Eurozone inflation unexpectedly turns negative in September September 30, 2015 Large falls in energy prices pushed the Eurozone back into deflation for the first time in six months, according to an initial estimate from the official statistics agency. Consumer prices across the single currency bloc fell to minus 0.1 per cent in September, more than economists expected, and down from plus 0.1 per cent a [...]
CBI distributive trades survey: Retail sales beat expectations in September September 29, 2015 British annual retail sales grew at a faster pace than expected in the year to September, with firms expecting business to pick up pace in the run-up to Christmas, industry research shows. Of the 119 firms surveyed by the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) distributive trades survey, 55 per cent expect sales volumes to increase [...]
Retail sales suggest UK economic growth to slow in the third quarter September 17, 2015 UK retail sales inched up in August – having dipped a month earlier – but a lack of strength is leading analysts to warn that UK growth is hitting a "soft patch" in the third quarter. Retail sales grew by just 0.2 per cent on a monthly basis, in line with expectations, according to the [...]
UK inflation falls back to zero in August September 16, 2015 The UK slipped back into the land of "noflation" last month, amid falling petrol prices and a smaller seasonal increase in clothing prices than last year, according to data released today by the Office for National Statistics. Britain's consumer price index fell to zero in the year to August, from 0.1 per cent a month earlier, [...]
As the UK inflation rate falls back to zero per cent, does this reinforce the case for keeping interest rates low? September 15, 2015 Ruth Miller, UK economist at Capital Economics, says Yes We probably haven’t seen the back of negative inflation in the UK. Petrol prices have fallen further this month. The British Gas price cut will show up in September’s figures. Meanwhile, the strength of sterling should continue to put downward pressure on import prices. Admittedly, the [...]
Why the Fed should stick to its guns: The case for raising interest rates this month September 10, 2015 The Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) held rates at 0.5 per cent yesterday for the 78th meeting in a row – no surprise about that. Ian McCafferty remains the lone hawk voting for an immediate rise. The rest of the Committee members are sticking to the line that we’ll need to [...]
Eurozone inflation beats expectations rising 0.3 per cent in May September 10, 2015 Eurozone prices rose for the first time in six months in May – ending a series of disappointing readings which had suggested the euro area risked falling into a damaging deflationary spiral. A flash estimate by the bloc's official statistics agency said euro area inflation was 0.3 per cent in May, beating analysts' estimates, and up from [...]
Even Primark can’t save Associated British Foods from a drop in profits this year, as sugar and currency woes hit the business hard September 7, 2015 Associated British Foods (ABF) has confirmed its adjusted operating profit will decline for the full year as its has failed to offset challenges in its sugar division and currency headwinds. Operating profit at constant currency will be ahead of last year for grocery, agriculture, ingredients and retail, ABF said this morning. The firm's share [...]
Co-operative Group says investments in its turnaround will hit full-year profits September 3, 2015 The Co-operative Group has warned full-year profits are likely to be lower than 2014 is ramps up investment as part of a radical overhaul of the business following one of the most turbulent periods in its history. The company, which operates everything from supermarkets to funerals, has been fighting to restore its fortunes following the [...]
Eurozone inflation holds steady at 0.2 per cent in August August 31, 2015 The Eurozone’s annual inflation rate held steady at 0.2 per cent in August, show figures released by statistics agency Eurostat today. Although unchanged month-on-month, inflation in the 19-country euro area remains low, and is down from 0.4 per cent a year ago. The biggest downward pressure comes from the energy sector, where prices have slumped [...]