UK inflation falls to 20-month low led by cheaper petrol prices in Christmas boost for households December 19, 2018 UK inflation fell to a 20-month low in November led by cheaper petrol prices in a boost for consumers in the run up to Christmas. Consumer prices rose by 2.3 per cent in November, down from 2.4 per cent the previous month and the slowest rate since March 2017, according the Office for National Statistics. [...]
UK banks could be tested for climate change resilience from next year, according to Bank of England governor Mark Carney December 17, 2018 UK bank stress tests could include resilience to the impact of climate change from next year, Bank of England governor Mark Carney said. Carney said he was weighing up whether the risks and opportunities of climate change should included in the test, which is known as the exploratory scenario, the Financial Times reported. Banking stress [...]
Federal Reserve expected to raise US interest rates this week as all eyes on predictions for 2019 December 16, 2018 The US Federal Reserve is this week widely expected to raise interest rates for the fourth time this year, with an anticipated range of between 2.25 and 2.50 per cent. But doubts have begun to emerge about Wednesday’s announcement among analysts, after comments from Federal Reserve chairman Jerome Powell that the level of interest rates [...]
As the warning signals flash red, now is the time to back business December 14, 2018 When thinking of the great moments of British enterprise, you would be forgiven for being consumed by nostalgia. The golden age of manufacturing, Victorian industrialists, Alan Turing, the internet, Concorde, the discovery of DNA – what then of today, the Brexit Blues? Think again. This is the age of the entrepreneur – 99 per cent [...]
Editor’s Notes: Wherever Brexit takes us, let’s hope it’s not Norway December 14, 2018 Theresa May remains in office, and all her difficulties remain with her. By surviving Wednesday night’s vote, she has secured a grace period of 12 months during which time she cannot be challenged again. However, Labour MPs are determined to call a parliamentary vote of no confidence in the government, which could destroy the Tory-DUP [...]
FTSE dividend payments to hit record £94bn next year and yields boosted by market drop December 13, 2018 FTSE 100 dividend payments could hit record highs of £94bn next year while falling markets have increased yields, tempting investors and keeping the index stable amid political uncertainty. A difficult autumn for the markets with shares falling has seen the forecast dividend yield for the blue chip index rise to 4.9 per cent for 2019, [...]
Three reasons to diversify in the hunt for equity income December 13, 2018 Obtaining additional income is the primary goal for many investors, yet achieving it can be hard. Here we look at three ways diversification can potentially bring wider opportunities for income-seekers who invest in shares: Relying on just a few stocks for income can be risky – they may cut their dividends or the share price [...]
City Moves for 13 December – who’s switching jobs at AK Jensen, City of London Group and Eversheds Sutherland? December 13, 2018 Who’s switching jobs? AK Jensen AK Jensen Group (AKJ), the financial services specialist serving institutional and hedge fund clients globally, today named Sher Malhi as its new Chief Financial Officer Sher joins AKJ at an exciting time, as the group expands from its hedge fund origins into the digital assets domain. Sher brings a wealth [...]
Brussels to finally ease post-Brexit clearing fears with equivalence agreement December 11, 2018 Brussels is preparing to unveil concrete plans to grant EU financial institutions access to London's clearing houses in the event of a no deal Brexit, prompting relief in the City and among businesses across the continent. The draft proposals could be published as early as tomorrow. It comes after the Bank of England, trade bodies, and clearing [...]
Businesses should entertain chance of ‘accidental’ no-deal Brexit, warns City of London Corporation December 11, 2018 Businesses need to entertain the possibility of a no-deal Brexit as it could "happen by accident", the City of London Corporation warned today. Policy head Catherine McGuinness yesterday told German businesses, which had gathered for a Brexit event organised by the London Chamber of Commerce, that although she was hopeful the UK would not leave [...]