By: Jake Cordell

I'm City A.M.'s economics reporter, looking at the news, stories and data that move markets in the UK, Europe and around the globe. I also cover broader developments in the business and political worlds at home and abroad.

All 1029 Articles

European Central Bank (ECB) keeps interest rates on hold as Super Mario prepares to update the markets

April 21, 2016

The European Central Bank (ECB) has kept interest rates unchanged as its president, Mario Draghi, prepares to confront criticisms of the Bank's monetary policy this afternoon. A statement from the ECB, published ahead of a key press conference with Draghi, said: The ECB decided that the interest rate on the main refinancing operations and the [...]
Retail prices drop for 21st consecutive month, but we’re still cutting back, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS)

April 21, 2016

Poor retail figures released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) this morning have compounded fears of a slowdown in the UK economy during the first quarter of the year. Sales dropped by 1.3 per cent in March, a much steeper fall than the 0.1 per cent which had been pencilled in by analysts. Prices in [...]
Mortgage lending rockets in March 2016 as stamp duty tax changes prompt a borrowing spree

April 21, 2016

Mortgage lending ballooned in March as landlords and investors piled into the property market to beat a slew of tax changes which came into effect at the start of April. A total of £25.7bn was borrowed for home purchases in March, according to figures released by the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) this morning – 43 [...]
The government has already missed its deficit reduction targets as public sector borrowing comes in at £74bn for 2015/16

April 21, 2016

The government has fallen short of its target to cut the deficit – just one month after it made its latest prediction. Public sector net borrowing, the amount the government needs to borrow in order to meet its spending commitments, came in at £74bn in the 12 months to March. This was down on the £92bn shortfall recorded [...]
Here’s what to keep an eye on from European Central Bank (ECB) president Mario Draghi later today

April 21, 2016

It’s decision time in Frankfurt once again. This afternoon, the European Central Bank (ECB) will announce its latest stance on interest rates and its bond-buying quantitative easing (QE) programme. It’s highly unlikely anything will change, but following last month’s awkward outing for president Mario Draghi, the style will arguably be more important than the substance. Here’s what [...]
At the open: FTSE 100 clinging on, as markets look ahead to European Central Bank (ECB) interest rate and quantitative easing decision

April 21, 2016

The FTSE 100 popped, dropped then levelled off this morning, to stand down 0.06 per cent at 6,406 in the first minutes of Thursday trading. Miners started on the up after Brent Crude smashed through the $45 a barrel mark last night and held on this morning to clock in for the day at $45.84 [...]
Banking exports will pass £100bn in next decade, but government’s £1 trillion target still some way off

April 21, 2016

The government will spectacularly miss its target to increase the value of UK exports to £1 trillion by the end of the decade, a new report has said, as the City of London looks set to continue punching above its weight on the global stage. In a report launched today, Barclays said that the value [...]
The City wades in to Queen Elizabeth II’s birthday celebrations – with some right royal investment tips

April 20, 2016

You may have heard, the Queen has a big birthday coming up. Her Majesty will be turning 90 on Thursday 21 April. This is a big and historic moment in the history of the nation and London’s public relations and marketing industries wouldn’t have their world famous reputation if they let an opportunity such as this [...]
At the close: Can’t stop the FTSE 100 as oil price bounce sends London into the green

April 20, 2016

It was on the back foot all day, but the FTSE 100 finally landed some punches in the final rounds of the day to power through the 6,400 barrier and close up 0.08 per cent – setting a new 2016 high in the process. After starting on the ropes following a predictably downbeat open this morning, it looked like talk [...]
How you doing? The labour market may be stumbling, but not for everybody

April 20, 2016

Economic data out this morning showed that the unemployment rate across the country was 5.1 per cent, wages grew by 1.8 per cent over the year and the number of people in work reached a new record high. But those are generalisations – the picture differs markedly across sections of the economy. So who has [...]

UK ministers to push ahead with ‘capped’ mandation powers after peers backlash

Cole Palmer: Why Chelsea and England star trademarked ‘Cold Palmer’ celebration

Teeth ‘N’ Smiles review: Self Esteem is magnetic in dated show

By: Jake Cordell

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