Week Ending 11th August 2017 U.S. stocks rose and volatility eased as markets showed signs of stabilizing after days of verbal sparring between the U.S. and North Korea. The dollar fell after American inflation remained subdued. The S&P 500 Index rebounded from its worst day since May as a measure of calm returned to global […]

Prices in the US rose by less than expected last month, as inflation in the economy remained tame. The Labor Department’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) inched up 0.1% last month, only a slight improvement on a stagnant June figure. Economists polled by Reuters had expected a 0.2% month-on-month increase. The dollar fell on the inflation […]

The US economy saw strong jobs growth in July, helped by a wave of hiring in the hospitality industry. The Bureau of Labor Statistics said 209,000 jobs were created in July, which was more had been expected. The unemployment rate edged lower to 4.3%, matching May’s figure which was the lowest since 2001. Employment in […]

The US economy gathered speed in the second quarter of the year, growing at an annualised pace of 2.6%. The pick-up was helped by consumer spending in the quarter expanding at a pace of 2.8%, and businesses stepping up spending on equipment. The growth rate for the first quarter was cut to 1.2%, compared with […]

The UK and US economies will expand more slowly in 2017 than previously predicted, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). It said “weaker-than-expected activity” in the first three months of the year meant the UK would grow by 1.7%, compared with an earlier 2% forecast. And the IMF revised down its US outlook from […]

Week Ending 21st July 2017 U.S. stocks sank Friday and the euro climbed to its highest level against the dollar since January 2015 as investors assessed an investigat ion into U.S. President Donald Trump that may stall his economic agenda. European shares fell as the common currency’s rally weighed on carmakers and other exporters. Oil […]

The “cabinet is united” over the need for a transitional period after Britain officially leaves the European Union, Cabinet minister Michael Gove has said. He said an “implementation period” ensuring access to migrant labour and economic stability would happen. He said it must be driven by “pragmatism” but also recognise the UK’s vote to leave […]

Almost six months into Donald Trump’s presidency, Americans are feeling fairly optimistic about their jobs, the strength of the U.S. economy, and their own fortunes. That should be welcome news for the president, except for one thing: The public’s confidence largely appears to be in spite of Trump, not because of him. The latest Bloomberg […]

The UK Inflation rate drops unexpectedly to 2.6% in June, from 2.9% in May, official figures show. And the inflation figures have had an immediate impact on the pound, as markets surmise that the decline to 2.6% makes an interest rate rise less likely. Sterling immediately fell half a cent against the dollar to $1.3028. […]

US banking giant JP Morgan Chase has reported a 13% rise in second quarter profits to $7bn (£5.4bn), lifted by strong growth of loans and deposits. It was the steepest profit rise of the three big US banks that reported quarterly results on Friday. Profits at Wells Fargo increased 5% to $5.8bn, but revenue was […]