Asian markets rattled by mixed Chinese trade data as exports hold up but imports tumble further than expected October 13, 2015 Asian markets were shaken by mixed signals from fresh China trade data that rekindled worries about a slowdown in the world's second-biggest economy. The figures for September showed that, despite hitting a record-high trade surplus with exports holding up far better than expected, imports tumbled further than predicted. Economic data has been weak over the summer and [...]
Trade blocs are obsolete: Why the Commonwealth is Britain’s future October 12, 2015 China is vital to our future,” the chancellor told the Tories at their conference last week, but it’s “not growing as strongly as it was.” And, he added, “the Eurozone is still very weak”. So where else do we look to shore up our not-so-brilliant trade performance? The answer could lie in something we [...]
London’s pharma sector gets a boost as Shield and Faron announce plans to float in the capital October 12, 2015 The Chinese market turmoil has not destroyed confidence in the UK's pharmaceutical sector, as two companies today announced plans to float in the capital. Newcastle-based Shield Therapeutics and Finnish Faron Pharmaceuticals are both planning to launch their IPOs on the London Stock Exchange in the near future, although neither confirmed definite dates. Read [...]
China must pander to its rising middle class to see off this crisis October 8, 2015 China has emerged as the world’s second largest economy, with its growth breaking every record, even surpassing that seen in Germany and Japan after the end of World War Two. Since 2010, China has represented over 50 per cent of the world’s incremental GDP growth, with its fortunes carrying enormous implications for international investors and [...]
US jobless claims fall to lowest in almost 42 years October 8, 2015 The (albeit brief) US jobs market scare is over. The number of people in the US filing for jobless benefits has hit its lowest proportion of the labour force since records began in 1948, quelling fears that the US labour had slowed. Figures last month from the US Bureau of Labour showed the number [...]
Value of European IPOs in 2015 drops following Chinese stock market crash October 8, 2015 Flotations on Europe’s stock markets raised 30 per cent less money in the third quarter than the same time last year, according to PwC, although the accountancy firm predicts a pick-up in activity before the year-end. China’s August stock market crash sent jitters across the globe, prompted businesses to put their listing plans on ice, [...]
Bank of England holds interest rates at 0.5 per cent as inflation forecasts are pushed back October 8, 2015 Rate-setter Ian McCafferty failed to persuade any of his colleagues to join him in voting to lift official interest rates from their record lows this month as the Bank of England’s monetary policy committee (MPC) pushed back its inflation forecast. The MPC – which voted eight to one to hold rates – changed its tone [...]
Germany exports suffer sharpest drop in six years October 8, 2015 German exports plummeted by 5.2 per cent in August compared with July, the sharpest monthly decline since January 2009, data released this morning reveals. While no country breakdown is given, economists say the weakness is likely due to a slowdown in emerging markets, after factory orders published yesterday showed a contraction in non-Eurozone foreign orders. [...]
Four actionable tips for starting up a business in 2015 October 8, 2015 We have put together seven actionable tips for SMEs and people thinking of starting up a new business in 2015. As the Chinese proverb says: ‘the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.’ With the right business idea, planning, marketing and execution it is [...]
Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen reiterates US on course to hike interest rates this year October 7, 2015 Federal Reserve chair Janet Yellen today reiterated that the US is on course to raise interest rates this year. Speaking a week after the Fed delayed a rise in borrowing costs, she said inflation is being weighed down by temporary factors such as a strong dollar and low oil prices. However as these decrease inflation [...]