US job growth surges with more than 260,000 added as unemployment rate falls May 3, 2019 The US economy saw another strong month of growth for April with 263,000 jobs added as it continued to bounce back from February's dramatic slowdown. The Labor Department revealed on Friday that there were more than 70,000 additional jobs created last month than analysts had expected, dispelling fears from earlier in the year of a [...]
Eurozone inflation beats expectations in April May 3, 2019 Eurozone inflation beat expectations last month, which will offer mild relief for the European Central Bank (ECB). Inflation rose from 1.4 per cent in March to 1.7 per cent in April, beating forecasts for 1.6 per cent, according to Eurostat. Read more: Euro rises as Eurozone economy shows stronger-than-expected growth However, despite the solid April [...]
Penny pincher? Treasury saves 1p and 2p coins after threat to loose change May 3, 2019 The Treasury has decided the UK will retain copper coins for “years to come” after their future had been in question. Read more: DEBATE: Is biometric technology the future for digital payments? In the Spring Statement in 2018 chancellor Philip Hammond had called for a consultation on the mix of coins and banknotes in circulation. However, [...]
UK economy ‘treading water’ as services sector struggles back to marginal growth May 3, 2019 Britain’s services sector improved just enough to return to growth last month after shrinking in March, but the economy remained “more or less stalled” according to analysts. Read more: US services sector continues its trend of solid growth The services purchasing managers’ index (PMI) stood at 50.4 in April, compared to a more than two-year [...]
Bank of England upgrades UK growth forecast as household spending boosts economy May 2, 2019 The Bank of England once again voted to keep interest rates on hold today, as it painted a picture of an economy propped up by household spending as Brexit uncertainty continues. Read more: City PM's shadow MPC votes to hold interest rates despite recent growth Threadneedle Street also upgraded Britain's 2019 economic growth forecast to 1.5 [...]
‘Fierce’ manufacturing downturn will act as major drag on Eurozone economy May 2, 2019 The Eurozone suffered its third straight month of contraction in its manufacturing sector in April, data revealed today. Germany continued to lead the downturn as the bloc’s manufacturing industry barely recovered from a six-year low in March, according to a closely-followed measure of activity. Read more: Construction industry bounces back in April amid housebuilding rush [...]
House building props up otherwise struggling construction industry as sector returns to growth May 2, 2019 Britain’s construction industry grew again in April after two months of contraction, driven by the fastest rise in house building so far in 2019. Read more: Eurozone construction sector bounces back in February after weak January The construction purchasing managers’ index (PMI) stood at 50.5 in April, compared to 49.7 in March, bouncing back from [...]
US Federal Reserve opts to hold interest rates in strong labour market May 1, 2019 The US Federal Reserve said today it was not raising interest rates, citing a strong labour market with solid economic activity. The Fed said it would maintain its target rate at 2.25 to 2.5 per cent. It said the labour market remains strong and economic activity rose at a “solid rate”. It said job gains have [...]
City PM’s shadow MPC votes to hold interest rates despite recent sunnier data May 1, 2019 Ongoing Brexit uncertainty means the Bank of England should hold interest rates steady tomorrow, City economists have said, despite the economy recently showing signs of strength. Read more: UK inflation rate holds steady sending Britons' real wages higher The Bank’s monetary policy committee (MPC) will at midday tomorrow announce its latest interest rate decision, along [...]
US manufacturing sees moderate growth in April as China trade talks continue May 1, 2019 Growth in the US manufacturing sector picked up slightly in April, with output and new orders bouncing back from the lows seen in March, according to a closely-watched industry gauge. Read more: US stocks rise as 'productive' China trade talk round ends Despite companies’ backlogs growing, the rate of job creation was the slowest since [...]
