UK consumer morale dives again in April April 27, 2011 UK consumers remain sunk in gloom about both their personal finances and the economic outlook, a key barometer published today showed. The GfK NOP consumer confidence index fell in April, after holding steady in February and March, as fears over household finances and the affordability of major purchases increased. The fall, to -31 from -28 [...]
FTSE pushes up despite retail sector woes March 31, 2011 A raft of corporate results today has the potential to move the FTSE in either direction, but it is picking an upward path this morning. Mixed UK economic data has clouded the picture further. The GfK consumer confidence index has stalled at February’s low level on households’ concerns over their finances. Nationwide, however, said house [...]
UK consumer confidence stalls March 31, 2011 UK consumer confidence stalled in March at the same level as February, a closely-watched survey has shown. The GfK NOP Consumer Confidence Index remained static at -28 in March, as marginal increases in people’s perception of the UK’s economy this year and next were offset by falls in the public’s confidence in their own finances. [...]
UK consumer morale stuck in depression February 24, 2011 BRITAIN’S slump in consumer confidence has continued into February, according to a survey commissioned for the European Union, released today. The GfK NOP index rose by one point compared to January yet, at a score of -28, remains 14 points below where the index stood this time last year. “Overall confidence remains low and, although [...]
German consumer outlook rises February 22, 2011 German consumer confidence has risen for the ninth straight month, the widely regarded Gfk survey revealed yesterday. The forward-looking index rose from 5.8 this month to six points for March – its highest reading since October 2007, prior to the financial crisis. “While Germany’s recovery has been driven largely by exports and investment, consumer spending [...]
High street sales growth in slowdown January 27, 2011 RETAIL sales for January are up on the same time last year, yet sales growth slowed considerably, according to the Confederation for British Industry (CBI). And consumer confidence has plummeted to a 12 month low, separate data from researchers GfK NOP revealed today. The positive balance of retailers reporting a year-on-year increase in sales dropped [...]
Snow losers for traders looking for volatility January 16, 2011 THE Christmas trading results branded companies as either winners or “snow losers” last week. Tesco shocked the market by offering figures that analysts felt paled in comparison to Sainsbury’s. Thanks to 12,000 tonnes of grit, the supermarket deserved to take the title of winner of the festive race. Toy, clothing and leisure retailers also offered [...]
FTSE opens higher ahead of key data October 25, 2010 The FTSE 100 rose on opening this morning with heavyweight miners likely to be buoyed by a softer dollar after the Group of 20 major economies agreed to avoid competitive currency devaluations. The blue chip index looks set to gain 43 to 48 points, or as much as 0.8 percent, according to financial bookmakers, after [...]
Consumer confidence fell in September September 29, 2010 BRITONS lost confidence in September as fears of a double-dip recession intensified, indicating that last month’s improvement was merely a blip, according to the GfK consumer confidence survey published today. Nick Moon, managing director of GfK NOP Social Research, said: “September’s slump suggests the rise in consumer confidence in August was a false dawn, as [...]
Obama speech fails to prop up markets August 30, 2010 US STOCKS accelerated declines yesterday after comments from US President Barack Obama did little to soothe investors anxious over the slowing pace of the recovery. Obama said he and his economic team discussed additional steps to promote economic growth, including looking at tax cuts for businesses. Stocks had been trading lower prior to the comments [...]