‘Wake-up call’: Germany downgrades 2019 economic growth forecast to just 0.5 per cent April 17, 2019 The German government today once again slashed growth predictions for its economy, saying it now foresees a GDP increase of just 0.5 per cent in 2019, compared to the 2.1 per cent it predicted a year ago. Read more: Eurozone manufacturing sector contracts with Germany shrinking fastest Economy minister Peter Altmaier said new car emissions [...]
ii winter portfolios extend outperformance in March April 17, 2019 | City Talk There are fewer star performers in this year's Aggressive Winter Portfolio – that was until March when no less than three of the five constituents each gained around 8%. Ignore Mark Twain and Benjamin Disraeli, statistics demonstrate that some stocks do far better during the winter months than others. And the stats are backed up [...]
UK inflation rate holds steady at 1.9 per cent sending Britons’ real wages higher April 17, 2019 The UK’s headline annual inflation rate remained unchanged in March, staying at 1.9 per cent, meaning Britons’ real wages are increasing as pay growth outstrips price rises. Read more: London house price plunge drags down UK-wide growth rate Meanwhile the inflation rate including housing costs and council tax stayed at 1.8 per cent, where it [...]
Brexit to place ‘considerable demands’ on City watchdog the FCA April 17, 2019 Brexit will continue to place “considerable demands” on the City watchdog, it said today as the regulator unveiled its plan for the coming year. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) unveiled its business plan for 2019-20 and said Britain’s departure from the EU would continue to dominate its attention. Read more: Government provides £200m for small [...]
Government provides £200m for small firms as Brexit threatens EU funding April 17, 2019 The UK government has handed over £200m to help support smaller businesses in the 2019-20 financial year as the future of European Union funding remains uncertain. Read more: No-deal planning programme extended due to later Brexit date The Treasury announced today that it has made the cash available to the British Business Bank, which provides [...]
The Independent Group’s logo for European parliament elections is rejected April 16, 2019 The Independent Group (TIG) is set to compete for seats in the upcoming European elections after being given the green light by the Electoral Commission this afternoon. Read more: Sterling falls as doubts emerge over cross-party Brexit talks However, the breakaway group of former Conservative and Labour MPs has been forced to think up a [...]
Sterling falls as doubts emerge over cross-party Brexit talks April 16, 2019 Sterling fell after reports emerged that Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn had said talks with the government were stalling, although the party has slapped down the claim. Read more: Tusk says he still dreams of UK U-turn on Brexit A falling pound sent the FTSE 100 to a six-month high, as investors responded to the news [...]
EU ‘dreams’ of UK U-turn on Brexit decision, says Donald Tusk April 16, 2019 European Parliament president Donald Tusk said today that Europe needs dreamers who believe Britain may remain in the European Union nearly three years after it voted to leave. Read more: DEBATE: Is Nigel Farage back as a serious force in politics? “We cannot give into fatalism,” Tusk said in a report to the European Parliament. “During [...]
German investors more optimistic thanks to Brexit delay April 16, 2019 Investors are more optimistic about the struggling German economy than they were a month ago, in a sign that Europe’s biggest economy may be about to turn a corner. Read more: Eurozone manufacturing sector contracts with Germany shrinking fastest German research institute ZEW’s monthly survey of sentiment among analysts swung into positive territory for the [...]
Tesco and Dunelm defy retail gloom April 16, 2019 | City Talk By Graeme Evans from interactive investor. Impressive updates from Tesco and Dunelm show opportunities still exist in the embattled retail sector. A big hike in the Tesco (LSE:TSCO) dividend and an “incredible” trading update from Dunelm Group (LSE:DNLM) today combined to remind Brexit-weary investors there is life in the retail sector after all. The near-doubling [...]