European firms hike prices at fastest pace on record May 4, 2022 Businesses in Europe are hiking prices at the fastest pace on record in response to swelling costs triggered by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and China lockdowns, revealed a closely watched survey released today. The fresh figures underscore the severity of inflationary pressures that are spreading through the world’s top economies. Data published on Tuesday by [...]
Steeper US Fed rate hike sends investors wobbling May 4, 2022 The prospect of the world’s most influential central bank hiking interest rates by double the amount it normally does weighed on London’s top indexes today. The capital’s premier FTSE 100 index dropped 0.9 per cent to 7,493.45 points, while the domestically-focused mid-cap FTSE 250 index, which is more aligned with the health of the UK [...]
Retail investors back passive funds to ride out market turbulence May 4, 2022 Retail investors piled into passive funds last month as they sought safety in blue chip stalwarts amid market turbulence, fresh data has revealed.
OPEC+ forecasts oil surplus as high prices and lockdowns bite into demand expectations May 4, 2022 OPEC+ anticipates oil supply to exceed demand later this year by nearly two million barrels per day amid reduced growth expectations.
Pension surplus jumps as inflation takes chunk of savers’ spending power May 4, 2022 The value of UK pension scheme’s assets are rising ahead of liabilities as inflation looks set to take a chunk out of pensioners’ spending power, fresh data has revealed.
Dealmaking slumps amid soaring inflation and shocks of war May 4, 2022 Global mergers and acquisitions slumped in the first four months of the year as soaring inflation and war in Ukraine rattled dealmakers globally, fresh data has revealed.
Supermarket sales slow over Easter as Brits start to cut back on grocery purchases May 4, 2022 Supermarket sales slowed last month as spending habits returned to normal after pandemic restrictions. Households are tightening their purse strings after the first tranche of higher bills hit budgets this spring while spending habits are also normalising after the easing of lockdown restrictions. Shoppers added slightly fewer items to their baskets over the last four [...]
Brits cling onto pandemic savings amid economic uncertainty May 4, 2022 Brits are clinging on to their pandemic saving war chests in a sign that the UK could be headed toward a recession this year, reveals official figures published today. Rampant inflation is failing to push households into drawing down money set aside during lockdowns, suggests data from the Bank of England. Savings – including those [...]
Where are the opportunities in a disrupted US auto sector? May 4, 2022 Worldwide automobile production is struggling to keep up with demand, mainly due to shortages in semiconductors and supply chain disruptions. Geopolitical unrest is causing further declines in production estimates and applying the most pressure to European output. Russian auto production is expected to collapse. German auto original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are facing factory slowdowns due [...]
Starmer could hardly ask for a stronger position – but he’s still squandering it May 4, 2022 You couldn’t open Twitter on Sunday without seeing the name – Tony Blair. Sunday marked 25 years since New Labour trounced John Major’s broken Conservative Party at the 1997 General Election. Mr Blair handed the Tories – riddled with sleaze and incompetence – their worst drubbing since 1906. Less than a year before, the die [...]