Market sentiment driven by events on Russia vs NATO over Ukraine and today’s Fed meeting January 26, 2022 European markets had a slightly more resilient tone yesterday, reversing some of their early week losses, however we still remain below the closing levels of last week, so it might be a little early to sound the all clear so to speak. US markets also saw another rollercoaster session, opening sharply lower, as they looked [...]
Inflation and supply chain crisis to throttle UK economy, IMF warns January 25, 2022 The global supply crunch and roaring inflation will choke UK growth this year, the world’s economic watchdog warned today. A combination of the supply chain crisis rumbling on and the cost of living corroding Brits’ incomes has prompted the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to downgrade their forecasts for UK economic growth this year to 4.7 [...]
British factories prepare to launch quickest price hike cycle since 1977 January 25, 2022 British factories are preparing to launch a rapid cycle of price rises to offset a cost onslaught, reveals a closely watched survey released today. The fresh print adds to agitation at the Bank of England over inflation becoming entrenched in the UK economy as a result of businesses baking in soaring costs to their pricing [...]
Sea of red: Looming US Fed rate hike spree sends chill through global markets January 24, 2022 A sea of red engulfed global markets today as a looming rate hike spree from the US Federal Reserve sent investors fleeing stock markets. Traders dumped shares on fears the Fed will send the strongest signal yet on its intention to rapidly rein in ultra-stimulative monetary policy at its meeting of rate setters on Wednesday. [...]
UK services economy stands strong amid Omicron Plan B assault January 24, 2022 Britain’s services economy has stood strong in the face of the re-emergence of curbs on daily life in a bid to clamp down on the Omicron variant, reveals a closely watched survey released today. IHS Markit’s latest flash purchasing managers’ index (PMI) for the UK services industry came in at 53.3 for January, a marginal [...]
Former BoE deputy governor warns of rapid rate hikes to quash inflation January 24, 2022 The Bank of England has backed itself into a corner by refusing to hike interest rates despite inflation surging to historic highs, a former top official at the central bank has warned. Inertia toward the soaring cost of living during the back end of last year means the Bank will have to rush through a [...]
Can Bitcoin beat inflation? January 21, 2022 Increasing cryptocurrency adoption is certainly not inevitable but higher levels of current inflation is a friend to those looking to onboard newbies, writes Gavin S Brown.
BT slaps millions of customers with 9 per cent hike in charges on phone and broadband bills January 21, 2022 Telecoms giant BT has said it plans to increase prices by 9 per cent from the end of March for most customers, another sign the cost-of-living squeeze is deepening. The company said those affected will end up paying an extra £3.50 a month – or £42 annually – on average for phone and broadband bills. [...]
Goldman, Citi, KPMG and PwC lead office return as workers flock back into the City January 21, 2022 The City of London’s major banks, accountants, law firms, and insurers have called on staff to return offices, after the government scrapped its work-from-home guidance. Major players including PwC, KPMG, Slaughter and May, and Aviva, told City A.M that they have called on staff to come back in. Major banks and financiers including Goldman, Citi, [...]
Firms must explain themselves in this winter of price hikes January 20, 2022 The last time inflation was a hot-button political issue, Whitney Houston was top of the charts, the VCR was the must-have purchase, and a scandal-ridden Tory prime minister was clinging on desperately to power. Some things change, others less so. This marks trouble for business – in two ways. In the most obvious sense, prices [...]