US and European stocks buoyed by ECB rate cut expectations August 17, 2019 US and European stocks soared on Friday as expectations the European Central Bank will cut interest rates rose, helping the dollar to hit a two-week high against the euro. The dollar was also aided by promising data that showed a jump in US homebuilding permits to a seven-month high. Read more: US stock markets jump [...]
Chancellor Javid to ‘simplify’ the tax system in autumn budget August 17, 2019 Chancellor Sajid Javid has suggested he will simplify the tax system when he sets out his first budget in the autumn. Javid said he was a “low tax guy” and that it was important to “always be thinking about the lowest paid” in his first interview since taking on the role, speaking to The Times. [...]
US stock markets jump after China hints at stimulus August 16, 2019 US stock markets have opened significantly higher after China sewed hopes of more stimulus and a rally in government bonds slowed down. Read more: FTSE 100 follows European stocks upwards after it reopens The tech-heavy Nasdaq index was the biggest climber, rising one per cent shortly after the opening bell. The S&P 500 had risen [...]
Hong Kong economy grows less than expected as recession fears hit August 16, 2019 Hong Kong’s economy grew less than expected at just 0.5 per cent year-on-year for the second quarter, the government revealed on Friday. It comes amid growing tensions between the US and China as the trade war rumbles on and on the back of continued unrest in the financial hub, igniting fears it could tip into [...]
FTSE 100 and FTSE 250 reopen after glitch hits morning trading August 16, 2019 Trading in FTSE 100 and 250 stocks has reopened after a software issue that delayed the starting bell this morning was resolved. The London Stock Exchange (LSE) said it had “experienced a technical software issue” that had “affected trading in certain securities” but that this had been resolved. Read more: London stock exchange seals $27bn [...]
FTSE 100 follows European stocks upwards after it reopens August 16, 2019 The FTSE 100 copied European stock indices and rose sharply this morning when it finally opened after the worst outage in eight years. Read more: FTSE 100 and 250 reopen after glitch hits morning trading Britain’s blue-chip index had risen 0.4 per cent shortly before 11am UK time. London’s traders were over an hour and [...]
Economy on red alert with yield curve close to inversion August 16, 2019 | City Talk Both the US and UK yield curves are on the verge of inverting. The yield curve has been a reliable predictor of US recessions over the last four decades, less so in the UK. With only one exception, each time the yield curve has inverted, the US economy has entered a downturn within 18 months. [...]
Asian stock markets buoyant despite rising trade tension August 16, 2019 The main Asian stock markets have climbed overnight despite the raging US-China trade war after Beijing hinted at stimulus for its economy. Read more: Markets drop as US and China enter fierce war of words Investors’ spirits were lifted after China’s state planning office said it would act to increase disposable income. China’s Shanghai composite [...]
Breaking ground: Government signals possible change on fracking quake limit August 15, 2019 The government could relax rules on fracking amid pressure from shale gas drillers to defend the future of the controversial industry in the UK. The Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy department (Beis) said today it would look at data gathered at Cuadrilla’s Lancashire fracking site after an assessment from the Oil and Gas Authority. Read [...]
Markets drop as US and China enter fierce war of words August 15, 2019 A fierce war of words between China and the US broke out today after Beijing vowed to strike back over the 10 per cent tariffs the Trump administration is set to apply to $300bn of Chinese goods. Read more: Recession warning lights flash red as US and UK ‘yield curves’ invert China’s finance ministry said [...]