As tax hikes approach, are consumers losing faith in Abenomics? December 10, 2013 In the face of tax hikes and rising inflation expectations, Japanese households are losing faith in Abenomics, according to Capital Economics. Consumer confidence has only partially recovered from the sharp decline suffered in October. Capital Economics attributed the drop to the government's confirmation planned consumption tax hike. The headline index increased from 41.2 to 42.5. [...]
US job creation to boom as government slashes spending December 9, 2013 The US economy is on the path to strong job growth and higher wages, according to the National Association of Business Economics (NABE) quarterly survey. Unemployment will continue to fall with 200,000 jobs being added every month. As job creation increases workers will see more rapid wage growth, from 1.8 per cent in 2013 to [...]
France and Germany struggle to power European recovery December 9, 2013 On Monday the Bank of France (BoF) revised up its estimate for fourth quarter GDP to 0.5 per cent. The BoF business confidence index also grew to 101 in November in the manufacturing sector. However, the index fell to 92 in the service sector, well below the historical average of 100. Societe Generale suggest this [...]
Barclays sees European oil sector bounce in 2014 December 9, 2013 The European oil sector will bounce back from its 10-year low against the FTEU300, according to Barclays. The sector has underperformed the wider European market by 25 per cent since 2012. Following five years of massive capital expenditure Barclays see a turning point for the sector both operationally and financially. The bank forecasts aggregate production [...]
Business leaders speak out in support of immigration December 9, 2013 Two leading figures in British business have championed the benefits of immigration to the UK economy. Former M&S boss Sir Stuart Rose speaking on the Murnaghan show on Sunday said: I'm a free market economist, we operate in a free market. If these people want to come here, and work the hours they are prepared [...]
OECD warns Labour price freeze could see lights go out December 9, 2013 The secretary-general of the OECD, Angel Gurria has warned that the Labour party's planned energy price freeze could bankrupt energy investors leading to chaos in Britain's energy market. Speaking to BBC's Panaroma due to broadcast on Monday night, he said: If you freeze the price of energy and the international price of energy rises, it [...]
If you really care about the environment you should love fracking. Here’s why December 6, 2013 A report released on Friday by the Centre for Policy Studies (CPS) has found that increasing use of shale gas can massively reduce some of the world's deadliest air pollution. As well as slashing carbon emissions and providing enticing economic prospects the findings of the report should present a compelling case for those who value [...]
E.On announces average price rise of 3.7 per cent for dual fuel customers December 6, 2013 UK energy supplier E.On has announced a rise in its average duel fuel bill of 3.7 per cent effective from January 2014. E.On said the increase in the dual fuel tariff would amount to an extra £48 being added to customers bills. Those on electricity only variable tariffs will also see a 3.7 per cent [...]
Are all virtual currencies in danger as China cracks down on Bitcoin? December 6, 2013 The founder of virtual currency Peercoin, Sunny King has warned the he does not rule out the possibility of governments banning virtual currencies. His comments follow Chinese authorities' recent crackdown on the use of Bitcoin by financial institutions. Speaking to CNBC on Friday, King said: I wouldn't eliminate possibilities that they [China's authorities] issue a [...]
Domino’s CEO resigns for new role in private equity backed firm December 6, 2013 The chief executive of Domino's Pizza Group, Lance Batchelor has resigned and will be leaving for a new job from 30 April 2014. Chairman of Domino's Pizza Group, Stephen Hemsley commented: Lance has been offered a new role in a significant private equity backed company and as a result has tendered his resignation. His new [...]
