UK construction rebound lifts economic growth hopes January 5, 2016 The UK's construction sector gained some momentum in December, survey figures released this morning show. Markit's construction purchasing managers' index (PMI) rose to a score of 57.9 in December, up from November's seven-month low of 55.3. Scores above 50 imply the sector grew over the month, with higher scores implying faster growth. Higher levels of construction [...]
Volkswagen latest: VW share price continues to fall after US launches lawsuit January 5, 2016 Investors continued to punish Volkswagen today, with the carmaker's shares slumping 5.4 per cent to €119.55 per share, in response to a US lawsuit over the emissions scandal. Volkswagen shares closed down 6.8 per cent at €125.20 yesterday, after it was sued by the US over alleged violations of the Clean Air Act by fitting illegal devices to evade [...]
Eurozone inflation stays at 0.2 per cent in December January 5, 2016 Inflation in the Eurozone was 0.2 per cent in December, unchanged from the month before, according to official estimates released this morning. The rate of energy price declines slowed to 5.9 per cent from 7.3 per cent, the figures published by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union, reveal. However, this was offset by slower growth in food, alcohol [...]
CSI 300, Shenzhen Composite and Shanghai Composite: Asia shares settle after yesterday’s sell-off January 5, 2016 Shares in Asia stabilised after yesterday's market turmoil, which saw China's blue-chip CSI 300 plunge nearly seven per cent. Today, the CSI 300 edged up 0.28 per cent at 3,478.780 points. It had suffered yesterday as weak data sparked a sell-off, triggering circuit-breakers and bringing a halt to daily trading across Chinese stock markets The breakers, introduced in [...]
Brent and US crude oil prices shrug off yesterday’s turmoil January 5, 2016 Oil prices stabilised today, shrugging off yesterday's volatile trading – but fears over a supply glut kept a lid on prices. Brent crude, the global benchmark, was down 0.35 per cent at $37.09 per barrel in morning trading, while West Texas Intermediate, the US benchmark, shed 0.33 per cent at $36.64. Oil prices yo-yoed yesterday, driven by an escalating diplomatic [...]
FTSE 100 index opens higher regaining some losses made yesterday on the back of miners and Tesco January 5, 2016 The FTSE 100 made a strong start as markets opened, regaining some of the 2.6 per cent it shed yesterday. The index rose 1.09 per cent to 6,158 points as trading began, led higher by miners and Tesco, while Aberdeen Asset Management and Next fell. Tesco led the pack, rising 4.26 per cent to 148.48p per share, [...]
Happy New Fear: Chinese fireworks send panic through global stock markets January 5, 2016 Hopes of a New Year rally were shattered yesterday as fears over the health of the Chinese economy wiped trillions from stock markets and sparked concern of more turmoil to come. Investor confidence was further hampered by rising tensions in the Middle East as Saudi Arabia and its allies cut ties with Iran, accusing the country of [...]
UK house prices: Sales to first time buyers rise by almost a quarter in 2015 as deposit costs drop January 5, 2016 First-time buyer sales rose at their fastest rate in November since August 2007 as the cost of owning a first home continued to fall. An estimated 31,300 first-time purchases were completed in November, up 23.7 per cent on the same month last year, according to figures released today by estate agents Your Move and Reeds [...]
HSBC online and mobile banking services down: What to do if you’re a HSBC customer January 4, 2016 Update: HSBC's online services are down for a second day running It’s not a happy start to 2016 for HSBC customers, who’ve been unable to use their banking services all day. HSBC’s online and mobile banking services have been down today, leaving customers unable to make payments or check their balance online – and for [...]