Confidence returns to UK businesses April 11, 2010 CONFIDENCE amongst UK businesses about the future of the economy has surged to pre-recessionary levels for the first time since the crisis hit at the end of 2007, according to the latest report by accountancy firm BDO Stoy Hayward. BDO’s Optimism index jumped from 99.4 to 103.2 in March, a high not seen since the [...]
Britons are at their most optimistic in two years as economy starts to grow March 2, 2010 BRITONS are at their most confident in two years with expectations about the future the highest level on record, the Nationwide Consumer Confidence Index for February will show today. This second consecutive rise puts the index at 80, its highest level since January 2008, and almost double the level recorded during the same period last [...]
The land of opportunity May 18, 2010 WHILE Europe desperately struggles to escape Greek contagion, the US is fighting its way out of recession. In the first three months of 2010, US GDP rose 0.8 per cent, putting the annualised rate at 3.2 per cent. Over the same period, Germany and the UK grew just 0.2 per cent, France and Spain grew [...]
High street shows continuing signs of growth with positive outlook for Easter March 23, 2010 THE UK high street has been unable to sustain its strong February sales growth this month, but the Confederation of British Industry’s (CBI) monthly distributive trades survey showed UK retailers still experienced an increase in sales volumes. Encouragingly, the CBI also said that retailers are expecting a similar pace of growth over the Easter period. [...]
West End delivers boost for London sales growth October 18, 2009 LONDON retail sales in September had their strongest growth since August last year due to a wave of renewed consumer confidence, according to figures out today from the London Retail Consortium. Retail sales in central London were 7.5 per cent higher on a like-for-like basis in September than a year ago, when sales nosedived to [...]
FTSE gains limited by the Budget March 21, 2010 EUROPEAN stock markets are headed for a positive start to the week, with the FTSE set to continue its current winning streak after closing at its highest level since June 2008 on Friday. However ahead of the pre-election Budget on Wednesday, any further gains are likely to be moderate. GFT is forecasting the UK’s FTSE [...]
Dow has 11,000 target in its sights March 28, 2010 After hitting new 21-month and 18-month highs on the FTSE and DAX markets last week, European stock markets may take a breather on the open this morning, in a positive but sluggish start to the week. The FTSE turned negative for the first time in four days on Friday, yet GFT is forecasting the UK [...]
Economic Diary March 7, 2010 IT IS a busy week ahead on the economics front once again. While last week was dominated by central bank decisions from across the world and independent surveys, this week we will see a slew of statistics that may or may not confirm rebounding consumer confidence and output. UK February Sales figures due In the [...]
Fresh fears over global recovery February 23, 2010 FEARS of a double-dip global recession intensified yesterday after a slew of depressing economic news highlighted the fragility of the world economy. Bank of England governor Mervyn King warned that Britain might have to resort to further quantitative easing (QE) if the UK economy deteriorates further. He highlighted the stalled recovery in the Eurozone – [...]
Interest rates frozen again March 4, 2010 THE Bank of England continued to sit tight in March as fears of a double dip recession diminished. Interest rates were left at a record low of 0.5 per cent while its quantitative easing programme, which finished last month, has been put on ice. However, the Bank has left the door open for further action [...]