Cash-strapped EDF reportedly facing £2bn rise in Hinkley Point C costs March 31, 2016 Cash-strapped EDF could have to find an additional £2bn to build the Hinkley Point C nuclear power plant. There's rising pressure at the French utility giant over whether its already strained balance sheet will be able to shoulder the hugely expensive project. An independent report regarding the controversial project seen by the Times claims the updated cost could be as high [...]
Eurozone trapped by deflation in March, but there could be signs of life on the horizon March 31, 2016 The Eurozone could not shake-off its deflationary funk in March as prices fell for a second consecutive month according to official numbers out this morning. Inflation, as measured by the "harmonised index of consumer prices" (HICP), was down by 0.1 per cent on the year, with tumbling energy prices dragging down the cost of goods for [...]
Industry veteran John Spiers of EQ Investors talks Brexit, robo-advice and the future of investment March 31, 2016 For industry veteran John Spiers, successful investment is like cooking a gourmet dinner. “Even if you take the effort and go down to Borough Market and buy some really good ingredients, unless you select them in the context of the other ones, you could end up with a very unpleasant meal.” And this, he says, [...]
Think tank slams government policy to avoid future blackouts March 31, 2016 A leading think tank has slammed the government’s policy to avoid future blackouts as “not fit for purpose”, in a report released today. The IPPR said despite awarding £2.8bn in subsidies to power companies, the government’s “capacity market” scheme is failing to meet its own objectives. It comes amid rising concern Britain isn't building enough new [...]
Slowing US oil stocks fail to prop up prices March 30, 2016 Oil prices failed to hold on to gains yesterday after rising on the latest data from the International Energy Agency (IEA), showing US crude inventories rose less than expected over the last week. Brent prices initially jumped to $40.54 a barrel in early afternoon trading but by the evening had dropped to $39.27. US benchmark [...]
Five of the best European stocks for your portfolio – Pandora jewellery, sportswear firm Adidas, mobile phone company Orange, oil firm Tenaris and publisher Wolters Kluwer all stand out March 30, 2016 Europe has been a popular choice for investors in recent years. This is largely because the region is home to thousands of well-established businesses, many of which are global leaders in their field, and because Europe’s policy makers are determined to keep the region out of another crisis. Although European economies are slow, they are [...]
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 [...]