UK retail sales jump unexpectedly in March April 25, 2014 Shoppers in the UK have been buying more than expected, particularly when it comes to clothes and shoes, with retail sales increasing 0.1 per cent in March and 4.2 per cent year-on-year. Month-on-month, that’s down from the 1.3 per cent increase seen in February (which was revised down from 1.7 per cent), but well ahead [...]
Shoppers stay away from UK high streets over Easter April 22, 2014 BRITISH shoppers did not hit the high streets in their expected numbers over the first days of the Easter bank holiday weekend, but there were signs that more people had headed to the shops yesterday. Retail data firm Springboard says that average footfall across high streets, shopping centres and retail parks was down 7.6 per [...]
End of wage squeeze on horizon as inflation falls to 2009 levels April 15, 2014 CONSUMER prices are now rising at the slowest pace in four and a half years, a dramatic turnaround which could end the pressure on family incomes from years of above-target inflation. Official figures released yesterday show that the consumer price index (CPI) rose by only 1.6 per cent in the year to March, the lowest [...]
Inflation falls to four and a half year low April 15, 2014 Inflation keeps moving lower, having fallen below the Bank of England's two per cent threshold in January for the first time in four years. Headline consumer price inflation has come in at 1.6 in the year to March, down from 1.7 per cent last month. Analysts expected to see inflation at that level today – [...]
Asian shares take a beating after US tech rout April 11, 2014 Asian shares are taking a beating after major sell-offs in US tech companies left investors shying away from riskier assets and emerging markets. The losses come hot on the heels of a tough day on Wall Street, with the Nasdaq suffering its worst single drop since 2011. Japan was left particularly vulnerable to the tech [...]
Record drop in shop prices with 11th month of deflation in March April 8, 2014 SHOP prices tumbled further in March, with the fastest deflation for more than seven years recorded by a major monthly report on the sector. According to the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and Nielsen’s latest research, shop prices fell by 1.7 per cent in the year to March, the largest drop since the groups began keeping [...]
Asian markets remain subdued as Bank of Japan holds firm April 8, 2014 Asian markets are holding steady after the Bank of Japan maintained its stance on monetary policy and disappointed some investors with a refusal to hike purchases of risk assets. Japan's current account balance showed a surplus for the first time in five months in February, this was attributed to strengthening exports and an increase in [...]
Asian markets head for best week since last April March 28, 2014 Asian stocks are heading for their biggest weekly advance in 11 months, with the MSCI Asia Pacific index gaining 0.7 per cent. Copper's pared a quarterly decline and investor confidence growing on hopes of further economic stimulus from the Chinese authorities. Chinese premier Li Keqiang has stated that the country does have policies in reserve [...]
London Report: Petrol prices to help inflation to a four-year low March 24, 2014 INFLATION is expected to hit a four-year low, with data this week likely to show petrol prices and the pound’s strength controlling prices. Consumer Price Index (CPI) figures due out tomorrow are forecast to show inflation at 1.7 per cent in February, down from 1.9 per cent in January. and the lowest since October 2009. [...]
US markets exercise caution ahead of Yellen speech March 19, 2014 US markets crept lower today at the open, following weaker European counterparts. Investors are awaiting the new inflation and growth forecasts from the Fed’s Open Market Committee, with Janet Yellen holding her first press conference (6.00pm GMT) since taking over as chair last month. Despite some recent weaker economic data, the Fed isn’t expected to [...]