Five key numbers from the Bank of England’s quarterly inflation report May 13, 2015 The Bank of England's quarterly inflation report, setting out its forecasts for economic growth and inflation, was published today offering the first insight into officials' thinking since they entered election purdah six weeks ago. Here are five key figures from the report: 1. Gross domestic product growth – 2.5 per cent: The Bank of England has [...]
Wage growth jumps again while unemployment falls to another post-financial crisis low May 13, 2015 Average weekly wages excluding bonuses rose by an inflation-busting 2.2 per cent in March, official figures published this morning showed – a welcome relief for consumers. Read more: Bank of England cuts UK growth forecasts Meanwhile, unemployment fell to another post-financial crisis low of 5.5 per cent (that's the best figure since July 2008), while [...]
Bank of England inflation report: UK growth expectations cut May 13, 2015 The Bank of England today slashed forecasts for how much its expects the economy will grow this year to 2.5 per cent, down from 2.9 per cent. Threadneedle Street also said it expects interest rates to remain close to historical lows for the foreseeable future, before rising some time in the second quarter of 2016. [...]
Eurozone economic growth beat the UK in the first quarter of 2015 May 13, 2015 The Eurozone economy grew at a faster rate than the UK's during the first quarter of this year, topping off a stream of recent data suggesting the bloc is emerging from a long period of stagnation. Official statistics agency Eurostat said GDP rose 0.4 per cent across the euro area, towards the bottom of analyst estimates, [...]
Tui share price rises as it promises 10pc profit growth May 13, 2015 The figures Fresh from its recent merger with its German owner, holiday giant Tui said this morning revenues grew 7.3 per cent to €6.9bn (£5bn) in the six months to the end of March, up from €6.4bn during the same period last year. Its loss on earnings before interest, taxation and amortisation fell 20 per cent, from a loss of [...]
SAB Miller says profits flat on strong dollar May 13, 2015 The figures One of the world's largest brewers, SAB Miller, said full-year revenue rose six per cent to £233.bn in the year to the end of March, minus the effects of adverse exchange rate movements. However on a reported basis, it fell by two per cent. Meanwhile, pre-tax profit was flat at $4.83bn, compared with $4.823bn a year earlier. [...]
UK house prices: Barratt Developments storms to highest ever number of forward sales May 13, 2015 Housebuilder Barratt Developments just beat its record for the highest number of forward sales. UK house price growth may have slid from the dizzying heights of last May, but Barratt is reaping the benefits of consistent market growth. The figures Throughout the 19 weeks to 10 May, Barratt said: “market conditions have remained strong throughout [...]
Admiral Group chief executive Henry Engelhardt to step down May 13, 2015 Insurer admiral has announced that chief executive Henry Engelhardt intends to step down in one year's time, and he'll be replaced by co-founder and chief operating officer David Stevens. Engelhardt, who has been with the company since it was first created in 1991, said "don't bury me yet, Guys!". "I still have 12 months on the job and [...]
UK law firm Gateley plans to pioneer London IPO May 12, 2015 A corporate law firm that counts Mothercare and West Ham as clients is hoping to break new ground by becoming the first British firm to float on the stock market. Gateley, which has offices at Paternoster Square, is hoping to raise £10m by listing shares on the alternative investment market (Aim). Read more: Gateley [...]
Lloyds halfway out of bailout with £10bn sale May 12, 2015 More than half of the government’s stake in Lloyds has now been sold back to private investors, raising more than £10bn for the Treasury so far, the government announced yesterday. The latest sale of £500m of shares takes the taxpayer’s stake to below 20 per cent, compared with 41 per cent when the bailout [...]