How to make the UK an innovation nation December 20, 2016 Prime Minister Theresa May intends to start 2017 with a flurry of policy announcements including apparently unveiling what Nick Timothy, her co-chief of staff, called “a more long-term and strategic approach to economic and industrial policy” in an article he published before he re-joined government. Industrial strategy is back. This is very welcome. But how does [...]
Weary RBS investors demand £1bn in compensation for 2008 rights issue disaster December 20, 2016 More than 27,000 RBS shareholders nearly wiped out in the bank’s 2008 rights issue are due compensation of up to 94.5p in the pound, or more than £1bn, according to an independent report commissioned by the investors and seen by City PM The shareholders, part of the RBS Shareholder Action Group, are heading to court [...]
Fiver producer Innovia Group sold in meaty £680m deal with Canadian giant December 20, 2016 Here's another big deal worth, ahem, noting: Innovia Group, supplier of the Bank of England’s new plastic five pound note that has come under fire for containing animal fat, has been snapped up by a Canadian label and packaging maker in a CA$1.13bn (£680m) move. The UK-based company makes specialty bi-axially oriented polypropylene films used for [...]
Diverging forecasts on inflation and GDP from leading economists point to uncertain times for the UK December 20, 2016 Following a year in which British people have allegedly “had enough of experts” – or should that be “soothsayers and astrologers”? – it is a brave economist who will venture a guess at where we will be in 12 months' time. But that is what three prominent economists have done for the Economic Research Council. [...]
The IMF has backed its chief Christine Lagarde after French court delivers a guilty verdict in negligence trial December 19, 2016 The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has backed managing director Christine Lagarde after French judges convicted her of negligence but imposed no punishment. The IMF's executive board said in a statement today it "reaffirms its full confidence in the managing director's ability to continue to effectively carry out her duties". Lagarde was found guilty of a state payout [...]
Federal Reserve chair Janet Yellen emphasises the necessity of a good education in today’s “changing economy” December 19, 2016 The US jobs market is the strongest it's been in nearly a decade, but technological advancements and globalisation mean job seekers must have a good education, Federal Reserve chair Janet Yellen said today, speaking to new graduates. Advancements in technology and an increasingly globalised workplace mean there is more demand for higher-skilled jobs that require [...]
Uncertainty causes 20 per cent of market fluctuations says the ECB December 19, 2016 Uncertainty about the future has a measurable economic effect – and could account for as much as 20 per cent of fluctuations in the economy, according to a report by the European Central Bank (ECB). The ECB report said: “Macroeconomic uncertainty is estimated to have contributed significantly to real GDP growth fluctuations in the euro [...]
US services PMI sees December slowdown but continued health in the economy December 19, 2016 US services are experiencing a slight slowdown in December after peaking in October, according to a widely followed indicator of economic activity, but the indicator still shows healthy confidence levels in the world's largest economy. The US services purchasing managers’ index (PMI) fell to 53.4 in December, down from the 54.6 level last month, according to [...]
Eurozone wage growth rebounds as manufacturing and industry post strong gains – but Italian wages shrink December 19, 2016 Wage growth across Europe rebounded in the third quarter, in a sign the Eurozone economy may finally be responding to the European Central Bank’s (ECB) ultra-low interest rates. The cost of labour in the Eurozone rose by 1.5 per cent, while workers’ pay in the broader EU was driven higher – by 1.9 per cent [...]
German business confidence is at its highest level since February 2014 December 19, 2016 Germany business confidence rose in December to hit its highest level in almost three years, data has revealed today. The Ifo economic institute, based in Munich, said its its business climate index, based on a monthly survey of some 7,000 firms, rose to 111.0 this month, from 110.4 in November – beating Reuters' forecast of 110.7. [...]
