Flood of stimulus underpins Chinese growth in second quarter July 15, 2016 Easy monetary policy helped the Chinese economy expand slightly faster than expected in the second quarter, data published today showed. Official data suggested gross domestic product grew 6.7 per cent between April and June from a year-ago, unchanged from the first quarter, and slightly ahead of market expectations of a dip to 6.6 per cent. Read more: The South [...]
Investing in infrastructure: As confidence in property crumbles, government-backed projects may offer stable, long-term returns July 14, 2016 The gold price is up, bond yields are down, and investors are asking themselves which asset classes can shield their wealth until the impact of Brexit becomes clearer. But amid the political and economic uncertainty, two facts are unlikely to change. First, the UK population is growing, and may reach 70m people by 2027 if [...]
Copper charges through $5,000 mark ahead of Bank of England rate decision tomorrow July 13, 2016 Expectations for some long-awaited action over at the Bank of England helped copper surge past $5,000 per tonne today. Copper on the London Metal Exchange jumped as high as $5,032 a tonne, its strongest since 29 April, before falling back to $4,869 in mid-afternoon trading. Read more: Say what? Gold isn't a good hedge against economic crashes, [...]
China agrees to EU deal as steel industry crisis rumbles on July 13, 2016 EU leaders said today that they'd struck a deal with Beijing to discuss its flood of steel exports which have been blamed for the industry's crisis. It came as Chinese President Xi Jinping met European Council President, Donald Tusk, and European Commission President, Jean Claude Juncker, today. Juncker said the EU would use everything at its disposal [...]
Burberry share price jumps as firm reports like-for-like sales down three per cent with retail revenue unchanged at £242m July 13, 2016 Luxury retailer Burberry has reported unchanged revenue for the three months to 30 June, amid a "challenging" trading environment – and analysts say the British designer is still too reliant on the Chinese market. Shares in the company were up 4.8 per cent in early trading. [stockChart code="BRBY" date="2016-07-13 14:41"] The group posted a [...]
Indian nationals need a new visa: Britain is shooting itself in the foot with its backward system July 13, 2016 The UK-India relationship is one of both traditional and contemporary strength. Current business secretary Sajid Javid has described the partnership as being at a “key juncture” and as providing “opportunities we would be foolish to ignore”. And with a UK-India trade agreement hailed a “deal made in heaven” by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), now [...]
Before the bell: What you need to know before the US market open July 12, 2016 Major US markets are on a tear hitting record highs and the UK blue-chip index is in bull market territory. Here's what you need to know before the US market open at 2:30pm London time. It seems nothing can stop the equity ball rolling now, with futures pointing yet higher ahead of the open. The [...]
EDF takes big bite out of Chinese wind energy developer July 12, 2016 Embattled French utility giant EDF has taken a majority stake in UPC Asia Wind Management. The firm's renewables unit, EDF Energies Nouvelles, paid an undisclosed amount for a stake in the Chinese company which develops and builds wind projects. EDF added that partners UPC China and US-based Global Environment Fund will remain shareholders. The company has singled [...]
Referendum uncertainty “significantly weakened” UK’s European M&A market dominance July 11, 2016 The UK’s Brexit vote has “destabilised its position as a leading European investment hub”, according to a new mergers and acquisitions (M&A) report. In the first six months of 2016, dealmakers were “spooked” by the looming EU referendum, with 647 deals worth £41.3bn announced – down from 702 worth £122.9bn in the same period of [...]
Oil further below $50 as economic storm clouds gather over Asia July 11, 2016 Oil fell further below $50 per barrel today, amid fresh concerns that weak economies in Asia would sap demand there. Brent crude, the global benchmark, fell 1.24 per cent to $46.18 per barrel in early afternoon trading. Its US counterpart, West Texas Intermediate, slumped 1.32 per cent to $44.81. Read more: Norway union and oil [...]