Breaking News
Avon surges on PTG Capital acquisition offer
Avon Products saw shares rocket after the cosmetics giants received a takeover offer from PTG Capital Partners valuing the retailer at $18. 75 per share.
US retail sales flat in April, economists surprised
US retail sales volumes were flat month-on-month in April at $436. 8bn, according to the US Department of Commerce.
Bank of England lowers growth forecasts in Inflation Report
The Bank of England lowered its forecast for economic growth in 2015, reflecting a more downbeat view on labour productivity, but on the basis of the implied path for interest rates still saw inflation returning to its target in two years’ time.
UK unemployment drops in March, wages higher
The jobless rate in Britain slipped by one tenth of a percentage point to 5. 5 % in the three months to March, according to the Office for National Statistics.
German economic growth slower than expected, France's growth faster
The German economy grew at a slower 0. 3% than the 0. 5% that was expected in the first quarter, while France over-delivered, growing GDP 0. 6% in the quarter versus the 0. 4% consensus estimate and the 0. 1% in the prior quarter.
Second major earthquake hits Nepal
Nepal has been hit by a second major earthquake measuring 7. 4 on the Richter scale.
US job openings decline to 4.99m in March, Labor Department figures show
Figures released by the Labor Department showed US job openings declined to 4. 99m in March from 5. 14m in the previous month, falling short of analysts’ expectations that called for a largely unchanged reading.
NIESR says UK GDP growth picked up slightly in April
Economic growth in the UK picked up slightly in April, according to a prestigious think-tank which forecast a further re-acceleration through the rest of the year.
ECB to increase funding for Greek banks, report says
The European Central Bank will reportedly increase its funding to Greek banks under its Emergency Liquidity Assistance (ELA) facility.
US small business optimism rises in April, says NFIB
US small-businesses sentiment improved in April, the National Federation of Independent Business said.
Verizon launches $4.4bn takeover of AOL in ad technology and mobile video push
US telecommunications giant Verizon Communications has launched a $50 per share all-cash offer for AOL as part of a push into content and mobile video.
IMF does not want to participate in third bail-out for Greece
Following the Eurogroup’s meeting on Monday in Brussels, the International Monetary Fund reportedly made clear it did not want to participate in a third bailout for Greece, that could be valued at €50bn.
Greece confirms latest IMF repayment
Greek officials have confirmed that it has completed its €750m loan repayment to the International Monetary Fund.
Macquarie downgrades HSBC and StanChart
On Tuesday analysts at Macquarie downgraded their recommendations on shares of HSBC and Standard Chartered.
Delhaize confirms merger talks with Ahold to create European grocery giant
Merger talks between Dutch grocer Ahold and Belgian rival Delhaize have been confirmed, in a potential deal that would could create a European supermarket powerhouse worth around €23bn.
Easyjet swings to first-half profit, but full-year outlook tough
Budget airline Easyjet met guidance after swinging to a small profit in the first half, though it faces tougher conditions in the latter part of the year.
Ahold and Delhaize discuss merger, according to reports
Dutch retailer Ahold and Belgian rival Delhaize may have held discussions on a possible merger.
MPC keeps Bank Rate, asset purchase programme unchanged
The Bank of England kept its main policy settings unchanged following a meeting of its Monetary Policy Committee on 7 May as economists differed on the likely timing of the first rate hike.
Whistl sheds 2,000 staff after suspending "end-to-end" deliveries
Whistl, a wholly owned subsidiary of PostNL, have sent 2,000 staff home from their west London, Manchester and Liverpool depots, after difficult postal market conditions pushed the company to halt its 'end-to-end' (E2E) delivery service.
Business leaders urge Tories to begin campaign to keep UK inside EU
Business leaders are calling on Prime Minister David Cameron to kick-off a campaign for keeping the UK in the European Union (EU) as soon as possible.