April Fools Day 2016: From breast milk protein to McDonald’s landing on the moon, here are the best, worst, laziest and weirdest fake tech stories April 1, 2016 When in comes to April 1st, Britain's press officers like to break the boundaries of physics. City A.M. has been drowning in scientific discoveries, technology advancements and new product launches ahead of April Fools, but did any of them catch you out? Food for thought Upmarket takeaway group Deliveroo has pledged to make eating a burrito even easier, as [...]
How the entrepreneurial spirit of the Isles of Scilly produced some pretty amazing food March 30, 2016 Everything about the Isles of Scilly is ever-so-slightly different; not quite English, but not exactly foreign, either. When you walk through the doors of the tiny Land’s End Airport terminal, you’re greeted by a modernist fireplace – giving guests a sample of the islands' comparatively warm climate – hanging artworks and a vista of the [...]
Fed chair Janet Yellen interest rate comments send mining shares soaring March 30, 2016 US Federal Reserve chair Janet Yellen's dovish coos over future interest rates rises helped send London-listed miners higher today. Yesterday Yellen said that the Fed will "proceed cautiously" when deciding their policy actions in the coming months. Metal prices are slightly down today, however Yellen's comments weakened the greenback making dollar-priced commodities cheaper for holders of foreign currencies. The [...]
The crucial lesson China teaches the West about bank lending – and economic growth March 30, 2016 So, The Financial Times has finally questioned the wisdom of using QE to purchase good assets. You’d have thought that someone would have noticed the effect by now: new money for old assets just pushes up their price. To hope it creates a “wealth effect” and engenders confidence is a bit perverse. If bank lending [...]
Taking clients to a new job: Know your post-exit rights March 30, 2016 Imagine this scenario: you’re in a job that you once loved, or at least enjoyed. But now you’re tired of it and particularly fed up with your boss. You start to look elsewhere, read your employment contract, and then you alarmingly discover that you’re somewhat stuck. Yes, you’ve got some rather nasty post-termination restrictions in your [...]
Gold bullion is rising and shares in gold miners have powered ahead too. Are mining stocks the shining investment of 2016? March 30, 2016 Gold bullion has been among the best-performing investments so far this year, as prices rose 18 per cent from the start of January up to mid-March. Since gold’s low of $1,050 an ounce in December 2015, it has risen over 20 per cent, “a percentage turnaround generally regarded as signalling the reversal of a major trend”, [...]
Janet Yellen says Federal Reserve will “proceed cautiously” on interest rate rises March 29, 2016 Rate-setters at the US Federal Reserve will "proceed cautiously" when they come to decide their policy actions in the coming months. Federal Reserve chair Janet Yellen reiterated the view that the outlook for economic growth and inflation had weakened since the start of the year. She told an audience at the Economic Club of New York: Given the risks to [...]
Markets await key speech from US Federal Reserve chair Janet Yellen on US economy and interest rates amid Federal Reserve divisions March 29, 2016 Financial markets are in limbo today as they stand by for a key speech from the chair of the US Federal Reserve, Janet Yellen, on her latest outlook for the health of the US economy. US rate-setters have been deeply divided on how fast interest rates should rise since a shaky start to the year [...]
Lending to Eurozone households climbs at fastest rate since 2011 as money supply growth remains robust March 29, 2016 Lending to Eurozone households and businesses gained momentum in February, according to figures published by the European Central Bank this morning. The money supply also continued to grow at a robust rate, an indication stronger demand is on the way. Household borrowing from banks climbed by 1.6 per cent in February compared with the same month [...]
Negative interest rates spark 2016 gold rush – but can German buyers push prices even higher? March 29, 2016 Almost a quarter of world GDP lies in economies whose central banks now have negative interest rates of some form. This experimental policy – used variously to weaken strengthening currencies and attempt to stimulate growth – has its fans, but investors have not been among them. “There’s a sense that central banks are running out [...]