Energy secretary Amber Rudd blasted over Brexit “electric shock” claim March 24, 2016 Energy secretary Amber Rudd will warn Britain's exit from the European Union could result in what she termed a "massive electric shock". She will say a "no" vote in the in/out referendum on 23 June could lead to "a massive electric shock because UK energy costs are likely to sky rocket by at least half a billion pounds a [...]
From robots in Japan to crashing sentiment in Latin America, what are the risks and opportunities for investors this year? March 23, 2016 Every year, we ask our credit and equity analysts at Fidelity International about the health, growth prospects, and challenges facing the companies they research worldwide. The results of our 2016 Analyst Survey are in, showing a maturing cycle in which growth is becoming scarcer. For investors, this means understanding who will be the winners and [...]
Going nowhere fast: UK inflation stays at 0.3 per cent in February March 22, 2016 The UK's inflation rate remained at 0.3 per cent in February, according to data released this morning by the Office for National Statistics. Inflation, as measured by the year-on-year change in the consumer price index, was equal to January's 12-month high of 0.3 per cent. Transport costs were the biggest downward contributor falling 1.1 per cent on the [...]
Bank of England’s monetary policy committee votes unanimously to keep interest rates at rock bottom as it signals concern over EU referendum and pay growth March 17, 2016 Interest rates at the Bank of England will be kept at a record low of 0.5 per cent for the next month after another unanimous vote. The MPC is concerned pay rises might be lower due to subdued inflation, the minutes of the meeting revealed. The MPC said empirical evidence on inflation expectations and their [...]
The UK legal sector is vital to the City’s international success March 17, 2016 The City of London’s position as a world leader in finance and business is widely acknowledged. I know this only too well from my own work, both as an international commercial barrister and as the current chairman of the Bar of England and Wales. But the City is being challenged by other financial centres in [...]
Budget 2016: George Osborne’s speech in full March 16, 2016 George Osborne has just revealed the Budget for 2016. There was good news for businesses with corporation tax being sliced and business rates being reformed – but bad news for smokers and students who hate maths. Mr Deputy Speaker, Today I report on an economy set to grow faster than any other major advanced economy in [...]
Budget 2016: Chancellor George Osborne delivers tax relief to the UK North Sea oil and gas industry March 16, 2016 Chancellor George Osborne today bowed to pressure from the UK's embattled North Sea oil and gas industry, delivering tax relief to help its companies weather the downturn. Scottish politicians, industry body Oil & Gas UK and North Sea oil baron Algy Cluff had all called on the chancellor to address the industry's urgent predicament in the run [...]
Budget 2016: The stories you missed while chancellor George Osborne was speaking March 16, 2016 From Trump's warning of violence on the streets to US inflation ticking up, here are all the other stories that happened while Chancellor George Osborne was speaking. Obama to visit the UK US president Barack Obama will be paying a visit to the UK at the end of April, allowing him to show gratitude to Britain for [...]
Fidelity analysts back consumer and tech sectors as utilities, industrials and energy lose their appeal March 14, 2016 The consumer and tech sectors will drive corporate earnings growth this year, a survey of analysts at an investment giant revealed today. However, the survey of 200 analysts at Fidelity International reveals they have dramatically toned down their outlook on utilities, industrials and financial companies for this year. Subdued inflation, rising house prices, wage growth and falling unemployment [...]
Budget 2016: It’s time for the Treasury and George Osborne to find elusive cuts, not introduce stealth taxes March 14, 2016 A guaranteed way of keeping someone on your side is to print a bigger number at the bottom of their monthly pay slip – a fact recognised by employers and politicians alike. George Osborne is expected to lift the personal allowance again during Wednesday’s Budget (a commendable continuation of the Liberal Democrats’ longstanding policy) and [...]