Chinese economy: China runs unexpected trade deficit for first time in three years as imports surge March 8, 2017 China recorded its first trade deficit in three years in February as imports in the world’s second largest economy surged. The balance of trade moved into a $9.15bn deficit during the month, according to China’s General Administration of Customs. Dollar-denominated imports jumped by almost 40 per cent year-on-year, to reach $129bn, more than doubling the [...]
Which stock market sectors will benefit as inflation heats up? March 6, 2017 We wrote last year about our expectation that inflation would soon start to re-emerge in Europe, and that banks were likely to be among the chief beneficiaries. This scenario has indeed come to pass, perhaps even more quickly than we had anticipated. With signs of inflation becoming ever more apparent, which other sectors should investors [...]
Donald Trump lessened importance of central banks as driver of global markets says influential group March 6, 2017 The ascent of Donald Trump to the US Presidency lessened market reliance on central banks, according to an influential body of central bankers. The surge in US equity valuations which followed the election of Donald Trump meant central banks “stepped back from the limelight”, according to the Bank for International Settlements (BIS). “Politics tightened its [...]
Oil prices have fallen on worries China will cut demand March 6, 2017 Oil prices fell this morning as investors worried China will cut oil demand after it reduced its growth target for 2017 to its lowest level for more than 20 years yesterday. Global benchmark Brent crude was down 0.98 per cent, at $55.35 per barrel, after it finished the previous session up 1.5 per cent. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) [...]
Chinese insurance regulators plan to relax rules, giving larger firms the green light to restart overseas investment March 6, 2017 Chinese insurance watchdogs are planning a regulatory shake-up that will reboot larger firms’ ability to expand overseas. Discussions are being held over changing the China Insurance Regulatory Commission (CIRC) from a single body to a tailored framework that takes into account a number of facets of insurers including size, solvency ratios and risk tolerance, sources [...]
Volvo reverses away from Lotus car brand deal March 5, 2017 The Chinese parent company of Volvo, Geely, has reportedly done a swift three-point turn out of a deal to buy Malaysian auto maker, Proton, which owns British iconic car brand, Lotus. According to the Sunday Times, talks between Geely and Proton have stalled, leaving a question mark over the future of Lotus. Lotus has been [...]
Brighton & Hove Albion chief Paul Barber explains off-field strategy of a Premier League club in waiting March 4, 2017 In less than a decade Brighton & Hove Albion have evolved from a mid table League One side playing at a converted athletics stadium to fewer than 10,000 fans, to a Premier League club in waiting who call the state of the art 30,000 capacity Amex Stadium home. Brighton have been amongst the Championship promotion contenders in three of the [...]
Raise a glass: Britain’s beer exports rose in 2016, making it the third most valuable food or drink export March 4, 2017 British beer exports rose six per cent in 2016 according to new figures published by the HMRC, making beer the UK's third most valuable food and drink export. Chinese interest in British beer skyrocketed last year, rising 500 per cent following pictures of Chinese President Xi Jinping enjoying a pint with former Prime Minister David Cameron in [...]
Bitcoin is now worth more than gold as the US dollar strengthens March 3, 2017 The price of bitcoin has overtaken gold today for the first time ever. The cryptocurrency was up to $1,275.15 this morning, while the price of gold dropped 0.35 per cent to $1,228.60 per ounce. Bitcoin has already had a tumultuous year as fears the Chinese government was moving to outlaw it dampened investor interest. But now the currency's price [...]
How to profit from the Chinese art market and bag some cutting edge paintings while you’re at it March 2, 2017 Which country has the world’s largest art market? Hint: if you’re thinking anything other than “China”, then you’re wrong. Art information website artprice.com estimates that in the first half of 2016, China accounted for 35.5 per cent of the $6.53bn global art sales. Someone out there is making a killing from the Chinese art market, [...]