coordinated interest rate cuts. Finance ministers and central bank governors from the G7 are due to issue a statement following a conference call on the epidemic at midday, [...]
ECB ‘working on lending scheme’ for small businesses hit by coronavirus March 3, 2020 The European Central Bank is reportedly working on measures to provide liquidity to businesses hit by the economic impact of the coronavirus outbreak. Measures being considered by the ECB include a targeted longer-term refinancing operation directed at small and medium-sized firms, which could be hardest hit by a virus-related downturn, sources familiar with the discussion [...]
UK PMI: Construction expands at fastest rate in over a year March 3, 2020 UK construction output rose at its fastest rate in over a year in February, a survey showed today, as new orders picked up at a fast clip. The IHS Markit/Cips construction purchasing managers’ index (PMI) jumped to 52.6 in February, up from 48.4 in January. A score of above 50 indicates expansion and it was [...]