Asian markets rise as Yellen reaffirms commitment to low rates April 17, 2014 Asian markets have seen minor gains after the US posted better than expected industrial production figures, and the chair of the Federal Reserve Janet Yellen reaffirmed the Fed's commitment to supporting the recovery. Investors were reassured by Yellen's remarks to the Economic Club of New York that the US would "likely require low real interest [...]
Putin doesn’t need to invade Ukraine to get what he wants April 16, 2014 THE SIMMERING crisis in Ukraine has just been brought to a boil again. Pushed to the point of no return, the fledgling government in Kiev has at last responded to Russian provocations, for the first time deploying troops, aircraft, and armoured carriers in the east of the country. Kiev has explicitly labelled this an “anti-terrorist [...]
Eurozone inflation confirmed at 0.5pc as pressure piles on Draghi April 16, 2014 The shock fall seen in Eurozone inflation in March has been confirmed this morning. A final revision of Eurozone inflation for March has come in at 0.5 per cent – confirming the four-year low preliminary reading and stoking concerns that the economic area could slip into deflation, as disinflation continues. Below the European Central Bank [...]
Ukip strikes back after claims that Farage misused allowance April 15, 2014 UKIP party officials were on the attack yesterday, after claims that leader Nigel Farage misused allowances from the European parliament. The party published a list of journalists at The Times who it accuses of conspiring against Ukip to boost the fortunes of the Conservative party by publishing the expenses claims. Yesterday, The Times published a [...]
Eurozone QE: Why and how Draghi may pull the trigger April 14, 2014 The ECB will opt for a massive sum to force the euro down DESPITE the strongest signs yet that the European Central Bank (ECB) will act to tackle disinflation, markets remain unconvinced. ECB president Mario Draghi, speaking on Saturday, said that a continued strengthening of the euro (which the ECB believes has knocked up to [...]
Lagarde mulls ending central bank freedom April 14, 2014 CENTRAL banks are gaining so many new powers that it is time to consider ending their independence from government control, International Monetary Fund (IMF) boss Christine Lagarde indicated yesterday. This would represent a major shift in central banking, which has been given credibility by its freedom from politicians since – in the UK’s case – [...]
Draghi could print money to prop up Euro April 14, 2014 THE European Central Bank will ease monetary policy further if the euro keeps strengthening, President Mario Draghi said over the weekend as world finance chiefs ramped up pressure on Europe to ward off deflation. “The strengthening of the exchange rate would require further monetary policy accommodation,” he said.
Cameron: Don’t trust extremist Farage or Clegg April 10, 2014 DAVID Cameron has urged voters to reject “extremist” Ukip and the Liberal Democrats in the European elections, positioning his party as the only option for those who want real change. Promising a stronger economy at home and greater respect abroad, the Prime Minister set out his stall with six weeks to go before the EU [...]
Bottom Line: Bolland must use his breathing space wisely April 10, 2014 MARKS & Spencer’s boss Marc Bolland usually looks pretty pleased with himself, but yesterday his proud smile was somewhat justified. By posting the retailer’s best clothing performance in three years – based on an improvement in its crucial womenswear lines – Bolland has proved the critics wrong, pulling something that looks like the start of [...]
Bolland’s bought more time, but what does M&S need now? April 10, 2014 The trading update from high street staple Marks & Spencer has been described by stockbroker Shore Capital as “frankly, quite mellow”. The encouraging figure was for clothing sales, which rose 1.3 per cent and 0.6 per cent on a like-for-like basis in the first quarter of 2014. The group reported sales up 1.9 per cent, [...]