Negative outlook from exporters fails to move German stocks March 26, 2019 German export expectations weakened considerably in March compared to February, dropping to their lowest figure since October 2012, according to one of the country’s leading think tanks. Export expectations among manufacturers in the automotive and metals industries have in particular weakened, and declines in exports are expected, survey results published by the Ifo Institute showed [...]
UK mortgage approvals fall as Brexit uncertainty bites March 26, 2019 Mortgage approvals in the UK have fallen year-on-year as homebuyers put off their decisions amid political uncertainty, new data has revealed. The number of mortgages approved by the main high street banks in February was 2.2 per cent lower than the same month in 2018, the finance and business services body UK Finance said today. [...]
Britain leads falling European stock markets as US recession risk grows March 25, 2019 European stocks fell today, with Britain's leading the drop, while US equities were volatile as investors weighed up global economic headwinds and recession fears. The US’s S&P 500 was down 0.4 per cent soon after opening at 1.30 pm UK time, but rebounded to rise 0.3 per cent for the day, while the Dow Jones [...]
FTSE 100 falls as markets fear slowing global economy March 25, 2019 The FTSE 100 fell this morning as European stocks followed Asia’s lead and dropped amid global economic headwinds and fears of a US recession. FTSE fell 0.5 per cent soon after opening, shedding 36 points, while the German Dax exchange opened down 0.4 per cent from its previous closing level despite later trimming its losses to become level after [...]
Asian stocks slump amid fears of global economic slowdown March 25, 2019 Fears of a global economic slowdown took its toll on Asian markets overnight, as stocks slumped amid growing investor caution. Read more: Fed slows balance sheet reduction and holds line on rates Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 index tumbled 3.1 per cent, as trading opened on Monday after a week of unrest across global markets. Hong [...]
KPMG downgrades UK economic growth forecast for 2019 due to Brexit March 25, 2019 Audit firm KPMG has downgraded its short term expectations for the UK economy due to the lack of clarity around Brexit and global headwinds. The firm forecasts that the UK economy will expand by 1.2 per cent in 2019, assuming that a Brexit deal is reached. The predictions are included in KPMG’s latest quarterly Economic [...]
Euro drops as Eurozone manufacturing activity hits six-year low March 22, 2019 The Eurozone’s economy lost momentum again in March as Germany and France's manufacturing sectors struggled to overcome global headwinds, according to a closely-followed indicator. Read more: Wages up across Europe despite gloomy economic climate Manufacturers across the economic area suffered their steepest downturn in seven years this month, the IHS Markit Eurozone composite purchasing managers’ index [...]
Theresa May’s perverse migration stance will damage the UK’s economy March 22, 2019 One of the unexpected impacts of the Brexit vote has been a marked change in public attitudes towards immigration – for the better. Today, 45 per cent of Britons are positive about the impacts of immigration on the UK, while only 31 per cent are negative – roughly the reverse of the figures from three [...]
Sterling slides to fresh one-week low against dollar as Brexit clouds gather March 21, 2019 The pound slid against the dollar this afternoon to hit a fresh one-week low after French President Emmanuel Macron said Britain “will be going to a no deal” if Parliament again rejects the Brexit agreement. Sterling was down 0.8 per cent today against the dollar as traders reacted badly to continued uncertainty in the Brexit saga. [...]
Bank of England holds interest rates amid Brexit deadlock despite sunnier economic data March 21, 2019 The Bank of England's monetary policy committee (MPC) has voted unanimously to hold interest rates at their current level of 0.75 per cent, after weighing up “mixed” economic data, it said today. Read more: Government borrowing falls to fresh 17-year low The central bank said it will not change its primary bank rate from where [...]
