Eurozone business confidence at six-year low as malaise continues July 30, 2019 Business confidence in the Eurozone economy reached an almost six-year low in July, with industrial sentiment falling significantly, a European Union survey showed today. Read more: ECB prepares stimulus to kickstart Eurozone economy Yet consumers became more positive, continuing the trend of domestic demand propping up euro area economies. The business climate indicator by the [...]
‘Doomsday narrative’: Sterling tanks to 28-month low on no-deal Brexit fears July 29, 2019 Sterling has fallen to its lowest point in over two years against the dollar after ministers in Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s new government made clear they were now assuming a no-deal Brexit. The pound had fallen 1.1 per cent against the dollar to buy $1.225 by 2pm UK time. Read more: Dominic Raab: Britain ‘turbo-charging’ [...]
UK mortgage approvals rise but consumer lending slows July 29, 2019 Britain’s housing market received a modest lift in June as mortgage approvals increased by more than analysts had expected, Bank of England figures showed today. Read more: UK mortgage approvals hit two-year high following Brexit extension Annual lending growth to UK consumers slowed from 5.7 per cent in May to 5.5 per cent in June, [...]
M&A excitement and falling pound put rocket under FTSE 100 July 29, 2019 Britain’s FTSE 100 benchmark stock index has stormed higher due to investor excitement over mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and a sinking pound. Read more: London Stock Exchange share price hits record high on Refinitiv takeover talks The index climbed two per cent by 2pm UK time to stand at around 7,697, the highest it has [...]
UK firms keen to hire but skills shortages a problem July 29, 2019 In the second quarter of the year 60 per cent of British firms tried to hire new employees, according to a new survey, in the latest sign of strength in the job market. Read more: UK unemployment stays at 54-year low as wages tick up Meanwhile, 30 per cent of employers said they expect to [...]
Big businesses drawn to the City for office space July 29, 2019 Big businesses upped sticks for the City in 2018 as companies increasingly move further afield to find the best office space, a new study has shown. Read more: Wework grabs €62m from EU in Brexit deal for London office spot Mayfair lost the largest number of businesses renting office space of more than 10,000 square [...]
Fed set to cut interest rates for first time in 10 years July 28, 2019 The US Federal Reserve is poised to cut interest rates for the first time in a decade when it meets this week in a preemptive effort to stave off the effects of trade tensions. Read more: US economic growth falls short of Trump’s target Market players think it is certain that the Fed will cut [...]
Government now assuming a no-deal Brexit and increased borrowing July 28, 2019 Michael Gove has said today that the new government will “operate on the assumption” of a no-deal Brexit on 31 October. Read more: Tories get ‘Boris bounce’ in polls but pledge to focus on Brexit Meanwhile, the chancellor’s deputy, Rishi Sunak, today insisted that Britain can pay for the costs of no deal with extra [...]
Tories get ‘Boris bounce’ in polls but pledge to focus on Brexit July 28, 2019 The Conservatives have received a ‘Boris bounce’ in the polls just days after picking their new leader and prime minister. Read more: Boris Johnson ‘absolutely’ rules out pre-Brexit general election New PM Boris Johnson has earned the Tories a 10 point jump in a poll for the Mail on Sunday, and a six point boost [...]
Apple splashes out $1bn on Intel’s chip business July 25, 2019 Apple has snapped up the majority of Intel’s smartphone chip business for $1bn (£800m) as it looks to secure its own supply of the vital iPhone part. Read more: Apple’s tax bill slashed by more than half Around 2,200 Intel workers will move to Apple, who will also acquire intellectual property, equipment and leases relating [...]
