Italian bond yields hit record low on hopes of new coalition August 28, 2019 The yield on Italian government debt has fallen to a record low as hopes grow that a new government will soon be formed, putting an end to the country’s political crisis. Read more: Italy’s political crisis triggers bond sell-off The 10-year government bond saw its yield, the effective interest rate which moves inversely to the [...]
Global stock markets dragged down as recession warning lights flash August 28, 2019 US stock markets have opened lower as a recession warning light continues to flash over the American economy. Read more: Sterling could hit 35-year low on no-deal Brexit worries They followed their European counterparts, which were also affected by news that UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson is set to suspend parliament in what critics are [...]
Sterling could hit 35-year low on no-deal Brexit worries, City analysts warn August 28, 2019 City economists have warned that the pound could tumble to a 35-year low against the dollar of close to parity as no-deal Brexit fears mount over Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s suspension of parliament. Read more: Boris Johnson asks Queen to suspend parliament Sterling traders have reacted badly to the news that Johnson has asked the [...]
German consumers remain upbeat as country slides towards recession August 28, 2019 German consumers remained surprisingly positive in August despite warnings that the shrinking economy that could be heading into a recession, a survey has shown today. Read more: German economy racked by biggest export drop in six years, figures show The consumer sentiment indicator from researcher GfK held steady at 9.7 in August, the same as [...]
UK employers growing gloomier but still looking to hire August 28, 2019 UK employers are losing confidence in the economy but are nonetheless looking to hire workers, a new survey has shown. Read more: Into the red: UK economy shrinks for first time in seven years The balance of employers’ confidence in the UK economy stood at minus 26 in the three months to July, down one [...]
US consumer confidence dips as expectations about economy fall August 27, 2019 US consumer confidence fell slightly in August following an increase in July, according to a closely-watched gauge, as expectations about the economy’s short-term prospects declined. Read more: Fed will ‘act as appropriate’ to maintain US expansion, vows chair Jay Powell Nonetheless, the drop in confidence was less than economists had predicted as consumers remain relatively [...]
China announces measures to tackle trade war-driven slowdown August 27, 2019 The Chinese government has announced measures to boost consumption in the country as its economy slows under the weight of its raging trade war with the US. Read more: Donald Trump announces tariff hikes as US-China trade war escalates As part of the drive to increase consumption the Chinese state council, equivalent to its cabinet, [...]
German economy racked by biggest export drop in six years, figures show August 27, 2019 Germany’s economy contracted in the second quarter, official statistics confirmed today, as exports fell at the fastest rate in six years. Read more: German economy shrinks in second quarter as exports slump Exports fell by 1.3 per cent quarter on quarter in the months from April to June, a detailed breakdown of Germany’s economic performance [...]
UK mortgage approvals hit highest level in two years August 27, 2019 British high street banks approved the highest number of mortgages for house purchases in over two years in July, according to financial services body UK Finance, in a sign of life in a housing market which has struggled under the weight of Brexit. Read more: London house prices continue to slide under Brexit pressure There [...]
Optimism across UK’s dominant service sector tumbles in second quarter August 27, 2019 Optimism across the UK’s dominant service sector fell sharply in the three months to August, according to a new survey, in news that will worry policymakers as Britain flirts with recession. Read more: Into the red: UK economy shrinks for first time in seven years in second quarter The mood in the business and professional [...]