Morrisons steps up battle with rival supermarkets as it slashes prices of kitchen staples such as meat, poultry and vegetables September 4, 2016 Britain's fourth largest supermarket provided some Autumn cheer for consumers by announcing a series of price cuts to key products in a move that could spark a price war. Morrisons announced that prices of staples such as meat and poultry will be slashed by 20 per cent with some vegetable prices a third lower. Industry leaders said [...]
Dollar bounces back after US non-farm payroll falls to 151,000 in August September 2, 2016 The number of new job openings in the US fell to 151,000 in August, down from 255,000 the month before – missing economists' expectations of 180,000. Unemployment held at 4.9 per cent, figures published today showed – against expectations of a fall to 4.8 per cent. The disappointing figure pushed the dollar 0.4 per cent down against the [...]
Campbell’s shares slump in the pre-market after “disappointing” results September 1, 2016 Consumer demand for fresher produce is putting the squeeze on the world's largest maker of soup, Campbell's. The soup brand has posted a net loss attributable to the company of $81m (£61m), or 26 cents per share, compared with a profit of $17m a year earlier. Net sales dipped 0.35 per cent to $1.69bn in the fourth quarter ended [...]
Janet Yellen says case for rate hike has “strengthened” in recent months August 26, 2016 The case for rate hikes has "strengthened in recent months", chair of the US Federal Reserve Janet Yellen has said. Speaking at Jackson Hole, the Fed chief said: "In light of the continued solid performance of the labour market and our outlook for economic activity and inflation, I believe the case for an increase in the [...]
Brent crude and West Texas Intermediate oil prices slide on huge surprise increase in US crude stocks August 24, 2016 The price of US oil fell by more than two per cent this afternoon after an unexpected increase in crude stocks in the country reinvigorated worries about a global supply glut. Today the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) released figures showing domestic crude supplies rose by 2.5m barrels in the week ended 19 August to a [...]
Watford and West Brom dumped out by League One opposition as Liverpool hit five and Hull maintain perfect start in EFL Cup August 23, 2016 Watford manager Walter Mazzarri suffered an embarrassing early blow to his tenure as third-tier side Gillingham caused an upset in the second round of the EFL Cup. Hornets striker Odion Ighalo looked to have put the hosts on track for victory but Mark Byrne equalised in the 82nd minute and Bradley Dack made it 2-1 in the [...]
Supermarket sales creep upwards as grocers benefit from the summer sun August 23, 2016 Grocery sales edged up this summer as sunny weather encouraged shoppers to spend. According to data from Kantar Worldpanel, supermarket sales increased by 0.3 per cent in the 12 weeks to 14 August – the fastest growth in the grocery market since March this year. There is no evidence yet to suggest the Brexit vote [...]
Foreign investments help shareholders as UK dividend growth lags August 22, 2016 The UK is lagging behind other developed markets in terms of dividends, a report out today has found. UK dividends fell 3.3 per cent on an underlying basis in the second quarter of 2016, according to the Henderson Global Dividend Index. In addition to the falling value of the pound, steep cuts from Standard Chartered, [...]
Australia has confirmed that it will block the sale of its largest energy grid to Chinese investors August 20, 2016 Australia has moved to formally block the sale of its biggest energy grid to Chinese investors over security concerns. The sale was put on hold last week, and now the deal has been officially nixed by Australian treasurer Scott Morrison. Two Chinese firms had been in talks to buy a 50.4 per cent stake in Ausgrid. However, [...]
China warns “protectionist” Australia after it blocks investment in energy grid August 17, 2016 Beijing warned over its future willingness to invest in Australia, after two Chinese firms were prevented from taking a controlling stake in its largest energy network. State Grid Corporation, which is a Chinese state-backed firm, and billionaire Li Ka-shing's Hong Kong-based Cheung Kong Infrastructure had submitted bids of more than A$10bn (£5.94bn) for a 50.4 per cent stake [...]