2021 the year for central bank issued digital currencies? January 4, 2021 The Bank of Japan is one of the latest institutions to make public its plans to experiment on how to operate its own digital currency, joining an expanding club of central banks, concerned with the rapid pace of private-sector innovation in the field of payments. Among its members, the club counts the central banks of [...]
EU and China sign investment pact after Merkel’s intervention December 30, 2020 The EU and China have concluded in principle negotiations on an investment deal, with Angela Merkel playing an “active role” in driving through the accord. The deal comes amid deep concerns about the Chinese government’s use of its economic clout to enmesh itself in western countries. A European Commission statement said the agreement is of [...]
EU and China on the brink of sealing historic trade pact December 29, 2020 The European Union and China are close to signing a trade and investment pact, according to multiple reports. The deal would be the first fissure in trade policy to develop post-Brexit between the UK and the continental trading bloc. The pact is said to open up China’s manufacturing and construction sectors to EU companies. Whilst [...]
Sterling hits $1.36 amid relief over Brexit deal December 24, 2020 Sterling extended gains on Thursday and hit $1.36 on the news that a Brexit deal has been agreed. Sterling had this morning been boosted by speculation, rising 0.47 per cent to $1.35, up 0.6% on the day and heading towards the 2-1/2 year high of $1.3625 hit last week. The pound edged up to 90.05 [...]
Alibaba under investigation by China for monopoly tactics December 24, 2020 Alibaba is under investigation by Chinese regulators for alleged monopolistic practices, in the latest blow for Jack Ma’s fintech and e-commerce empire. The probe is part of an accelerating crackdown on anticompetitive behavior in China’s booming internet space, and the latest setback for Ma, the 56-year-old former school teacher who founded Alibaba and became China’s [...]
Gold remains relevant as COVID-19 vaccine sees markets rally December 21, 2020 2020 has been the year of uncertainty, and this has seen the price of gold reach record highs. How have US election results and news of a COVID-19 vaccine affected gold’s performance, and what’s next? Markets regained a sense of status quo after the result of the US election and assurance that Joe Biden will [...]
How the 2020 global share slump and recovery ranks in history December 21, 2020 Stocks saw a record crash followed by a record rebound in 2020, creating some disparity between markets, as Duncan Lamont explains. The global stock market crashed at a record speed in early 2020 (Figure 1). On its way to a total decline of 34%, it clocked up a 30% loss in just 40 trading days. [...]
FTSE 100 and US stocks slip as market optimism dips December 18, 2020 The FTSE 100 fell along with European and US stocks as optimism faded on trading floors, with doubts creeping in about a US stimulus bill and fresh tensions with China. London’s main stock index was down 0.2 per cent in the afternoon session to 6,539 points. The FTSE 250, which is more domestically focused, fell [...]
Tesco completes £8bn Malaysia and Thailand business sale prompting £5bn shareholder windfall December 18, 2020 Tesco has completed the £8bn sale of its Thailand and Malaysia businesses and is gearing up to pay a £5bn special dividend to shareholders. The supermarket announced this morning that the division’s have been acquired by C.P. Retail Development Company, which is backed by Charoen Pokphand Group, CP All Public Company and Charoen Pokphand Foods. [...]
The Week in Sportbiz: Premier League toasts beIN deal; banker set to buy Lille; breakaways boosted; Australian Open delay; and Griezmann bins Huawei December 17, 2020 Christmas cheer has arrived early at the Premier League after it agreed a new $500m deal with beIN Sports. The contract, which gives beIN exclusive broadcast rights in 24 countries across the Middle East and North Africa, is effectively a three-year extension to their deal for 2019-22. It comes as a boost to the Premier [...]