Sterling spirals further as Boris Johnson sparks general election speculation September 2, 2019 Sterling has fallen through the $1.21 mark as speculation swirls that Prime Minister Boris Johnson is preparing to call a general election and the Tory party prepares for a dramatic showdown. Johnson has unexpectedly called a cabinet meeting for 5pm, increasing speculation that he could be about to call a ‘people versus parliament’ election. Read [...]
Five sustainable investing myths September 2, 2019 | City Talk Given the dramatic rise in popularity of sustainable investing, it’s perhaps no surprise that a few misconceptions have come along for the ride. Sustainable investing – sometimes known as “ESG” investing because it considers environmental, social and governance risks and opportunities – has become increasingly important. Last year our employer Schroders found two-thirds of investors [...]
Sterling sinks after ‘simply shocking’ UK manufacturing data September 2, 2019 Sterling plummeted against the euro and the dollar in response to weak UK manufacturing data as economists warned “there is no clarity whatsoever” surround Brexit. Markets panicked as figures showed output from the UK manufacturing sector sank to a seven-year low in August, sending the pound down against major currencies. Read more: UK manufacturing output [...]
European factory ‘summer slump’ continues through August September 2, 2019 European factory activity stagnated further in August, as a gloomy spell for companies was extended by a continued fall in demand. Manufacturing output fell for the seventh month in a row, according to IHS Markit’s Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI), a closely-followed measure of sector activity. Economists recorded a PMI score of 47, where anything below [...]
UK manufacturing activity plunges to seven-year low as economic slowdown bites September 2, 2019 UK manufacturing output crashed to a seven-year low in August as Brexit doubts intensify and a wider economic slowdown hurts firms, according to a closely followed measure of sector activity. Manufacturing output plunged to its worst level since 2012 last month, according to IHS Markit’s Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI). Read more: Toyota to halt production [...]
Asian stocks slip after US-China trade war escalates with fresh $110bn tariffs September 2, 2019 Asian stocks stumbled overnight after the US escalated its trade war with China, with a series of fresh tariff hikes on goods amounting to roughly $110bn (£90.5bn). Tokyo’s Nikkei index fell 0.41 per cent, while Hong Kong also fell 0.76 per cent. Shanghai’s SSE Composite index rose 1.31 per cent, however, while South Korea’s main [...]
Swiss minister says country unlikely to sign EU deal soon September 1, 2019 Switzerland and the European Union are unlikely to reach an agreement this year over their long-awaited partnership treaty, the delay of which has caused relations to sour, the country’s economy minister said today. Read more: Eurozone output beats expectations in August but economy remains weak Economy minister Guy Parmelin also said it would be “risky” [...]
Sajid Javid to meet City figures for talks on a no-deal Brexit September 1, 2019 Sajid Javid will meet key City figures tomorrow in a bid to persuade them that a no-deal Brexit could provide opportunities for businesses. The chancellor is to hold a meeting with the bosses of financial powerhouses such as Barclays, Goldman Sachs and the London Stock Exchange Group on Monday, which will also be attended by [...]
Cuadrilla says sorry for concern over record-breaking earthquake and promises to mend the damage September 1, 2019 Britain’s only active fracking company has apologised to residents near its site after a 2.9 magnitude earthquake rocked houses last week. Cuadrilla said it was visiting locals to assess “minor damage” caused at properties in Blackpool and the surrounding area. The firm will repair any damage it believes was caused by last Monday’s quake. Read [...]
US to hit China with new wave of 15 per cent tariffs as trade war escalates August 31, 2019 The US is set to impose new tariffs on a range of Chinese goods on Sunday as the trade war escalates further. The US is expected to hit billions of dollars worth of Chinese imports to the country with a 15 per cent tariff. Read more: US President Donald Trump’s personal assistant leaves White House [...]