UK firms say they are still under threat despite coronavirus support March 31, 2020 More than two thirds of UK managers say the coronavirus outbreak poses a high or severe threat to their companies, despite the government’s unprecedented economic package, a survey showed today. The Institute of Directors (IoD) business group, which produced the survey, said more must be done to support firms. It said the government should extend [...]
UK current account deficit narrows ahead of coronavirus slowdown March 31, 2020 The UK’s current account deficit narrowed in the final quarter of 2019, figures showed today, although this was due in large part to movements in gold trade. The deficit is the difference between the value of the goods and services a country imports and the goods and services it exports. Britain imports more goods and [...]
What impact is Covid-19 having on global economies and markets? March 31, 2020 | City Talk The impact of the new coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic continues to play out. The extent to which the virus will spread, both between and within countries remains unclear, and the duration and impact are highly uncertain. Sadly, the human impact continues to grow, and the virus has now claimed the lives of over 22,000 people, as [...]
World Bank warns on Chinese growth even as factories bounce back March 31, 2020 The coronavirus pandemic will dramatically slow growth in China and Asia and prevent tens of millions from leaving poverty, the World Bank said overnight. The bleak prediction came even as a gauge of output showed signs of life in China’s manufacturing sector in March. China’s economy – the world’s second-largest, is now predicted by the [...]
Coronavirus: Ratings agencies see demand surge as firms try for BoE cash March 31, 2020 Ratings agencies have reported a surge in demand from UK companies as firms try to secure credit ratings that would let them access the Bank of England’s coronavirus bond-buying scheme. However, a significant number of firms expressing interest do not qualify for the money, agencies said. S&P Global Ratings said it has received around 30 [...]
Coronavirus: UK business confidence falls to lowest level since October March 31, 2020 Overall UK business confidence fell to its lowest level since October amid the coronavirus crisis, reflecting a drop in both trading prospects and economic optimism. The Lloyds Bank Business Barometer shows a 17 percentage point drop to six per cent last month. Economic optimism dropped from 23 per cent, its highest level for 17 months, [...]
Coronavirus: More than half of Brits expect a recession March 30, 2020 More than half of Britons now expect the economy to tumble into recession within a year due to the coronavirus outbreak, a poll has shown, with pessimism about household finances rising at the fastest rate on record. Pollsters Yougov said 52 per cent of people in the UK think the economy will be in recession [...]
How small businesses can do big things for sustainability March 30, 2020 | Sponsored With the green agenda more important than ever, businesses are under pressure to ensure they are both environmentally and economically sustainable. The 26th UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) is on the horizon and attention is focused on how businesses will play their part to tackle climate change. Many big corporations have big budgets for green [...]
Coronavirus: FTSE 100 falls as oil prices plummet March 30, 2020 The FTSE 100 has slipped lower after the coronavirus situation worsened in the UK over the weekend and oil prices tumbled to an 18-year low. Britain’s FTSE 100 index was 1.2 per cent lower at midday at 5,446 points. It had fallen 5.3 per cent on Friday after rallying strongly over the previous three days. [...]
Coronavirus sets UK on course for deepest recession since 2008 March 30, 2020 The UK is set for the deepest recession since the 2008 financial crisis as the coronavirus pandemic ravages the economy. The Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR) predicts the UK economy will shrink marginally in the first quarter year, by 0.5 per cent, before contracting a staggering 15 per cent in the second quarter. [...]
