China inflation slows to near five-year low of 1.6pc in September October 15, 2014 After yesterday’s surprise slowdown pushing inflation to its lowest in five years in the UK, the world’s second largest economy experienced a similar unexpected turn. Consumer inflation in China slowed more than expected to a near five-year low, coming in at 1.6 per cent in September, just under the 1.7 per cent expected and a [...]
Weak inflation knocks sterling to 11-month low October 14, 2014 THE POUND fell sharply yesterday as UK inflation for September came in below expectations, reducing the chance of a 2014 interest rate hike. Prices rose at their slowest pace for five years, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), prompting sterling to sink last night to an 11-month low of $1.5905 to the pound. [...]
Inflation falls again: Consumer Price Index falls to a five-year low of 1.2pc in September October 14, 2014 The consumer price index (CPI) of UK inflation fell even further than expected, down to 1.2 per cent in September from 1.5 per cent the previous month, hitting a five-year low. CPI was expected to slow slightly to 1.4 per cent according to analyst forecasts. But the slump is even further below the Bank of [...]
Enthusiastic UK shoppers boost growth hopes as spending on cards increases October 13, 2014 Shoppers are splashing out more in almost every area of spending, Barclaycard numbers showed yesterday, indicating there is more life yet in the economic recovery. Overall, spending on cards last month was 4.8 per cent higher than it was in September last year – the fastest annual increase since May 2013. Spending in restaurants jumped [...]
Indian summer hurts shop sales in September October 7, 2014 HIGH street sales growth came to a grinding halt last month for the first time since February after Britain’s Indian summer put shoppers off stocking up on winter clothing, according to new research out today. Accountancy firm BDO’s monthly high street sales tracker shows sales dipped by 2.9 per cent in September, ending the first [...]
Sanctions push Russian prices up 7.5 per cent September 25, 2014 Russia’s rate of inflation may exceed 7.5 per cent this year, as foreign and domestic sanctions act to restrict the supply of goods. Russia’s target has been around four per cent since the end of hyperinflation in the early 1990s, but it is highly likely to miss the target this year, according to the head [...]
Family incomes start to recover after long squeeze from prices September 24, 2014 Shoppers’ spending power is starting to recover from the long squeeze of low pay rises and high inflation, according to data from Asda. The average household had discretionary income of £172 per week in August, up £5 on the year. The 11th consecutive rise brings spending power close to its all-time high of £174, which [...]
Falling inflation to give Bank greater leeway September 16, 2014 INFLATION slid further in August, official data showed yesterday, easing some of the pressure on the Bank of England to raise interest rates. The consumer price index slowed to an annual growth rate of 1.5 per cent in the year to August from 1.6 per cent in July, according to figures from the Office for [...]
Britain’s biggest companies call on Westminster for fundamental business rates reform September 16, 2014 Some of Britain's biggest businesses including Marks & Spencer, Sainsbury's, Tesco, General Motors and Tata Steel have called on the government to rip up the current business rate regime claiming the current system is “a critical problem for all of British business”. The controversial tax delivers around £25bn to the Treasury every year, but [...]
Inflation falls again, to 1.5 per cent September 16, 2014 The Consumer Prices Index fell to 1.5 per cent in the year to August, down from 1.6 per cent the month before, as low wages and pressures on recovery in European economies continued to take their toll. The Office for National Statistics said the measure was pushed down by a drop in the price of [...]