Europe votes on IMF candidate as Finland central bank governor withdraws from contest August 2, 2019 Finland’s central bank governor Olli Rehn has withdrawn himself from the race to become the IMF’s managing director. European finance ministers have been battling to take on the role, but unable to come to a unanimous decision, resulting in a vote. Read more: Mark Carney misses cut for IMF top job However, Rehn, joined another [...]
Mark Carney warns no-deal Brexit shock would be ‘instantaneous’ August 2, 2019 Bank of England governor Mark Carney has hit back at accusations that he is stirring fear about Brexit, warning that the UK would be hit by an “instantaneous” economic shockwave if it cannot strike a deal with the EU. Carney said this morning it is “not helpful” to deny the challenges that a no-deal scenario [...]
Bailey’s FCA is in need of a remit reboot August 2, 2019 Several months ago it felt as if the top job in Britain’s banking system was Andrew Bailey’s to lose. A veteran of Threadneedle Street who is at ease among top City bosses, the head of the City watchdog has been the bookies’ favourite to replace Mark Carney as governor of the Bank of England as [...]
Freeports: Government plans tax-free hubs aimed at boosting trade post-Brexit August 1, 2019 Plans to bolster Britain’s international trade post-Brexit by creating up to 10 major tax-free zones are being drawn up by the government. New international trade secretary Liz Truss has set up a panel to advise the government on the establishment of as many as 10 Singapore-style so-called ‘Freeports’. Read more: Stock markets edge up after [...]
Trump tariff talk spooks Wall Street August 1, 2019 US president Donald Trump sent shockwaves through Wall Street tonight after revealing plans to slap more tariffs on Chinese goods in the latest trade battle between Washington and Beijing. In a string of tweets, Trump spooked investors after announcing 10 per cent tariffs on another $300bn (£247bn) of goods following this week’s talks between the [...]
Bank of England downgrades UK second quarter growth to zero as Brexit looms August 1, 2019 The Bank of England said UK growth ground to a standstill in the second quarter of the year due to the unwinding of Brexit stockpiling and car plant shutdowns as it chose to leave interest rates unchanged at 0.75 per cent today. In its latest gauge of the economy, released today, Threadneedle Street downgraded its [...]
ii view: Lloyds Bank friendless on results day August 1, 2019 by Keith Bowman from interactive investor. Lloyds continues to bear down on costs to offset tough market conditions, but shares have slumped. Half-year results to 30 June 2019 Net income down 2% to £8.82 billion Pre-tax profit down 7% to £2.89 billion Earnings per share down 7% to 2.7p Interim dividend up 5% to 1.12p per share Chief [...]
Sterling tumbles below $1.21 on Fed rate cut and no-deal fears August 1, 2019 Sterling fell against the dollar today in reaction to the US Federal Reserve cutting interest rates last night and continued fears over a no-deal Brexit. Sterling fell below $1.21 today for the first time since January 2017. At the time of writing, sterling had climbed back above $1.21 and was trading at $1.2106. Read more: [...]
Mark Carney on climate change: Capitalism is part of the solution July 31, 2019 Bank of England governor Mark Carney has swung to the defence of capitalism over its role in tackling climate change, saying that the financial system is “part of the solution” in dealing with current environmental challenges. The head of Britain’s central bank said last night that “capitalism is part of the solution and part of [...]
Why it’s too risky for Mark Carney to move interest rates for Brexit July 31, 2019 The Bank of England risks upsetting the economy if it changes interest rates before there is more clarity about Brexit, some of the City’s top economists have warned. Ahead of the Bank’s key meeting tomorrow, City A.M.’s shadow monetary policy committee (MPC) has said worries over slowing economic growth are outweighed by growing concerns that [...]