As the ECB unveils a massive QE boost for the Eurozone, will this set back structural reform? January 22, 2015 Richard Batley, senior economist at Lombard Street Research, says Yes Without structural reform, successive European Central Bank (ECB) monetary palliatives can only temporarily ease the symptoms of deflation and low growth. They can’t address the causes. In almost every euro area country, private sector and government debt-to-income ratios are higher than before the financial crisis. [...]
ECB QE pushes S&P 500 into positive for the year January 22, 2015 Draghi's decision to unleash his biggest "bazooka" has helped push the S&P 500 into positive for this year. The US blue-chip index erased its losses for the year jumping 1.6% to 2,063.98 points in a late-afternoon rally on Thursday. Meanwhile, the Nasdaq also erased its losses for the year, rising 1.8 per cent to 4,750.62 points. The S&P [...]
Newcastle named the 19th richest club in the world – but how much of Mike Ashley’s money goes on transfers? January 22, 2015 Newcastle United are the 19th richest football club on the planet. In an era in which St. James’ Park has become synonymous with fan discontent, that seems tough to believe. Yet according to Deloitte’s Football Money League for the 2013/14 season, the north east club made more cash than European giants such as Roma, [...]
Video: Google’s Eric Schmidt, Facebook’s Sheryl Sandberg and Microsoft’s Satya Nadella at Davos 2015 January 22, 2015 On day two of this year's biggest gathering of world leaders, the focus moved to tech. During one session Google chairman Eric Schmidt joined Facebook chief operating officer Sheryl Sandberg and Microsoft chief executive Satya Nadella to discuss the future of the digital economy, and whether we have what is needed to ensure a thriving, open [...]
Eurozone quantitative easing: Draghi says majority was “so large that we didn’t need to take a vote” January 22, 2015 Such was the level of agreement on the board at the European Central Bank (ECB) regarding the new €1.1tn (£840bn) quantitative easing programme, that there was no need to take a vote. Mario Draghi, president of the ECB, said in the usual post-meeting press conference that there was a good discussion between members over the [...]
ECB leaves rates unchanged ahead of crucial QE decision January 22, 2015 The European Central Bank (ECB) tantalised markets this afternoon, as it left its main interest rate unchanged at a record low of 0.05 per cent ahead of a crucial quantitative easing decision. The euro rose slightly against the dollar as the news sank in, although all eyes will be on a press conference at 1.30pm GMT, [...]
State of the Union hints at Obama’s lame duck term January 22, 2015 There has been a growing trend in the State of the Union address the President gives each year. He stands before Congress and begins to alternate between populist appeals, personalised stories, and non-starter policy proposals. This year was no different, although there is a possibility that a couple minor changes may be made. Little of [...]
David Cameron to reveal devolved powers for Scotland January 22, 2015 Prime Minister David Cameron will reveal draft legislation outlining devolved powers for Scotland today. He will also meet Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon in Edinburgh to discuss enacting the plans. The “command paper” is believed to contain 44 new clauses across 100 pages. In the run-up to last year’s Scottish independence referendum, [...]
David Cameron and Ed Miliband clash as UK unemployment hits a six-year low January 21, 2015 Unemployment has dropped to its lowest rate since 2008 according to official figures, which also show pay continuing to beat inflation. The jobless rate dropped to 5.8 per cent in the three months to November, according to data released yesterday by the Office for National Statistics. Pay including bonuses rose 1.7 per cent [...]
Tax competition is good for Europe: Don’t let Jean-Claude Juncker muddy the waters January 21, 2015 At the end of last week, the European Commission disclosed a preliminary finding that Amazon’s tax arrangements in Luxembourg could have constituted “state aid”. While Amazon has said that it had received no special treatment, this is not good news for the Duchy’s former Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker, now president of the Commission. Yet the [...]