Markets look for clues on future direction of interest rates as central bankers meet for Jackson Hole Symposium August 21, 2023 Central bankers from around the world will descend on Wyoming for the annual central banking jamboree later this week, with markets looking closely for any signals about the future direction of interest rates. Last year the discussion focused on the near certain recession that commentators thought would develop in the face of rapidly rising interest [...]
Are central banks to blame for the inflation crisis? August 1, 2023 As we enter what looks like the final leg of central banks’ interest rate rising journeys, it’s as good a time as ever to trace why they have been jolted into action after over a decade of ultra loose policy and whether their response to the inflation crisis has been effective. Coming out of the [...]
FTSE 100 close: British Gas owner propels to top of London index after record profit July 27, 2023 London’s FTSE 100 bumped higher today after a manic morning of company earnings gave a lift to market sentiment. The capital’s premier index added 0.21 per cent to reach 7,692.77 points, while the domestically-focused mid-cap FTSE 250, which is more aligned with the health of the UK economy, climbed 0.45 per cent to 19,273.37 points. [...]
Federal Reserve sends US interest rates to 22 year high in possible final hike July 26, 2023 The US Federal Reserve today launched what many on Wall Street think will be the final interest rate hike in its current tightening cycle. Members of the federal open market committee (FOMC) backed a 25 basis point increase to leave the federal funds rate at a range of 5.25 per cent and 5.5 per cent. [...]
Federal Reserve and European Central Bank may back final rate rises this week, experts bet July 24, 2023 US Federal Reserve and European Central Bank officials could launch their final interest rate rises this week as inflation ebbs in their respective economic blocs, experts are betting. Members of the federal open market committee (FOMC) are on Wednesday tipped to raise borrowing costs 25 basis points to a range of 5.25 per cent and [...]
US Federal Reserve will slash interest rates in March 2024, Morgan Stanley bets July 17, 2023 The US Federal Reserve will in the early part of next year slash interest rates for the first time since the onset of the Covid-19 crisis, Wall Street analysts are betting, Researchers at Morgan Stanley have said they expect the federal open market committee (FOMC) to bring rates down in the first quarter of 2024, [...]
US inflation slumps to lowest level in more than two years and is now well below UK July 12, 2023 Inflation in the US has slumped to its lowest level in more than two years and is now far below the UK’s rate, official figures out today reveal. American inflation fell to three per cent in June on an annual basis, down from four per cent in the previous month, according to the US Labour [...]
FTSE 100 close: Interest rate jitters drag down Persimmon and Taylor Wimpey June 29, 2023 London’s FTSE 100 slipped today as investors fretted over central banks keeping interest rates higher for longer. The capital’s premier index dropped 0.38 per cent to 7,471.68 points, while the domestically-focused mid-cap FTSE 250 index, which is more aligned with the health of the UK economy, fell 0.77 per cent to 18,270.73 points. Losses in [...]
Big US banks pass Fed stress tests months after SVB collapse in sign they’d ‘weather a severe recession’ June 29, 2023 The largest banks in the US sailed through the Federal Reserve’s annual stress tests, suggesting they would survive a sharp economic downturn. The Fed said the results demonstrate that large banks are “well positioned to weather a severe recession and continue to lend to households and businesses even during a severe recession.” Despite projected losses [...]
FTSE 100 close: Tumbling pound boosts London index as Ocado slides June 28, 2023 London’s FTSE 100 sprang higher today, aided by the pound clocking a dreadful day. The capital’s premier index jumped 0.52 per cent to 7,500.50 points, while the domestically-focused mid-cap FTSE 250 index, which is more aligned with the health of the UK economy, leapt 1.98 per cent to 18,412.81 points. Early advances in the City [...]