German exports rise but stay below pre-Covid levels September 8, 2020 German exports jumped 4.7 per cent in July as the Eurozone economy’s gradual recovery continued, but trade remained far below its pre-crisis level. Imports grew by just 1.1 per cent, however, undershooting economists’ expectations of a rise of 3.3 per cent. Compared with a year earlier the figures were stark. Exports were down 11 per [...]
Exclusive: Merton leads London house prices higher as buyers seek space September 8, 2020 House prices in the south-western boroughs of Merton and Sutton rose at the fastest pace in London in the year to July as buyers looked for more space during the coronavirus pandemic, according to exclusive analysis by property website Zoopla for City A.M. Prices barely budged in the borough of Hillingdon on the western edge [...]
Brits ignore PM’s diet plea as spending on takeaways surges September 8, 2020 Worried about the nation’s weight, Prime Minister Boris Johnson launched an anti-obesity drive in July. But the latest spending data suggests Britons resoundingly ignored his advice. Spending on takeaways and fast food jumped 20.7 per cent year on year in August, according to Barclaycard data released today. That was the biggest rise since the measure [...]
FTSE 100 jumps after global sell-off as pound slides September 7, 2020 The FTSE 100 and European stocks rose sharply as investors recovered their poise after a sharp sell-off in global stocks last week, with a falling pound boosting London’s blue-chip index. The FTSE 100 extended its morning rebound and was trading 2.46 per cent higher in afternoon trading. London’s FTSE 250 index of smaller firms also [...]
UK house prices hit record high as stamp duty cut powers market September 7, 2020 UK house prices hit a record high in August after pent-up demand and the stamp duty holiday combined to power the market upwards, according to lender Halifax. However, Halifax cautioned that prices were “unlikely” to continue on their current path, with rising unemployment set to catch up with the market. Prices rose 1.6 per cent [...]
Eurozone investor morale rises for fifth month in a row September 7, 2020 Investors became increasingly confident about the Eurozone’s economic recovery in September, with a closely watched sentiment gauge hitting its highest level since February. The Sentix Eurozone economic index came in at minus eight this month, up from minus 13.4 in August. It was the fifth straight rise since the index slumped to minus 42.9 in [...]
Bank of England warns of ‘scarring’ to the UK economy September 2, 2020 Bank of England policymakers have stressed that the UK economy faces big risks in the coming months, saying that the “scarring” could be worse than they predicted in August. Speaking to the Treasury Committee of MPs, governor Andrew Bailey said the Bank’s latest forecasts were highly uncertain. He said it was unclear the extent to [...]
FTSE 100 jumps as homebuilders cheer surge in UK house prices September 2, 2020 The FTSE 100 jumped as investors welcomed signs of an economic recovery, with homebuilders riding high after UK house prices hit a record level despite the coronavirus pandemic. The UK’s main stock index climbed 1.1 per cent to 5,929 points, having shed almost two per cent yesterday. The FTSE 250 index of smaller firms rose [...]
Government urges firms to hire under-25s through free ‘kickstart’ scheme September 2, 2020 UK companies can offer six-month work placements to young people – with wages paid entirely by the government – under the “kickstart” scheme launched today. The government urged businesses to sign up and “take advantage of the enormous pool of potential out there”. It warned that young people “could otherwise be left behind as a [...]
FTSE 100 slides as pound surges but US stocks continue to rise September 1, 2020 The FTSE 100 slumped as the pound soared, but the relentless rise of the big US tech companies continued on a choppy day’s trading. London’s blue-chip stock index slid 1.8 per cent to stand at 5,859 points in afternoon trading. The FTSE 250 index of mid-cap firms shed one per cent. Read more: Asian markets [...]