Donald Trump threatens to use the army as US protests continue to rage June 2, 2020 US President Donald Trump yesterday threatened to call in the army to put down demonstrators as protests continued to rage over the killing by white police of George Floyd. It came as police used flash grenades and tear gas to disperse protesters in Washington DC yesterday so that Trump could walk to a church and [...]
Markets live: FTSE 100 gains fade on US-China tensions as Wall Street wobbles June 1, 2020 The FTSE 100 pared some of its gains amid simmering tensions between the US and China over Beijing’s crackdown on semi-autonomous Hong Kong. Despite the concerns, US President Donald Trump stopped short of ripping up the US-China trade deal over China’s actions in the city-state. However, stocks surrendered some of their earlier gains as reports [...]
UK manufacturing downturn continues despite signs of life June 1, 2020 The UK’s manufacturing sector showed some signs of life in May as the coronavirus lockdown was eased, but the overall picture for Britain’s factories remained highly gloomy. The final reading of the IHS Markit/Cips (PMI) manufacturing purchasing managers’ index came in at 40.7 in May. That was up from the record-low reading of 32.6 in [...]
Eurozone manufacturing shows tentative signs of recovery in May June 1, 2020 Conditions in the Eurozone manufacturing sector picked up somewhat in May as countries in the currency bloc lifted coronavirus restrictions, but the zone’s factories were still far from healthy. The IHS Markit manufacturing purchasing managers’ index (PMI) – a gauge of the sector’s health – rose to a final reading of 39.4 in May after [...]
Primark set to reopen all English stores on 15 June June 1, 2020 High-street stalwart Primark is seeking to reopen all of its 153 stores in England by 15 June, its owner Associated British Foods said today. The announcement came after the UK government reiterated its “roadmap” for reopening the economy. It said non-essential retailers can open from the middle of this month after a lengthy period of [...]
Asian stocks hit three-month high as US-China deal stays intact June 1, 2020 Asian stocks have risen to a three-month high despite US-China tensions, after President Donald Trump stopped short of economic retaliation against Beijing over Hong Kong on Friday. Markets in Asia were also unfazed by the fiery protests raging in the US after the death of black man George Floyd at the hands of police. Some [...]
FTSE 100 tumbles as US-China tensions rise over Hong Kong May 29, 2020 The FTSE 100 tumbled in afternoon trading to close 2.5 per cent lower lower as a spike in tensions between the US and China shook investors. London’s main stock index closed at 6,061 points. It nonetheless finished higher for the week, with many analysts saying investors were profit-taking today. US stocks also fell, although their [...]
Cruise firm Carnival set for the drop in FTSE 100 reshuffle May 29, 2020 Cruise operator Carnival is set to drop out of the FTSE 100 stock index next week when Britain’s league of the biggest companies is reshuffled, having been battered by the coronavirus crisis. Analysts tip airline Easyjet to also drop out in the FTSE reshuffle. British Gas-owner Centrica is also likely to be replaced as one [...]
London business confidence rises but gloom remains as lockdown eased May 29, 2020 London business confidence picked up slightly in May as the government lifted coronavirus restrictions, but firms grew gloomier across the country as a whole. The business barometer from Lloyds showed that London business confidence rose eight points on its gauge to minus 20. This was nonetheless close to a record low after sentiment plunged in [...]
Eurozone on brink of deflation as price growth slows to 0.1 per cent May 29, 2020 Eurozone inflation dropped to a four-year low of just 0.1 per cent in May, data has shown, as the coronavirus pandemic put the single-currency bloc perilously close to deflationary territory. In an early estimate, the European Union’s statistics body said Eurozone month-on-month inflation was just 0.1 per cent as energy prices plunged. Core inflation, which [...]
