Some investors are clearly living in a parallel universe April 30, 2019 Having watched the phenomenal “Avengers: Endgame” this weekend (no spoilers here), I did take a moment to think about parallel universes. To put it bluntly, it doesn’t take a genius like Tony Stark to work out that many market commentators are living in a parallel universe – that is, they can’t remember what happened 20 [...]
Consumer confidence remains steady amid Brexit carry-on, survey shows April 30, 2019 Britons were more positive about the future economic situation in April than they were in March, but are putting off major purchases amid financial and political uncertainty, a new study has today shown. Read more: CBI: UK retailers enjoy rising sales for the first time in five months Meanwhile, fewer people in the UK were positive [...]
Sirius Minerals set to unveil £2.5bn equity and debt package April 29, 2019 London-listed Sirius Minerals is set to unveil a £2.5bn debt and equity fundraising tomorrow as it seeks to develop a potash mine in Yorkshire. Sky News reported that Sirius is set to announce its largest equity-raising to date as part of a massive financing package. Read more: Sirius Minerals on track with Yorkshire mine but still [...]
Labour policies will represent ‘revolution’ for UK economy says John McDonnell April 29, 2019 Shadow chancellor John McDonnell said Labour will unleash an economic “revolution” if it wins power. The Labour MP for Hayes and Harlington, who has previously named Soviet revolutionaries Lenin and Trotsky as key intellectual influences, told the BBC he saw parallels with 1979 when Margaret Thatcher swept to power. "Things aren't working for people, so they're [...]
A new book about austerity has put Keynesian economists on the defensive April 29, 2019 Notoriously, economists quarrel about almost everything in their subject. But since the publication of John Maynard Keynes’ General Theory of Employment, Interest and Money in 1936, they are supposed to agree on one point: that increases in government spending boost demand and output, and reductions in government spending depress them. Indeed, according to the theory, a [...]
Deutsche Boerse chairman Joachim Faber to step down next year April 29, 2019 Deutsche Boerse chairman Joachim Faber is to step down following the stock market group’s annual general meeting in 2020, it announced today. Read more: Deutsche Boerse profits plunge and outlook for 2019 'more subdued' The news comes two years after the Frankfurt-based group failed to merge with the London Stock Exchange (LSE) and only months [...]
Gazprom profits double on higher European gas sales April 29, 2019 Record sales in Europe helped Russian energy giant Gazprom double its profits last year, it said today. The company’s profits reached nearly 1.5 trillion roubles (£17.5bn) in 2018. Read more: Plexus shares hit oil as licensee signs deal with Gazprom The big profits were helped as its exports to Europe and Turkey reached a record [...]
Dark clouds gather as one-sixth of British businesses struggle financially April 29, 2019 Nearly a sixth of British businesses are in financial trouble, amid concerns the UK could suffer a wide-ranging economic slowdown in the coming months, according to research. Read more: Natwest increases small business loan programme amid Brexit uncertainty A report by a leading insolvency firm has revealed there are 484,000 UK firms in “significant financial [...]
US inflation cools in March, adding to pressures on Federal Reserve April 29, 2019 The US inflation rate fell in March, the latest official figures have revealed, in a development that will keep the pressure on the Federal Reserve to hold back from raising interest rates. Read more: Analysts expect outward looking Fed to keep rates on hold The core annual inflation rate fell to 1.6 per cent in [...]
Anadarko says it will talk to Occidental over $38bn, but recommits to Chevron merger April 29, 2019 US oil company Anadarko said today it will open negotiations with Occidental, days after its larger peer tabled a $38bn (£29bn) takeover offer. The board said it would consider the bid which might prove better value to shareholders than a previously announced deal with Chevron. Read more: Occidental bids $57bn for Anadarko Chevron announced at [...]