US Fed leaves interest rate on hold amid global market volatility January 27, 2016 The US Federal Reserve has voted to keep interest rates on hold at 0.5 per cent, following the first rate rise for almost a decade in December. All but one member voted to leave the benchmark rate that banks offer to lend to each other overnight, known as the Federal Funds rate, between 0.25 per cent [...]
Libor scandal brokers: Jury acquits five of six brokers on accusations of conspiracy to defraud in latest Libor verdict, but is still considering one of the charges against the sixth January 27, 2016 A jury has today acquitted five of six brokers accused of offences related to manipulating the London Interbank Offered Rate (Libor). The brokers who have been acquitted are Colin Goodman and Danny Wilkinson, who both used to work at ICAP, Noel Cryan, formerly from Tullett Prebon, and Terry Farr and James Gilmour, both formerly of RP Martin. The verdict for [...]
Can you tell the real jobs from Hollywood sci-fi? Take this quiz to find out January 27, 2016 From train pusher to beer smeller, there sure are some pretty weird jobs out there if you’re looking for a new career path. But Hollywood science fiction films have delivered some pretty stellar and yet completely made-up job titles throughout the years. In the quiz below, some of the jobs come directly from the Home [...]
Prudential Regulation Authority governor Andrew Bailey says preventing another financial crisis is a work “in progress” January 27, 2016 The Bank of England's Andrew Bailey has said that creating a more stable financial system to prevent another financial crisis is still a work "in progress". Speaking at the International Financial Services Forum in Dublin, he said: "The work is still in progress and thus for us very much a matter of debate." Market turmoil since [...]
UK house prices: The number of homes on the market has halved in the past 10 years, say estate agents January 27, 2016 Attention househunters: it's about to get rough out there. The National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) has said the number of homes available to buyers fell to 37 per estate agent branch in December, the lowest figure for 2015 – and half the number available at the same time in December 2005. The figures also showed the [...]
Poor workplace wellbeing is costing businesses £554 per employee per year, as employers still need to do more to protect their workers’ health January 27, 2016 Staff absences are now costing businesses more than £500 per worker, but employers are still not doing enough to protect their employees' wellbeing. According to a report out today from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), although employee absences now cost businesses an average of £554 per employee per year, almost two-thirds (61 per cent) of [...]
Almost a quarter of freelancers believe they are overpaying their taxes, with much of the confusion arising from not understanding what can be deducted as an expense January 26, 2016 While Google has found itself in the spotlight recently for striking a deal with HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) to fork over £130m in unpaid corporation tax, many self-employed people are facing almost the opposite problem. According to a survey from PeoplePerHour, nearly a quarter (22 per cent) of freelancers think they have been regularly [...]
Brent and US crude: Oil prices rise above $30 per barrel on hopes of deal to ease supply glut January 26, 2016 Oil prices rose above $30 per barrel today, on hopes the world's oil producing nations could reach deal to tackle the global supply glut. Brent crude, the global benchmark, rose five per cent to as much as $32.24 per barrel this afternoon while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude, the US benchmark, ticked up to $31.89. The Organisation of the [...]
World Bank cuts its oil price forecast to $37 per barrel January 26, 2016 The World Bank cut its 2016 oil price forecast to $37 per barrel in its quarterly report released today, from $51 outlined in October. The Washington-based organisation cited Iran’s return to the market, alongside the increased resilience of the US shale gas industry. On the demand side, it pointed to warm weather in the Northern Hemisphere and [...]
US services PMI disappoints, but consumer confidence climbs as Fed meets over interest rates January 26, 2016 The latest US services purchasing managers index (PMI) has come in below expectations, further adding to the challenge faced by the US Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC), who are deciding on whether to change the benchmark interest rate over the next 18 hours. Markit's flash services PMI came in a bit below expectations for January, [...]
