US Fed to launch tapering as soon as next month October 14, 2021 The world’s most influential central bank has provided the strongest signal yet it is preparing to rein in the wave of stimulus it unleashed in response to the Covid-19 crisis. The US Federal Reserve is considering pulling back asset purchases designed to shield the American economy from the worst effects of the pandemic as soon [...]
London markets shake off Fed tightening concerns October 14, 2021 London markets this morning shook off fears that the Bank of England could follow the US Federal Reserve and begin tightening monetary policy next month. The capital’s premier FTSE 100 index climbed 0.69 per cent to 7,191.41 points during the opening session today. More to follow.
Bank of England scraps closed-door briefings with banks October 13, 2021 The Bank of England has scrapped holding private meetings with banks and financial institutions in a bid to raise transparency at the central bank. The shift in position comes after pressure on the world’s leading central banks to stop hosting off the record briefings with banks mounted following European Central Bank chief economist Philip Lane [...]
Swelling food and energy costs lift US inflation October 13, 2021 A jump in food prices and energy costs drove inflation in America to a fiery clip in September, testing Fed chair Jerome Powell’s insistence that price rises are transitory. On an annual basis, US inflation hit 5.4 per cent last month, according to the Labor Department. Higher prices for food, which rose 4.6 per cent, [...]
Bail outs for businesses in strife only gloss over the truth, it’s time to face reality October 13, 2021 The price of both oil and gas has doubled across the world in the last year. The price of crude oil is at $84 a barrel for the first time in three years. As a result, fuel of every kind, for every purpose has become more expensive. The public has reacted in the most extraordinary [...]
Time is on Bitcoin’s side, and we’re talking about an NFT evolution October 12, 2021 In a wave of NFT evolution, Dr Kacher asks: Could Bitcoin, in time, be the world's next reserve currency?
Perpetual debt is already here October 12, 2021 “Be still indebted to somebody or other, that there may be somebody always to pray for you, [. . .] fearing, if fortune should deal crossly with you, that it might be his chance to come short of being paid by you.” François Rabelais, Gargantua and Pantagruel, Book III Pundits worldwide are debating what to do with [...]
On a charge or out of juice – can EV charging infrastructure keep up with demand? October 11, 2021 One of the most notable trends of the past 18 months has been soaring demand for electric vehicles (EVs). This is particularly the case in Europe, where the share of EVs as a percentage of overall car registrations has grown to almost 10% (chart 1). Other geographies are also now showing renewed signs of strength, [...]
Concerns grow over impact of energy prices and supply chain issues on profit margins October 11, 2021 Even though European markets closed lower on Friday, they still managed to finish the week higher, as did US markets, after what was a rather disappointing US jobs report, as martkets look forward to a week that sees US earnings season get underway in earnest, and where guidance is likely to be just as important [...]
Working Lunch: The Game Bird is perfect for a languorous meal October 7, 2021 We sampled the menu of The Game Bird and enjoyed a calming lunch suitable for a long business catchup What is it? It’s a gem of a restaurant hidden within The Stafford Hotel. Reached via a narrow alleyway just off the park, it can be quite easy to miss. The decor is eclectic, with nods [...]