Consumer confidence continues to recover as double-digit inflation fails to deter Brits from splashing cash May 19, 2023 Consumer confidence in the year ahead is continuing to recover despite persistent cost-of-living pressures, a long-running survey suggests. GfK’s Consumer Confidence Index rose by three points in May to minus 27, the fourth monthly increase in a row from January’s minus 45. Confidence in personal finances over the coming 12 months saw a “robust” five-point [...]
Britain firmly on path away from recession as hiring and growth ramp up May 19, 2023 Britain seems almost certain to dodge a recession this year as two new surveys out today reveal businesses are hiring at the strongest pace in half a year and families are upbeat about their finances. Numbers from Lloyds Bank show nearly every sector of the UK economy stepped up headcount last month. Hiring was led [...]
Sky high inflation: Consumer confidence crashes as Brits worry about big purchases April 22, 2022 Consumer confidence has crashed this month, nearing a historic low in GrowthforKnowledge (GfK)’s index. The data company’s Consumer Confidence Index decreased seven points to -38 in April, as Brits worried about rising inflation. All measures, which look at how Brits feel about their personal situation and general economic situation, as well as major purchases, were [...]
FTSE 100 close: London markets round off the week higher as investors boosted by improved consumer confidence May 19, 2023 Markets closed higher on Friday as investors were boosted by an increasingly positive consumer outlook in the UK. The capital’s premier index jumped 0.40 per cent to 7,773.80 points, while the domestically-focused mid-cap FTSE 250 index, which is more aligned with the health of the UK economy, remained roughly steady at 19,300.04 points. Investors were [...]
Cocktail of problems plunge UK consumer confidence to record low June 24, 2022 A relentless cost of living crunch, the prospect of a recession and stagnant wage growth has driven British pessimism to new highs, reveals a closely watched survey published today. UK consumer confidence dropped to minus 41 points this month, down marginally from minus 40 in May, the lowest reading recorded by research firm GfK since [...]
FTSE 100 close: London index falls as investors react to mixed retail figures, JD Wetherspoon and Tui March 24, 2023 London’s FTSE 100 index closed 1.31 per cent lower today as investors failed to be enthused by data showing the UK’s economy is faring better than expected following the Bank of England’s (BoE’s) decision to hike interest for the eleventh time in a row. The capital’s premier index fell 1.05 per cent to 7,424.71 points [...]
Truss or Sunak will need to deliver ‘shot in the arm’ of UK economy July 22, 2022 Rishi Sunak or Liz Truss will need to deliver a “shot in the economic arm” of the country to lift Brits’ confidence out of the doldrums after one of them wins the Conservative leadership race, two closely watched surveys published today reveal. Scorching inflation, the highest interest rates in 13 years and tax hikes have [...]
Brits’ optimism shrinks on soaring inflation and looming tax hikes January 21, 2022 An inflation spike, the re-emergence of Covid-19 restrictions and looming tax hikes have combined to dampen Brits’ confidence in the year ahead, reveals a closely watched survey released today. The erosion of household budgets by inflation climbing to a near three decade high has led to concerns about a deterioration in personal finances to sweep [...]
Omicron and virus curbs deals blow to Brits’ confidence December 17, 2021 The emergence of the Omicron variant of coronavirus has dealt a blow to Brits’ optimism, according to a closely watched survey published today. Consumer confidence edged back one point over the last month to minus 15 in December, research by GfK found. The dip has been driven by households’ confidence in their personal finances over [...]
FTSE 100 close: London climbs on softer pound after Bank of England holds rates September 22, 2023 London's blue-chip FTSE 100 index rose on Friday as it benefited from the weak pound in the wake of the Bank of England's decision to hold interest rates steady.