The free trade deals that could turbo-charge the UK economy by £10bn February 11, 2015 Few know it, but you are all paying a secret tax. Trade tariffs and other protectionist barriers are a hidden part of the price you pay for almost everything you buy. Consider this: if we could do a trade deal between America and the EU, at one stroke we could create up to 2m jobs, [...]
European markets fall as Greek bond yields soar on Grexit fears February 9, 2015 European markets dropped while yields on Greek bonds leapt this morning, as investors showed their concerns over the possibility of a Greek exit from the euro. The FTSE 100 fell more than one per cent, while Germany's Dax lost almost two per cent and the French Cac 40 fell 1.5 per cent, after Greek prime [...]
Mark Carney’s struggle to master his words – CNBC Comment February 2, 2015 Once upon a time, you needed to be Alice in Wonderland to vanish down a rabbit hole. Nowadays, we are all falling in head first – thanks to a bunch of central bankers. But as we’re down here in this inverted QE world, Bank of England governor Mark Carney should probably heed the words of [...]
Fed up with London’s insane property market? A houseboat could be the answer to your prayers January 29, 2015 Young couples faced with the daunting task of establishing a foothold on the property ladder can be forgiven for wanting to jump on a boat and sail as far as they can from the glittering circus of estate agents, sky-rocketing prices and penury caused by endless saving. Anyone who follows through with this escapist urge [...]
Fed’s patient move hits oil – New York Report January 28, 2015 US STOCKS closed down yesterday, driven by a sharp decline in the S&P 500 energy sector, after the Federal Reserve said the domestic economy was growing at a solid pace, signalling it remains on track to raise interest rates later this year. Concluding their first policy-setting meeting of the year, Fed officials said they would [...]
Federal Reserve remains “patient” and holds rates in wake of strong growth January 28, 2015 The Federal Reserve has held interest rates at 0.25 per cent and reiterated that it would remain "patient" when considering a rate hike. The decision was unanimous. It is now unlikely the Fed will raise rates before the middle of the year. The US central bank pointed to strong growth in the economy and upbeat [...]
Economic optimism? Many Brits still feel left behind – Brand Index January 27, 2015 Although yesterday’s 2014 fourth quarter GDP figures confirmed the fastest growth since before the financial crisis, the economy risks slowing in early 2015 as consumer confidence continues to be restrained. The first quarter of 2015 has got off to a muted start with the YouGov/Cebr Consumer Confidence Index rising only slightly in January as households’ [...]
All eyes on Fed as it sets rates after ECB move – The week ahead on Wall St January 25, 2015 THE FEDERAL Reserve could be key for Wall Street this week as investors get to hear from the US central bank for the first time since a series of moves by its global peers, including the European Central Bank’s massive stimulus plan. Last Thursday’s larger-than-expected stimulus package from the ECB lifted US stocks, helping indexes [...]
Davos 2015 World Economic Forum: In search of a safe haven – CNBC Comment January 19, 2015 The annual World Economic Forum (WEF) kicks off in Davos this week and, if you’re actually making your way to the mountain resort, it’s time to put on your snow boots and weather the freezing Alpine conditions. But even if you’re staying put like most of us, you still won’t be able to escape the [...]
Cheap oil won’t help recovery, warns IMF chief Christine Lagarde January 15, 2015 Cheap oil is unlikely to speed up recovery, International Monetary Fund (IMF) chief Christine Lagarde has warned, adding that global recovery is currently too "lopsided". In a speech to the Council on Foreign Relations in Washington, Lagarde suggested that although growth in the US and a lower oil price has given economies a helping hand, [...]