Consumer confidence teeters on brink of record low during coronavirus lockdown April 24, 2020 Consumer confidence plummeted at the beginning of April but held steady for the rest of the month as the UK adjusted to life under lockdown. The latest research showed that consumer confidence stayed at minus 34 points throughout the month, just five points above the record low reported in July 2008. The measure for the [...]
Growing European Coronavirus fears April 3, 2020 Sterling and the Euro – a story of two halves. The pound had another resilient week, strengthening by an average of 1.9% against the other major currencies. This is despite the downgrade of Britain’s credit rating by Fitch. The pound’s strength can be attributed to the US Federal Reserve announcing billions of liquidity to stabilise [...]
Coronavirus: UK business confidence falls to lowest level since October March 31, 2020 Overall UK business confidence fell to its lowest level since October amid the coronavirus crisis, reflecting a drop in both trading prospects and economic optimism. The Lloyds Bank Business Barometer shows a 17 percentage point drop to six per cent last month. Economic optimism dropped from 23 per cent, its highest level for 17 months, [...]
UK services firms and consumers grow cheerier despite coronavirus February 28, 2020 Optimism in the UK services sector rose at its fastest pace in almost five years in the three months to February, a survey has shown, in the latest sign that the removal of some political uncertainty has cheered businesses. A separate survey today showed that UK consumers also became more optimistic in February, with rising [...]
General election result calms consumer confidence ‘jitters’ January 31, 2020 UK consumer confidence jumped this month, signalling the end of a “jittery mood” as sentiment strengthens following the general election result. Research published this morning showed that sentiment improved by two points to minus nine in January, driven by increased confidence in both individual finances and the general economic situation over the next year. January [...]
FTSE 100 opens higher as China tariff waiver raises hopes of trade truce December 6, 2019 The FTSE 100 bounced back in early trading today as China’s decision to roll back tariffs on some US exports raised hopes of a pre-Christmas trade war truce. London’s blue-chip index was up roughly 0.8 per cent to 7,195.1 points this morning as traders reacted to developments in Beijing. Read more: Global growth to pick [...]
UK consumer confidence is at its lowest point since 2013 ahead of General Election November 29, 2019 Consumer confidence was flat this month as the UK waits for the outcome of the upcoming General Election and for the new government’s Brexit plan to become clear. The overall index score for consumer confidence this month was minus 14, according to the latest data from GfK. This is the same score as was recorded in [...]
UK consumer confidence at six-year low ahead of election October 31, 2019 Brits’ confidence in the economy fell back to its joint-lowest in six years this month, a survey showed today, as yet more Brexit uncertainty increased consumers’ gloom. Read more: Fourth time lucky as MPs back Boris Johnson for December election The consumer confidence index from market research institute GfK fell to minus 14 in October. [...]
Consumer confidence edges up in September September 27, 2019 Consumer confidence grew slightly this month but remained negative overall as uncertainty continued in the run up to the 31 October Brexit deadline date. Despite the two point increase, consumer confidence was still minus 12 points in September compared to a score of minus nine in the same month last year. Read more: UK consumer [...]
UK consumer confidence staggers in face of no-deal Brexit August 30, 2019 Consumer confidence in personal financial situations slumped in August, driven by the increasing uncertainty caused by Brexit. A measure recording changes in personal finances during the last 12 months fell by two points this month to -1, a decline of five points compared to August last year. Read more: UK consumer confidence slumps in June [...]