Brexit fears see job creation fall to 29-month low January 4, 2019 Brexit uncertainty weighed on the UK’s services sector at the end of 2018 as it marked the close of the year with some of its weakest growth in recent times, while job creation fell to a 29-month low. The services sector posted a 51.2 score for December in the closely-followed IHS Markit/CIPS services purchasing managers’ [...]
UK house prices fall in December on Brexit uncertainty as annual growth rate hits six-year low January 4, 2019 UK house prices fell by 0.7 per cent in December, as prices’ annual growth rate dropped to its lowest level in almost six years. Prices grew by just 0.5 per cent year on year, compared to 2.6 per cent growth in 2017, but fell compared to November. London recorded a 0.8 per cent decline in house [...]
Ex-Virgin Money boss among two women replacing men on Bank of England’s financial policy committee January 3, 2019 Former boss of Virgin Money Dame Jayne-Anne Gadhia has been added to the Bank of England’s financial policy committee alongside the chair of the Banking Standards Board Dame Colette Bowe, chancellor Philip Hammond announced today. The pair will replace Richard Sharp and Martin Taylor, who are stepping down at the end of the first quarter [...]
FTSE 100: These are the biggest winners and losers of 2018 January 2, 2019 THE UK market felt the impact of Brexit last year as politicians scrambled to reach a deal on Britain’s fast approaching departure from the European Union. With a vote on Theresa May’s heavily criticised deal not expected until mid-January, and as the government pumps billions into planning for a no-deal Brexit scenario, it seems unlikely [...]
UK house prices 2019: What experts say will happen after Brexit December 31, 2018 Has there ever been a more difficult time to predict the future of UK house prices? Political uncertainty looms large over the UK’s property market, but experts have nonetheless given their expectations for the year to come. Bank of England governor Mark Carney showed how dangerous the numbers game can be in November, when he had [...]
UK car production slumps 20 per cent in biggest decline since 2009 recession December 21, 2018 Britain's car output tumbled by almost 20 per cent in November as Brexit worries weighed on consumer and business morale. It is the biggest decline in car production that the UK has seen since the last recession in 2009, with November's output heavily down on the same period last year. The number of cars produced in Britain [...]
Bank of England keeps interest rates unchanged and warns Brexit uncertainty has ‘intensified considerably’ December 20, 2018 The Bank of England’s monetary policy committee said Brexit uncertainty had “intensified considerably” and warned of growing risks to the economy as it held interest rates for a third consecutive meeting. The rate-setting committee, which raised rates to 0.75 per cent in August, unanimously voted to hold interest rates, it said today. “Since the MPC’s [...]
City A.M.’s shadow monetary policy committee unanimously vote to hold interest rates December 19, 2018 The Bank of England has no choice but to hold interest rates when its monetary policy committee meets tomorrow as Brexit uncertainty continues to loom large, city economists have warned. The Bank’s rate-setting monetary policy committee (MPC) will announce its decision at midday and is expected to leave rates unchanged at 0.75 per cent. City [...]
Why 2019 might be a better year for investors December 19, 2018 2018 has been a disappointing year for most investors. Almost all markets, both stocks and bonds, have fallen in value this year, under pressure from rising interest rates, political developments such as Brexit, and the trade dispute between the US and China. With hindsight, markets were priced for perfection at the start of the year [...]
EU ‘no deal’ prep means City avoids cliff-edge fears December 19, 2018 The EU has stepped up its “essential and urgent” contingency plans in the event of a no-deal Brexit and offered long-awaited clarity to the financial services sector over clearing. The European Commission has started to implement its no-deal preparations given the “continued uncertainty” surrounding a Theresa May’s effort to get a Brexit deal through parliament, [...]