Interview: Former rate setter Andrew Sentance on Governor Bailey’s ‘off the cuff’ remarks and where the BoE went wrong March 16, 2022 It is often a mark of how dire an economy’s situation is when incremental rises in interest rates hit the front pages. The worst cost of living crunch in a generation has, however, sent the Bank of England to the front of many households’ minds. Those outside of the City care less about the vagaries [...]
What is the outlook for UK dividends in a less certain world? March 16, 2022 Russia’s invasion of Ukraine looks set to exacerbate economic trends which had already been influencing markets. Amid the uncertainty, experienced investors Sue Noffke and Graham Ashby give their views on the outlook for UK dividends. Investors had already been viewing markets in a more cautionary manner, even before Russian troops amassed on the border with [...]
Revealed: London dominates UK microbusiness landscape March 16, 2022 The pandemic accelerated diversity in the microbusiness sector, but left dreams of levelling up the nation in the dust fresh figures show.
UK recorded music hits a high note thanks to vinyl and CD revivals March 16, 2022 UK recorded music continues to hit a high note, with revenue up 12.8 per cent to £1.26bn following 2020’s pandemic slump.
Kremlin cronies face more sanctions while furious Putin fires eight generals: ‘Clusterf**k’ invasion not going well’ March 15, 2022 More family members of Russian oligarchs can expect to be targeted with sanctions, a UK official said this afternoon. The official, asked about the potential to sanction family members of Russian elites, said: “Yes, there is actually quite a wide range, out of the 370, who are family members. “There is a number of members, [...]
Oil prices plunge below $100 per barrel as supply concerns ease March 15, 2022 Oil prices tumbled below $100 for the first time in three weeks with both benchmarks weighed down by multiple geopolitical headwinds.
Retail and construction insolvencies soar against backdrop of supply chain pressures and war in Ukraine March 15, 2022 Soaring material costs have led to a steep rise in insolvencies in the retail and construction industries of almost 50 per cent. The war in Ukraine and its impact on rising fuel prices, brought concerns over supply chains pressures into sharp focus this week, new research from tax and audit specialists Mazars has shown. During [...]
Wilko apologises after telling staff: Come to work if you have Covid and feel ok March 15, 2022 Household goods retailer Wilko has apologised after it told staff they should come into work if they test positive for Covid but feel well. The government scrapped its legal requirement for Covid patients to isolate at home, leaving it up to bosses to decide their own policies. The high street retailetr has now backtracked on [...]
Roaring jobs market steps up case for another Bank of England rate hike March 15, 2022 A roaring jobs market in the UK is stepping up the case for another rate hike by the Bank of England on Thursday. Strong demand for workers rubbing up against weak labour supply is intensifying inflationary pressures in the jobs market, demonstrating the UK economy is ready for more rate hikes, according to economists. The [...]
Tactical asset allocation: the flexibility advantage March 15, 2022 Strategic asset allocation (SAA) determines long-run exposure to systematic risk factors. That said, current changes in monetary policy in many developed and emerging countries as well as the stage of the business cycle warrant tactical considerations. The tactical overlay strategy should generate added value by temporarily deviating from the weights assigned in the SAA process. [...]