Issues with no-deal Brexit preparations ‘still to be resolved’, warns City watchdog September 16, 2019 The head of the UK’s financial regulator has struck a cautious tone over the City’s preparations for a no-deal Brexit, warning that while progress is “welcome”, there are “issues still to be resolved”. Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) boss Andrew Bailey said earlier that overlaps between UK and EU share trading regulations post-Brexit would damage both [...]
‘We had to respond’: ECB defends move to splash cash in Eurozone September 16, 2019 European Central Bank (ECB) chief economist Philip Lane has defended the institution’s decision to turn the stimulus taps back on, despite some public opposition from members of its governing council. The bank relaunched its massive bond-buying programme known as quantitive easing (QE) and cut its deposit rate by 0.1 percentage points to minus 0.5 per [...]
Overlapping UK and EU regulations post-Brexit would hurt markets, FCA warns September 16, 2019 The head of the UK’s financial regulator has warned that overlaps between UK and EU share trading regulations post-Brexit would damage markets “to no good end”. Brussels has warned that in the event of a no-deal Brexit, EU investment firms must trade euro-denominated shares within the bloc – many of which are currently traded in [...]
Housebuilder stocks facing a Brexit wrecking ball? September 16, 2019 The construction sector seems to be freezing ahead of a potential Brexit. Are investors right to be fleeing housebuilder stocks? The housing sector has been affected throughout the Brexit process, with demand, supply, prices and overall transactions shaken up in the wake of the 2016 referendum. It has not been a straight path for the [...]
Global authorities to quiz Facebook on Libra September 15, 2019 Facebook will be grilled by global central banks over its proposed Libra digital currency project as the social media giant faces increasing European opposition to its plans. Libra representatives will head to Basel, Switzerland tomorrow to face representatives of 26 central banks including the Bank of England and the Federal Reserve, according to the Financial [...]
How can it be both the best of times and the worst of times for markets? September 12, 2019 As the sleepy months of late summer fade away, investors put down the classics and pick up the financial pages as markets resume their usual commotion of activity. We should use it to reflect on what has been a great year for investors, despite the recent market wobbles. Indeed, equities continue to rally, with the [...]
France plans to block Facebook libra in Europe September 12, 2019 France is reportedly planning to block the development of Facebook’s libra cryptocurrency. AFP reported that France will aim to prevent the social media giant expanding its payment project in Europe. Read more: Facebook libra: Could regulators crush Mark Zukerberg’s dream cryptocurrency? Facebook announced the libra project in June this year, saying it will be a [...]
Facebook seeks Swiss licence for Libra cryptocurrency September 11, 2019 Facebook’s cryptocurrency project Libra has applied for a payment licence from Switzerland’s financial watchdog, following a widespread backlash from politicians and regulators. The Libra Association announced today that it intended to apply for a licence from Switzerland’s Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) to be regulated as a payment systems operator and had “submitted a request [...]
How does geopolitics impact investment returns and what can you do about it? September 10, 2019 Geopolitics can significantly impact investment returns; whether it’s trade wars, actual wars, populist politicians or terrorist attacks. And as we discussed earlier this year in our “Inescapable investment truths for the decade ahead”, geopolitical risks are on the rise and will play a major role in the years to come. So, what does this mean [...]
Treasury refuses MPs’ demands to publish Bank of England governor shortlist September 9, 2019 The Treasury has refused the demands of opposition MPs to publish the shortlist of candidates to be the next Bank of England governor, saying it “would not be appropriate” to name names. Read more: Mark Carney misses cut for IMF top job shortlist A group of 28 opposition MPs today called on chancellor Sajid Javid [...]