Hollande: France could launch military strike on Syria next week August 30, 2013 French president Francois Hollande has said the French position on Syria remains unchanged despite refusal by British MPs to initiate military action, and that the country could launch a strike as early as Wednesday. In an interview with Le Monde published this morning, Hollande said: The chemical massacre of Damascus cannot and must not go [...]
Eurozone confidence thumps forecasts despite stagnant unemployment August 30, 2013 Eurozone consumer confidence has come in very strong in August, with the main indicator at a healthier -16 from -17.4 (-16.5 expected). That's despite a flat unemployment rate posted for the same month. Economic sentiment too looked decidedly better, rising from 92.5 to 95.2 (93.0 expected). Business climate is up to -0.2 from -0.53 (-0.35 [...]
Eurozone unemployment unchanged in July August 30, 2013 The unemployment rate in the Eurozone held steady in July, according to official figures. This morning, Eurostat reported that unemployment was flat on the month before at 12.1 per cent. Across the 28 EU member states, the unemployment rate was 11.0 per cent, also stable compared with June. In both zones, rates have risen compared [...]
Cyprus president “certain” country can return to markets before end of bailout programme August 30, 2013 Cypriot president Nikos Anastasiades has said Cyprus will return to the financial markets before the end of its bailout programme in 2016. Speaking to German newspaper Handelsblatt, Anastasiades said he hopes to see the first signs of a turnaround in the second half of 2014, and was “certain” Cyprus could return to the markets before [...]
Mortgage approvals up as Help to Bubble scheme takes effect August 30, 2013 UK mortgage approvals have come in above analyst estimates, at 60,624 in July. Economists had predicted a jump to 59,000 from 57,667 the month before. The government's Help to Buy scheme, only one part of which is now active, has prompted higher demand in the housing sector. But for all that mortgage help, nothing has [...]
Italian unemployment falls unexpectedly August 30, 2013 Italian unemployment fell unexpectedly in July, according to official figures. Istat reported this morning that unemployment fell to 12.0 per cent in July from 12.1 per cent the month before. Analysts had expected to see an increase to 12.2 per cent. Year-on-year, however, unemployment was up from 11.8 per cent. In absolute values, unemployment fell [...]
Before the open – 30/08 August 30, 2013 It's the last trading day of the month – and it looks the FTSE will close down this August. The index closed at 6621.10 on 31 July, and saw its monthly peak the next day at 6682.00. Opening at 6483.05, it seems very unlikely that anything dramatic will happening on what looks to be a [...]
German retail sales continue their decline August 30, 2013 German retail sales have dropped again, down 1.4 per cent in July after a 0.8 per cent contraction last month (revised up from -1.5 per cent). Economists had predicted an end to the decline and 0.5 per cent growth this month. Total retail sales growth in the year to July now stands at 2.3 per [...]
House prices continue to rise on Help to Buy scheme August 30, 2013 House prices are up again in August, by 0.6 per cent. That's in line with analyst predictions, and slightly lower than last month's 0.9 per cent growth (release). Nationwide's figures are provided on a seasonally adjusted basis, while nominal average house prices have actually dropped slightly, down from £170,825 to £170,514. £311 isn't a discount [...]
Caribbean dream August 29, 2013 Get a tan while you invest: now is the ideal time to snap up that dream property, says Steve Irish SUN, SEA, sand and a sound investment. Too good to be true? Not for business-minded buyers with capital behind them: there has never been a better time to snap up that beach-front idyll. While traditional [...]