World’s most-used payment currencies: China’s renminbi knocks Japan’s yen off fourth place behind the US dollar, the euro and sterling October 6, 2015 China's renminbi became the fourth most-used world payment currency in August, overtaking Japan's yen, meaning it's behind only the US dollar, the euro and the sterling. "Important to note is the volatility in the Chinese market and the devaluations of the renminbi, which took place in August 2015. These facts likely played a significant role in its [...]
FTSE 100 climbs as Glencore digs itself out of hole – London Report October 6, 2015 Britain’s top share index rose nearly three per cent yesterday, with a surge in Glencore after a volatile week leading mining companies higher. The blue-chip FTSE 100 index jumped 168.94 points, or 2.8 per cent, to 6,298.92 points, with every stock in positive territory. The FTSE 100 is still down over 11 per cent from [...]
Bank of England September minutes and interest rate decision: Five things to look for October 6, 2015 The Bank of England's (BoE) last minutes and quarterly inflation report struck a decidedly dovish tone. However a lot has happened since then. Consequently investors will be eager to see if recent developments have pushed back expectations for an interest rate rise over at the Old Lady. Will the hawk still squark? With the BoE [...]
FTSE 100 closes at its highest level in six weeks as Glencore share price soars October 5, 2015 Britain's blue chip index closed up 2.8 per cent to 6,298.92 points today, its highest level since August 20, led by gains from commodities giant Glencore. Speculation had swirled over whether the Swiss miner would sell some assets to cut its debt, or even consider agreeing to a takeover. Shares in the company closed up 21.05 [...]
Chinese diets set to beef up demand for agricultural commodities October 5, 2015 Investors rocked by collapsing commodity prices should consider ditching copper and oil and park their cash in softer resources such as wheat and corn instead, a new report has suggested. Amid a backdrop of rising prosperity Chinese consumers are demanding more top nosh, with meat and grains such as wheat high on the menu wishlist. [...]
From the Chinese economy to a US rate rise: Why hot money is pouring out of emerging markets October 2, 2015 China's slowing economy. alongside a looming US rate hike, is creating a headache for emerging markets. Investors feeling the heat are set to pull around $540bn (£355bn) of cash out of emerging markets economies this year, as net flows turn negative for the first time since 1988. Residents sending cash out of the emerging markets has [...]
London house prices: The capital’s most exclusive homes are going for bargain prices October 2, 2015 Another day, another sign the top end of London's property market is in the doldrums, after figures by Knight Frank showed house prices in the capital's most exclusive areas grew just 1.3 per cent in September on the same month last year. That's the lowest rate of growth since October 2009 – and in some [...]
Make 10-year Chinese visas cheaper default option and bring £337m to UK economy, claims UKCVA October 2, 2015 Leading retailers have renewed their pleas for the government to overhaul its system regarding Chinese visas, claiming a simplified regime would boost the UK's economy by £337m. The UK China Visa Alliance (UKCVA) – which is made up of businesses such as retail park group McArthurGlen, retail body New West End Company, Walpole, London [...]
As Chinese slowdown fears ease, are prospects brighter for emerging market equities? October 1, 2015 Will Ballard, head of emerging markets and Asia Pacific equities at Aviva Investors, says Yes The recent turmoil in emerging markets is nothing new. Indeed, we have been here before. The journey has often been painful but it has also been rewarding. This is because although emerging markets are volatile, they are driven by long-term [...]
Fitch warns global growth will be slowest since 2009 September 30, 2015 Credit ratings agency Fitch has warned global growth is set to be the slowest since the depths of the financial crisis this year. Fitch said it expects the global economy will grow by just 2.3 per cent this year, the weakest since 2009, and less than the agency's June forecast. The weakness will come from [...]