EU and China sign investment pact after Merkel’s intervention December 30, 2020 The EU and China have concluded in principle negotiations on an investment deal, with Angela Merkel playing an “active role” in driving through the accord. The deal comes amid deep concerns about the Chinese government’s use of its economic clout to enmesh itself in western countries. A European Commission statement said the agreement is of [...]
EU and China on the brink of sealing historic trade pact December 29, 2020 The European Union and China are close to signing a trade and investment pact, according to multiple reports. The deal would be the first fissure in trade policy to develop post-Brexit between the UK and the continental trading bloc. The pact is said to open up China’s manufacturing and construction sectors to EU companies. Whilst [...]
New: Parliament to vote on Brexit deal on December 30 December 24, 2020 PM Boris Johnson has said he “hopes” Parliament will vote through his Brexit deal on December 30. The treaty will need to be ratified in Westminster in order for it come into force in time for our departure. The UK will leave the customs union and single market on December 31. Read more: Deal finally [...]
Reports: EU putting in place ‘procedures’ for post-Brexit trade deal December 23, 2020 EU member states are beginning to put in place procedures for post-Brexit trade deal, reports have emerged in the last few minutes. Three diplomatic sources told Reuters that preparations have been stepped up. Reuters reports that national diplomats have been told to prepare for a meeting as early as Thursday should a deal be struck [...]
Google CEO criticises antitrust regulation December 23, 2020 Google's chief executive officer, Sundar Pichai warns that "regulation can get it wrong" in an interview with the Financial Times.
Ursula von der Leyen: ‘Narrow path to agreement’ in Brexit talks December 16, 2020 Ursula von der Leyen said there is a "path to agreement now" this morning, as hopes of striking a Brexit deal by the end of the week rise.
Before the Bell: Preparations start for a no deal Brexit December 11, 2020 It was another mixed session for European stocks yesterday, with the FTSE100 outperforming on the back of a slightly weaker pound, but it was notable that we saw heavy falls in UK banks and other stocks with a domestic focus on no deal Brexit concerns. Brexit talks With UK/EU trade talks extended to the weekend, [...]
Before the Bell: Boris heads to Brussels December 9, 2020 After a negative start to the week on Monday, markets in Europe trod water yesterday, awaiting the next developments as we head towards the final denouement of the saga of the EU/UK trade talks, while the first day of the vaccine rollout in the UK also drew a lot of attention. “Ordinarily an event such [...]
The Week Ahead: Brexit, ECB rates, Rolls Royce, Ocado and Airbnb IPO December 7, 2020 Morning Wire takes a look ahead at the main events shaping the markets this coming week, analysing what is to come with City insider Michael Hewson, chief market analyst at CMC Markets UK. Monday: Ted Baker When Ted Baker announced in June it was looking to raise over £100m at a discounted price of 75p [...]
EU will launch €750bn Recovery Fund regardless of vetoes if necessary: EC December 4, 2020 The European Union will push on with its €1.8trn financial package to revive the bloc’s Covid-hit economy even if Hungary and Poland continue to try to veto the project, Economics Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni said earlier today. Budapest and Warsaw have vetoed the adoption of the €1.1trn 2021-2027 EU budget and the €750bn Recovery Fund because [...]