German industrial production sinks in July September 6, 2013 German industrial production numbers have dropped by 1.7 per cent in July, from 2.0 per cent growth last month (revised down from 2.4 per cent). So that's bad news on two counts, with economists estimating that production would only fall by 0.5 per cent. It's a bit of a weird morning, with hard data conflicting [...]
End to UK’s winning streak: Poor data sees the pound plummet September 6, 2013 A string of solid data points for the UK have come to an end, as the economy's winning streak goes cold. Industrial production, manufacturing production and trade data have all been disappointing. The pound has taken a slide against the dollar on the bad news. UK industrial output has been completely flat in July, despite [...]
House price growth slows in August September 6, 2013 House prices have risen by 0.4 per cent in August, down from a 0.9 per cent rise last month, according to the Halifax house price index. Economists had forecast a rise of 0.7 per cent. House prices have risen 5.4 per cent in the three months to August on the same period last year. Nicholas [...]
French consumer confidence ticks up in August September 6, 2013 French consumer confidence is up slightly in August, from 82 to 84, according to new numbers from INSEE. That's slightly above expectations of a rise to 83. Respondents saw their financial situation slightly improved, with past situation up one point and future up two. Assessment of August being a suitable time to make major purchases [...]
Before the open – 06/09 September 6, 2013 Strong US data yesterday has led traders to fear potential US Federal Reserve tapering could be moved forward. Now the FTSE could open lower on nerves over that tapering – a reduction in the rate of expansion of the US' monetary base. So all eyes are on today's US jobs data, out at 13:30. Investors [...]
Tullow Oil discovers oil at offshore Norwegian site September 6, 2013 Tullow Oil has announced the discovery of oil at the Wisting Central exploration well, offshore Norway, the first ever oil discovery in the Hoop-Maud Basin in the Barents Sea (release). Results of drilling, wireline logs and samples of reservoir fluids show that the well has encountered 50-60 metres of net light oil pay in good [...]
Walkie Scorchie sets carpet on fire, cracks tiles and melts paint | Morning Wire September 6, 2013 THE GREAT Fire of London began on Pudding Lane on 2 September 1666. And yesterday – exactly 347 years later – there was once again smoke in the vicinity, as the Walkie Talkie’s beam of hot light set the carpet of a nearby barber shop on fire. “We want the developer to fix it somehow,” Ali Akay of [...]
Eggsclusive: We use the Walkie Scorchie light beam to fry an egg | Morning Wire September 6, 2013 (Laura Lean/Morning Wire) The developers of the Walkie Scorchie skyscraper – aka 20 Fenchurch Street – had hoped their building would be known for its striking design and its blue chip clients. But instead over the week Morning Wire has revealed how the building has begun emitting a curious ray of light, started melting cars, set [...]
Walkie Talkie has few design solutions as beam warms shops to 70°C | Morning Wire September 6, 2013 EXPERTS yesterday said the hot ray of light reflected by the Walkie Talkie is on an “unprecedented” scale – as Morning Wire found the heat on Eastcheap in mid-afternoon is hitting 70°C. “I’m flabbergasted,” said Dr Philip Oldfield, an expert in tall buildings at the University of Nottingham’s Department of Architecture, who warned other parts of [...]
Innovation Diary: Success breeds success: Why startup networks are important September 6, 2013 BRITAIN is the best place in Europe to be an entrepreneur. This, at least, is the conclusion of a study released by Ernst & Young last week. While the UK lags behind the US, South Korea and Australia, the G20 Entrepreneurship Barometer credited Britain’s regulatory framework, its tax system, its culture, and its financial sector [...]