Scorching inflation raises fears of Christmas spending slump November 8, 2022 Scorching inflation hobbling Brits’ finances has triggered a spending squeeze that could bleed into Christmas, research out today reveals. Surveys out from Barclaycard and the British Retail Consortium (BRC) show retail sales volumes likely fell in October. While the organisations measured a jump in consumer spending of 3.5 per cent and 1.6 per cent respectively, [...]
FTSE 100 knocked by Beijing’s zero-Covid commitment November 7, 2022 London’s FTSE 100 today was weighed down by market sentiment softening after Chinese authorities committed to strict measures to contain Covid-19 breakouts over the weekend. The capital’s premier index dropped 0.48 per cent higher to 7,299.99 points, while the domestically-focused mid-cap FTSE 250 index, which is more aligned with the health of the UK economy, [...]
China trade slumps for first time since May 2020 on zero-Covid rules November 7, 2022 A combination of strict Covid-19 containment measures hobbling factories and a global economic slowdown have kneecapped China’s trade position, official figures out today revealed. Beijing’s commitment to blanket lockdowns to stop the spread of the virus has disrupted production, forcing down factory output and leaving Chinese exporters with fewer goods to ship abroad. The world’s [...]
Bank of England record recession warning reinforced by fresh research November 7, 2022 A new survey out today reinforces the Bank of England’s warning last week that the UK is headed for the longest recession on record. The economy last month was functioning at the same level as during the teeth of the 2021 winter Covid-19 lockdown, according to consultancy BDO. The firm’s output index, which measures the [...]
Euro on course to stay below US dollar parity for some time, Goldman warns November 6, 2022 The euro is on course to stay below parity with the US dollar for some time if gas prices do not fall markedly, a top Wall Street bank has said. The currency used by the 19 countries that make up the eurozone is set to drop to $0.94, according to Goldman Sachs. The euro last [...]
Bank of England watchers eye Pill and Ramsden speeches November 6, 2022 Bank of England watchers are in for a bumper week as several top rate setters provide hints on the trajectory of UK monetary policy after last week they said the economy is on course for the longest recession on record. Despite the bleak projections by the Bank, London’s FTSE 100 fared well last week, climbing [...]
Bank of England delivers largest rate hike since 1989 and signals more to come November 3, 2022 The Bank of England today hiked interest rates by the largest amount since 1989 and signalled more rises are coming. The Bank’s rate setting committee voted unanimously to lift borrowing costs 75 basis points to three per cent, the highest level since 2008 and the eighth rise in a row. The pound shed more than [...]
UK economy headed for record recession if rates rise sharply, BoE warns November 3, 2022 The UK economy is on course to suffer the longest recession since records began if interest rates rise sharply, triggered by a toxic mix of higher mortgage costs, prices and energy bills, the Bank of England said today. Gross domestic product (GDP) will shrink for 24 consecutive months, beginning in the early stages of next [...]
Federal Reserve hikes rates 75bps again and Powell signals higher peak November 2, 2022 The US Federal Reserve today hoisted the world’s most important interest rate 75 basis points for the fourth time in a row and signalled the borrowing cost peak will be higher than previously thought, scrapping any bets on a so-called “Fed pivot”. The Washington headquartered central bank hiked rates to a target range of 3.75-four [...]
London’s FTSE 100 drops as miners dig themselves into a hole November 2, 2022 London’s FTSE 100 closed the day lower today after it was pulled by investors ditching UK mining giants. The capital’s premier index fell 0.58 per cent to 7,144.14 points, while the domestically-focused mid-cap FTSE 250 index, which is more aligned with the health of the UK economy, jumped 0.12 per cent to 18,217.75 points. Mining [...]